Dallas is well known in the Gaston County area of North Carolina as the ‘fundamental’ hard or true line COG. Bro Shortridge is well respected for his ‘hard line’ (some call it that) to remember the early days of ‘Holiness’. Dallas is a well respected church. Good folk. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Dallas is a refuge to COG members who feel that other churches in their denomination have caved to the world. It is a needed nitch, and it is filled. Most C’sOG in Gaston County have lost members to Dallas. Some are my best friends from childhood and good folk.If folks have left, they are probably less ‘conservative’ than the core of Dallas. We have a couple churches that are STRONG in members who feel that the rest of us are becoming too worldly. Bless them, they are, on a ‘whole,’ good and dedicated Christians. God bless them all. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
My brother became the pastor of the Dallas Ga COG in Feb 1976. He pastored there for almost 20 years. He followed Sammy Cutshall, Brians father there________________Recorded Sermons @ http://www.pastorwiley.com
I occasionally watch them online. Indeed, I love that kind of singing and service. If I lived in the area, I’d want to go there…but, alas, I think we would probably be looked upon somewhat as outcasts due to the way my wife dresses (modest, but with jewelry, etc.)
A common sentiment.We have several folks who drive from neighboring counties to attend our church for this very reason.Real Holiness is not harshness or condemnation.Real Pentecost is not gimmicks and cheap theatricals.One brother told that if the word got out about us in the next county, we would be pressed to accommodate the number of folks who would show up for church________________Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church
It is sad that many like our Brother Shortridge and others like him feel that there is not a place for them in the Church of God anymore. They are considered old line and harsh. However, they are only living and preaching the way that we taught them to live. They just have remained true to what they were instructed.
I won’t join in with them. I can definitely worship with them. i would not offend anyone who is dedicated to holding the 1950’s line. God Bless ’em.I am not better, wiser, smarter nor more holy than anyone who ‘toes that line’, but I do see things different. I am considered very liberal by my friends at Dallas, but I love ’em. None of them have said I am going to hell, but I do get that impression. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Bro. Shortridge has a good reputation in the COG. I don’t live in the area or even near it, but, if I did, that would be my kind of church. They don’t put on a show – just plain worship – I like that.I hate performances that I have seen in a lot of our churches. Some of the ladies look pathetic – tight blue jeans in heels and jumping up and down – service is so programed – down to the minute. Leaves God out and LOUDNESS is mistaken for the anointing. We older ones know the difference.
You sure about that? Down to the minute?I have attended lately services that the minister was THROUGH (observing the congregation) but he kept on saying one good thing after another for 30 more minutes. Half his congregation was gone when he dismissed and he didn’t seem to know it. That church has dropped from 150to 35 in worship in a year. Schedules in 2017 are important. Nothing is wrong with closing a service on time or the ‘minute’ as you say. But if you have a children’s church or Teen group, they end on /Sunday normally at Noon. A pastor places these volunteer leaders at a disadvantage by extending his service ON A REG BASIS 30 minutes past the normal dismissal.
You sure about that? Down to the minute?I have attended lately services that the minister was THROUGH (observing the congregation) but he kept on saying one good thing after another for 30 more minutes. Half his congregation was gone when he dismissed and he didn’t seem to know it. That church has dropped from 150to 35 in worship in a year. Schedules in 2017 are important. Nothing is wrong with closing a service on time or the ‘minute’ as you say. But if you have a children’s church or Teen group, they end on /Sunday normally at Noon. A pastor places these volunteer leaders at a disadvantage by extending his service ON A REG BASIS 30 minutes past the normal dismissal.
You sure about that? Down to the minute?I have attended lately services that the minister was THROUGH (observing the congregation) but he kept on saying one good thing after another for 30 more minutes. Half his congregation was gone when he dismissed and he didn’t seem to know it. That church has dropped from 150to 35 in worship in a year. Schedules in 2017 are important. Nothing is wrong with closing a service on time or the ‘minute’ as you say. But if you have a children’s church or Teen group, they end on /Sunday normally at Noon. A pastor places these volunteer leaders at a disadvantage by extending his service ON A REG BASIS 30 minutes past the normal dismissal.
AMEN
AMEN I am not that old unless you consider middle age old. The church I attend does a variety of music. Some old some new but always done well and dressed appropriately, but not old fogie (is that a word) either. Our pastor preaches the word and lets God move but also doesn’t hold the congregation hostage.I LOVE my church. It has everything. Not extreme one way or the other.The Holy spirit moves.Sing Hymns Sing modern songs.Has a full blown choir that does musical and such.Even a handbell choir.Some 50’s style thrown in as one person stated.GOD is good.
AMEN I am not that old unless you consider middle age old. The church I attend does a variety of music. Some old some new but always done well and dressed appropriately, but not old fogie (is that a word) either. Our pastor preaches the word and lets God move but also doesn’t hold the congregation hostage.I LOVE my church. It has everything. Not extreme one way or the other.The Holy spirit moves.Sing Hymns Sing modern songs.Has a full blown choir that does musical and such.Even a handbell choir.Some 50’s style thrown in as one person stated.GOD is good.
There are many churches where the pastor calls everyone forward after church, and yes lots of folk ‘head for the door’. I stopped going forward a long time ago. With my hearing problem, WITHOUT fail, someone will try to talk to me. When I say Sorry, I cannot hear in a crowd, they speak LOUDER, AND LOUDER! COG folk love to talk to one another anywhere, even in a prayer line or prayer group. I cannot do it anymore.Most seniors (over 60) do not hear well, people mumble and in a crowd iT is worse. That said. I suggested once that the same prayer could be just before the sermon, or in the middle of the praise and worship, even during the praise and worship. Preachers can Multi task. Since I try to do a lot of lip reading I watch the pastor, even when he is praying. Before the sermon he is moving his water, arranging his notes moving stuff and at the same time fervently praying. Surely he can pray for the sick and needy during praise and worship, IF THAT IS A PROBLEM.Actually some folk feel more religious staying past that noon dismissal which has been decided by ‘the nominal’ churches that cannot allow God to work.Sorry to sound a little warped, but that is me. I still love the Lord and know He loves me. He is GOOD! But toeing the line 1950’s style does not mean anyone is closer to God than those who do not. Tradition does not amount to Holiness. I have several kin folk who still live the old line. I love them, I probably judge them too harshly the way they do me. But they come across as good Biblical Pharisees. I only attended Central Church once. I had the idea they were time conscience, but I also felt the Great Spirit of God in that service. One of the best churches I have ever had the privilege of attending, and it had nothing to do with the size. That morning Loran lead the choir, took prayer requests and received the offering (Just like many pastors did that morning). He dedidated 10 babies and preached a moving sermon and still dismissed at noon! Just saying..________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Fantastic!![/quote]I can like that! And the handbells. We visited an Alliance church lately and they had the hand bells. I can hear bells!!!! ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
In case any of you are interested, I saw in a FB group today that the Dallas COG has a FB page and you can watch their services there. They also have Youtube page________________More of Him…less of me.twitter.com/camiracle77www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name
Re: Sometimes the best blessing comes after most have left the building.
________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/