During the week of June 22, 2008 I had the privilege of attending the North American Convention (NAC) of the Church of God. I arrived on Monday evening in time to attend the evening worship service and had the delightful experience of sharing the service with one of the pastors that I used to serve alongside of in Northeast Ohio.
The North American General Assembly of the Church of God (GA) convened at 8:15 am on Tuesday morning. As the first session began I was taken aback by how few people were in attendance compared to just a few years ago. I was unable to attend in 2006 due to my schedule and I missed last year due to my triple by-pass heart surgery. I am sure the drop off in attendance has been a gradual thing but having missed the past two years made the lack of attendance more noticeable to me. Back in the 1980's when I first started attending the GA it was not unusual to have 1200-1300 people in attendance. This was before provisions were made for congregational lay representatives to be allowed to vote. That change in our by-laws did not come about until the mid 1990's. I suppose we could potentially have 6000-7000 people eligible to vote in a GA today if everyone was in attendance.
As I sat in Reardon Auditorium that morning I couldn't help but notice all of the empty seats. I can remember one year when I and many other eligible voters had to sit in the balcony because there were not enough seats on the main floor. When a vote was taken during that session we had to come down to the main floor in order to be recognized.
The vote on our Annual Budget was taken on Wednesday morning as our by-laws call for. This is one of the most important items on our agenda each GA. This year there was less than 500 people present to vote. That for me was SHOCKING! It was hard to believe. Less than 500 people voted on a budget that impacts over 2200 congregations!
This lack of attendance begs the question, "Where have all the people gone?" As I stated earlier this decline in attendance has been taking place over a period of 15 years. It is the result of several factors. One: there has been a lot of dissatisfaction with the leadership of the Church over the past several years. My experience only goes back to 1985 so I am not aware of what might have happened prior to that time but I know that in the late 1980's a lot of controversy was swirling about Warner Press. As a result of the decisions that were made we lost Warner Press in the 1990's and when we did we lost a real treasure that had been a part of the Church of God Reformation Movement from its inception. This loss caused a lot of pain. A second decision of leadership that caused a lot of controversy was a study that was conducted by Leith Anderson. This study suggested that we completely restructure ourselves on a national level. The proposal of the study was adopted but it was not without grave reservations on a lot of people's part and it would appear our national leaders still struggle with this structure today. Then of course there was the infamous "homosexual" vote that was taken in the 1990's. A small group of people petitioned the business committee as allowed by the by-laws to have a vote on allowing homosexual ministers in the Church. This was voted down by an astronomical amount but the damage was done. It had gotten to the floor, something some of us never thought would happen. I mean how could it happen? We are the Church of God! Right? And then of course there was the failure of the Board of Church Extension. Millions of dollars were lost on speculative investments. Trusting congregations and individuals alike were duped by "church" leaders! How did this happen? How could it happen?
These things have taken a toll on the Church and consequently on the GA. But these are not the only things responsible for the lack of attendance. It is my observation that a number of our pastors have bought into the philosophy of other groups and other church leaders such as Bill Hybels and Rick Warren to name just two. Out of this mind set has come a disassociation with the Church of God. It would appear to me these pastors often lose a sense of allegiance to the Church of God. They still want to be recognized by our Movement but they want to "do" church like these other groups. The sad thing is it appears they often develop an "independent" spirit about themselves that insulates them from their fellow pastors and sister congregations.
This brings me to the third group in my observation and that is those pastors who are staunch traditionalist and who are close minded to doing anything differently than it was done say forty years ago. My biggest problem with this group is they sometimes seem to manifest a "holier than thou" attitude. They would want us to believe they are super spiritual. This attitude is just as divisive and destructive as the the aforementioned group. They too want to be recognized by the Church while they manifest themselves in ways that are totally contrary to the basic tenants of our teaching in regards to love and unity.
And finally we have a group of young ministers coming on who have never been exposed to the bigger picture of the Church. Their lack of participation is not entirely their fault. We older pastors who should have been mentoring these young ministers have failed them in not encouraging them to become a part of this aspect of the Church. We desperately need to begin to show a greater interest in our young ministers and take them under our wings so they can better understand and appreciate the larger church.
In addition to these things there is the big change in the camp meeting itself. With the demolition of Warner Auditorium we have been forced into the Wellness Center. I must confess it is nice to have air conditioning but the atmosphere is not conducive to camp meeting. We used to have 8000 people per night in attendance most every night some years ago and an overflow crowd on Wednesday night of 12,000-14,000, the night we commissioned our missionaries. Now we have less than 3000 people a service, far less than the combined total attendance of our two largest congregations in Anderson. Someone in the GA said NAC stood for "not a camp meeting". It sure feels as if they are correct! Something must be done to change this perception and if we would put our heads and resources together something could be done, of this I am certain. I am also certain the "loss" of Anderson Camp Meeting has had a huge impact on the GA attendance.
I came away from the NAC and the GA with the deep concern and belief that if we don't do something soon the Church of God as I have known it will die in just a few more years. If that happens what will be left? We will have a group of loosely associated congregations left to their own devices and their own vision for ministry. Without some accountability to one another we too will die in time. We can not and must not allow this great Movement to die. The only way to make sure that doesn't happen is to re-involve ourselves in the life of the Church. We need to be present to voice our approval on the things we agree with and to voice our disapproval on the things we don't agree with and be willing to offer alternative suggestions. Sticking our heads in the sand is not an option. Going our own way is to turn our backs on those who went before us and paid such a great price for us to enjoy what we do today.
I am urging every person who reads this blog to join with me in praying for the Church of God Reformation Movement. In order to be effective in our prayers we must also pray for our national leaders and out state and local leaders. We also must be willing to come alongside these brothers and sisters to help and encourage them in the work God has given them to do.
Will the Church of God in America die? It will if we don't take a genuine, biblical interest in her. Some people believe this can never happen. Open your eyes. It is happening and it is happening because we have allowed Satan to distract us with our pet grievances and/or independent spirit. Please my brothers and sisters I plead with you today, do not let the Church of God die or even diminish another iota on our watch. Lets do what must be done to make her strong once again!!!!
Just something to think about.
Pastor Jordan
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
MY HERO
My hero was was born on July 3, 1919. He died on January 10, 1994. My hero was my Dad. He has been gone now for over fourteen years but I can honestly say there has not been a single day since his death that I have not thought of him.
He taught me so much. Not just how to do things but how to look at life, how to treat people, how to look at a problem or an opportunity and most of all how to trust the Lord.
My Dad grew up during difficult times. His father had a drinking problem and as a result my Dad left home when he was sixteen to live with his maternal grandparents. He loved those old people. They lived on a hillside farm in Lawrence County, Kentucky about seven miles from my current home. He joined the Navy in June 1942 and was assigned to the Armed Guard which was one of the most hazardous duties the Navy had during the Second World War. Two times his ships were sunk. On one of those occasions he was in a life boat with several of his companions for seven days before he was picked up by a rescue vehicle. He saw death face to face as a very young man. Daddy would never talk about his war experience. Naturally I was curious as a child but he always refused my questions. I guess the memories were to hard.
Dad loved the outdoors. I grew up around hunting dogs and guns. I guess my love for these things comes natural. He was also a great gardener. As a matter of fact he was known to many, and believed by many, to be the best gardener in our area. I have a lot of fond memories of my Dad and his old straw hat hoeing in the garden with a hoe his grandpa had made on his forge when my Dad was a young boy.
January 1966 was a turning point in my Dad's life for it was at that time he accepted Christ as his Savior. Dad's life would never be the same. How could it be!!!!! He couldn't get enough of the things of God. He would go far and wide to revival services. He would read his Bible on average two to three hours a day. He bought all kinds of commentaries and Bible study aids to help him get a better understanding of the scriptures. My Dad was a good man before he became a christian. He was a great man after he accepted Christ. No child could have ever had a better example.
My wife says the older I get the more like my Dad I become. Sometimes she is referring to my stubbornness but that is okay. My Dad wasn't perfect. But he had a lot more good qualities than bad. My hope is to be more like my Dad. He lived by a code of ethics that is so lacking today.
I have tried to instill in my boys some of the lessons my Dad taught me. For instance he always said to never borrow anything unless you absolutely had to and if you did borrow something always take it back better than you found it. I have always practiced that lesson. Another lesson he taught me was to always be respectful to other people, especially older people. I guess that is why I have such a fondness for older people even today.
My Dad was a person of great wisdom and he possessed common sense in abundance. Oh the times I have wished I could pick up the phone and call for his advise!!!
Father's Day is coming up this weekend. I sure miss my Dad. But he did something for me before he died that will make up for his absence. By giving his heart to Christ and living a christian life before me he gave me the assurance I will some day see him again. And by the grace of God I will. If you are a Dad have you given your children that same assurance? You should. You can. All you need to do is bow your head right now and ask God to forgive you of your sin and invite Jesus Christ to come into your hear to live and you can give your children the greatest gift a parent could ever give their child. Will you do that right now?
Just something to think about.
Pastor Jordan
He taught me so much. Not just how to do things but how to look at life, how to treat people, how to look at a problem or an opportunity and most of all how to trust the Lord.
My Dad grew up during difficult times. His father had a drinking problem and as a result my Dad left home when he was sixteen to live with his maternal grandparents. He loved those old people. They lived on a hillside farm in Lawrence County, Kentucky about seven miles from my current home. He joined the Navy in June 1942 and was assigned to the Armed Guard which was one of the most hazardous duties the Navy had during the Second World War. Two times his ships were sunk. On one of those occasions he was in a life boat with several of his companions for seven days before he was picked up by a rescue vehicle. He saw death face to face as a very young man. Daddy would never talk about his war experience. Naturally I was curious as a child but he always refused my questions. I guess the memories were to hard.
Dad loved the outdoors. I grew up around hunting dogs and guns. I guess my love for these things comes natural. He was also a great gardener. As a matter of fact he was known to many, and believed by many, to be the best gardener in our area. I have a lot of fond memories of my Dad and his old straw hat hoeing in the garden with a hoe his grandpa had made on his forge when my Dad was a young boy.
January 1966 was a turning point in my Dad's life for it was at that time he accepted Christ as his Savior. Dad's life would never be the same. How could it be!!!!! He couldn't get enough of the things of God. He would go far and wide to revival services. He would read his Bible on average two to three hours a day. He bought all kinds of commentaries and Bible study aids to help him get a better understanding of the scriptures. My Dad was a good man before he became a christian. He was a great man after he accepted Christ. No child could have ever had a better example.
My wife says the older I get the more like my Dad I become. Sometimes she is referring to my stubbornness but that is okay. My Dad wasn't perfect. But he had a lot more good qualities than bad. My hope is to be more like my Dad. He lived by a code of ethics that is so lacking today.
I have tried to instill in my boys some of the lessons my Dad taught me. For instance he always said to never borrow anything unless you absolutely had to and if you did borrow something always take it back better than you found it. I have always practiced that lesson. Another lesson he taught me was to always be respectful to other people, especially older people. I guess that is why I have such a fondness for older people even today.
My Dad was a person of great wisdom and he possessed common sense in abundance. Oh the times I have wished I could pick up the phone and call for his advise!!!
Father's Day is coming up this weekend. I sure miss my Dad. But he did something for me before he died that will make up for his absence. By giving his heart to Christ and living a christian life before me he gave me the assurance I will some day see him again. And by the grace of God I will. If you are a Dad have you given your children that same assurance? You should. You can. All you need to do is bow your head right now and ask God to forgive you of your sin and invite Jesus Christ to come into your hear to live and you can give your children the greatest gift a parent could ever give their child. Will you do that right now?
Just something to think about.
Pastor Jordan
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