Jude 2

I am interested in learning who you would list among progressive, influential leaders in the COGOP today. They might be Pastors, Overseers, General Appointees, former leaders, or just plain folks who are opinion leaders, are visible, or are those who "get it.

Definitely, Bishop Billy Murray!

you would despise my list as they would be of the "old paths" people

But there are many who were great men of God!!!!

As far as Bily Murray yes he brought the change many of you liked. He was wanting that change for a lONG time (I dont think he knew to what extent at that time) even when preaching the same ole message in the eighties. There was a small group working it together who felt the same as you do that the COGOP needed to change, they liked the growth that COG had when they changed as well.

None of these comments are meant as a negative, if they are taken that way it is my fault for poorly describing what I am trying to say, so please keep that in mind if anyone thinks that was a bash of any kind it was not. I just know from family that was right there with them when it really began to start in the 70's. It just did not hit the field until much , Much later...

But I could list a lot of people that were wonderful people.

After a day and numerous views, I have one name listed, and that one name is not a current leader or influencer but a historic name from the past

If we have no progressive, dynamic leaders serving anywhere we are in big trouble - but I don't believe that at all.

E. C. McKinley and H. E. Cardin

Here are a few hours for you to listen to...

Pastor Jim Kelly in Ohio
Pastor Ritchie Ables in MS
Pastor Philip A. Lawson
and
GP Sam Clements
Listen Day 1, 2, and 3 Revivals

In my personal dealings.. these men get it.

Men that left COGOP.. Tom Jones of Oklahoma.

Pastor Gary, are you fishing for a compliment? Okay. I'll submit your name:

Pastor Gary!

rjjunior wrote:Pastor Gary, are you fishing for a compliment? Okay. I'll submit your name:

Pastor Gary!

Well since you tossed PG name in the ring, i'll add my 02cents in.

Seriously, I think the day will come when PG walks the hallowed halls of IQ. and not just a visit.

rjjunior wrote:Pastor Gary, are you fishing for a compliment? Okay. I'll submit your name:

Pastor Gary!

No. I am not. I am looking ahead toward a research paper/project I anticipate before I finish my Masters and am playing around with some ideas, one of which would involve identifying such leaders within my own denomination and defining the things that set them apart as influencers, progressive, etc.

I have my own short list, but wanted to see if those were just my own perceptions or they were shared by others. I appreciate the compliment and am honored to be named among such, men, but I know my limits!

Paul, as for PG walking the hallowed halls of IH, I pray for him to be shielded from that experience. I think God loves him more than that......lol

I know the older men and women....none of whom would be considered now. Harrison Price, Harry Lee Moore, Tom Duncan, Hank ONeal, M S Curry, and I could go on.....including Grady Kent...

The COGOP had it's greatest growth in their era. It was the men of the "fire" of denomination.

All things have a birth a life and a death....

Since PG is studying at Fuller, he knows this already. Denoms begin as movements. The fervor of the movement is instilled by the first generation to the next who take it to another level of organization and "fire"...for the vision. By the third generation, the denominational standards replace the "fire" and by the fourth generation, it becomes a maintenance progam.

Sadly, few denoms survive the maintenance mode. They begin a regression of selling off property to pay for program i.e. The Church of the Bretheren. They had the largest mission program of their day and had to canibalize their organizational holdings to maintain their programs.

While I am not trying to highjack the thread and write an epitah of the COGOP, I am saying that what got it to where it is, will not sustain it today.

COGOP and all denoms need to return to the fervor of the movement, recognize the importance of local church vision, and allow for individual inspiration.

Influencers.......hmmmmmm....

At a luncheson with Randy Howard sitting at my table at the International Assembly the last time he said that Bro. Zebua from Indonesia was the most progressive, forward-thinking leader we had in the CoGoP today becuase of the programs/ministries he's implemented in his country.

Zebua is our harvest partner and I have spent many hours with him and I agree with that.

I'll add some names to the list:

- Randy Howard (believe it or not!)
- Clayton Endecott
- Sherman Allen

I know their all in positions of leadership at the highest level but they got there for a reason...The are able to influence change.

Okay.

Some of these influencers I know personally and others I am listing from perception:

John Pace
Tim Coalter
Scott Gillum (sp?)
Cathy Payne
Billy Wilson
Tom Jones (former)

Very small list and I would have to disagree with some of the names above. But anyways.......

Pastor Gary
Scooter

The 2 above are part of a very small group of forward thinkers within COGOP. Most of the others that I could think of have left the organization.

Pastor Gary wrote:I am interested in learning who you would list among progressive, influential leaders in the COGOP today. They might be Pastors, Overseers, General Appointees, former leaders, or just plain folks who are opinion leaders, are visible, or are those who "get it.

Fred Fisher, Sr. is still living. he may not be a person of power who influences what is happening dailly. however, the changes the COGOP has experienced tooked place as he was on Powerful assembly Committees, national USA Prsb., and General Overseer.

I can say without reservation, Fred S, Fisher, Sr. is one of the greatest men I have ever known. i have known him for over 48 years.

When I was a small boy, the other Pastors at the Conventions might have been doing other things, but the fisher were working to make it good for others. I remeber at 9 years older wanting to help Bro Fisher stack chairs and fry chichen so people could eat.

This people are servants. This is why he became great among us. The first church he Pastor (if I recall correctly had 3 members).

One of the great honors of my eternal existence is I got to work as a Pastor under a Shepherd State Overseer named Fred Fisher.

I can remember almost every message I ever heard him Preach.

You may catch a drift! I think he is a great man and a great leader.



Ray

What is the criteria for someone being considered "Forward thinking?"