As not to hijack the other thread,...

[RuSKY]

Quote Secretary;

Why are former State Overseers like Jerry Smith and Lanis Lewis leaving COGOP to pastor in different denominations?

I thought it would, also, be interesting to discuss and know why many former "just members" (non ministers) left.
Where did you go, and did anyone in COGOP seem to be concerned that you did leave?
Were you visited? Did the church seem to want you back. Or rather, were they glad you were gone?

I am not talking about the splits, such as in 93, but individual members, or families, or groups at a local church..


RuSKY

[Paully_44]

I thought it would, also, be interesting to discuss and know why many former "just members" (non ministers) left.

I guess I just dont get what the big deal is if someone leaves for another denomination.

As long as they are going to a church where they are getting fed and maturing in Christ, it doesnt matter to me what the name on the sign reads.

[AndyG]

To completely answer this question, I would have to share more than I am comfortable in an open forum.

So the short answer....

I could no longer be a part of an organization I felt was "using, abusing, and disposing" of good men and women of God. I saw, and was one of, many who have gone through the revolving door of ministry in the cogop. I have seen lives, families, and ministries destroyed due to lack of training, support, and common care. The default, though I can sense it changing, is still to shoot the wounded and bury the barely living.

The final straw was/has been watching the destruction of a great man of God's character through lie and inuendo. I watched from afar and was powerless as accusations were hurled and accepted as true with no recourse or due process. I have seen a minister who gave most of his life for God and the cogop destroyed and discarded because he refused to let a small group hold sway and make the local church over in their image of the "perfect christian." I have seen other good men who are now forced to scrape out a meager, near poverty level living, owing more than could ever be repayed. I have seen former pastors unable to make ends meet with no retirement due to bad advice about social security from "trusted" leaders, who now sit comfortably while those who heeded the advice can't afford to eat.

It is for these and deeper reasons I no longer associate with the cogop and this is the first post in ages I have made directly referencing the denomination. I normally would click past these topics as I have wounds many years old, and still to fresh, but felt the need to share a bit of why I can no longer call the cogop home. I know I painted with a broad brush and many of you still in the cogop will take offence, but to say more or to include detail would renew attacks on a dear person who has done no wrong other than standing for Christ. These children of God have been hurt enough and I pray God have mercy on those who have hurt them when they stand in judgement before Christ for what they have said and done to them. I pray that because I have little mercy or grace to give them and the taste of gile is still strong as I think of them. But that is my cross to bear.

I have met dear men and women in the cogop, many whom I still count as friend, but the organization as a whole is dead to me. I will never say, "I will never return," but I would not make a wager on it happening anytime soon

[RamboPreacher]

not sure I know anyone who left (outside of a few here at J2). I joined.

[soulsearcher]

I'm one of the few here on J2 that left - of my own free will - simply because I couldn't be a part of something I no longer believed. Still love everyone. Still fellowship with true friends. Still attend the G.A. Just no longer a member.

[scooter]

- simply because I couldn't be a part of something I no longer believed.

Response: How would that apply today?

What I mean is did you leave because of exclusitvity, over kill in D&R, or what?

[soulsearcher]

Exclusivity was the biggie.

[DaJudge]

Ya'll left, but you still come daily to fellowship on a predominantly COGOP message board. Methinks ya'll are missing something that you once had.

[AndyG]

Ya'll left, but you still come daily to fellowship on a predominantly COGOP message board. Methinks ya'll are missing something that you once had.

Frankly, no, I come here for the conversation about topics I am interested in. Topics which are meant to be exclusively cogop related I usually don't even read. I have no desire for "fellowship" with the organization and about 20% of its current membership.

BTW, I think PG will argue this board is not predominatly anything

[Pastor Gary]

BTW, I think PG will argue this board is not predominatly anything

To be factual and precise, I would have to say Jude2 might well be dominated by people with some connection to COGOP -- current members, former members, members of some of the off-shoot organizations, etc. -- but that is due more to the evolution and history of this forum than by design.

It is NOT a COGOP board; it is a board a lot of COGOP-ish folks frequent, as well as a lot of people with no connection to COGOP whatsoever. All kinds of people are welcome here.

[Paully_44]

It is NOT a COGOP board; it is a board a lot of COGOP-ish folks frequent, as well as a lot of people with no connection to COGOP whatsoever. All kinds of people are welcome here.

even us west coast, baptist raised, unsweetened tea drinking yankees.....

[MrDanger]

baptist raised

And the cool thing is, once a member of Jude 2, always a member of Jude 2. Even if you sin by not drinking sweet tea.

[DaJudge]

That's why I said "predominantly". That doesn't mean that this is a COGOP board. It just means that most here are affliated with COGOP in some way.

Here's what I think it is. COGOP is a big old family. I can't think of too many other organizations where I can walk up the the leader of the entire denomination and he will hug my neck and know me by name. Even when you folks leave, you're still a part of that family, and you can't resist dropping by to visit your long lost relatives.

[MrDanger]

and you can't resist dropping by to visit your long lost relatives.

....as crazy as they may be.

[Brenda]

I don't think you can find a "perfect denomination."
If you stick around long enough you will find flaws or something you don't agree on no matter where you go.