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If a COG pastor says he doesn’t care what ‘they’ (State, international offices)say, he’s going to run the church his way, is this normal today?If a COG pastor refuses to preach against certain things such as alcohol consumption because he doesn’t agree with the COG position, is this normal today?I guess what I’m asking is how much leeway does the COG give its pastors today to pick and choose how closely they follow its tenets “Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”

Just a thought from the hip. There is no requirement to preach 'against' anything. But there is a requirement to preach Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.I would hate to think we had to have an investigate group going around to see what subjects are covered in sermons.Back when I thought I was a preacher, I sure would have looked like some sorry dude to some 'real' preachers. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

When I was still in the COG, the church I pastored had wanted to add a bathroom addition to the parsonage for many years. They had the money in the bank so when I arrived, within three months, we built an $11,000 bathroom addition to the parsonage. (This was 23 years ago). The District Overseer heard about it and wanted to know if I had received the State Overseer's permission. I said I didn't know he wanted to know about the bathroom or that his approval was necessary. Evidently I was wrong. The congregational vote was 100% and no money was borrowed.

There is a fair amount of leeway as long as someone is not publicly attacking the tenets of the DoF. I think that’s the way it should be. I think there are several items in the DoF that should be reworded. I don’t think that should disqualify me from holding credentials. That being said, I’m speaking of what I deem to be non-essential differences (topics like foot washing). If someone is preaching a different Jesus or another gospel they should be disciplined.

While I agree with the premise of your post, I would certainly hope that while we are preaching Jesus Christ and him crucified we are also preaching on the necessity of personal holiness. Sometimes that requires preaching against certain things that others may not find objectionable at all. I’m about as far from being a legalistic as you can get, but if the denomination has taken a definitive stance against something, I believe the pastor should take the same stand. Otherwise get out and go someplace where the teachings are more palatable to the pastor. At any rate, I believe my original question has been answered.Thanks to all.. “Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”

I think a lot of it depends on the overseer and his style of leading and his personality. And I imagine that things have probably changed somewhat through the years. The ones I have known/known of seem very supportive of their pastors and have their backs. But I'm sure there are others that are insecure and that tends to have different results.I sure wouldn't want to have to deal with members that seem to have his phone on speed dial and complain about everything their pastor does. Overseers these days have to be problem solvers and know how to soothe troubled waters and make tough decisions. Not all of them are suited for the job.That is crazy about the bathroom More of Him...less of me.twitter.com/camiracle77www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name

Good comment Carolyn, Also that opinion on the bathroom is spot on! Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

It becomes more evident the farther you pastor from state headquarters.Just my opinion

Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/