If it is appropriate, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly give my support for Dr. Raymond Culpepper to be the next General Overseer of the Church of God.
The following reasons have been developed by years of observation and direct ministry-related interaction with Dr. Culpepper.
1st – As Alabama’s Admin. Bishop, Dr. Culpepper has conducted himself with Integrity and Grace as he has had to resolve hard issues within the state of Alabama.
Financial constraints, churches leaving the denomination, and pastoral issues have weighed heavy in the state. In addressing various matters Dr Culpepper’s wisdom is obvious and his knowledge is vast. I have witnessed him take the side of Mercy and try to be a blessing to all that would allow him to do so.
2nd – The church that I pastor was hit by a tornado in 2014.
Dr. Culpepper was there within hours to check on me, my family and our congregation. He constantly checked on us during the rebuilding process. He gave insight and encouragement during each phase of construction. He is a pastor’s pastor.
3rd – Years ago I witnessed Dr. Culpepper stop a revival service where he was preaching, so that he could walk to the back of a very large church to ask a small teenage boy to receive Jesus Christ as Savior. He led that boy to Christ. Years later, that boy is now a Church of God pastor and District Overseer.
I could say much more, but I believe that Dr. Culpepper should be considered to be our next General Overseer. If he is, the Church of God will be in good hands under his leadership.
Dr. Stanley K. Cooke
He was already a General Overseer.
can’t he serve again?
Here is a picture of Ramond’s wife, is she a good role model for the women?
Stan Cooke, it is appropriate! thanks
No she is not, at least to me. However, to most of the CoG people today, she would be fully acceptable. That is because they see nothing wrong with women wearing jewelry and having short or bobbed hair. But in all reality, none of us holiness people should speak against anything (except in our sermons where we address the modern church as such) because we no longer belong to the CoG (Cleveland, TN).
Melvin, you gave a good answer.
I’m more concerned about the color of background in the image
Alabama State website
However, what does bother me is the fact that Raymond Culpepper and his wife, (as well as many others) were raised in the CoG when it was a holiness church just like the rest of us were. So it is one thing never to have known the way and another thing to have known it and change into worldliness. Their only answer could be that they never believed it in the first place, even though Mom & Dad taught and showed them the way. If that be the case, then they are found to be liars because to join the CoG (pre-1986), and especially to hold ministerial credentials, the CoG held against such things, even to the point that you would be dismissed (excommunicated) from the church for doing do. And of course, we know where all liars go.
Please do not allow individuals to hijack this thread
Raymond Culpepper was my friend and still is. We were students at Lee together. However, we will all stand before a just God. The last time I talked with Raymond I believe was at his church in Birmingham. Actually, I ran into him in their garage that you take from their elevator. (Right where his secretary said he would be). He preached a great revival at North Cleveland CoG back in 1970 or 1971. I love Raymond Culpepper. His mother had written several personal letters to me. I still have many of Raymond’s father, Rev. J. Frank Culpepper’s sermons. A great preacher indeed. Don’t think I am degrading Raymond because I am not.
Yes Raymond Culpepper can be elected again. Wade Horton, Ray Hughes and Lamar Vest all served as General Overseer more than once.
he would be much better than Tim Hill
unless Raymond has changed he is not a Kingdom now preacher nor a Kenneth Copeland type!
He had a great mom and dad. His mother was my Sunday school teacher.
Why is the Woman always the targets of standards ? My wife was raised in an independent Pentecostal group that really preached down to the ladies, while the men were not talked about as much, I have learned allot of grace being married to her these almost 28 years now, right at 20 years being a church of God pastor now. She even went through a re baptism in the name of he father, son, Holy Ghost to show her willingness to adhere to the COG teaching. She was originally baptized in Jesus name, she received the Holy Ghost at 8 yrs old, because her group taught her that one is not saved unless they spoke with tongues, she has came along way in her life.
I am glad my wife is not posted as some example of what’s right or wrong.
God created women’s bodies for men. That is a natural thing. So whenever a woman dresses in such a fashion of the world, men are drawn or tempted and can be drawn away. Oh, I know that I am not saying it just right, but most of you understand what I am saying.
An overseer’s wife should be posted as to what is right with the church.
While serving as a Professor at Swaggart’s bible college in Baton Rouge some years ago now, I took eight of my ministerial students to another church (not CoG) to hear a good friend of mine (CoG preacher). It was the worse thing I ever did. Most of the congregation were in shorts and other worldly attire. Twenty-one beautiful young people were on the platform, three around each mike. Those eight young bible college students had to fight demons of lust throughout the singing. The girls basically wore “Daisy Duke shorts” revealing their entire legs. Bare bellies were exposed. A tremendous amount of cleavage was revealed and these were beautiful, very attractive young ladies. We can expect this fashion of dress in the world, but in the church? God help us.
I am for dignity and modesty in our dress codes, but I can assure you this conversation is leaned in one direction. Woman are a help mate, my wife has walked by my side with a grace a dignity that portrays Christ.
Sure we need examples of Godliness absolutely and our leaders should exemplify that example.
I have a tattoo that’s 37 years old, because for my 1st 25 years I was in the world and very lost, but for the last 30 years I have been saved, and the tattoo is still there. From the outward my tattoo may offend some, but my heart is converted and changed by God’s power.
Bro. Melvin Harter I know what ya mean brother. I am praying for our GA because battle lines are being drawn. But I know and trust the heavenly father with the wisdom our people need in the COG.
Brother Kerry, who died that you got the tattoo for?
OH, nobody?
Well, then, don’t worry about it. Pentecostal churches are a den of busybodies.
Brother Randy H Johnson I do not worry about it to much, but I can tell you it has kept me humble, when I want to have judgement all I have to do is look at my arm and then I see the reality of a lost 19 year old that was in the Army.
None of us are perfect, that’s my point.
What was done while in sin means nothing after one comes to Christ. Praise God!
The results of that decision is with me every day, I know is covered in the blood, but we all have issues, not one is perfect, but only in Christ are we made perfect.
I respect God’s house
I wear a jacket
But when people see it
It’s like hey there is the cool pastor, he knows what the world can do, I was heavily into drugs, and alcohol, I help people navigate from that side of life. Now I am not a cool pastor I am just a pastor trying to help people. I know many if not most do have that to be worldly.
Wait till you hear Tony Evans preach in Nashville (unless the executives advise him to tone it down with the women) at the general assembly!