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Talking about where to plant a new COG. My first pastorate was a small struggling COG in north central Missouri. AT the time there were two good AG churches in the little town. I enjoyed fellowship with the pastors, both likeable men. Most of the few members at out COG were previously AG. They were VERY GOOD folk. The only COG folk were from towns near by.I questioned many times, we are here to win souls, there are plenty of churches in this town, why wasn't the effort placed in a city or town where there was NO strong Pentecostal or fundamental influence. Most churches that I remember being established were established on members or former members of our 'competition', as I was told by an administrator.I guess the AG, COGOP, CH, 4SQ, etc are 'competitors' in a way, but not enemies! Shouldn't the COG set it's sights on towns, or city areas where there is NOT already a strong influence for the Lord?I find myself being less able to rationalize as I get older so I may not be seeing the BIG PICTURE. I know what I do not like personally and that is establishing churches with VERY disgruntled folk from other churches. I am trying to distinguish between folks who have been 'driven' from churches and those who Just disagreed with the pastor. There are definitely both categories. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Jack from what I am hearing the percentage of people attend church on a regular basis is decreasing. Experts say the best way to engage people in church is new church plants.It should not be about attempting to get folks from other churches to attend your new plant. It should be about winning those who are unchurched. Yes we need a few leaders to assist the new plant. I believe The Lord will send those Recorded Sermons @ www.pastorwiley.com

A few years ago a family came to the town where I was living & it just so happens that Tami & I were not involved in a pulpit ministry at the time.There were not a lot of full gospel choices.There were the usual suspects (haha) but few were growing. In fact the local oneness group was exploding in growth but the rest were stagnant like usual. There was an A/G in town & a few would say sometimes, 'we don't need another A/G in this town cause they already have one. Well we also had 2 CoG's, 3 PCG's, 2 CoGoP & 2 Foursquare & 1 PH in the surrounding area. Just so happens the A/G was one of those churches whose members can't seem to be happy no matter who comes to be their pastor. Also, that town had about 12 baptist churches & 4 Catholic churches & they were planting a new catholic church at the time. We seem to have such a narrow view of evangelism sometimes that we think our brand is the same no matter where people go but thats not true at all.We need fresh church plants everywhere we can plant them so that we can spread the largest nets to gain the biggest catches.To paraphrase the text, Jesus said to go out into the highways & hedges & compel them to come in so that my house may be FULLJesus is very interested in us having 'FULL' churches & tons of church plants! Empty nest syndrome is for the birds!Email me at: [email protected] planters are focused on just one thing ...introducing people to Jesus!

I read you Dean, loud and clear. It is that I just do not understand the situation. My thinking is of course yester-year. I pastored two OLD died in the wool COG's. The Overseer of NC asked if I would be interested in starting a work in Gaston County. A county FULL of COGs. Of course I said yes, it was my wife's home town. The church bloomed, it grew it doubled in size in a year 12-30. then the next 30-60 then the nest 60-100. In the first two churches I may have increased by 1 or 2 people. So New works did prosper even in the 60's.I guess I just do not understand why?I see it in Florida and in NC. I don't know why we cannot evangelize from the established churches in saturated areas as well. BUT WE CANNOT.I posted this subject with my thoughts because I am now more interested in the unchurched, than a brand. In the SE USA there are enough churches (COGs) to finance and assist a plant nearby or at a distance. It was done years ago by churches with pastors who had a vision. When my dad's last church grew to 250 he always planted a church. His church planted three very successful churches while he was there 13 years.Mega churches were not on the horizon in 1955.Anyway, yes sir. Times are different, but I do not understand why! Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/