MAT...just for you

[Phil Hoover]

Brother Edwards,

You don't know me very well, and have only met me a time or two...usually when you would come to Cleveland for the General Assemblies...

I want you to know something:

I absolutely ADORED your Grandfather and Grandmother---Bishop Milton A and Sister Ina Mae Tomlinson.

Every time I walk into the Peerless Road sanctuary(about once every few years) my mind will automatically go to the second road on what used to be the "organ side" of the church....

Three times a week, my precious Brother and Sister Tomlinson always sat there. There were CHAMPIONS of the local church...and always the Pastor's best supporters. More faithful people could not be found anywhere.

Bishop Tomlinson always showed the rest of us what it meant to truly "serve" from the heart---not just for the camera, or for someone to notice. He truly served.

I remember staying in their home one night--waiting for the dorms at Lee to open---and how wonderfully kind Brother and Sister Tomlinson treated me...so loving, so gracious, so kind. I can't remember ever being treated better anywhere...by anyone.

I still have letters that Sister Ina Mae wrote to me--during my years in the United States Air Force--handwritten letters. Several people have asked for those---and I just won't part with them.

I have only GREAT LOVE and GREAT RESPECT for two of the greatest people I've ever known.

Phil Hoover
Chicago

[Mat]

This may sound harsh, but whatever the character of the Tomlinsons you knew, or their faithfulness to the local church and care for people, it does not matter concerning the need to retire the use of the name “Tomlinson” from COGOP institutions. This effort “began” some twenty years ago when M.A. was still alive. He knew full well about my request to change the name of the college that was submitted in writing to the Q&A Committee. Remember, historically the Tomlinsons have fought having the church named after them, as in “Tomlinson Church of God.” I see this as the continuation of that approach. There have been generations of wonderful people in the COGOP whose names are now only known to God. My point is that no one, no organization, no denomination has claim to the use of the Tomlinson name for any of their activities. They should have let the name die when they “killed” the college the first time. Now it just multiplies the shame.

Mat

[jinjer]

Michael,

I do think your statement toward Phil was a bit harsh. He was relating a personal experience and relationship he had with your grandparents. I re-read his post to make sure, and he did not mention any use of their name with the college or the COGOP organization. Many of us who attended church with them and your family, had similar experiences, me and my family included.

That being said, I can certainly understand your point of view. I have long left the COGOP. I am a graduate of TC and feel that it would be disingenuous to those of us that graduated to change the name now, even though I agree that when they closed the school it should have not been resurrected. Perhaps it should never have been named Tomlinson, or been changed at some point. But as a graduate, I certainly would not have wanted my educational institution to change it's name, other than to go from a college to a university. That's just my opinion as a graduate.

Like I said, I can certainly understand your point of view in that matter.

Jinjer Collins Lucas

[Phil Hoover]

I too, think the name should be retired, and not abused. But you made a statement elsewhere about people disliking or hating the name "Tomlinson"...and I've never heard anyone make that claim

As a matter of fact, I've never heard a SINGLE unkind thing about your precious Grandmother and Grandfather.....ever.

Yes, as one of their grandchildren, you have every right to request/require respect of the "name." But don't think that everyone--or anyone, for that matter--disliked your grandparents, or the name they bore.

I am a graduate of Tomlinson College...and proudly so...I'm a graduate of Lee College (University), and proudly so....

I miss your grandparents much.

[Phil Hoover]

I never witnessed Bishop Tomlinson bringing glory or attention to himself. He was the model of humility and graciousness.

We are called to honor our heritage...and to remember it. The Book of Deuteronomy tells us as much...even though I am no longer a member of the Church of God of Prophecy, I am DEEPLY HONORED to acknowledge my "heritage" limited though it is, in this great body of believers.

MAT, you have a wonderful, godly heritage.

[RamboPreacher]

I never witnessed Bishop Tomlinson bringing glory or attention to himself. He was the model of humility and graciousness.

We are called to honor our heritage...and to remember it. The Book of Deuteronomy tells us as much...even though I am no longer a member of the Church of God of Prophecy, I am DEEPLY HONORED to acknowledge my "heritage" limited though it is, in this great body of believers.

MAT, you have a wonderful, godly heritage.

:like:

[oletimer]

Phil Hoover wrote:

"I never witnessed Bishop Tomlinson bringing glory or attention to himself. He was the model of humility and graciousness.

We are called to honor our heritage...and to remember it. The Book of Deuteronomy tells us as much...even though I am no longer a member of the Church of God of Prophecy, I am DEEPLY HONORED to acknowledge my "heritage" limited though it is, in this great body of believers."

I lived in Cleveland for three years and got meet Bro M A Tomlinson on several occasions. One was to teach a lesson on "Fasting" at PRC. After service he came up to me and we talked for a while about fasting and he made feel good about the service even though I felt like the smallest frog in the pond. Another time was I had a chance to talk to him in his office. I have never been in the presents of a more humble and gracious man.

The Bro Tomlinson that I met and knew was what I read in the Bible that a child of God should be. He was real and genuine in every sense of the word. I didn't know Bro AJ Tomlinson, but I'm sure that MA didn't fall too far from the tree. I am assured of his relationship with Christ.

I never knew of him being over barring at any of the Gen Assemblies nor bulling, but all ways humble and caring for the Church and each member. I am glad that I can say that he and others were a part of my history and directions of the future. The paths that they blazed out and smooth over has made easier for us today. They weren't the only ones, but were some that held the ship together during their time. God used them and I for one am blessed for it.