Okay -- what do you think?

[Pastor Gary]

Many of you have walked with us through the decision to hold joint services with the four COGOP congregations on this island, so I will use you as a focus group to test market something.

One of the first things we must tackle as we commit to meeting together in joint services is, “what are we going to call this thing?”

We can’t call it “The Combined Congregations of the Churches of God of Prophecy on O‘ahu” — that is way too long and doesn’t exactly flow trippingly off the tongue! I have designed a logo and and a branding concept after about three days of pulling what little hair I have left out.

The joint services with combined congregations will be called reunion.




My thinking is this…
• One of the first words that comes to mind when you hear the word reunion, is family, and this is in a very real sense a family reunion. Our COGOP ohana will be coming together as brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles to build relationships, and draw closer as a spiritual family.

• The first part of the tag line, “a place to come home” is intended to reach out to those who have never accepted Christ, have found themselves alienated from the Lord, or who may have given up on church. We want to invite them to “come home” where they will be welcomed, like the prodigal son, with open arms.

• The second phrase, “a place to call home” is meant to convey the idea that we will provide a spiritual home, an ohana, for those who come to Christ or come back to a place of restoration; we will nurture and disciple them and assimilate them into the ohana.

It is a strong, contemporary name, unusual enough to attract
attention and make people wonder, but it is not wierd or new-age sounding. I will design and print business cards with this logo and the meeting location, it will appear on all the bulletins, handouts, banners, flyers, and identity materials we use.

We will also build a website, but we need to register an available domain, like www.reunionoahu.com or www.reunionhawaii.com

So-- with great trepidation, I open the floor for responses and comments.

[one love]

Keep in mind im still not used to not calling them COGOP. I was under the impression when I first saw it that cogop was trying to hide form there heritage and did not want people to acknowledge them with that org. Keep in mind I was young in the Lord at that time and realized the one who mentioned that was full of it. At least I do understand now that is has been explained.

With that said I think it is a really good idea and name. Makes sense for the situaiton. I like it a lot. I think it is catchy and very welcoming as well. Which gets the 2 major points you want to get across. Welcomimg all 4 into one and also welcoming all new comers and those in need of salvation. Good job my friend

If I get to take my dream vacation to hawii this year I will have to try to come for a service but only if I can preach the true one fold message Im just kidding. Ask full quver that is ajoke with me. I can only handle so much preaching regarding the main 3 D/R-Jewelry-onefold I love deeper messages. I believe these things. But I love to hear challenging preaching that takes into deeper thought and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
But I am hoping to surprise my wife and plan to go there.


OK I am confused a little. Is this congragation going to meet at the same time with you as pastor? Or are they going to hold seperate services. I think you mentioned this but I cant remember. Also just curious with all together about how many member will you have? If you are meeting together as you as pastor will the tithing not go to them aylonger? If that is ifo you dont want out i understand im just curious how that would work. I have done some things different here to help former situaitons


I think you need to recruit dog the bounty hunter. I can see Pastor Gary on the show as the "Dog's" pastor instead of the other guy Then on your sign you can say home of the bounty hunter

Did you get my comment about avatar? Wendy helped me at UTR that is what im wanting to do. Sorry for the hijack

[Billy n NC]

I like it Pastor G.

One thing that jumped out at me and I had never saw before.

I noticed you have the U and N joined. Not sure if you can but what about I.

R E U N I O N U (YOU) N (AND) I(I) play off in the logo???

Okay I admit I am Techie Savvy Artistically Challenged.

[Pastor Gary]

Keep in mind im still not used to not calling them COGOP. I was under the impression when I first saw it that cogop was trying to hide form there heritage and did not want people to acknowledge them with that org. Keep in mind I was young in the Lord at that time and realized the one who mentioned that was full of it. At least I do understand now that is has been explained.

Not completely sure I understood that paragraph. (It jumps from past to present tense a couple of times.)

With that said I think it is a really good idea and name. Makes sense for the situaiton. I like it a lot. I think it is catchy and very welcoming as well. Which gets the 2 major points you want to get across. Welcomimg all 4 into one and also welcoming all new comers and those in need of salvation. Good job my friend

Great. Thanks.

OK I am confused a little. Is this congragation going to meet at the same time with you as pastor? Or are they going to hold seperate services. I think you mentioned this but I cant remember.

It will be a four congregation, combined service with me (as Overseer) serving as sort a "first-among-equals" or maybe "lead pastor." For the first 4 or 5 weeks I will be the public face, the speaker, and we will see how it goes from there. Some will continue some mid-week Bible Studies, etc.

Also just curious with all together about how many member will you have?

Keep in mind that your frame of TCOG reference is "members" -- we put far less emphasis upon that. Our total "population" with all four combined will be around 180-200. We would love to have 200 for that first Sunday.

If you are meeting together as you as pastor will the tithing not go to them aylonger?

Again, that TCOG frame of reference is somewhat different than my own; I am paid a monthly salary that bears no relationship to the amount of tithes/offerings received. Our finances will remain separate. We don't pass the plate in our services anyway -- we do it Azusa Street style; We have a designated box at the entrance table into which tithes/offerings are deposited -- and some use the PayPal link on our website to contribute.

[quote="one love"]If that is ifo you dont want out i understand im just curious how that would work. I have done some things different here to help former situaitons [/qupte]

I play with all my cards ace up on the table. Me (and Jesus) have done nothing in secret.

[one love]

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:46 pm Subject: Funny

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

one love wrote:
Keep in mind im still not used to not calling them COGOP. I was under the impression when I first saw it that cogop was trying to hide form there heritage and did not want people to acknowledge them with that org. Keep in mind I was young in the Lord at that time and realized the one who mentioned that was full of it. At least I do understand now that is has been explained.

Pastor Gary wrote:

Not completely sure I understood that paragraph. (It jumps from past to present tense a couple of times.)

Sorry. I was implying im still not used to not calling the churches "The church of God of Prophecy"
I had heard before that it was an attempt to try not to let people know that each church was a part of that organization because they did not want to be associated with that theology. I stated I was young in the Lord when I was told this and it seemed to make sense. I later learned that was silly and I asked the question here and understand now why the name changes. I know it did not have a lot to do with the question but I am still not used to it.

As far as tithes I assume we do it the same. Well to a degree the limits may not be equal. TCOG has a limit of I think 32,000 a year. So if a church is a limit paying church they receive that salary. If not they get what comes in. If they are limit paying the extra surplus goes into the church expense fund. What I was asking was would each pastor that is uniting , would they still get a salary or income or would it go to one pastor over the whole church. Thats all.

I was asking in a sense how many you have coming with all 4 congregations you still take in members, so I said how many members would you have. If it better fits this way "how many would be coming on average" I do like it though and think it is a awesome idea. As a pastor of a small church it is not always easy. In our area the next closest church is in gloucester which is about one hour and 15 minutes from us. Maybe 35 mins. from lakeside. In the other part of Va they have good size congregations all pretty close. The funny thing is they are all the bigger churches and they are not to far. Not the same city but close.

[Gerald Creasy]

I don't know but If I was driving down the road and saw a Church that said Reunion my first thought would be "I could never go there....I wasnt part of whatevers being reunited." and my second thought would be "Well, good for them."

That having been said from the INSIDE it's very clever. I doubt the outside appeal 100%.

[Pastor Gary]

I don't know but If I was driving down the road and saw a Church that said Reunion my first thought would be "I could never go there....I wasnt part of whatevers being reunited." and my second thought would be "Well, good for them."

That having been said from the INSIDE it's very clever. I doubt the outside appeal 100%.

Thanks for the honest feedback.

[one love]

I don't know but If I was driving down the road and saw a Church that said Reunion my first thought would be "I could never go there....I wasnt part of whatevers being reunited." and my second thought would be "Well, good for them."

That having been said from the INSIDE it's very clever. I doubt the outside appeal 100%.

I understand what you mean Gerald but wouldnt the "A place to come home a place to call home" make it understanding to the public?
I guess the way to really know is ask some people who know nothing about what you are doing and see what they would say. Maybe we are a little biased but I still like it and feel it fits to both applications.

[rough_rider]

I don't know but If I was driving down the road and saw a Church that said Reunion my first thought would be "I could never go there....I wasnt part of whatevers being reunited." and my second thought would be "Well, good for them."

That having been said from the INSIDE it's very clever. I doubt the outside appeal 100%.

Maybe adding the word Island would help, "Runion Island".

[free]

I found this from Mark Driscoll:


This week at Mars Hill we have a few hundred Christian leaders coming in for our Acts 29 Boot Camp and church planters' assessment. One of the toughest parts of planting a church is coming up with a good name. In hindsight, my choice was not very good since for most people it conjures up images of lots of people in matching white sneakers drinking Kool Aid. So, in an effort to help young church planters find the perfect name for their church I have composed the simple chart below. It follows the marketing "Rule of Three" which states that for something to be truly memorable it must have three parts. Therefore, all a young church planter needs to do is choose one word from each list to arrive at just the perfect church name. In conclusion, you're welcome.

Amen Revival Church
Glory Dominion Fellowship
Believers World Temple
Life Changers Outreach Headquarters
Victorious Bible Tabernacle
Shekinah Intercession Campus
Holy Ghost Miracle Chapel
Spirit Filled Worship Community
Champions' Mercy Congregation
Overcomers Ministry Family
Spiritual Love Center
Triumphant Prayer Home
Hallelujah Equipping Compound

[jessea]

I agree with Gerald's comment. Perhaps adding "Fellowship Church" would help avoid the concern. "reunion" Fellowship Church has a nice ring to it.

[RamboPreacher]

hehehe - I am sure they are looking to not have the word "church" in it. but maybe take it that direction completley!

The Church!
eheheheheheeee and a chuckle too!

[Billy n NC]

I think one NT reference to the group of people known as the church was.


The Way

[RamboPreacher]

I think one NT reference to the group of people known as the church was.


The Way

of course that will send wrong information, since The Way International is "cult".

[Billy n NC]

Hey I did not say it would be the best name.

Actually I like the logo as is. Reunion does have a ring to it. espeically with the sub lines. AS far as seeing it from an outsiders view. It also could project a sense of belonging or family for someone without a family..

Adding Fellowship or community may enhance but I'm not sure.