| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Message |
Author |
 Ordain our people for ministry rather than denomination |
roughridercog |
Let's talk about this.
We have lost good people to the movement because they chose to pastor outside the denomination or wouldn't bring their mission/church into the movement.
Isn't it time we license/ordain our people for ministry with fewer restrictions. For example, is a COG preacher is asked to pastor an independent work that has sound doctrine, shouldn't he be allowed to do so?
No, I've never been asked (No one wants me). 
But if a minister has an opportunity to further the kingdom and he doesn't preach anything contrary to church doctrine, shouldn't we wish him Godspeed?
What is your opinion?
_________________
Doctor of Bovinamodulation
Last edited by roughridercog on 3/4/17 3:54 pm; edited 2 times in total |
Acts Mod
Posts: 25305
2/25/17 6:05 pm
|
|
|
|  |
 |
|
|
| This is the way the AG handles it |
brotherjames |
From the Bylaws Article IX
Section 9. Ministry in a Non-Assemblies of God Church
Ministers shall not be limited or restrained from entering open doors to preach this Pentecostal message, so long as they retain Assemblies of God doctrine, standards of holiness, proper attitudes, and proper ministerial conduct without compromise. Inasmuch as unity is a vital principle for growth and spiritual development of the Assemblies of God Fellowship, it is essential that we recognize our relationship to each other and that we practice Christian cooperation in all our pastoral, evangelistic, missionary, and local church work. We recommend therefore that our ministers confer with district council officials before engaging in ministry in any church group or organization not affiliated with the Assemblies of God so as to ascertain whether such ministry might result in confusion or misunderstandings.
If the minister does not have district approval, he or she shall be expected to refrain from conducting services for the church. Ministers who violate this principle shall be subject to discipline.
We can minister in non AG churches (even COG  ) but we are supposed to get approval beforehand. It is usually given and I know for a fact at least one minister is pastoring a Methodist CHurch and is still ordained in the AG (the Methodist church is full gospel). |
Acts-celerater
Posts: 935
2/25/17 7:02 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
c6thplayer1 |
| We had a revival last year in our Baptist Church. Coming from the COG I knew a lot of COG pastors. During the revival I recruited 3 COG pastors to preach for the revival. Best revival we ever had. Everyone , including the pastors , were blessed. |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 6385
2/25/17 7:11 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Quiet Wyatt |
| It seems to me that an evangelist with CoG credentials has a whole lot more liberty in this regard than a pastor with CoG credentials. My guess is that it has to do with our centralized structure and the tithe of tithe issue. I do believe our recent allowance of independent churches to align as 'affiliate' churches is definitely a big step in the direction towards decentralization, which itself would quite logically lead towards allowance of CoG-credentialed ministers to pastor non-CoG churches. Hey, if Jentezen Franklin can hold CoG credentials and pastor a non-CoG church (Free Chapel), why shouldn't others be allowed to? |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 12817
2/25/17 7:15 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
roughridercog |
| Quiet Wyatt wrote: | | It seems to me that an evangelist with CoG credentials has a whole lot more liberty in this regard than a pastor with CoG credentials. My guess is that it has to do with our centralized structure and the tithe of tithe issue. I do believe our recent allowance of independent churches to align as 'affiliate' churches is definitely a big step in the direction towards decentralization, which itself would quite logically lead towards allowance of CoG-credentialed ministers to pastor non-CoG churches. Hey, if Jentezen Franklin can hold CoG credentials and pastor a non-CoG church (Free Chapel), why shouldn't others be allowed to? |
That is a great point.
So how do we deal with the negative arguement, "We have our own churches needing pastors. So why should we allow people to pastor outside of the movement?"
_________________
Doctor of Bovinamodulation |
Acts Mod
Posts: 25305
2/25/17 7:43 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Link |
| Quiet Wyatt wrote: | | Hey, if Jentezen Franklin can hold CoG credentials and pastor a non-CoG church (Free Chapel), why shouldn't others be allowed to? |
Does he? I wonder if he holds both Congregational Holiness and COG papers. I had a conversation with a CH denominational official last year. He said that Free Chapel was CH and that brother Jentezen was good about making sure that all the staff got CH ordination.
_________________
Link |
Acts-perienced Poster
Posts: 11849
2/25/17 8:27 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cojak |
I agree with the thoughts stated in the original post. Good points have been made in the first few comments. I think the 'foot soldiers' in our church agree with the post also.
One of our biggest problems in the COG comes when a 'VERY senior' individual bends/breaks certain rules and standards, and it is ignored but When brother 'little guy' does the same he is 'CALLED on the carpet'. If you have been around over 10-15 years you can see a couple of examples. 
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
2/25/17 9:10 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
sheepdogandy |
We just licensed and ordained our first "at large" Elder.
He is pastor of an Independent work in Demopolis, AL and is doing great.
I have always instructed our ministers to preach wherever they are invited.
Works for us.
_________________
Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God
www.spwc.church |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 7307
2/26/17 10:21 am
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Quiet Wyatt |
| Link wrote: | | Quiet Wyatt wrote: | | Hey, if Jentezen Franklin can hold CoG credentials and pastor a non-CoG church (Free Chapel), why shouldn't others be allowed to? |
Does he? I wonder if he holds both Congregational Holiness and COG papers. I had a conversation with a CH denominational official last year. He said that Free Chapel was CH and that brother Jentezen was good about making sure that all the staff got CH ordination. |
My understanding is that when Jentezen accepted the pastorate of what is now Free Chapel Orange County (which was an existing CoG church), JF was given CoG credentials. At the following General Assembly, he was elected to the Council of Eighteen of the CoG. I have not asked recently, but unless something has changed, JF is indeed an ordained bishop with the CoG. He may indeed hold dual ordination with the CH and the CoG; I do not know that for certain though. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 12817
2/26/17 10:57 am
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Da Sheik |
| Looking at it objectively, I can see merits to both positions. And from all I've ever read from you online, I hear your heart Roughrider. I do believe the COG wants to preserve doctrinal and personal integrity. I also believe the lack of funding from a non-COG organized church is a concern as well. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1865
2/26/17 9:16 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Link |
From what I gather from reading the New Testament:
The apostles Paul and Barnabas were 'separated' for ministry by the laying on of hands, and their apostolic ministry was not limited to a certain church.
These apostles ordained elders of local assemblies. Their eldership/overseership was connected to a particular assembly.
It would seem the seven, if they were deacons, were ordained for a local assembly. Phoebe was a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea.
I see evangelist and prophet, and teacher as gifts that individuals can operate in without being ordained through the laying on of hands.
Most denomination ordinations I am familiar with do not really exactly correspond with any of these.
_________________
Link |
Acts-perienced Poster
Posts: 11849
2/26/17 11:52 pm
|
|
|
| |
|
| Re: Ordain our people for ministry rather than denomination |
Pastor Wright |
| roughridercog wrote: | | Isn't it time we license/ordain our people for ministry with fewer restrictions. For example, is a COG preacher is asked to pastor an independent work that has sound doctrine, shouldn't he be allowed to do so? |
I've hoped for some time that we would adopt a model closer to the SBC, with churches being autonomous and leadership comprised of pastors still pastoring a church rather than leaving a church for an executive position.
_________________
"[Jesus] will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end." - Nicene Creed |
Hey, DOC
Posts: 68
2/27/17 9:49 am
|
|
|
| |
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
