Below is a link to an interview of the Church of God of Prophecy General Overseer, Bishop Sam Clements, by Steve Strang of Charisma Mag. During the interview Strang raises the question of COGOP and COG merger. You may find the interview interesting.Matwww.cpnshows.com/shows/strangreport/9b44023af0e6a2e177eb6cd04a1badd7
You on the COGOP side, Mat, an OTCP is on the COG side.
Did you listen?
No merger.
Then you know, no merger. At least not with COG.
There WILL be a merger…
the right people are just not in place yet.At some point, we are both going to realize that we belong together…have identical roots…and perhaps even NEED to be together.But it will take an apostolic voice, I believe. Someone who can command the respect of both organizations in a huge way.
Why I would …
OTCP is why I would rather be AOG or independent.OTCP, I know you are Homer obsessed, but you need to get your timeline right as to when he was in and when he was out of the COGOP. Likewise, you need to man-up and name some of the COG folks that have crowned themselves with the title Doctor. You’re tough on dead Homer, let’s see how you are facing the living, who are in your denomination. Show some academic courage that carries some real cost to your ministry.
Re: There WILL be a merger…
I don’t see this happening. The two denominations are headed in different directions. Currently the COGOP (in the US) is adopting new incorporation bylaws that clearly state that if the denomination was to merge with another organization that each local church has the option to retain its property and pursue another path. Secondly, I doubt that making temporary room for the COGOP leaders in the COG would be little more then an attempt to make it seem more even. Listen, if COGOP leaders can’t do better then suggest a merger where they get a position handed to them so they don’t have to move out of Cleveland or go out to pastor a church, why do I want my old leaders in as part of a new organization.Thirdly, you find this interesting, since the COGOP no longer has a church college, there is more academic freedom. In the COG it seems there is a closed system in which, if you want to be part of the good old boy club you have to be a Lee grad. The COGOP has been willing to do some serious (and sometimes painful) reevaluation of its history, teaching and structure. This includes teaching on issues such as divorce and remarriage, sanctification, and the nature of the church.Even some of your own academics have voiced concern that any research into your church history that varies from the company line is unwelcome and can be damaging to ones career and ministry in the COG. Aaron, I have attended and watched your assemblies, do you really think that the COG is going to hand equivalent credentials to the Ordained ministers in the COGOP? Are they really going to let them vote in the General Counsel? What about the Ordained women ministers who now vote in the COGOP International Assembly and serve in leadership positions as well as on committees? No your leaders, and those who want to be leaders, have committed to much to the system to allow a disrupted force.Lastly, why should COGOP people be subjected to second class status and treatment by people like OTCP (who speaks from his heart even if he does it behind a mask)? No, you may not like my opinion about this, so sue me. That’s the COG way.I guess I would also like to explore why some COG congregations have chosen to go independent.
I can’t imagine why the CoG wouldn’t grant equivalent ministerial credentials to a CoGoP minister wanting to transfer into the CoG. The CoG typically does just that for ministers from other sister Pentecostal denominations like the AoG for instance. I’ve even known of a case where an ordained Southern Baptist minister who received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and was set forth by his local CoG received ordained bishop status with the CoG after passing the OB test, and another of an independent Pentecostal evangelist who likewise became an ordained bishop by being approved by his local CoG and pastor and then just taking the test.
In theory a merger, a coming together would be very good for the kingdom, but I just cannot see it happening, too many hoops to jump through to make it happen, from finances to hierarchy. In the last few years I have met some wonderful folk of the COGOP. I never took time to associate before. My bad. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Awww, C’mon, Mat! Son, the ole timer is just messin with ya. I got three families in ma church right now what came from the COGOP. They wonderful folk. Just cause I done teased ya bout the COGOP flags, an made some funnies bout ole Homer, don’t mean I feel COGOP folk is second class. Hey, if ya look at it right, we all sprung from the same roots——–Bryant, Spurling, Tomlinson, etc.But here is the deal, if they ever was a merger, ain’t no way the ole timer is gonna wear one them tin foil crowns like ole Homer wore.
OTCP, you are like a ventriloquist and his dummy. The real you does not want you’re fellow COG ministers to know your opinions about them on issues like degree mill titles or Word of Faith so you say what’s in your heart through your dummy, OTCP. Your dummy likes to attack the dead, which of course you would never do. Your dummy, with its fake country vocabulary mocks others, but if anyone gets hurt you say it was the dummy not me. However, like any ventriloquist, it is your hand controlling the dummy (or keyboard) and it is you that gives voice to the dummy. The words of OTCP comes from your heart.So you hide behind OTCP, perhaps because you don’t want your ministry or your position, or your family, examined and commented on as freely as you comment on others.Who ever you are, perhaps a pastor in the Cleveland area or an instructor at Lee, or an employee at the General Offices, when I read OTCP post I know it comes from your heart. If is clear you feel free to mock the COGOP past, but you use the dummy instead of man to man.It you don’t like what I said, take me court, its the COG way.
OUCH! ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
OUCH! Sad but true. ________________Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church
Mat, son, the ole timer’s hide is thick as rhino hide. Them words ain’t gonna hurt the ole timer an I shore aint gonna bring litigation agin ya an all. That just aint the COG way.Now, to address ya comments.1. When writers/authors of parody, drama, genre’s of any type write their literature, their writings DO NOT ALWAYS reflect their personal thoughts/feelings on a given issue. Nor is it true with OTCP. 2. There are many posts by OTCP (the parody) that do not reflect the opinions/feelings/worldview of OTCP’s creator. Much is pure jest and fun.3. At the same time, yes, there are indeed certain issues that the parody of OTCP and the person behind the parody, feel strongly about. For example, WOF, ethics in using credentials/titles, etc.4. If you knew the person behind the parody, you would know that I am as adamant/vehement/sincere about the issues you noted above as on this board.All that said, now, if a merger occurs, I’m still not wearing at tin foil crown.