Jude 2

Assuming I felt led of the Lord to seek out a retired COGOP minister to join me in ministry at Christway, and further assuming they would accept, what kind of issues might they face as a result in COGOP today?

Could they retain membership and ministry status in COGOP?
Would they continue to receive COGOP retirement benefits?
What kind of red-tape would they have to work through to do so with the favor of their leadership?

Poimen wrote:Assuming I felt led of the Lord to seek out a retired COGOP minister to join me in ministry at Christway, and further assuming they would accept, what kind of issues might they face as a result in COGOP today?

Could they retain membership and ministry status in COGOP?
Would they continue to receive COGOP retirement benefits?
What kind of red-tape would they have to work through to do so with the favor of their leadership?

I don't know of any official policy. Off the top of my head and to no official capacity, answers would be:
There may be issues, depending on whether or not they are still active in the ministry.

Membership in the COGOP is a matter of salvation and choice. I understand that the left foot of disfellowship has happened in the past based on certain biblical (and may not so Biblical) topics - but I can't see that happening now a days, unless they choose to be removed, backslide, or fall into some grievous, unrepentant sin (and still desire to be leadership).

COGOP has retirement bennies? Okay, I know that the 403b is available now a days (I believe this is relatively new), but any other retirement that an older minister had, was probably going to be something they set up themselves and something they own. How could anyone, even in an official capacity take that from them.

Red tape? again, my unofficial, only from reading/study, still being relatively new to the COGOP, opinion - would be that there is no red tape. But again, going back to my first statement. there may be issues to resolve or at least be aware of if they are still active in the COGOP ministry.

I can't see that this would be anything insurmountable though. There are active, non-retired ministers in the COGOP that are currently involved in other organizations as well. PG, is an example of that, right here in his leadership and involvement in another "ecumenical"/"unity" group - "REUNION".

[code]Could they retain membership and ministry status in COGOP?

Would they continue to receive COGOP retirement benefits?

What kind of red-tape would they have to work through to do so with the favor of their leadership?[quote]

A former S. O. went to Pastor with the AG. He retained his Lic. for a few years while Pastoring in the AG. Then He decided to join the AG and turned in his lic. This was with the blessing of COGOP.

What retirment benefits do you speak ? At one time their was some form of retirement form INO but they ask for the recipants to give them back the $50.00 a month. Then stoped the program.
In Georgia its my understanding if you put in 15 years of ministry you may get $50.00 a month if you stay in GOGOP.
This has never been an important to the COGOP leadership. At least to really make a differance.

As to red tape I dont know if their is any. It may depend on the SO.

Cpt Jack

I seriously doubt there would be much problem if any.

I have been gone for a while now, but I know several who are serving in other denoms and they continue to be credentialed with COGOP.

I know two bishops (former SOs) who are pastoring in COG and they retained their credentials.....and have dual credentials with COG.

I know several who are serving COGOP who are credentialed in another organization.

So, I doubt if it will matter too much.....as for retirement......what a joke.

We have many cogop ministers that pastor independent or other denominational churches. In Georgia we have a minister that pastors a Nazarene church. I also know of several cogop ministers that serve as assistants in Church of Gods and independent churches.

As far as red tape....the minister just has to have an agreement for a church to retain his/her membership and its good to have the blessing of the State Overseer...

As stated above...a former state overseer in Georgia carried dual credentials with the A/G and COGOP for years with the blessing of HQ. He carried both until he realized he was staying permanently in the A/G. I talked to him about this not to long ago as I was considering something similar.

About 20 years ago, when Larry Turner was alive, he served as interim pastor at Bayview Chapel Assembly of God in my town with the full knowledge and blessings of all.

More recently, Chris and Amber Payne served a non-denominational church for a time without cutting any ties to COGOP, and they did it with full disclosure and the Overseer's approval.

Others elsewhere serve in transdenominational roles. I think the key is to be open in communication with everybody... play with all cards face-up on the table (for you religious people, I mean ROOK cards).

I would be DELIGHTED if some of my pastors were invited to serve outside our group.