It’s an idea whose time has come. What is wrong with allowing our ministers to preach the Gospel where the opportunity presents itself?As long as the doctrine being preached is not heretical or against COG doctrine what is the harm? We have men and women desiring to minister buy there are no opportunities for them within the denomination in that area. But what if they feel called to that area? If an opportunity to minister or pastor comes in that area, what is the harm in allowing it?Here is another wrinkle. We have men and women who labor with no pay or even end up paying church expenses out of their own pockets. If an opportunity comes to work in the Kingdom of God arises that will not only give them great opportunities but enable them to draw a salary that will enable them to meet their families needs, why not allow them to do so? I don’t see the problem if the church or organization is not contrary to church doctrine.What possible objections could there be?Why so afraid to do so?Is it a control issue?I look forward to discussion on this issue________________
When Dr. Lynn Stone appointed me to this church back in 1998 I didn’t have creds with the CoG & in fact I didn’t even have an application in the state office for consideration to become a CoG minister.I pastored this church for 24 months (2 years) with A/G creds & it was only when I brought it to the attn of the state office that we finally made the switch.If it works like that from time to time I don’t know what would inhibit a CoG guy ministering outside the denom.But I happen to know that some do________________Empty nest syndrome is for the birds!Email me at: [email protected] planters are focused on just one thing …introducing people to Jesus!
When Dr. Lynn Stone appointed me to this church back in 1998 I didn’t have creds with the CoG & in fact I didn’t even have an application in the state office for consideration to become a CoG minister.I pastored this church for 24 months (2 years) with A/G creds & it was only when I brought it to the attn of the state office that we finally made the switch.If it works like that from time to time I don’t know what would inhibit a CoG guy ministering outside the denom.But I happen to know that some do. It used to be that if you did it you could have your papers pulled for disloyalty but in latter years they came up with catch all phrases with no definition like sowing seeds of discord or the timed honored insubordination.But what is the root cause?Is it a control issue or is it something larger________________
I always figured it had to do with loyalty and the minister’s tithes. If you allow a CoG minister to pastor a non-CoG, his personal tithes never make it past the local church level. Maybe if they set it up to where he could send his tithes into the CoG, that might work, but I would imagine it could be difficult to enforce that. Funny thing is, when I was in the AG, they usually had little problem with an AG minister pastoring an independent church, so long as he upheld AG doctrine and sent in his appropriate amount of personal tithes into the AG at the sectional, district, and national level. However, an AG evangelist had to get permission from the sectional presbyter and local AG pastor if he wanted to preach a revival in a non-AG church. So on this issue, the AG does things exactly opposite to how the CoG does it.
I know an A/G guy who was invited to preach at a Baptist church in Texas & they loved him so much he was eventually hired. They know the doctrinal issues are different but they love the guy & Springfield says it’s a great fit for both parties________________Empty nest syndrome is for the birds!Email me at: [email protected] planters are focused on just one thing …introducing people to Jesus!
I wonder if Jentezen Franklin has ever been under any denominational pressure to give up one of his denominationally issued creds, if in fact that still exists________________Empty nest syndrome is for the birds!Email me at: [email protected] planters are focused on just one thing …introducing people to Jesus!
Do the Minutes still say the minister should pay tithes where his/her membership is? It says nothing though of the spouse. They can tithe where they choose I guess________________
The Jentezen Franklin deal is strange indeed. My thought is, if we’re going to allow a CoG-credentialed minister like Franklin (nothing against him, and personally I’m fine with allowing a CoG minister to pastor a non-CoG church), to pastor a non-CoG church, we really should allow all CoG ministers to do so, provided the state overseer is okay with it, of course.
From the pew I completely agree with the spirit of the OP. The idea, the plan, the purpose of ministry is to win souls to the Kingdom.I know that at least one of the administrative officials, after retirement, has been an associate pastor or co-pastor of an independent church. I have it second hand, just one away from the source he offered to tender his papers, but the general office said they would not accept them, continue as is.WE make exceptions at certain levels, and the members that realize this, and many pastors have a problem with it. I would like to see a level playing field for our COG preachers who are sacrificing to stay in the COG.Yeah my 2 pennies….. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
My dad is a retired Church of God minister. But an Assembly of God in town is losing its pastor (moving on, etc.) The AG equivalent of our District Overseers advised the church that any interim pastor needed to have zero ambitions of pastoring. Since my dad has preached there before, they reached out to him since they not only like his preaching, but know that he has zero designs on beginning to pastor again).So for the next few weeks, he’ll just be handling the preaching/teaching for an Assembly of God. Oddly enough, the pastor that is leaving is from a Church of God family, and his wife went to Lee.Indeed, I agree with RR. We have ministers that can’t find a Church of God to pastor. So long as they aren’t standing down on doctrine, let them preach, pastor, serve with anyone who needs them.Stephen Conn, from what many of us consider Church of God royalty, most recently pastored a Baptist Church (however, I don’t believe Bro. Conn is formally Church of God, even if those are his roots). I have to believe that that church was enormously blessed by having someone who knew how to diplomatically serve in a non-Pentecostal church, without tossing any Pentecostal distinctives that he holds.Maybe, if they aren’t paying tithes to the Church of God while serving in another church, such ministers could (assuming it’s really that big of a deal) just send in a flat-amount every month (minimal, since he would presumably be paying tithes at the church where he serves).
On the other side, what would the cons be to allowing it________________
My wife’s cousin ( a credentialed CoG man) pastored a United Methodist church for a good while. No blowback from his State Overseeer________________Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church
As it is right now, it basically depends on the permission of the state overseer. That, in my opinion, is too much leeway. There needs to be a policy in writing that frees up our men and women for ministry no matter where it may be________________
Given our hierarchical structure in the CoG, I can’t see how the state overseer wouldn’t have to be in the picture, and ultimately in charge over all ministers in his state, regardless of what changes might be made in the Minutes. Even in the AG, ministers answer to their district superintendent (the equivalent of a CoG state overseer).
Should an AB have grounds to revoke the credentials of a minister because he/she is in a position in a church outside the movement? How about teaching in a Bible college or seminary? Where is the line________________
I was looking at it with regard to pastoring, and I would have to assume that a CoG pastor would have gotten approval from his SO to pastor outside the CoG, and would still ultimately answer to his state overseer even if he pastors a non-CoG church.
I don’t know if this is true, Can anyone substantiate that we had COG men teaching at Swaggarts college during his trouble and they were told they would have to leave it by officials________________
Some years ago I went to the AB and talked to him about pastoring again. He found out we were not attending a CoG and said he could not help me as long as I did not attend a CoG. I reminded him that Jentezen Franklin was pastoring a non CoG church and was elected to the Executive Council. I started attending a CoG and still no help. I reminded him that he promised to help me. He rose from his desk got in my face and said: don’t think you can come into my office and intimidate me into getting you a church. I said: it is not my intention to intimidate you I am only reminding you of your promise. You are the AB, you call the shots. Have a good day sir, and I turned and walked away. Never went back to HIS office.Its all about who you are, who you know, who you are related or what the AB mood the AB is in. As for me personally I have come to the place I don’t care. By that I mean it does not effect me anymore. I care for those who are credentialed CoG ministers who gets a chance and is shot down by an AB. I remember when I was Ordained. I took pride in those credentials. Now it means nothing to me. I hate to say this, but I have seen far to much to concern myself with an AB with an attitude. I have served under some of the best AB’s but a few I have had to pray over.BTW, my state once again has a good AB________________Recorded Sermons @ http://www.pastorwiley.com