Premise
Historically, the Church of God has been a leader in numerous theological and practical aspects of the Pentecostal faith. Ministry via modern media, unfortunately, has not been a priority until recently. The road of recovery in this area has been established by partnership with Christian TV stations and several social media experiments. Occasional broadcasts, however, have been a part of the Church of God media presence for a long time. The 73rd General Assembly was televised live on the internet with avid success, though not without accidental interruptions and stream overloading. Thousands of Church of God members around the globe, who until that moment had never been at or seen the assembly, were able to watch it from their respective locations. Same was true for the following assemblies even when the broadcast had to be paused when sensitive to secular media issues were discussed or voted.
Historical Developments
The denomination had only intermediate web presence until the spring of 2001 when ChurchofGod.cc was first established. Even then, a virtually uncommon domain extension .CC (TLD for the Cocos Islands) was implemented, generally used for commercial websites and/or credit cards. This choice left a void for other movements to occupy the Church of God name on the internet. As a result, the official ChurchofGod.org domain was obtained around 2008 from the Heritage Community Church, but not until heavily used for non-denominational web presence. Similarly, the ChurchofGod.com was held for a long time by occult groups until recently made available again for purchase for $25,000 – a small price for a web realty representing an international denomination of seven million souls strong.
Statements and Resolutions
1984 Resolution on THE MORAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE WHO CONTROL AND USE THE MEDIA
WHEREAS the American people enjoy unparalleled freedoms of communication and expression; and
WHEREAS the responsible exercise of these freedoms is necessary to vital democracy; and
WHEREAS those who control and use the media are uniquely situated to influence the thoughts, opinions, values, and conduct of others; and
WHEREAS the lack of accountability by the media in exercising this privilege not to impinge upon the rights of others; and
WHEREAS there is an obvious lack of objectivity, truthfulness, and responsibility on the part of many who control and use the media in presenting morality in American life; and
WHEREAS the Judeo-Christian values of the American majority are often ignored or ridiculed;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Church of God does hereby call upon all who control or use the media to be objective, truthful, and morally responsible in the exercise of their freedoms of communication and expression;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we call upon those who control and use the media to respect the rights of all Americans and to desist from ignoring or ridiculing the Judeo-Christian moral and ethical values held by a majority of Americans (60th A., 1984, p. 57).
The 2012 Church of God International General Assembly added with the newly proposed Motion 18 on the RESPONSIBLE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA. The original text in the agenda read as follows:
We recommend: That we amend pages 156, 157, S63. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINISTERS, by adding the following:
10. Responsible Use of Social Media
Christians are exhorted by Scripture to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), to provide things honest in the sight of all persons (Romans 12:17), and to do all things for the edification of others (Romans 15:2). The use of social media (such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, websites, and so forth) by believers should conform to these and other biblical standards. Church of God ministers, as examples of believers in speech, life, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12), shall at all times agree:
a. To write and post only under their own name.
b. To not attack fellow ministers or members of the Church of God. One may disagree with others, provided the tone is respectful and does not become a personal attack.
c. To not disclose any sensitive, confidential, or financial information about the church, its ministers, or its members, other than what is publically available.
d. To not post any material that is defamatory, libelous, threatening, harassing, abusive, or embarrassing to any person or entity.
e. To uphold the doctrine of the Church of God by not writing or posting anything contrary to the accepted doctrine of the Church of God.
Failure to follow these guidelines on the use of social media shall result in the offending minister being subject to discipline
Item 18 was heavily altered before voted in as follows:
10. Responsible Use of Social Media: Christians are exhorted by Scripture to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), to provide things honest in the sight of all persons (Romans 12:17), and to do all things for the edification of others (Romans 15:2). The use of social media by believers should conform to these and other Biblical standards (74th A., 2012).
Pros & Cons
These above measures recognized for a first time the open presence of the Church of God in all new media venues, including the world of social media. Such recognition does not come without its own challenges.
Cons
- Larger internet resource, staff and budgeting
- Scheduled pauses when sensitive issues are discussed and voted
- Occasional unexpected interruptions mainly due to expressions by members not realizing the global reach of a live broadcast using internet and social media
Pros
- A larger assembly participation by virtually any and all members of the global Church of God family around the world
- The necessary investment for needed equipment have already been made
- Previous live broadcasts have been done with great success
- Sensitive broadcast segments could be easily limited to a password protected login using a personal ministerial number
- Denominational stand on various public and social issues will be made in a clear and transparent way
Are these cons worth shutting seven million members off the floor or are they but a small price to pay for all members to participate in a Great General Assembly? Is social broadcasting one step closer to opening the floor for viewing members who are eligible to participate in the discussions and express their preference in an electronic voting for all motions? Would such move make the Church of God General Assembly a truly international one?
Share your thoughts: Should Church of God General Assembly sessions be broadcast live on the internet and social media?
Aaron & Unc, what do you do with just those 11 examples of the Sabbath I posted from the Bible, what do you think they mean? That’s what G-d thinks about the Sabbath. You all know I’m not against you guys, I’m just giving you things to think about, we all need to be challenged on what & why we believe things. We are brothers and sisters & iron sharpens iro________________Ps 122:6
(Romans 14:4KJV) Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.(Romans 14:5KJV) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.(Romans 14:6
Yep, the ones He wrote on our hearts. He didn’t write anything about circumcision, Kosher, etc… on mine, and the entire book of Hebrews is about one thing, a better way! Better than what they (the Hebrews) had been practicing Well how you know what laws, and how many? & You’re 💯% that’s what he was speaking of? When you speak of a better way outside of all the things you say is not written on your heart, that’s Deut 13:1-5speaking of if someone tries to tell you another way& Did you read the scriptures of the Sabbath I posted? How do you fit that in your theology of Hebrews? I would like to hear it ðŸ˜________________Ps 122:6
I’m sorry Aaron, but you are reading into what you have been taught on the scripture, now what the scripture is saying. Because read the scriptures I have speaking of the Sabbath day and make it fit and how you see Hebrews, & then tell meShalo________________Ps 122:6
And I’m surprised, and it is sad to see no one else talking about this. I would think this is very important because those verses are in everybody’s Bibl________________Ps 122:6
I’m sorry Aaron, but you are reading into what you have been taught on the scripture, now what the scripture is saying. Because read the scriptures I have speaking of the Sabbath day and make it fit and how you see Hebrews, & then tell meShalom Sorry, Isa58:12, I did not receive any training or theological direction on this verse. It’s just plain common sense.BY THE WAY, you have steadfastly refused to tell me why you will not spell out God. Is it part of the Law or is it, as I suspect, that you are trying to out Jew the Jews? Over and over, you have to IGNORE the plain statements of the New Testament in order to hold to a dead religion?Why do you suppose that Gentiles need not be circumcised, need not observe Jewish dietary laws, etc., but apparently MUST observe everything else? Your logic is broken. At some point, you have to admit to yourself that you are a Judaizer. When Paul confronted Peter, it was clear that Peter wasn’t doing the law as the Jews would have preferred. In fact, if the Jews had had their way, Jesus would have been declared insane and a fool. With wicked hands they crucified Him (Peter pins the blame on the Jews, even though the Romans carried out the act).
I’m sorry Aaron, but you are reading into what you have been taught on the scripture, now what the scripture is saying. Because read the scriptures I have speaking of the Sabbath day and make it fit and how you see Hebrews, & then tell meShalom Sorry, Isa58:12, I did not receive any training or theological direction on this verse. It’s just plain common sense.I HAVE TO TYPE BIG, IM DOING THIS FROM MY PHONE TO COVER UR POINTS. If it’s common sense then it would talk about the Sabbath, it does not, sooooo how do you know what speaking of the Sabbath? And Aaron, why don’t you address some of the scriptures I put out about the Sabbath, you’re clearly ignoring themBY THE WAY, you have steadfastly refused to tell me why you will not spell out God. Is it part of the Law or is it, as I suspect, that you are trying to out Jew the Jews? SURE, I’VE ALREADY SAID IT ONCE HERE, I’LL SAY IT AGAIN. When I first came to know the L-rd and was studying the Bible, I heard a preacher speak on this, not to profane the Name and I’ve done it ever since. Not trying to out the Jews, but if it opens up a door to make them jealous amein 😇 Rom 11:11Over and over, you have to IGNORE the plain statements of the New Testament in order to hold to a dead religion?DEAD RELIGION? AARON, YOU’RE IN THIS FAMILY, THE CREATOR/G-D SAID KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS THEIR LIFE AND THEIR DEATH Dt 30:19-20. So who’s in a dead religion?Why do you suppose that Gentiles need not be circumcised, need not observe Jewish dietary laws, etc., but apparently MUST observe everything else? I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING INTERESTING IN EZEK 44:9; Thus says the Lord God, no stranger, uncircumcised and heart, nor uncircumcised In the flesh shall enter into My Sanctuary/Temple, of any stranger/gentile that is among the children of Y’srael. That speaking of the earthly Temple, & I believe it applies to the Temple that’s coming. The Hebrew word for stranger is not ger/proselyte, it is nacar which is the true foreigner stranger that dwells among Y’srael, but has no desire to keep G-d’s Ways….. & G-d says their not getting inYour logic is broken. At some point, you have to admit to yourself that you are a Judaizer. AARON, WHEN HAVE I SAID YOU HAD TO BE CIRCUMCISED TO BE SAVED? WHEN HAVE I TOLD YOU YOU HAD TO DO ANYTHING THAT THE BIBLE DIDN’T SAY AS G-D’S PEOPLE. That’s a ridiculous statement, & my logic is broken? My logic goes through all text in the Bible with no breakage or contradictions 😉When Paul confronted Peter, it was clear that Peter wasn’t doing the law as the Jews would have preferred. In fact, if the Jews had had their way, Jesus would have been declared insane and a fool. With wicked hands they crucified Him (Peter pins the blame on the Jews, even though the Romans carried out the act).WHICH JEWS ARE YOU REFERRING TO, THE NORMAL JEWS, OR THE RELIGIOUS JEWSI want nothing to do with a dead religion that cannot get a person to eternal life. The ONLY part of the Law that carries over is the part that transcends the Law (the moral code). The law simply codified it, nothing more. WHICH ONES ARE DECLARED MORAL? Here’s something Aaron, stick to the thread, talk about one of the scriptures I put up there let’s take it apart piece by piece ðŸ˜________________Ps 122:6
Just an interesting thing to bring up as I read the Book of Acts. Did anyone know that the Sabbath was observed 85 times in the Book of Acts? 😇. Also when the disciples game to Thessalonica, it was a synagogue with Jews *and* gentiles and the disciples taught there every **Sabbath** Acts 17. Also when we read the Book of Acts we run across the 1st day of the week & we see the Sabbath day. That’s the same Way from the beginning in Gen, how G-d called the days. Day 1, day 2, day 3..….. ShabBAT 😇😀. The only day He named 😀Any thoughts________________Ps 122:6
Of course. Paul was preaching to the Jews in the synagogue on the Sabbath – in an attempt to convert them to Christianity.However, in Acts 20:7the Christians met on the first day of the week. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto themThe Old Testament Jews met on Saturday.The Christians met on the first day of the week.
Of course. Paul was preaching to the Jews in the synagogue on the Sabbath – in an attempt to convert them to Christianity.However, in Acts 20:7the Christians met on the first day of the week. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto themThe Old Testament Jews met on Saturday.The Christians met on the first day of the week.Very simple. Very obvious. Shalom, Ok, Acts 20:7…. Pastor Nations, let’s look at Acts 20verse 7 with one of the scriptures I put up about the Sabbath. Let’s go with Exodus 31:15-16being that the Sabbath day is an Everlasting Covenant to His people.So now we have a problem, there is no Commandment to Worship on the first day of the week, and there is no Commandment saying the Sabbath is over, & you have Christians (Christ-Like) coming together on another day outside of what the L-rd has said, & you’re separated religions Jews & Christianity 🤔….. So now either G-d/Y’shua is wrong, or Paul is wrong, or our thinking and the way we have been taught is wrong 🤔Let’s do a word study on the word ‘week’ in Greek. In the Strong’s it’s # is 4521 sabbaton (i.e. Sabbath). Now let’s read the verse; & upon the first of the Sabbath when the disciples came together to break bread…… I didn’t put the word day there because the word day has been insertedSo Acts 20:7it’s not so obvious ðŸ˜. More in Acts 18:5-8, the ruler of the synagogue believed on the L-rd with all his house and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized to. And they were Jews and Gentiles on the Sabbath day in that same synagogue, & this was like what 22 years after Messiahs death and Resurrection😇Now Pastor Nations, that’s a big tall name ðŸ˜ðŸ˜€, what do we do with the scriptures I stated in the top of the thread, nobody is touching them. Because they are…, what were the words you use 🤔, oh yes, very simple, very obvious 😇😇And you talk and seem like someone I know….________________Ps 122:6
Good riddance. Ryan is a snake.As for the mid-terms. Rush stated something yesterday I was already thinking, that the issues that will decide the mid-terms have not happened yet. I think firing Mueller and Rosenstein will ignite the GOP base for November________________
The transfer of the uranium was a specific Russian request, it was part of an ongoing investigation and the United States agreed to share a sample of the material with the Russians for specifically for forensic analysis.
You raise a valid question. I can only speak for myself when I say that I do not look at Jews the way you described a lot of Christians as doing. I am of the “There is neither Greek or Jew†camp. We’re either saved or not. Nationality does not come into play in salvation. I see a misapplication of “I will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you†as a large part of the reason so many Christians think of the Jews more highly than they ought to________________“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.”
Thank you for your honest response. I wonder how many others want to answer but are afraid________________
I support and honor the Jews and Israel as I believe we are told too, but I don’t care for Judaism, specifically the brand that survived the Roman era, AKA the Pharisees. Their teachings are abominable as testified to by Christ and the apostles. My son has been reading a book called
Sounds very interesting________________
We are to love them equally as we are all brothers regardless of racial or ethnic distinctive. However, how many Christians have directed funds towards evangelizing the Jewish people? We have viewed mission work towards Hispanics, Arabs, Africans, et al, but has the Church also made concerted efforts towards reaching the Jews.There have been groups who have but the thrust of evangelism has been the work of Messianic Judaism, which is making great strides with well over 300,000 Jews embracing Jesus/Yeshua as Messiah and Savior – at least 20,000 in Israel and growing. The Chosen People is a excellent example. I have worked with Michael Utterback, director of Ministry to Israel, a Church of God work.And another thought, though we may believe we are far removed from any guilt or responsibility, but Church history is marred by its prejudice leading to anti-Jewish acts. The early Church accused them of Deicide because they held them solely responsible for the death of Jesus.This resulted in the Inquisition, Progroms and eventually the Holocaust.Church doctrine has included Replacement Theology and/or Dual Covenant Theology, and left Jewish efforts to evangelize the Nation to rare groups.The greatest form of Anti-Jewish sentiments is to treat them different from other people groups and spending little or no money and effort to reach them with the Gospel message.As for Paul, indeed he saw all alike – Greek & Jew, Free & Bond, Male & Female.Yet Paul’s heart was for his kinsmen according to the flesh declaring, For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren… (Romans 9:1-3f).Do we have the same heart-felt sorrow for our corner of the world?So, no we are not to love them more but equally. I have learned many things, gained much insight not only to the Scriptures per se, but the Gospels and Apostolic Writings by studying them from a Jewish Perspective. But that is a different story.Shalom________________God-HonoringChrist-CenteredBible-BasedSpirit-Led
😠U will like that book ðŸ˜________________Ps 122:6
Well sai________________Ps 122:6
I agree with your post in principle. Let’s view it strictly from a geo-political point-of-view for a moment. I, among many others are to the point where we are not afraid to voice our observations on the effects of mass Muslim immigration into Europe. I do not feel a country is out-of-line by simply banning Muslims based on what they perceive to be the implications of hosting them. What if some of these countries expelled Jews for the same reasons? Do Jews get a pass if they really are trying to manipulate a country’s currency or other acts that bring harm to their host country? One pastor I know defends some of the things Jews often get accused of as the blessings of Abraham, etc. Really________________
Love them equally, of course.But – why am I getting an anti-Jewish vibe from the author of this thread?
Do you get an anti-Jewish vibe from the many negative things God said about his own people? Your comment is exactly what I’m talking about. Why does one suddenly get labeled or suspected of being anti-Jewish if he criticizes Jewish actions that occurred after 70 AD? Did they do NOTHING to their host countries that warranted getting kicked out? Was the they are Christ killers card the only one played, or were there other reason? Again, I’m not making accusations, I’m simply asking questions. You ignored other points I made.Alexander Solzhenitsyn was the hero of the West until he started telling what he thought of the Jewish/Communist connection…www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/25/russia.books________________
Another good article…www.nytimes.com/1985/11/13/books/solzhenitsyn-and-anti-semitism-a-new-debate.html________________
Do you get an anti-Jewish vibe from the many negative things God said about his own people? Your comment is exactly what I’m talking about. Why does one suddenly get labeled or suspected of being anti-Jewish if he criticizes Jewish actions that occurred after 70 AD? Did they do NOTHING to their host countries that warranted getting kicked out? Was the they are Christ killers card the only one played, or were there other reason? Again, I’m not making accusations, I’m simply asking questions. You ignored other points I made.Alexander Solzhenitsyn was the hero of the West until he started telling what he thought of the Jewish/Communist connection…www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/25/russia.books Sorry man.I call ’em like I see ’em – right down the middle.You are pretty sensitive – which makes me suspect it even more________________
YES (Always has Always will, BECAUSE HE CAN!________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Re: Sushi is for men…
💯% in agreement Nature Boy Florida…., Look resident, those are ur brothers & sisters, that’s the family u, believers in Y’shua/G-d are grafted into…. Shall I bring up all the things Christians have done to the Jews throughout history, or do Christians get a pass?
💯% in agreement Nature Boy Florida…., Look resident, those are ur brothers & sisters, that’s the family u, believers in Y’shua/G-d are grafted into…. Shall I bring up all the things Christians have done to the Jews throughout history, or do Christians get a pass? & Your comment about the Jewish people going against Germany and your stand in favor of Hitler is disgusting…. By the way stud, when Germany took away all the Jewish people’s guns 3 days later the Jewish people went to the gas. Look at the Liberals today with the same mindset as Islam wanted to take our guns. Do you think G-d’s not involved?And your anti-semitic slant that Jews are all for money in Banks is ridiculous, G-d said if you keep my Commandments you will be blessed, Jewish people have never stopped keeping Torah…. You should listen to what other people say, do research for yourselfI can tell u this & u can research it, the Jews have been blamed throughout history in issues like the bubonic plague, look up black death Jewish persecutions. That’s just for starters, let’s talk about that false accusation…. Don’t forget the Jewish people are G-d’s people, and the world hates them because they hate G-d. It goes all the way back to the garden with the prophecy in Gen 3:15; about the seed of the woman shall bruise the head…. And you can see in the Bible how Jewish people have been killed with Pharaoh, Harrod, and so on the apostles everyone. Did they do anything to provoke all that, or was hasatan involved through lies?G-d says the Jews are His chosen people, the apple of His eye, and apple translation in Hebrew as pupil. Someone people mess with the Jewish people, they’re literally sticking their finger in the eye of G-d Zech 2:8-10, & they’re going to get His attention. Isa 49:16, G-d has engraved them on the Palms of His hands.. Resident, you should pray about what Nature Boy Florida said about you, because it is right on You seem to have this spirit in Ps 83-2-3, Ps 83:4; they have said, come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Y’srael May no longer be rememberedPs 83:4is explained by Paul in Gal 4:29; But as then he (Ishmael-a-rabs-muslims) that was born of the flesh persecuted him that was born of after the Spirit (Issac-Jews-Y’sreal) even so is now. anti-semitism has never left…And where do you come up with worshiping the Jews________________Ps 122:6
Sashimi is a raw fish dish. Sushi is rice and stuff wrapped in seaweed. Kimbap, the Korean version, does not have raw fish or raw fish eggs. They eat their raw fish without wrapping it up in sushi/kimbap.I consider what I ate last night to be kimbap. It did not even have any fish________________