The following message from the State of xxxx, Church of God State Office, was delivered to the congregation of xx yyy CHURCH OF GOD, on Sunday, May 7, 2017, by DDDDD:1. At the urging of the State of www Church of God State Office, Bishop DDDDD’s last service as Pastor of xx yyy CHURCH OF GOD, would be Sunday, May 14, 2017, due to the decline of xx yyy CHURCH OF GOD, under his leadership.2. That on Sunday, May 21, 2017, one of two things will occur:• A potential pastor would arrive to minister to the congregation OR• A State of xxx, Church of God official would arrive to close and disband the existence of xx yyy CHURCH OF GOD in zzz.This church is not in debt, a fairly nice facility, probably a couple acres of land and pays it’s bills.If you read this letter what would you think is about to occur? A new pastor is going to arrive or the church is going to be sold?A member sent me this, we used to attend this church regularly. Of course I intentionally left out the state and individual church. Especially the pastor’s name.I think it could have been worded a little better. The: Is this fair is asked:Fair to the pastor?To that church?To the COG________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Let me say first, I know this type of decision is tough. But if the State report from the state of TN which I read that was referenced on this forum earlier today is accurate (and representative of the COG), there are many churches in the state of TN as small as the church mentioned here________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Shaking my head.Yes, the first thing I would think about is that someone in the state office has a pastor they want to place or else the land is worth something sold. Of course, I don’t know how much and in what way the church has declined. I don’t know the feelings of the congregants, but I doubt they want their church property sold out from under them. It would be interesting to know how they feel about their pastor.Yes, the wording is terrible, but how can you word something like that, anyway?More questions I would have–WHO at the state office is urging this? Has the state office been working with the pastor to support him?
You do realize it list a state name in it________________
Florida.Now tell us which one – and I will do the research for you________________
Thanks for pointing that out, I even need a proof reader for a post. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Centralized government.Ya gotta love it. ________________Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church
It doesn’t appear fair.If a guy has been there 40 years – he deserves the benefit of the doubt imho________________
I probably didn’t make it clear. The present pastor has been there 2-5 years not sure which. The original pastor retired. Under his leadership it was organized and built. I am sure it is tough to follow a pastor who had the reins that long. It takes a lot of ‘common sense’ and patience. In that case i think it would have been wise to use the former pastor as much as possible if he remained in the area________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Is this pastor younger than 50?Does this church have a history of problems…does it have a file at the state office because of trouble makers?No it does not appear to be fair, but as someone has said, there more be more to this than meets the eye________________
Re: Questions…
By the way, Welcome aboard PineKnot. haven’t seen the pen name befo! Good to see a new name pop up. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
If a church has a history of certain people calling the state office with grievances and exit interviews with pastors proved there were consistent trouble makers, don’t you think there would be a record somewhere?Believe it or not, some people sit in the pews and aren’t saved. And they have made it there life work to give pastors and the church fits. Just a casual observation. Is it possible the pastor initiated this??________________
Believe it or not, some people sit in the pews and are saved and they have made it their life work to give pastors and the church fits________________
All I see is …
All I see is that it is the current Pastor’s fault. There is not enough history given to support this statement even if its true, ouch! No gentle shepherd touch here by leadership.
Any time a church is faced with one of these two potential outcomes the first thing that usually comes to mind is fairness. In actuality though, fairness is rarely a consideration,especially if it is believed that there are reasons for the impending action.It sounds to me that short of a divine mandate this church is going to be closed and a reason will be given for the closure. Whether it’s fair, logical, or even the right thing to do depends on an individual perspective. I’ve never met the person yet who felt it was fair to close down their church,and I doubt I ever will________________“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.”
Guys, This is a very small church in an area that is not on a most desirable list.It won’t raise much money.I wonder if there is a small parsonage also on the block?Still – it won’t fetch much.Perhaps if we sell to a liquor store, it will maximize the most money.This Bud’s for you.________________
I find that troubling.If they are paying their bills and gathering to worship, why close it up?