what ever happened to

[darylscook]

DAryl, since you answered my question, finish the answer....."do you have another job , are you seeking tenure, all those pertinent things?"
Does any of that have any bearing on your answer?

I do have another job; however, I was e-mailed info about a better job in another city for which I was highly qualified. And, among other reasons, my committment to this local church and my love for the people here played a large role in not pursuing it.

Am I seeking tenure -- not sure if you are talking about work or church so I will answer both.

work -- The only person up the chain from me is the owner of the company so I don't guess there is any more Tenure I can get. It is not a gvt job, so my current level of Personal leave is already maxed out.

Church -- Well, this is my second church to Pastor, I stayed at my first Pastorate over 9 years. It was a VERY small church. I have been here since 2004 and even though they do own a VERY nice parsonage, we are in the process of finding and purchasing a home to live in. We have decided that This is where God want's us to live, minister, and retire.

Do these things matter? I am sure they do. Do they matter more than what I perceive to be what God wants, no. I could move to any area and find a job doing what I do. I may make less money (or maybe more money), but I could find work almost anywhere. Right now, I believe God has called me to Pastor, Camp Ministry, and GIS work. He is blessing in all those areas. If and When I am confident that God wants to me concentrate on only 2 or 1 of those, I will. I could quit Pastoring and be Youth Pastor at a couple of places and in my flesh, those would be much less stressful, But, I believe God has placed me as Pastor of our local church and I want to follow him.

God Bless You
Pastor Daryl

[Jennifer Smith]

Sometimes the time comes to prove you're willing to suffer the loss of all things to serve the Lord in truth. It hurt so much to have been in a church that I loved for approximately 35 years, some of which were served as pastor, but always working, and still not granted the courtesy of even being heard. Even the world treats one another better than we were treated. May God have mercy on the people involved in this who could have made a difference. We'll never know the souls that have been lost because of this situation.

christian, I'm very sorry for what you experienced. With God's help, I pray and hope you will put it all behind you and look forward to good things that the Lord has for you. He still has a good plan, and hopes to heal any hurt that has been done.. it sounds as though you are trying to heal and I know that with God's help it will happen.

[christian]

[Dr. Ron]

DAryl, sounds like you have your head on straight.......just a little more mentoring in some areas

[RuSKY]

[If the man is being led by the Spirit than by all means YES, it makes more sense than anything else I know. How quickly do we forget that the CoGoP is a Theocracy, it should have nothing to do with knowing the church or knowing the person, it should have everything to do with seeking God's will.

Alan, surely you don't believe the COGOP is a Theocracy. I know that was what was taught for years, but does anyone really believe that today?
If it was a Theocracy, there would be no need for a GA, as God would give the GO directions and he could tell the rest of the church what God says. That was how it was done in Moses' day.

RuSKY

[Pastor Bill]

Thank you, Jennifer, for your kindness. God has been so faithful and good to us. We are a small group now, but we are assembling together and we study the Bible, sing, and pray, and we are finding that God meets with us to give us comfort and hope for the future. We refuse to allow bitterness and hatred to destroy us. Jesus taught us to forgive and pray for our enemies, and we're trying to do just that. It's very sad and still hurts, but sometimes you just have to let go and move on.

God bless.

I hate to hear that happened, and probably not too far from where I am, I didn't know the interm overseer well, but have seen some really good things from our new overseer. Is your group still connected with the CoGoP at all (or do you wish to be?) our current SO has really pushed a focus on the kingdom of God, and our place in it rather than fighting for positions and focusing on an earthly church. (in meetings this weekend he said things that were 100% in agreement with most of the discussion in this thread, I laughed at one point because a statement he made was almost word for word something Dr. Ron had said here just earlier that day!

Of course if you all want to be connected with the CoGoP, please call Scott (or if you'd prefer, email or PM me and I'll help work things out for you) whether it's actually joining your group to the organization, or just staying independent and working along side us, in both you know we're here, and current leadership would support you whichever you choose.

[Dr. Ron]

Yep. Scott is an intelligent man. He lurks here and I am sure he "quoted" me . I am his idol......whether he admits it or not.

[Full Quiver]

I think members do vote whether it is scriptural or not. They vote with their pocket books, their attendance, their own personal ministry (willing to work at church), and with their attitudes in general. In CoGoP and TCoG circles they merely do these things and cross their fingers expecting a change at the next convention. The members can vote for change behind closed doors and on the phone with overseers and in this day of nondenominational ism and independent churches overseers will fear losing large congregations.
When you say it's not theocracy then you allow ALL types of worldly, political, and carnal influences into the decision making process.

[crispfin]

Alan, surely you don't believe the COGOP is a Theocracy. I know that was what was taught for years, but does anyone really believe that today?
If it was a Theocracy, there would be no need for a GA, as God would give the GO directions and he could tell the rest of the church what God says. That was how it was done in Moses' day.

Hmmmm, isn't there a church like that right now . . . ah yes, the Roman Catholic Church! So you see, theocracy isn't dead, we're just protesting it! Isn't it time for reconcilliation?

Just commenting . . .

[RuSKY]

In CoGoP and TCoG circles they merely do these things and cross their fingers expecting a change at the next convention. The members can vote for change behind closed doors and on the phone with overseers and in this day of nondenominational ism and independent churches overseers will fear losing large congregations..

F.Q., you are probably right about large congergations, I would suspect that a large congergation would, perhaps, tell the SO what and how they were going to do things at their local. However, the SO can still be "Bosses" over the small ones. Especially if the local doesn't have ownership of their facility.

When you say it's not theocracy then you allow ALL types of worldly, political, and carnal influences into the decision making process..

And so, there you have it in a lot of instances, not all, but many.

note:I added the bold to F.Q.'s quote.

[Pastor Bill]

Yep. Scott is an intelligent man. He lurks here and I am sure he "quoted" me . I am his idol......whether he admits it or not.

I'm sure! Actually I did mention Jude 2 to him awhile back, and he said he'd heard of the site, but hadn't really had time to visit. If he has since then, I don't know, but if you're out there brother, feel free to say hello!

Dr. Ron, I knew you knew him, and it really doesn't surprise me the two of you think alike on many of these things, that's why it's hard for me at times to remember that things aren't as good everywhere in the CoGoP as they are in KY, we ARE moving ahead, we have left the exclusiveness behind and are looking to do God's work more than focusing on this denomination and positions and appointments in it. That's the CoGoP I know, and it sometimes seems worlds away from the problems you left. I hope that is an encouragement, I am sure although you didn't see it while you were still here, you are glad it's come (or at least coming, we've still got room to grow)

[christian]

[Pastor Bill]

I think members do vote whether it is scriptural or not. They vote with their pocket books, their attendance, their own personal ministry (willing to work at church), and with their attitudes in general. In CoGoP and TCoG circles they merely do these things and cross their fingers expecting a change at the next convention. The members can vote for change behind closed doors and on the phone with overseers and in this day of nondenominational ism and independent churches overseers will fear losing large congregations.
When you say it's not theocracy then you allow ALL types of worldly, political, and carnal influences into the decision making process.

You are correct, and if we are making church decisions based on who will be offended, who will hold back tithes or who will leave, then we are plain WRONG.

If we are following God and someone doesn't like it, there are other churches out there. I'd rather see someone leave my church and be fed down the road than stay miserable, or hinder work God is leading in.

[christian]

[Pastor Bill]

Christian,

I am sorry, I did not see (even after rereading) where your comment referenced the current overseer, but mainly the interm overseer.

I can't sit outside of the situation and judge what happened, that was not my intent, because I know there are two sides to every split, and both feel they are right.

I don't know what church you are speaking of, but I probably know both your former pastor and the one who came in. I hate to hear that there was disagreement and hurt in the church, but I also know that as a pastor, I have to follow God's leading, and sometimes that goes against the direction some people want me to go.

I am not saying that to stick up for your pastor, but I do know that when one finds themselves in a situation where there is a difference in direction, it can be a time to move apart and work separately. Fighting over ownership and what is "Mine" or "Ours" is difficult, especially when it isn't "ours" in the first place, we GIVE of our time, money and energy for God. I hate it that you do not feel comfortable with the direction things have gone, and separating off into a separate congregation may be what is best, but it CAN be done without tearing people apart. Your current congregation that is working to continue separately can work along side this other church without it being a poor relationship, and without feeling run off by the organization. It's not necessarily easy, but it is possible, and you don't have to stand alone.