I heard.....

[stevenson]

that the International Ministry of Outreach between the COG & the COGOP has come to an end. Has anyone else heard this?

I noticed that neither the COG or COGOP has a link on their website anymore.

[MrDanger]

Yep. That deal had a number of years that as a limit on it. I guess it could have been renewed if they wanted it to, but it ended at the time they always said it would.

[DaJudge]

Guess that puts the kibosh on the merger rumors that the TCOGers were spreading

[stevenson]

It's a shame. I thought Billy Wilson was doing an excellent job in bringing these to bodies closer together. I'm sure there is more to the story than any of us shall ever know. Oh well.......

[rough_rider]

Guess that puts the kibosh on the merger rumors that the TCOGers were spreading

Those rumors came from COGOP folks.......

[one love]

Guess that puts the kibosh on the merger rumors that the TCOGers were spreading

I heard it all from cogop people to, just being honest. I watched the cogop site as well.

[PastorDaniel]

I found this on http://www.imoutreach.org/home.cfm

So it's not over yet!

Encouraging Unity and Experiencing Harvest

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the International Ministry of Outreach website. This historic cooperative effort was launched on August 1st, 2003 between The Church of God and the Church of God of Prophecy with the goal of reaching today’s harvest for Christ. Our day demands that we find new and unique ways to accomplish the task of world evangelization and I hope you will partner together with us as we pursue this "new way for a new day."

The first three years of the initiative have given much time to relationship building, connecting leaders in both movements as well as encouraging participation in cooperative efforts. We have experienced a good harvest together. Over 3000 souls have come to know Christ, and approximately 3000 ministers have been trained during cooperative harvest events. We praise God for the lives that have been touched and we look forward to what we can do together for the future.

With a desire to continue joining together to reaching the world for Christ, the Church of God International Executive Committee and the Church of God of Prophecy General Presbyters have respectively approved the continuance of the Cooperative agreement between the two churches through the summer of 2008. Future plans include cooperative prayer initiatives and exciting ministry outreaches around the world.

Billy Wilson
International Minister of Outreach

[free]

I thought there was something in the planning at the beginning of this effort that said (in so many words) that Billy W. would be the first minister to "cross-over" and then there would be a CoG minister...Maybe I'm wrong about that.

[stevenson]

PastorDaniel, my understanding is that the website hasn't been updated since this came down the line. And I recieved several e-mails today confirming this rumor.

If anyone knows anything more, please share. I was hoping this joint effort wouldn't stop.

[Mat]

removed

[MrDanger]

PastorDaniel, my understanding is that the website hasn't been updated since this came down the line. And I recieved several e-mails today confirming this rumor.

If anyone knows anything more, please share. I was hoping this joint effort wouldn't stop.

Why do you keep referring to it as a rumor? It has been common knowledge for a while now. Rumor, to me, seems to imply something not known being discussed behind closed doors in a whisper. It was out in the open when it happened from my understanding. As many have mentioned, it was initially set up with a time frame and plans would then be discussed for the second round. This isn't something to dig up, it's already out there and not that big of a deal. I don't know of any true impact by it other than showing we can get along with people we used to talk trash about.

[free]

Personally it has no affect on me or my church either way...We never had any fellowship with the CoG's in our area although I am friends with the pastor of one of their largest...Our state did a combined meeting at their state camp meeting one night when BW was the speaker...It was awkard and both sides seemed to keep to themselves.

Oh well, at least we now know we can get along and we're working for the same goal!

[pastorables]

It was awkard and both sides seemed to keep to themselves.

Now that's sad.

[DeWayneTN]

I don't understand what you mean by both sides kept to themselves. Were there assigned sections? If there were, did everyone stay seated when they had a fellowship break? Was there obvious social recoil or just the typical arms-length cordial greetings with people you've never met before?

[free]

There was an "uneasy" friendliness...Nothing bad but I think most of the COGOP folks felt like spectators. There was a pastor's fellowship afterward at a local hotel but it was so late after the campmeeting service that many did not attend.

It wasn't a bad thing but no long term, deep, personal relationships were developed (at least on my part).

However my church and I have regular meetings and fellowship with other churches in our area that have developed into friendships.