Proxy System Mechanics

[Billy n NC]

I too see this in a step forward. The old way of business was just not right.

Will it be perfect Probably not.

Change is hard for some people.

[EagerBeaver]

FYI—Proxy registrations begin on Monday, but will also be available on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

Response: Great. I think this is a great way to admit and begin to fix a broken way of doing church business. I'm sure there will be problems but at least we can stop looking like a bunch of hicks at open mic night at the local bowling alley karaoke bar for the most part depending on who some select as their proxy.

You mean we won't get the opportunity to see you throw down on someone again??? Dang.

[Mat]

removed

[scooter]

You mean we won't get the opportunity to see you throw down on someone again??? Dang.

Response: Why would you not????

[MrDanger]

You mean we won't get the opportunity to see you throw down on someone again??? Dang.

Response: Why would you not????

Cmon, you gotta give us something to keep us entertained.

[Pastor Bill]

Our SO told us that being selected as proxy meant you were representing the church, it is easy for the first expression, just vote the way the church decided, but if items are edited or if the spirit moves and you feel led to change that expression, be ready to go back to the church and be responsible for that decision.

The proxy is accountable to the church they represent. Members that attend assembly can be consulted in that decision, those that do not can be contacted if time permits and they are accessible. I believe it will work well for churches that have a local proxy. Those that do not, and ask overseers to be the proxy will be a greater issue, as that one overseer could be representing many churches, and knowing the hearts of each of those churches and how they would feel about changes would be difficult.

[Pastor Bill]

Our SO told us that being selected as proxy meant you were representing the church, it is easy for the first expression, just vote the way the church decided, but if items are edited or if the spirit moves and you feel led to change that expression, be ready to go back to the church and be responsible for that decision.

The proxy is accountable to the church they represent. Members that attend assembly can be consulted in that decision, those that do not can be contacted if time permits and they are accessible. I believe it will work well for churches that have a local proxy. Those that do not, and ask overseers to be the proxy will be a greater issue, as that one overseer could be representing many churches, and knowing the hearts of each of those churches and how they would feel about changes would be difficult.

[scooter]

You mean we won't get the opportunity to see you throw down on someone again??? Dang.

Response: Why would you not????

Cmon, you gotta give us something to keep us entertained.

Response: How about this..."The BIIIIBLE says in Jude the second chapter!....

[Dr. Ron]

I repeat......"WHEW"

[Dr. Ron]

I would certainly like to suggest that you give some attention to MAT. He is right on target.

[scooter]

I would certainly like to suggest that you give some attention to MAT. He is right on target.

Response: You can't win for losing with some people. Let's face it every decision made from here to eternity by the Church will face someones better idea mentality.

The same thinkers that were once the emerging voices now cry oh for the way we used to do it. It was soooo simple. Give me a break. Either you were tired of being yanked from church to church under an authoritarian style leadership and liked the old way of doing things or you didn't.

HQ has undergone a drastic reduction in size and has went with what they felt was a more biblical approach to leadership and they still get, "Well the way I'd do it would be a lot less complex because I read a book about it". I have no doubt that a more simple form of church works. My church works very simply.

I think this will be simple once it is in place, a whole lot more simple than waiting for every Tom, Dick and Mary/Harry to get a shot at the microphone before we can go forward on any issue.

[secretary]

I agree with Dr. Ron. Mat has hit the nail right on the head. End of discussion.

[germanshepherd]

(In My Not So Humble Opinion)

Hmmmm!!!!

[germanshepherd]

We as an organization have lost the since of participation, well at least in North American, in the process, so our members (and even our pastors) are staying home. My point is that there is a disconnect between member and process.

I am just wondering out loud, but can we blame the lack of participation on an organization. Is it not true that if we want to participate, we will if possible? My parents always told me that "people do what people want to do." I have found this to be true more and more as I advance in years. I know that from my experience, there are many that live outside of NA that are happy of the fact that finally they will have a "vote" in the decisions that will be made. These decisions will affect the global church and thus should be global decisions, not just NA decisions. I guess I have a different world view of the whole process, but I have sat on both sides of the participation fence and have been frustrated at times when faithful and committed members had no VOICE in decisions of the church.

The whole lack of participation is not just a COGOP issue. Local churches, non-profit organizations, schools, and other organizations are facing this same dilemma. People are just not wanting to participate because they do not want to. It is not because of what someone else does. Unless, we are children and then maybe our parents make us. But, I believe that most of us on here are not children and thus have the opportunity to be involved or not. Maybe not exactly how we want to be involved or to control, but now we alllllll (every COGOP member) can have a voice.

Is the system perfect? Probably not.
Was the old system perfect? Probably not.
Will it ever be perfect on this earth? Probably not.

We must do the best that we can to make the decisions needed to be made, and move forward to reach the lost and impact our communities where we live.

Maybe I need to go back to Germany, but that is my heart and experience.

[Dr. Ron]

In the beginning I was just bringing some levity to the issue.

And .....while I didn't agree with the way things were totally, making them more complex is not the answer either.

I don't have to give an opinion....I can leave at the request of the moderators.....but as long as I am here, I can and will give one....one born of experience and (if I may say so) education in the school of hard knocks.

I was merely making a statement to agree with a voice that is "staying" in the church..

Change for the sake of change is not always the "BEST" answer. I know from experience that once you "approve" a method or system you will have a difficult time trying to change or amend it.....what is the big hurry ....take some time and think through all the implications. There are some issues that a local church in Zimbabwee may not actually need a proxy for and wouldn't use it.

And as long as I have family that are affected by these issues, I will voice my opion......"this is not a COGOP forum" ....."a free wheeling discussion forum" .....so forget that I once belonged to the institution and let me be a voice of opinion......