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Ernie Long

I might be chopping my head off, but...

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1050 **7/25/16 9:36 am**

here goes and just to make sure everyone knows, I am not being disrespectful of anyone with this post.

What is the big deal of becoming an Ordained Bishop?

Will it make me preach better, pastor better, have more compassion, grow my church, grow the Kingdom of Heaven, give me more friends, lose weight, be smarter, act younger, fit in skinny jeans?

I am a white, middle age, slightly overweight, mentally balance(depending on who you ask) Ordained Minister.

I know several Ordained Bishops and we all do the same thing, except I will never hold an office on the State or International level and honestly the majority of Ordained Bishops won't either.

The following is a small portion of a post on Facebook by a female Ordained Minister, "I would love to have the same fellowship with other ministers in the Church of God that my brothers in ministry enjoy. To be able to talk with them about what God is doing in their lives and churches and to be part of a powerful prayer movement."

I desire the same thing, I believe we all do regardless of our titles and sex.

I don't believe that when Exhorters, Ordained Ministers and Bishops die, that God looks at the credentials and allows us to enter Heaven by our rank. I have my doubts that Gabriel will walk before a man on those golden streets and proclaim an Ordain Bishop of the Church of God has arrived.

So, what's the big deal about being an Ordained Bishop?

Old Time Country Preacher

Re: I might be chopping my head off, but...

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15564 **7/25/16 10:34 am**

bonnie knox

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **7/25/16 10:37 am**

One thing about skinny jeans--they've just about cured belt jerking.

Old Time Country Preacher

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15564 **7/25/16 10:43 am**

Nature Boy Florida

Re: I might be chopping my head off, but...

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16619 **7/25/16 10:47 am**

bonnie knox

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **7/25/16 10:50 am**

Ernie Long

So, I'm taking from what has been said so far is

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1050 **7/26/16 6:35 am**

that there is no benefit whatsoever in becoming an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God, so why are most female Ordained Ministers wanting to become one?

In the world people always wants what someone else has, regardless if it is a benefit to them or not, why do people act the same way in church?

If a female Pastor is a Ordained Minister and at some point in time she becomes an Ordained Bishop, I highly doubt that she will preach or pastor any different.

I have "friended" a female Pastor on facebook who is an Ordained Minister and any chance she has to complain/argue about not being able to become an Ordained Bishop she takes it. She makes comments about the issue on things people post that has nothing to do with church much less an Ordained Bishop and it makes her look small and hateful. I really feel sorry for her, she is probably a good person and pastor, but her remarks is not only hurting her, but her church as well.

I have found there is more to life than being known by a title, there are more important things that need our attention.

If you are called of God to preach, then preach.

If you are called of God to teach, then teach.

If you are called of God to help others, then help others.

If you can encourage others, then encourage others.

bradfreeman

Acts-dicted Posts: 9027 **7/26/16 8:00 am**

For me, ordination (at any level) was about access to hospitals, prisons or anywhere else where papers gained me access. In the organization, higher levels can means opportunities. But no, it doesn't make you "better"...period.
_________________
I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!

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My blog: http://bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/

Paul W. Nolan

While at the Asembly...

Friendly Face Posts: 115 **7/26/16 10:37 am**

I was working in Registration at the Assembly. I had the privilege of checking in Dr. Steve Land and his wife. By the way, his wife is very articulate and knowledgeable. He was asked the question regarding women having the title, Ordained Bishop. I listened to this giant of biblical, theological, and doctrinal knowledge give the best explanation as to the place of women in ministry and service. I wish I could have recorded it, or better yet, I wish a microphone had been afforded us, then and there, for the General Council to have heard it all.

When all was said and done, I heard a very distinct question come out of his very biblical explanation, "Do you want to be an Ordained Bishop for the sake of ministry or for the sake of a title and/or a position?" I don't care if your male or female, that's the question you have to answer. You're probably saying, "Well, you can have the title and/or position and minister." Yes, but you don't have to have it to minister.

I had a lady at a church that I pastored, once she had received her Exhorters credential, stood up to testify in a service regarding the arduous process to get credentialed. Her statement was that she got the credentials because she promised her grandfather that she would do it. Not once did I hear her proclaim anything about her reasons or purpose for being credentialed to minister the Gospel; just that she promised her grandfather she would get those credentials.

I hope he's happy now.

Ernie Long

Just to be clear

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1050 **7/26/16 11:41 am**

I am not against going as high as a person desires to go, but as Bro. Nolan well stated, know the reason for it.

I know of a few Ordained Bishops who are sitting in the pew every Sunday, not pastoring, not teaching, not evangelizing, but they do have the title and the paper hanging on their wall at home. Why? not because of retirement, but some I know accomplished the task because someone told them they would never become an Ordained Bishop. They did it to prove someone wrong.

I applaud you who are Ordained and those who are working toward that goal, but let it be a goal and not an end to a means. The calling on your life is more important than proving to someone that you have a good memory and are able to pass a test.

bonnie knox

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **7/28/16 8:20 am**

Cojak

Cojak · Last edited by Cojak on 7/28/16 10:01 am; edited 1 time in total

I have for a long time had one simple thought on this subject and the COG. If the COG 'ALLOWS' in OUR rules that a lady can pastor, and pastor any size church, I see it as silly not to allow her to vote or hold higher office.

For those who hold the line of 'being silent', I had to smile at OTCP (methinks) who said, 'Silent means no coughing or sneezing', silent is silent!. Embarassed

I reckon that is like 'long hair' Long is as long as it will grow........ Unless....
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Ernie Long

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1050 **7/28/16 10:01 am**

bonnie knox

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **7/28/16 11:47 am**

If you've talked to her, great! It just seemed that you were perplexed as to why it was a big deal to her. I figured if you had talked with her, you would know why she felt it was important.

Anyway, our organization as of right now does not allow women to obtain the highest level of credentialing. The reasoning behind it is expressed in sundry ways but comes down to the idea that women are supposed to be subordinate to men. That basically means that women are valued less than men, that women pastors are not equal colleagues of male pastors.
Certainly, there are many individuals in the organization that do not feel that way, but when the votes are tallied, so far women are still limited in the Church of God.

Cojak

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24277 **7/29/16 3:32 pm**

bonnie knox

another example of an attitude toward females in our local organization

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **8/1/16 9:45 am**

Yesterday our church had a presentation of what the children are doing on Wednesday nights. The girls had a presentation that lasted maybe 12 minutes, then they were ushered aside and the presentation about what the boys were doing lasted about 40 minutes. I know part of it was just that the guy doing the presentation about the boys simply took too long, but the message it sent was that the boys were more important. (This imbalance of time taken is not an isolated incident. It happens every quarter when the presentation is given.)
Also, one of the women teaching one of the girls' classes said, "We know men are the leaders, but there are things girls can do, too." I wanted to cry out that those girls might become leaders as well.

skinnybishop

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1055 **8/1/16 10:07 am**

bonnie knox

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **8/1/16 10:16 am**

I did not write that in a vacuum. As I've mentioned before, I've been in church all my life, but in the Church of God only 14 or so years. I was actually surprised to find that the Church of God prohibited women from certain leadership positions. I've learned this since frequenting this forum. In the interactions and discussions I've had here on this forum and the debate that I've listened to from the streamed GA's, I have concluded that some indeed do see women as ontologically inferior. Those who do are the ones who have, so far, affected the vote.
No, being in a subordinate position in itself does not necessarily make someone of lesser value, but if it is an intrinsic characteristic (such as being female) that requires the person to always be in a subordinate position, it becomes part of who that person is and not a temporary function of position.

skinnybishop

skinnybishop · Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1055 **8/1/16 10:38 am**

Cojak

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24277 **8/1/16 10:40 am**