Jude 2

I have been asked to pastor an independent church. They believe and teach almost identical to the CoGoP. I have been a pastor in the CoGoP for over 30 years and would keep my membership and ministry credentals there.
I expect to have another meeting with their council next week. Anyone have any advice or questions that I should ask (I have already asked several).
I am not asking you to help me determine God's will. I have been around long enough to determine that myself.
I am asking for advice, questions, suggestions, any thing that may help me.

I'd ask the same things that I would want to know from a COGOP. Also make sure you understand how they govern the church and what they expect from you. What role will you play in their government?

car50 wrote:I have been asked to pastor an independent church. They believe and teach almost identical to the CoGoP. I have been a pastor in the CoGoP for over 30 years and would keep my membership and ministry credentals there.
I expect to have another meeting with their council next week. Anyone have any advice or questions that I should ask (I have already asked several).
I am not asking you to help me determine God's will. I have been around long enough to determine that myself.
I am asking for advice, questions, suggestions, any thing that may help me.

May seems like a trivial question, but it will disclose the heart of the congregation. do they see themselves as independant or do they seem themselves as a part of and interdependant to the body of Christ ?

remember I left the cogop and pioneerd an innerdependant trans denominational church and later the same as a mission organization.

Thanks PastorDaniel and Paul for you replys!

The role of the pastor is much the same as in the CoGoP. The main exception being the church council which the pastor is chairman of. They have great respect for the pastor.

The church does see it self as part of the larger Body of Christ. They have had pastors from CoG, AoG, and others.
So I would say they are more Interdependent.

Since you are staying with the CoGoP, are they open to your participation in state functions, would they be open to cooperation with other CoGoPs, participation in district meetings, camps, etc?

for me personally this would be a consideration.

car50 wrote:The role of the pastor is much the same as in the CoGoP. The main exception being the church council which the pastor is chairman of. They have great respect for the pastor.

The church does see it self as part of the larger Body of Christ. They have had pastors from CoG, AoG, and others.
So I would say they are more Interdependent.

You are not in my area, but if you were I would encourage you to go for it.

How long of a minimum term are they offering you?

What are their plans or goals as a church for the next year, the next 5, the next 10?

Thanks again to all who have replied. I will try to answer the last three.
Pastor Bill,As for them being involved in state and district functions. There are no district functions in my area that I am aware of. There is a possibility of them sending kids to youth camp.
Brother Gary, thanks for your support and encouragement; your answer is the same as I have received from past and present overseers that I have spoken with.
FQ, As for the shortest term they would offer is one we are still talking about. Any suggestions on what would be reasonable? What are the positives and negatives to a limited term.
As for their plans, they want to expand their ministry to youth and children. One of the first projects as pastor they want me to find a Youth Minister. They have about 80 that attend but maybe 65 are middle age to senior adults. All to whom I have spoken are concerned about reaching out to the youth.

No one ask the main question...How much does it pay?

Just kidding...I say go for it. It seems that the Lord is opening another door of opportunity for you.