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4thgeneration

GA a waste of money?

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1599 **6/30/16 3:09 pm**

Only if you subtract out the connection to the greater church family from across the nation and around the world. For me walking into the arena, sitting among the General Council members, meeting COG folks, and connecting with my church adds great value to my experience.

Only if you subtract out the opportunity to come together as a worshiping body. With the average size church being 80-100, the opportunity to worship with a few thousand fellow COG believers is a gift and blessing! This one element of the GA has been a rich experience for me growing up COG and attending many Assemblies.

Only if you subtract out the ability to have a voice and a vote. As a teen I participated as a registered delegate in the voting of the General Assembly session. I can't even explain the feeling of being part of a denomination that gave me a voice and a vote. I have rarely stood at a microphone to speak, but when I have, I was given my moment to share my thoughts to the issue. And I have punched cards, pushed buttons, yelled a response, and stood to voice my vote, thankful that my church allows me a voice and a vote.

Only if you subtract the ability to choose our leaders. I am always amused at how much "we" complain about our leaders, that we have selected! I am even more amused by people who want to ridicule a system they don't participate in. If you want to affect the future, show up and vote. Others sacrifice, save, and spend their vacation time for the privilege of participating in their church. It is a far sight better than just sitting back crying out, "the sky is falling!"

Only if you subtract the ability to hear from the heart of our leaders. No one leader or team can accomplish everything they want, or we want. And you can fill the panel up with "think younger" faces and it will be the same. We somehow think a different name/face will bring a shake-up that revolutionizes everything about the church, making the church the kind of church we want the church to be. But our Minutes limit power, our structure affects the speed of change, and our size prevents sudden and drastic moves without capsizing the ship. However, I have been encouraged, challenged, convicted, and confirmed by heartfelt, anointed words shared by our leaders into the church. That is beyond valuable to me.

If the only value to a GA is an agenda filled with the perfect number of the exact things you want to see happen, the changes you want to see made, and the theological stances you want to see embraced, it will always be a waste of money. If there is no value for you in the together, the connection, the worship, and the spirit of this gathering it will always be a waste of money. And if your mind is clouded with conspiracy theories that bring into question the sincerity, honesty, integrity, and out right Christianity of leaders past, present and future, it will always be a waste of money.

But for this 4th generation COG guy, there is great value in this gathering of my church!

Just my O!

diakoneo

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3382 **6/30/16 3:30 pm**

If somethings were really accomplished I would say it was not a waste of time and money.

The only good thing that has come out of the GA in recent years has been the reduction of tithe of tithe. Some would like to repeal that.

Where is the true transparency? If there was going to be a vote for a REAL itemized look at the financials, I would be there. Don't see it happening.

Turning over of deeds to local churches. Not gonna happen.

Real lists of responsibilities for State administrative bishops. Nope

Just same old same old

*yawn*

georgiapath

Re: Im saying

Acts-dicted Posts: 7587 **6/30/16 7:58 pm**

JimmieDavis

Friendly Face Posts: 219 **6/30/16 10:21 pm**

Leadership changes things period. The right leaders who have no political fears and spiritual courage will turn this around. I don't care if we think younger. Think older. Think together. Whatever we think let it be different than the same old shmah we are always thinking.

uthdude2000

this post ...

Friendly Face Posts: 218 **7/1/16 7:59 pm**

Is sooo spot-on!

AprilMay 2.0 I know you don't need my approval nor are you asking for it, however; you hit the nail right on the head! And it was with a sledgehammer right through the depths of CoGHQ and they know it.

My guess is...so does the rest of the posters on this board BUT may be afraid to admit it.

Thanks for having the nerve to call it just like you see it
_________________
UthDude2000

Cojak

Re: GA a waste of money?

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24277 **7/2/16 1:04 am**