A visible and prominent leader in COGOP told me, to my face, during the Assembly that he never bothered with Jude2 because in his opinion "it's just a bunch of has-beens and wanna-be's."
I guess I don't qualify as a "has been" since I have never been in the spotlight. As far as a "wanna-be", thank the Lord he delivered me from that a long time ago. The comment says a lot about him or her, although I can't imagine any prominent woman in leadership saying that.
I watched the business session one day on the internet and Pastor Bill, Pastor Don, and MAT were all at the mike articulating very good points. I was proud! The people that I know on Jude2 care very deeply about the COGOP even the ones that are no longer a part of the denomination. He obviously doesn't know us very well. Those pastors and leader in the COGOP who are members of jude2 are among the best and brightest!
As for what Jude2 has meant to me, it is an extended family that I have gotten to know very well from their comments, discussions and humor. I don't post much so you probably don't know me as well but I feel a part of this community. I have used the BOW to share pastor issues and have gotten sound practical advice that I would not have had otherwise. I have used the prayer page to share important requests and have been given the opportunity to pray for your issues. I have had the opportunity to vent my frustrations concerning the direction the leadership was taking and it helped me to continue in the struggle.
But the best thing I have witnessed is the growth and change of some of the participants over the years and I count myself as one of them.
John