State and International offices?

[car50]

This is a question that I have been asked over and over, so in context with the proxy thread and the reports thread.

How has your church (CoGoP) benifited, been blessed by or helped by the International Offices?
This same question applies to the State Office.

The questions I get are why should we send them money, we never see them; and only hear from them when they want us to send them more money.
I would say that at least 85 per cent of the church that I attend prefers that no money be sent to IO, except mission offerings.

Is the benifit to the local church worth what you send in each month?

Car50

[free]

I honestly don't know of one thing that IO does that affects me personally...I agree that we need some type of structure to help with missions and being able to funnel funds quickly and effectively but honestly, 95% of my church knows nothing about IO and the SO for matter.

I hate to say that they are not necessary (I'm sure they can argue they are)...But our focus is on our local community first and foremost. That's not to say we are not mission minded...We are very much in to overseas missions and support them very well financially.

[one love]

I have not been in cogop for a while so is the "I.O. international offices" the same as general Head quarters?

I guess it ranks with the thought does cogop still believe in a government structure worldwide or do they feel they should all be independent churches. COG HQ seems to be doing nice i have seen there new buildings. With all the money I wonder why does cogop or cog not have a national television ministry that can be seen. That would really get the message out there and im sure they have the money. But they could have something on TBN or whatever and have various preachers each episode. I would watch it. It would be so much better then the preaching i watch on tv now not to mention how many donations thy could get. I know that is not the point but you know what im saying.

[free]

Here's another way to look at it...Would your ministry/church stop/shut down if the IO or SO closed their doors today? Mine certainly would not...In fact, it would be enhanced becuase I could bring on a few more badly needed staff people with the $$ we send off each year.

[Faith rider]

[quote="free"]Here's another way to look at it...Would your ministry/church stop/shut down if the IO or SO closed their doors today? Mine certainly would not...In fact, it would be enhanced becuase I could bring on a few more badly needed staff people with the $$ we send off each year.[/quote]


Man, I don't know you, but we sure seem to agree on alot of things.

[Pastor Bill]

I believe my church would go on regardless of State or IO, BUT I don't think that is a reflection on the SO or IO.

My SO sees himself as a pastor for the pastors, he offers support, training, assistance, we haven't asked him to come to the local church lately (although him and I talked about it not that long ago) but I know if I need him, he's always there. That can be hard to measure in some ways, but it's nice to have him there. I do know he has been a support for pastors who have went through personal tragedies, ministry problems, and his focus has been on supporting us in our work.

IO, I haven't had as much dealings with, but I also haven't really had reasons to.