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Centralized government, ya gotta love it! Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church

Re: A former COG "Listening Tour" didn't go as planned.

Eons ago, there was another "tour"...

This one was about changes being proposed to the Practical Commitments, which were apparently not all that practical after all (and plenty of ladies certainly weren't committed to it). They hosted meetings here and there. I heard good arguments from both directions, but--at least where I was (south/central Florida)--those opposed to it seemed absolutely dominant. These tours, even if they are well-intentioned (and there could be some question of that, since I think it is really an attempt to push the leadership agenda around the General Council), mean absolutely nothing. Leadership ALREADY knows that most of our bishops (or at least most of those who attend the General Council) have been against women in high leadership, etc. THEY KNOW THIS! In fact, it has been demonstrated in General Assembly after General Assembly! So exactly WHAT are they listening for? The only thing that counts is the General Council vote. If every single person in the Church of God was for the measure, but the General Council was NOT, then it does not fly.But because the General Council keeps coming back with the wrong answer, we are now having a listening tour?Further, I noted that in the comments made about one of the listening meeting, it told how there was excitement that so many people had, I suppose, positive views of the future of the Church of God. I have to take this as shorthand for If you are for what leadership is for, you are for the future of the Church of God.I especially noticed that the young ministers--the ones most likely to vote for the change--were especially noticed. I cannot help but wonder if we are being more like Rehoboam than we would think--believing that the wisdom of the young, being more to our liking, is better than the experience and wisdom of the ones that keep voting the matter down.

Why Do These Subjects Continue to be PUSHED on the Church ?It would appear that while our Denomination - Movement is sinking into the world of carnality, culture and materialism that the leadership is only concerned with reorganizing the chairs on the deck of the Titanic...Who is behind this Agenda of topics that have been continually voted downor rejected by the General Assembly of the Church of God? 1. Is it a handful of East Tennessee Elites that desire power for life?2. Is it the wives of weak men who are demanding Social Change within the COG because they are not allowed at the seats of power?3. Is it the Denominational Lawyer that pushes these agenda items becausethe Legal Council is afraid of law suits?4. OR - Is there a sincere set of reasons that I have failed to understand?A thought on women in ministry - God's list of 70 Nations in Genesis were named after men; the 12 tribes of Israel we lead by the 12 Sons of Jacob; the 12 hand-picked Apostles of Jesus were all men, the replacement for Judas was a man (Paul); the Leader of the Church in Jerusalem was James, ... and the list goes on... NO women were used in a leadership position by God in the formation of the Nations, of Israel or of the Church - so why are the leaders of the COG pushing this subject?Title of Bishop - This discussion is fruitless and juvenile... focus on the Harvest of Lost Souls and the Discipleship - the soul in Hell could care less if you are a Bishop, Pope, Rev. Bro. or Overseer.AND YES Presiding Bishop Hill - THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY - How Many Times Does This Body Have To Say NO Before NO is NO ! We have sacrificed our Evangelism Efforts for the sake of budget cuts thathave not helped the local church and have crippled the Denomination.