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doyle

If this Agenda is the best they can do, NONE of the present COG EC should be returned to office

doyle · Acts-celerate Owner Posts: 6957 **6/13/16 3:31 pm**

COG ministers are reporting that they have been receiving emails letting them know of the website http://nash16.com which contains some of the issues being discussed at the upcoming General Assembly. The site is professional looking; very good in my opinion. So we are sharing the link. Of interest is how did they get the email addresses?

We have been so busy lately until our ER has been on "Diversion Mode" - ambulances diverted to other hospitals because we can't handle any more. We receive 90-100 ambulances a day and another 300 people come each day to the ER Waitng Room making ours the busiest ER in Georgia except for Grady Hospital (downtown Atlanta) on Saturday night.

So, I have only today grabbed the time to look at the Agenda. But as I looked at what the site published, I asked, "IS THAT IT?" Like you, I am someone who has a heart for the COG. We signed up because we felt this was a world-changing organization. We want it to be powerful and stronger than ever, but if what I saw on the Agenda published on nash16, is the entire Agenda, then somebody is not serious about the Harvest.

Indeed, there are some individuals who are very concerned about the Harvest, but if what I saw on nash16 is the complete Agenda, it means the COG has decided not to be a leader. The world is going to hell in the proverbial handbasket. Where is the COG boldness we once knew? Where
is the "Hurry Up Offense?"

Where is the call to "Go and find them, help to win them. Win the lost at any cost." I did not see any of that kind of Spirit in what is published on nash16. That is not a shot at nash16.

One must ask, was nash16 begun to show all of us how weak and puny this Agenda is? It seems to be the kind of Agenda an organization that has no vision for the future, distributes. It is a "busyness" Agenda - keep those attending the Assembly occupied with discussing minor stuff.

IF WHAT IS PUBLISHED ON NASH16 is the Agenda in it's entirety, in my opinion, NONE of the present Executive Committee should be returned to office. That is tough for me to say because I like all of those guys - don't have a fuss with any of them. However, if this is the best they can do, then we have seen the extent of their leadership. Why pay them to do the same thing? Get some new people who can put the "move" into what used to be a "movement."

We don't elect people to leadership to fill positions. We elect people who we believe can advance the COG, inspire our people to reach into the Harvest. This Agenda does none of that. An Agenda is a reflection of those who form it. One is reminded where Apostle Paul mentioned "We look through a glass darkly" - the reflection has dimmed.

If I am reading this situation incorrectly, I am completely open to your wise counsel, to your rebuke if necessary. But if what I read on nash16 is the Agenda, we are now part of a denomination that has a leadership team of nice people who either do not have a vision for the future, or do not have the ability to cast-vision to inspire those whom they proport to lead.

That limp little Agenda my dear friends and brothers and sisters, must be laid at the feet of those we have elected to office. In my opinion, this is a whimper Agenda, not a warrior one. Great Lord in heaven, if we have ever been in a war, we are now, but puny, inciped, weak, whimpy little Agendas are not going to win the neighborhood, let alone the battle for souls.

Turn over a new leaf: With an increasingly aging ministry and Agendas like this limp-leaf one, the future is not bright for our d organization unless that can be turned around. Psalms Chapter 1, speaks of a man "Who delights in the law of God." Scripture says of him, "His leaf shall not wither..." Meaning, his prowess, his life-producing strength, will stay potent. This Agenda does not even come close to potenency. It seems impotent.

I don't know for sure, but I imagine that the "im" placed in front of the word "potent," means power it once had: "It moved" on. Ain't there no more.

Religous organizations go through three stages: Man, Movement, Monument; THE MAN: It starts with either one powerful person or a small group of extremely dedicated people. THE MOVEMENT: In a short time, more and more people get involved. It becomes a "movement." THE MONUMENT: Around the nation at the headquarters of various former religious "movements," there are statues of "The Man" or men who launched the organization, but those monuments are as stone dead and cold as those once powerful movements have become.

When COG ministers and laity meet at the General Assembly", they are wanting to see an Agenda that keeps the "move" in the movement. Do you feel the present Agenda does that? What do you see in this Agenda that inspires you, causes you to want to sacrifice, to do bold things?

As you prepare to go to Nahsville for the Assembly, are you excited that you are part of an organization that is powerful, forward-looking, visionary and bold in the Harvest? Or, is there the nagging feeling that our church is trending the same way now declined organizations of the past have gone?

Remember the Shakers and the Quakers? They used to be powerful groups in America until they have now nearly faded away. As John Nichols once said while preaching at the Assembly, "They didn't call them Quakers because they ate oatmeal for breakfast. They called them Quakers because they Quaked under the power of God." In my opinion, there ain't nothing in this Agenda that is going to shake or quake anything.

A word comes to mind. It is often used by organizations that have lost
their vision of who they are and what their role is in the world. The word is "Monumental," but is is almost always used to describe what happened in "those years ago" when the organization saw itself as vital, visionary and victorious.

Viewers are welcome to come back and discuss any of the Agenda items which may be of concern to them. I recommend that you press "New Topic" at the top of the page and begin a new thread. Opinions pro or con are completely in order. All we ask is that viewers refrain from personal attacks.

That same invitation to agree or disagree, is extended to those who feel my editorial comments are off-base, misguided, wacko, stupid, radical, motivated by a root of bitterness blah, blah, blah. Let it rip people! We can take it for as you know, it was Gene Rice who said, "If you can take it, you can make it." Even if you disagree, we will still provide this free place for you to do it. Blessings.

Doyle
writedoyle@gmail.com
_________________
The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.

LonghornFan

Friendly Face Posts: 120 **6/13/16 5:25 pm**

We should be celebrating. This means that we will get to the motions committee quickly and that this assembly has the potential to be filled with motions that come from the body. I am excited about it!

doyle

That concept would be wonderful, IF...

Acts-celerate Owner Posts: 6957 **6/13/16 5:40 pm**

Has that been explained to our ministers - the reason for such a little Agenda is so more time can be spent through the Motions Committee? In my opinion, that would be excellent, but I haven't heard that. That concept would be wonderful IF it is allowed to actually take place.

If that is the case, what controls have been put on the Motions Committee? Who will be making those motions? Are they going to allow those participating in the Ordained Ministers Council, to make motions? What restrictions will be put on that?

How many motions will be considered? Who decides behind the scenes which motions actually get to the floor? If there is going to be a free-flowing ability to discuss issues, if that is allowed and not thrawted, then every COG minister should pack up and go to the Assembly. But if the published Agenda ends up being the main discussion issues, the editorial stands.

If my editorial is not accurate AND a free-flowing discussion of ideas is actually allowed, when that happens, I will joyously withdraw the editoral and apologize.

Doyle
_________________
The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.

LonghornFan

Re: That concept would be wonderful, IF...

Friendly Face Posts: 120 **6/13/16 5:59 pm**

Change Agent

Agenda

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1449 **6/13/16 6:28 pm**

Doyle, you make Old Change Agent proud. I couldn't figure out why no one wanted to talk about the Agenda. Apparently you and others think it wasn't worth talking about. Exactly my thoughts.

doyle

I'm not buying it

Acts-celerate Owner Posts: 6957 **6/13/16 9:48 pm**

Visionary leaders do not wait around for the Motions Committee unless they do not have a vision or, unless such committees are used to hide their real Agenda. An effort to keep their proposals from being discussed in advance. It would be kind of like taking an "unseen Agenda" underground so the people do not get an advance notice or the ability to discuss it.

Visionary leaders do not restrict the people who are affected by their policies, to only discuss once every four years, AND THEN keep the people from the discussion prior to popping it on them through a Committee.

What is happening before your eyes, is that the involvement of the Assembly, the COG ministers and members who are present, now only get to discuss issues every four years. That means a smaller and smaller group at the top, is making the decisions instead of the Assembly. They begin to view themselves as the Assembly in abstentia.

It really is ONE OF THE DUMBEST things an organization that hopes to have a bright future, can do. Only church organizations with a death wish, push the people, the faithful workers and supporters, further and further away from being able to have input. Organizations that want to survive and thrive, are working like crazy to include the people more often.

Isn't anybody aware of the revolution going on now in politics? Does anyone believe church politics gets a free pass? People are feed up with establishments which seem more and more distant. Is that happening now in the COG? It seems so. It will be interesting to see what meaningful issues will come through the "Motions Committee." How much "motion" taking place will be interesting to observe.

As the people are pushed further and further out of the process (which has been going on now in the COG for about 16 years), their enthusiasm for an organization that piushes them away, dwindles away. Their loyalty is crushed, kind of murdered really. They long to be a part, to feel connected, to feel appreciated. Organizations who push them from having input, do not receive their loyalty. They evenentually go somewhere else where they can feel that their presence is appreciated.

By the way, what are the growth figures for the COG these days? How many new churches are being started? We have long known that new churches generate much more growth than older established ones. "New" is an important word for a reason. It indicates that there is something going on instead of something going under.

COG people are not going to riot, protest, angrily march in the street or disrupt meetings. When they feel left out of the process, they start looking for somewhere else. Their faithfulness goes elsewhere. Their involvement and financial support goes with them. Lose many of them and the organization begins to decline.

However, their name remains on a church roll somewhere and they are counted as if they were present. Hitler lost World War II by believing phantom Divisions were still fighting on his side.

That is my opinion. What's yours?

Doyle
_________________
The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.

skinnybishop

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1055 **6/13/16 9:58 pm**

spartanfan

Ha! They Can't Do Anything Right In Some Eyes

spartanfan · Golf Cart Mafia Underboss Posts: 3638 **6/13/16 10:11 pm**

Now I've heard it all! How many times have I heard something like: "They have so much non essential stuff on the agenda that it looks like they are just trying to fill up the time with meaningless discussion so we don't get through the motions submitted to the Motions Committee!"

So now we don't have the so-called meaningless stuff and it's "Is that it? None of them deserve to be re-elected." You just can't win with some people so I guess you just do your job and ignore the naysayers.

First of all - only 2 of them are eligible for re-election so you are pointed at 2 guys. How can you know whether or not those two were trying to get more items on the agenda or not and were out voted - if that's what you want? The answer is that you don't know. You have no way of knowing. You could be attacking 2 guys who were fighting for exactly what you want. You can't reasonably advise the rejection of 2 gentlemen over the number of items on the agenda since they in number are a minority and you don't know if they proposed more items that were rejected or not.

This is unreasonable and irresponsible in my opinion - and I am entitled to my opinion. I just wanted to weigh in on the side of sanity. I will vote for both of them to return and I hope everyone else does too. Smile

spartanfan

Error

spartanfan · Golf Cart Mafia Underboss Posts: 3638 **6/13/16 11:04 pm**

error

AussieRain

Friendly Face Posts: 198 **6/14/16 12:01 am**

Doyle, do you ever think about retiring from the sensationalism industry?

I'm a credentialed minister and haven't received one email from the nash16 website. I have, however, received the agenda for the general council. Like the previous poster, I remember some arguing about the 50 plus items on the agenda two years ago. Maybe the EC LISTENED to that griping.

Why don't you comment on things that you actually have information on and leave skeleton-searching for the national inquirer? This is embarrassing.

Looking For Friends

The Council sets the agenda, right?

Acts-celerater Posts: 536 **6/14/16 1:27 pm**

It is my understanding that the Council, not the Committee sets the agenda. If I am mistaken, please clarify.

That said, it is obvious to all who keep up with this "stuff" that the only real agenda of this Assembly is to make sure the women get a voice on the General Council "floor".

I'm not against that, but this is a repackaging of what continues to get voted down in previous GAs in Orlando.

If we don't change under the guise of "let's make it so younger guys have a voice...which would include women, too", then it will be repackaged again for 2018.

Whether I'm "for" or "against" allowing women more authority in church government is not important. The key is to understand that the leadership in Cleveland will continue to repackage the same stuff until we allow it to pass.

As for the General Assembly, 90% of the Ordained Bishops are only truly interested in the elections on Tuesday. Watch the attendance on Wednesday-Friday as many opt out of meaningful discussion about the direction of the movement.

Maybe that is why the Agenda looks so weak and unimpressive. It will keep the Council in place in fear of radical changes that could be voted in while they are touring Ryman Auditorium with their family.

Old Time Country Preacher

If this Agenda is the best they can do, NONE of the present COG EC should be returned to office

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **6/14/16 1:48 pm**

Doyle, after reading the title of this thread, I aint shore I know exactly what ya position is.

Could ya clarify an expand a bit further?

Nature Boy Florida

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16646 **6/15/16 7:58 am**

IS there a hidden agenda that will be produced after the regular agenda is dispatched?

Seems Doyle has raised that possibility.

Is this the way to keep a lot of discussion from happening in advance - and a few strong voices can carry the day through a few minutes persuasive speech?

Interesting scenario. I guess we will see.
_________________
Whether you like it or not, learn to love it, because its the best thing going today!

skinnybishop

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1055 **6/16/16 7:44 am**

I don't agree with Doyle's final assessment, but I am very disappointed with this agenda.
_________________
Eddie Wiggins

wayne

Here's a thought

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1274 **6/16/16 8:29 am**

If the agenda is completed early maybe, we can all get together and have an old fashioned prayer meeting. Maybe, pastors could unify with their leadership and leadership unify with their pastors and they all start rowing in the same direction.

Focus on making the COG the Giant God intended it to be. Focus on reaching the lost more than the next mega church, the next pastoral change, the next person to be elected to EC.......

Maybe, I am just dreaming but I hope not.

famousflavius

Easy and Fun

Golf Cart Mafia Soldier Posts: 2447 **6/17/16 8:38 am**

I think this agenda will be easy to pass and therefore more time will be available for fun in Nashville. The COG breezed through the last 2 years, maybe the next two will be just as comfortable. I really enjoy reading actscelerate. Its always fun to hear people talk about the coulda shoulda woulda s. I really have no right to speak anymore, I gave up on the younger leadership movement at the last San Antonio assembly. Stop fighting the system and enjoy the ride.

Old Time Country Preacher

Re: Easy and Fun

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **6/17/16 11:37 am**

famousflavius

Resistance is futile.

Golf Cart Mafia Soldier Posts: 2447 **6/17/16 1:13 pm**

Resistance is futile. The momentum of the machine is too great. Any attempt to change the system will have the same results as a dragonfly meeting with the windshield of a Mack truck traveling on I 75. Enjoy the simple agenda and forget about any silly notions that might change the world.

diakoneo

Re: Resistance is futile.

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3382 **6/17/16 5:05 pm**

famousflavius

True

Golf Cart Mafia Soldier Posts: 2447 **6/18/16 10:57 am**

jad·ed
ˈjādəd/
adjective
tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something.

Too much of something for sure.