There are many things that the COG does that is questionable but there are more things that the COG has right than wrong. I wish we could focus on some of the good things that the COG does instead of all of the things that need fixing. We have a great church, a church that men and women died for, and a church that people have sacrificed for. Some of our men and women have given all they had to support the mission and vision and the purpose of the Church of God. In the April edition of the Evangel I saw pictures of the Church of God in Ethiopia baptizing new converts, I have been been blessed to have visited Kibera, Kenya and the Kibera Kids Center where the Church of God has a beautiful orphanage and are saving children from the horrors of the Kibera Slum. I have traveled to Trinidad and worshipped in COG Youth Camp with Trinidad's next generation of COG leaders as lives are changed. I have ministered, when I was a student at Lee University (a COG University), in the Mount of Olives Church of God in Israel and watched Palestinians worship God with all of there heart. I have been to Youth Camps, Winterfests, preached in churches across this country, worked with Men and Women of Action, passed out food with Operation Compassion, visited with two of the three COG Homes for Children in the United States where children are given a second chance, I have been to the widows center and seen widows lives eased from pain, and the list could go on...But I have said all of that to say this..."WE ARE DOING MORE RIGHT THAN WRONG." We are touching lives across the WORLD yet a handful of people are slamming the church that has mothered them, gave them shelter in storms, fed and clothed them, and educated them. WHY ARE PEOPLE STILL BEATING A DEAD HORSE? Why keep addressing problems that have been addressed like the tithe of tithe, State Offices in the red, etc. This administration has acknowledged the problem and are working on the problems. GIVE IT TIME to come to being. I am offended at those (even those who I consider friends) who call the tithe of tithe dues and taxes. Yes it is more than required by scripture but that has been acknowledged and is being hammered out. Those before us voted this in and it will take time to change it. It is not a due or a tax. It is a tithe and should be given as unto the Lord. After that it is up to the men and women who use this tithe to make sure that they are being good stewards of this money. If not they will stand before God for it and we will stand before God for the way we give it! "God loves a cheerful giver." I am offended at those who laugh and say that it is good news that a state office is going under and that our headquarters loosing $ is great news. That is sick and IMO shows a lack of spiritual maturity. It is never funny when people are struggling! Overseers, YD, EVD, and office staff have families and bills just like you and me. The statements of how funny this is or how great this is just shows a lack of compassion. Needed restructuring is on the way and we will see the first steps of it in September. Dr. Culpepper said he would report the restructuring in Sept. 09 and it would take place in Sept. 10. So why in the world are we still beating the tithe issue, the issue of state office and headquarter uses of the money, etc. This does nothing but stir up discord and give the enemy a place to sow his seeds in our hearts and churches. Let us unite and move forward together in changing times.
