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 GA Nashville - Attend or Not? |
Charlie Earl |
This is a genuine issue with me -- appreciate feedback...
Trying to decide to attend GA this year. Have attended last five GA, etc. Church does not subsidize expenses. Would pull from savings, etc. Have done before, etc.
I always come home glad to see some folks I know, but asking --- was that really worth expense? I see how so much is spent on the GA when money is tight and some departments are broke, etc
Attend much lesser conferences and leave feeling spiritually filled, edified, intellectually challenged, etc. Can't remember last GA felt that way...
Struggle with over all expense and profitability in attending. My wife and I travel lite, but it would cost on low end at least $800-1000.
Not staying at Omni and partying like 1999...just simple travel, eat meal or two in room, etc.
Genuine responses to help my decision process. I am ordained Bishop and take morning session seriously. Just having a really hard time this year -- is it really worth it??? Really?
Thanks.
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Charlie Earl |
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Posts: 43
7/8/16 7:22 pm
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| Re: GA Nashville - Attend or Not? |
Old Time Country Preacher |
| Charlie Earl wrote: |
Attend much lesser conferences and leave feeling spiritually filled, edified, intellectually challenged, etc. Can't remember last GA felt that way... |
Earl, can't really help ya on the financial component of attending GA, ever feller will have to have to make his own decision.
What I can say is that the GA is not designed to be a "conference" that will leave one "intellectually challenged." There are a few individual sessions, but in the main, the GA is designed to take care of the business of the COG for the coming GA term and elect denominational officials for the same. So its not really a apples/apples comparison to compare the GA with a "lesser conference."
All at said, I hope ya git to attend GA if ya want to. |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 15570
7/8/16 9:30 pm
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SouthGeorgiaBoy |
I agree with OTCP, that this is not another conference but a business meeting. I am thrilled to see special orders of the day with leading church growth leaders and other leaders who will bring some dynamic encouragement to the ministers.
Though the agenda is lighter than normal this time the items are meaningful to our movement and needs to have voices speak to them. We must then cast a vote that will have meaningful impact on all of us.
I love being part of the process. I love the fellowship with other ministers. I love the worship services. I love the atmosphere that reminds me that I am part of a larger global church.
I understand the financial situation that you are in. Not sure if you are pastoring, but it would be nice if the church where you serve could have had fundraisers, etc. to assist you in attending.
In my early ministry pastoring a small church that is what my church did. I was not even an Ordained Bishop at the time.
I hope that you will be able to attend and will leave being blessed and inspired by the messages and the fellowship. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1037
7/8/16 9:42 pm
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| Re: GA Nashville - Attend or Not? |
THE LOVE OF GOD |
I think you should try to go. Would you be offended if I made a suggestion? Can you present it to your church this Sunday and ask them if they could give sacrifically between this Sunday the 10th - to the following Sunday 17th. The clerk should have tried to take care of this before now. Lets all pray that God supplies the need. Even if you get a portion of the funds, that would help. The church needs to know it is their obligation to send you. They have had 2 years to prepare for it. We pastored at small churches all our ministry - it is hard to do and it is NOT a vacation. The last church we pastored, they put up a special fund and put aside $100 a month and most of the time, that would cover campmeeting and GA. Some weeks,we did not even get a salary, but, we still had them put up the $100 a month.
I am going to pray that you will be able to go. You need to represent your church and be a part of a great church.
You asked for feedback and I hope this is ok with you.
God Bless
| Charlie Earl wrote: | This is a genuine issue with me -- appreciate feedback...
Trying to decide to attend GA this year. Have attended last five GA, etc. Church does not subsidize expenses. Would pull from savings, etc. Have done before, etc.
I always come home glad to see some folks I know, but asking --- was that really worth expense? I see how so much is spent on the GA when money is tight and some departments are broke, etc
Attend much lesser conferences and leave feeling spiritually filled, edified, intellectually challenged, etc. Can't remember last GA felt that way...
Struggle with over all expense and profitability in attending. My wife and I travel lite, but it would cost on low end at least $800-1000.
Not staying at Omni and partying like 1999...just simple travel, eat meal or two in room, etc.
Genuine responses to help my decision process. I am ordained Bishop and take morning session seriously. Just having a really hard time this year -- is it really worth it??? Really?
Thanks. |
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Friendly Face
Posts: 387
7/8/16 10:37 pm
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JLarry |
IMHO, the answer would be no.
For many years I thought I had to attend the Assy. Here I am a much older man. I see things very differently.
If I could raise 1000.00 on my own for the Assy, I could put that money in a savings account to enjoy much later when I needed it the most.
Oh how I wish I had all the money we spent at the GA over the years.
I am not opposed to the GA, the church or anyone else.
Praying that you make the right decision.
_________________
Recorded Sermons @ www.pastorwiley.com
No one who died without Christ is happy about their decision. |
Acts Mod
Posts: 3346
7/9/16 6:54 am
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THE LOVE OF GOD |
| Our vote counts. Hope everyone can make an extra special effort to be there. |
Friendly Face
Posts: 387
7/9/16 10:32 am
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Dean Steenburgh |
No, not going this time & it's the first time we will not be going in ages.
From a California perspective it's tough to justify financially. We used to send all of our credentialed ministers/wives & teen talent candidates that had qualified.
Currently:
We only send O.B.'s in our church & at this time we have 5.
Each person gets a meal stipend of $75 a day & we cover all travel/lodging (usually about $3,000-3,300 per couple).
No longer support teen talent for too many reasons to list here.
Not going to GA this year & probably never again, it's complicated.
Didn't go to camp meeting this year due to other reasons & probably won't go to the ministers meeting in the fall.
I guess there's not much we are attending any more so we're saving the funds & attending the ARC conference in October.
_________________
"Empty nest syndrome is for the birds!"
Email me at: SteenburghDean@gmail.com
Church planters are focused on just one thing ...introducing people to Jesus!
What are you focused on? |
Golf Cart Mafia Capo Famiglia
Posts: 4682
7/9/16 7:02 pm
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Cojak |
| Dean Steenburgh wrote: | No, not going this time & it's the first time we will not be going in ages.
From a California perspective it's tough to justify financially. We used to send all of our credentialed ministers/wives & teen talent candidates that had qualified.
Currently:
We only send O.B.'s in our church & at this time we have 5.
Each person gets a meal stipend of $75 a day & we cover all travel/lodging (usually about $3,000-3,300 per couple).
No longer support teen talent for too many reasons to list here.
Not going to GA this year & probably never again, it's complicated.
Didn't go to camp meeting this year due to other reasons & probably won't go to the ministers meeting in the fall.
I guess there's not much we are attending any more so we're saving the funds & attending the ARC conference in October. |
sitting in the pew, and remembering the costs in time and money to attend, this post as others in the past should give way to a way to do this with internet assistance. I would love to hear there are plans to first have regional and world wide participation in the discussion and voting.
I would feel like my church was growing instead of stagnating; just picking destination places where the SE ministers could go on vacation. I really do not mean that in an ugly way, it is just that I have always thought of the GA as a sacred gathering. A gathering for God's work.
Sorry, I said enough. I hope it is a wonderful General Assembly. 
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Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
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http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
7/9/16 11:02 pm
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Old Time Country Preacher |
| Dean Steenburgh wrote: | No, not going this time & it's the first time we will not be going in ages.
From a California perspective it's tough to justify financially. We used to send all of our credentialed ministers/wives & teen talent candidates that had qualified.
Currently:
We only send O.B.'s in our church & at this time we have 5.
Each person gets a meal stipend of $75 a day & we cover all travel/lodging (usually about $3,000-3,300 per couple).
No longer support teen talent for too many reasons to list here.
Not going to GA this year & probably never again, it's complicated.
Didn't go to camp meeting this year due to other reasons & probably won't go to the ministers meeting in the fall.
I guess there's not much we are attending any more so we're saving the funds & attending the ARC conference in October. |
I'm a mite worried bout ya Dean, son you aint about to git mixed up with at ULC bunch are ya? |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 15570
7/10/16 12:29 am
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| Re: GA Nashville - Attend or Not? |
Charlie Earl |
| Old Time Country Preacher wrote: | | Charlie Earl wrote: |
Attend much lesser conferences and leave feeling spiritually filled, edified, intellectually challenged, etc. Can't remember last GA felt that way... |
Earl, can't really help ya on the financial component of attending GA, ever feller will have to have to make his own decision.
What I can say is that the GA is not designed to be a "conference" that will leave one "intellectually challenged." There are a few individual sessions, but in the main, the GA is designed to take care of the business of the COG for the coming GA term and elect denominational officials for the same. So its not really a apples/apples comparison to compare the GA with a "lesser conference."
All at said, I hope ya git to attend GA if ya want to. |
Thanks, that helped to clarify difference...helped.
CE
_________________
Charlie Earl |
Member
Posts: 43
7/11/16 9:11 am
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| Re: GA Nashville - Attend or Not? |
Charlie Earl |
| THE LOVE OF GOD wrote: | I think you should try to go. Would you be offended if I made a suggestion? Can you present it to your church this Sunday and ask them if they could give sacrifically between this Sunday the 10th - to the following Sunday 17th. The clerk should have tried to take care of this before now. Lets all pray that God supplies the need. Even if you get a portion of the funds, that would help. The church needs to know it is their obligation to send you. They have had 2 years to prepare for it. We pastored at small churches all our ministry - it is hard to do and it is NOT a vacation. The last church we pastored, they put up a special fund and put aside $100 a month and most of the time, that would cover campmeeting and GA. Some weeks,we did not even get a salary, but, we still had them put up the $100 a month.
I am going to pray that you will be able to go. You need to represent your church and be a part of a great church.
You asked for feedback and I hope this is ok with you.
God Bless
| Charlie Earl wrote: | This is a genuine issue with me -- appreciate feedback...
Trying to decide to attend GA this year. Have attended last five GA, etc. Church does not subsidize expenses. Would pull from savings, etc. Have done before, etc.
I always come home glad to see some folks I know, but asking --- was that really worth expense? I see how so much is spent on the GA when money is tight and some departments are broke, etc
Attend much lesser conferences and leave feeling spiritually filled, edified, intellectually challenged, etc. Can't remember last GA felt that way...
Struggle with over all expense and profitability in attending. My wife and I travel lite, but it would cost on low end at least $800-1000.
Not staying at Omni and partying like 1999...just simple travel, eat meal or two in room, etc.
Genuine responses to help my decision process. I am ordained Bishop and take morning session seriously. Just having a really hard time this year -- is it really worth it??? Really?
Thanks. |
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Thanks for suggestion --- got some travel $$$ --- decided to attend w wife. Appreciate response. Decided it's important to make happen.
CE
_________________
Charlie Earl |
Member
Posts: 43
7/11/16 9:13 am
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Eddie Robbins |
| I sure hope you bought her some new panties and a bra. Make the little woman happy. 😂 |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 16509
7/11/16 9:19 am
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Charlie Earl |
| Eddie Robbins wrote: | | I sure hope you bought her some new panties and a bra. Make the little woman happy. 😂 |
I was there that GA --- Hahahahha...the town of "Saudy Daisy will forever be imbedded in COG/GA history ---- ughhhh....our crazy uncles in the family.
_________________
Charlie Earl |
Member
Posts: 43
7/11/16 9:21 am
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georgiapath |
| Charlie Earl wrote: | | Eddie Robbins wrote: | | I sure hope you bought her some new panties and a bra. Make the little woman happy. 😂 |
I was there that GA --- Hahahahha...the town of "Saudy Daisy will forever be imbedded in COG/GA history ---- ughhhh....our crazy uncles in the family. |
It's Soddy Daisy.  |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 7604
7/12/16 10:30 am
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bonnie knox |
| I think Charlie Earl might have been trying to mock a Tennessee accent, but the guy he was referring to was not originally from Tennessee. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 14803
7/12/16 10:33 am
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Old Time Country Preacher |
| Charlie Earl wrote: |
I was there that GA --- Hahahahha...the town of "Saudy Daisy will forever be imbedded in COG/GA history ---- ughhhh....our crazy uncles in the family. |
Charlie, you done gone an got the ole timer worried bout ya name an all when ya said crazy uncles.
You aint got no Uncle Earl do ya? Cause ever time I hear the words "Uncle Earl' my thoughts go to Atlanta, an it aint a pretty sight. |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 15570
7/12/16 11:25 am
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Old Time Country Preacher |
| bonnie knox wrote: | | I think Charlie Earl might have been trying to mock a Tennessee accent, but the guy he was referring to was not originally from Tennessee. |
True, he acknowledged before the entire word that he was a "transplant." His words verbatim (forever etched in granite in my mind) "I'm a transplant really." Then he commenced talkin bout ceegars on the assembly floor. I thought he was about to make a motion to exclude our prohibition on the use a baccer. |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 15570
7/12/16 11:28 am
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bonnie knox |
| I reckon hit was a relief an all to know he wudn't one of us. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 14803
7/12/16 11:42 am
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Old Time Country Preacher |
| bonnie knox wrote: | | I reckon hit was a relief an all to know he wudn't one of us. |
Fo Shizzle on at. |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 15570
7/12/16 11:59 am
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Nature Boy Florida |
| Dean Steenburgh wrote: | No, not going this time & it's the first time we will not be going in ages.
From a California perspective it's tough to justify financially. We used to send all of our credentialed ministers/wives & teen talent candidates that had qualified.
Currently:
We only send O.B.'s in our church & at this time we have 5.
Each person gets a meal stipend of $75 a day & we cover all travel/lodging (usually about $3,000-3,300 per couple).
No longer support teen talent for too many reasons to list here.
Not going to GA this year & probably never again, it's complicated.
Didn't go to camp meeting this year due to other reasons & probably won't go to the ministers meeting in the fall.
I guess there's not much we are attending any more so we're saving the funds & attending the ARC conference in October. |
Thanks for your support! 
_________________
Whether you like it or not, learn to love it, because its the best thing going today! |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 16646
7/12/16 2:54 pm
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