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The Church of God will eventually cease to exist as a vibrant denomination. It will morph into something else...some will break off from the left and the right...some will perhaps fall into apostasy. It is the course of ALL denominations.The other day, I realized that as hard a time as I give some of the younger guys, I don't have any idea on how to get back to how we USED to be. I guess that I like to support the older guys who have a connection back to that time that was so special to us. When some guy comes along that really didn't experience those wondrous times of the 60s and 70s--which I consider A golden age (not THE golden age, necessarily), I feel compelled to wonder how in the world they can lead us to places they might not even know themselves. I guess I'm not much different than someone wanting to elect a president that was around during Vietnam, etc., since I think he might make better decisions for the direction of the country.But the point is that while I don't know the way back--or even if back is the right way--I do know that what would be required is a supernatural touch on our denomination as a whole. But I think most of us know that issuing a memorandum to that effect (Notice: All Churches Will Pray Diligently) is powerless in itself. Can we experience a denomination-wide revival? Nothing is impossible, but I cannot think of any other church that has experienced such.So that leave the LOCAL church. Maybe even DISTRICTS/REGIONS. By POST-Church of God, I don't mean anything negative about the Church of God as a denomination. I was born and raised in it, and, Lord willing, I will die in it. But at some point we have spun so far away from what once was our center--from Cleveland, from separation unto ourselves, from being a bit distrusting of liberals, you know the drill--that we aren't going back there as a denomination. Nor, perhaps, should we. While we had something incredible, a lot of baggage came with it, didn't it?So I am left to ponder the direction of my LOCAL church, and not the direction of the denomination. I can't exert near enough influence on the denomination. But maybe, just maybe, I can exert enough influence in my local church to see the changes I'd like to see. There are many wonderful, young pastors today who will never be able to catch my particular vision for the well-being of the Church of God, not having had my experiences or background. And neither I do it their way. So I am left to do what I CAN do...and that seems to be limited to the local church.So, if the day comes when, as we would likely expect, the Church of God has an agenda item that would make the founders roll over in their graves, and make strong men weep, my local Church of God may become an island in the larger church. Just as many of the very conservative churches had to, in some ways anyway, go their on way.

Back in those days we looked up to our pastor whom was more than likely a senior. He led great revivals preached great messages and prayed the holy Ghost down in nearly every service.He is gone now and its our time to handle the reins. We can do the same or live in our past. We can build the church or tear it down. We can bring revival or just preach the same ole same ole.

It's really hard to move forward while looking back or wanting to go back. Forward is definitely the direction for you, your local church, the COG and the church as a whole. Trust Christ. He said: I will build my church (Mat 16:18 ). What label we hang on it is irrelevant I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!My website: www.bradfreeman.comMy blog: bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/

I went through a period of We need to return to our roots. Anytime I said that I thought of the wonderful services where many were blessed and sinners were convicted and actually lived CHANGED lives. I remember drunkards, moonshiners, and a couple business men who were saved and made a distinct change in the small towns in which dad pastored.But a complete return would also be back to an era I as a child did not like. I was treated as the son of a cultist. I was laughed at because I could not participate in school sports. Women were 2nd class citizens but some of the sweetest most humble people in the world. BAck when I was called That holiness boy!My time has passed and I know it. I have lived my dreams. I WILL NOT dictate to the youth of today how they should worship, I just want to truly be glad that they WORSHIP!I see today a growing of the community churches, I know several folk who attend and I respect them. There was a time after my childhood and before I really grew up that I was one of the biggest 'Pharisees (and sometimes hypocrite) around because I was REALLY GODLY, A CHURCH OF GOD MEMBER! Go back? Not really, but we should pray and follow His directions more... Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

The Congregational Church of God.It's the future.imho Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church

I think you are about half right. We already have some congregations that make the decisions (with the blessings (or cursings)) of some officials. Sorta like those companies during the financial crisis, 'too big to fail' but in these cases 'too big to listen'. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/