Big change NEEDED for Peerless Rd. Church

[scooter]

Out of respect for PG, if he asked me to change my user name I would, no problem. He does own the board you know.

Response: I hear ya. I'm thinking about changing it for them. We might not associate WWC with anything because it is somewhat foriegn to us however that is a very narrowminded take since I'm sure PG know many more people from his area which may utilize the board that might see a connection.

[scooter]

And another thing. I'm all for fresh meat for Peerless BUT the last couple of times I visited there things SEEMED to be going great.

[dolfan]

As far as how young is young? I am hesitant to address a specific "age" here. That would be far too limiting. I just, personally, see a trend in what the church is leaning toward as a whole. We have some very educated, talented, and annointed young ministers sitting in smaller churches/congregations that should be used. Someone made a reference on another posts about "young" David defeating a giant. He most certainly was not "seasoned" yet quite effective at carrying through the will of God. As far as the question of carrying on with the foundations of faith or the traditions of man....NO QUESTION! I am of the opinion the latter should never become the focus of someone's ministry. We are here to win souls and lead them to Christ through the word of God first and formost. All that said, I'm not implying that the potential candidate's ages need to be the the focus, but be willing to lay aside the stereotype and open the door of possiblities.

Is there a reason to think that the folks steering that won't lay aside that particular stereotype? What would be the evidence that they have done so? If they hire someone over 50, for example, would you attribute the choice to not laying aside that stereotype categorically?

It just strikes me as having an issue ax to grind to suggest that someone look at age as a primary factor in this situation. This is an established church with a long history. Many factors might recommend an experienced pastor with some years under his belt. Seems to me that having that kind of pastor but who effectively chooses and employs leaders under him who will do the things you say would probably be a better fit. And, believe me, as someone who has hired the young guy who had some experience only to have that guy betray the vision he was responsible to cast and who, without having someone over him to whom he was accountable (elders), could've completely buried the local church, fit means a lot. If this was a new church or one relaunching, your stated concerns would be more important. Hey! Won't you volunteer to be that kind of leader in your church? Or, would you help the leadership in finding one to develop?! Now, that would be change, wouldn't it? And, boy howdy wouldn't you be the apple of your pastor's eye.

[Pianoman]

Gary it didn't strike me of being connected to your local church at all. Jude2 is on a different level.

But changing is your choice.

I was kinda glad WWC explained it. My first thought was that
they were affiliated with White Wing. I was familiar with
WWPH - but couldn't for the life of me figure out what the "C"
could stand for! I figured it was a headquarters official that
was lurking.

[DeWayneTN]

And another thing. I'm all for fresh meat for Peerless BUT the last couple of times I visited there things SEEMED to be going great.

Yes, it's a great church.

[PastorDaniel]

If my name stood for "Walking with Christ"....I would have just used WalkingWithChrist....but that's just me....

I wasn't going to weigh in...but when I first saw "wwc"....I most definitly thought Windward Worship Center????....but I figured it out pretty quick....

Anyways....welcome to Jude2, we are glad that you are here....some of us tend to ramble on...but we're easy to get along with and you'll learn that Pastor Gary as well as many others are "great" people to hang out with...

[MacUser]

Gary it didn't strike me of being connected to your local church at all. Jude2 is on a different level.

But changing is your choice.

So you'd be okay with a new user named MacL|ser, or MacUsen something that is close to your username?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

But I digress.. this is your playground and you decide as I would. I merely offered another perspective outside the loop.

[MrDanger]

Peerless has a history of having younger pastors.

Bro. Roundtree was young when he went there.

Bro. Clements was a young man when he pastored there.

Tim McCaleb was in his late 20s to early 30s when he went to pastor Peerless.

Age hasn't ever seemed to be an issue. I would hope age wouldn't be an issue but rather someone that is not only willing to keep it going in the current/right direction, but sees how they can add to that direction.

[Pastor Gary]

We have some very educated, talented, and annointed young ministers sitting in smaller churches/congregations that should be used.

Up on my soapbox I go...

If you know of "some very educated, talented, and annointed young ministers sitting in smaller churches/congregations that should be used" I need to ask: how talented and anointed is a young minister who chooses to sit? There are tens of thousands of communities needing progressive, innovative young leaders to come in and do a church plant. I have at least 4 islands in Hawaii on which we have never established a viable presence: Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. Tell those "very educated, talented, and annointed young ministers sitting in smaller churches/congregations that should be used" that they are unlikely to have someone hand them the pulpit at Peerless, nor should they expect that.

Tell them to stand up and stand out. Instead of waiting for an Overseer to allow them to test their great innovative ideas on a church that would probably reject the experimentation, they are hereby invited, urged, encouraged, and challenged to go find a community, plant a church, and show all us geezers how it should be done. This old dog is wide open to learning all the new tricks I can, even if taught by a pup.

(While I am on a roll...)
We have been fasting and praying for a young, educated, talented, anointed Youth Pastor/Camp Director here in Hawaii to lead a base group of about 50+/- teenagers/young adults, and have not been deluged with people saying "God has burned within me a calling to come alongside..." I have lots of people looking for a JOB. I am looking for someone who has been awakened in the night with a compassion for these young men and women... someone willing to forsake all for the call... someone who is willing to invest their life in the hope of changing lives. If that person is reading this, my email address is overseer@hawaiicogop.org

I check my mail every 15 minutes on my iPhone.

[MacUser]

If you know of "some very educated, talented, and annointed young ministers sitting in smaller churches/congregations that should be used" I need to ask: how talented and anointed is a young minister who chooses to sit? There are tens of thousands of communities needing progressive, innovative young leaders to come in and do a church plant.

Tell them to stand up and stand out.

Wow.. Fantastic PG. I call them "PiNO's" PASTORS IN NAME ONLY. These guys sit in your congregation.. tout change.. via or Pastoral insight or leadership, send in reports, have checking accounts and corporations setup to funnel the donations, desire to be considered leaders in the local congregation and love to speak for internal groups..

Yet.. never take a Church or desire to look! They enjoy the clout of the title without doing what God has supposedly called them to do when thousands of Churches go unfilled. Either do what God told you to do or resign the titles. It hurts the real men and women whom are responding to the calling.

Beam me up Scotty.

[paul]

We have some very educated, talented, and annointed young ministers sitting in smaller churches/congregations that should be used.

quote: PG

If you know of "some very educated, talented, and annointed young ministers sitting in smaller churches/congregations that should be used" I need to ask: how talented and anointed is a young minister who chooses to sit? There are tens of thousands of communities needing progressive, innovative young leaders to come in and do a church plant. I have at least 4 islands in Hawaii on which we have never established a viable presence: Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. Tell those "very educated, talented, and annointed young ministers sitting in smaller churches/congregations that should be used" that they are unlikely to have someone hand them the pulpit at Peerless, nor should they expect that.

Tell them to stand up and stand out. Instead of waiting for an Overseer to allow them to test their great innovative ideas on a church that would probably reject the experimentation, they are hereby invited, urged, encouraged, and challenged to go find a community, plant a church, and show all us geezers how it should be done. This old dog is wide open to learning all the new tricks I can, even if taught by a pup.

[Dr. Ron]

I would not take that church with a great deal of change in mind.

1. It would take a real visionary at least 10 years to make any meaningful changes and another 3 to begin a serious move in another direction.

2. What great mind has decided that any church needs to change. There are needs for all kinds of churches. Some people choose a church simply because of some of the very things you might think need changing.

3. Young ministers really need to plant churches FROM churches like Peerless. Peerless has reached a point where it needs to grow slowly and dedicate it's finance and resources to planting a church somewhere else. If Peerless was not a part of the COGOP of which there are many in Cleveland, I would suggest that they go out on the interstate and buy 50 acres of land and move the entire campus. However, I think they need to hold steady, give to other issues and continue to be the "flagship" for the organization.

Hope you have a good day.

[free]

Once again I agree with Dr. Ron! I wouldn't look for too many major changes in that church...From all I know of it, it's going in a good direction, has good leadership and Pastor Coulter is an outstanding administrator.

I do have a question for anyone who attends/attended there...What is the average stay of the pastors in recent years? I think Pastor C. has been there around six years. How about the others?

[DeWayneTN]

Those with more exact figures can correct me, but here's as best as I know it - Billy Wilson was there 5 years, Tim McCaleb was there 8-9 years, I believe

[ToJJB]

I was at Peerless on Sunday and things seemed to be going well. We are always blessed to go back there!