Acts20.com

Re: The COG is less than a generation away from decentralization or extinction

I believe you are spot on my friend. I personally just approached our clerk About our submission of offerings and tithe. I now have to talk this over with my wife. I have been a tithe payer in the COG for over 60 years and 2 years in the 4 SQ. I am thinking designating every other month to General funds rather than assigning the title of tithe to the offerings.Reasoning: I have close friends who are paid a salary or 'expenses' out of HQ funds and they are now on full retirement and SS. Make jobs that have ALWAYS before been strictly voluntary work in the Kingdom. It bothers me. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

It asks: I wonder if our leadership is aware of the shift in culture. The pyramid structure of leadership is past its “best by” date. I answer: The paradigm shift that is occurring was not only recognized first by our astute leaders but advocated as what needs to happen. I have been in meetings with general officials promoting it - telling us that headquarters exists because and for the local church and without strong local churches we could not reach around the world to do our part to help fulfill The Great Commission. And you wonder if our leadership is aware?You claim: Congregations want much more say in what happens in their local churches.I respond: There has never been a time when congregations had more say than now in what happens in their local church. Never. It's like nothing we've ever seen and International, National and State leadership is thrilled that the churches are taking ownership and stepping up to determine their own course in important matters as well as lesser ones.You claim: Waiting days and weeks for an AB to stop screening their calls will not suffice. I respond: You apparently are going off of old info (and while people can cite incidents no claim that it was the norm can be substantiated)- anyways, they are evaluated for many things including their promptness in returning calls. It's on the form because it is considered important.You ask: Does anyone actually know what percentage of tithe monies goes to paying administrative salaries ?I respond: Good grief. The general offices recently put out an information brochure telling exactly how much of the tithe goes for administration/salaries as well as every other major category. It was part of a series of brochures informing us on the essential matters. At state meetings we are given opportunities to ask questions - there is nothing hidden and no reason to hide .Then you say: The hallmark of a dying ministry is when all of the funds are used to pay salaries and keep the lights on. It’s no different in the local church. When a church’s budget reflects an inward focus, plateau and then decline are imminent. It may take 5 years or 10 years, but it will happen.I say: There is truth there that the 'hallmark of a dying church is inward focus...' but to say that implying the CoG is using all of the funds to pay salaries and keep the lights on is just wrong. Much of the funds are being used for world evangelism and that's why in spite of the naysayers we continue to grow around the world with more than 7 million members and hundreds of thousands being born into the Kingdom of God through our ministries every year. If it was at all like you are saying wouldn't it be going the other direction - instead of from 2-3-4-5-6-7 million like we've witnessed over the most recent decades wouldn't it be like from 2-1million- 500 thousand, etc?You say: It may take 5 years or 10 years, but it will happenI say: If Jesus tarries and you're still around 10 years from now, you will eat those words. The CoG too is built upon the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and the gates of Hell (that seem to be on your side of the issue) will not prevail against it. You'll eat your words - because you are just wrong. You must have an axe to grind in order to ignore reality the way you are and prophesy the destruction of the Church of God.

Actually, the opposite is true. I love the movement and

Actually, the opposite is true. I love the movement and

I think I have a unique perspective on this one, as a minister who grew up COG, left, and came back.. I didn't leave because of centralization or authority issues, but rather vision and mission differences that I didn't believe could be accomplished at the time by staying in the COG. In my time away and coming back, I see a lot of changes culturally. Some denominational things are strong -- youth camp in VA where I'm at is still incredible and seems to be growing. But campmeetings, teen talent, prayer conferences, and other state events seem to be losing interest. I also see less churches pushing their teens to go to Lee.. I see more of an acceptance towards other schools like Liberty or Community Colleges. I think we're less interested in denominational politics and working our way up the ladder, and more interested in the mission of the local church... While that's a good thing, I can see why less denominational input is needed. Most of us don't need a top-down approach to preaching, vision, or local mission. But we also need connectivity as well. That was one thing I sorely missed when we were doing independent work. Look at Buy a Tree, Change a Life.... It's growing by leaps and bounds... Such a good thing, and we see more of an immediate response than simply giving money into a missions fund. While I don't see COG dying, I could see a type of decentralization that would be more akin to a network of churches -- like ARC -- coming together to assist each other in common goals, but leaving authority issues to the local church... Similar to AG and Baptist groups ---------My Facebook www.facebook.com/theB3

This is my church, and I will do what I want with it!Direct quote from a state overseer.Until that attitude changes, y'all in trouble Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church

1989Unfortunately, since I have been posting on this discussion board.Account after account of this attitude being displayed by officials, state and international are documented.Not only have members of local congregations been victimized, officials themselves have been cannibalized by the system.Robert White to name one Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church

COG Victim

The Church of God is a Victim of Bad Leadership and Bad Politics.