| General Presbytery Meets in Cleveland for Time of Sharing and Planning by Clayton Endecott, General Presbyter of Europe/CIS/Middle East and Shaun McKinley, Administrative Liaison to the General Overseer, shaun@cogop.org |
| Last week, April 21-27, the General Presbyters met for a time of sharing and planning. The General Presbyters, leaders representing the church's global work, meet twice yearly to discuss the advancement and challenges facing the church's work around the world. On Tuesday, Church of God of Prophecy General Overseer and General Presbyters along with International Office Ministry Directors were invited to join Dr. Dennis McGuire, General Overseer for the Church of God for a dinner of fellowship with the Executive Council of the Church of God. A time of celebration and fellowship was highlighted by encouraging testimonials of both Church leaders to the increased fellowship and mutual ministry between the two movements. The Councils of both churches happened to be meeting during the same week in their respective offices, and decided to convene in an evening of friendship at the Church of God new Communications Center. Daily schedules for the regular spring meeting of the General Presbytery (General Overseer and General Presbyter's) put in to practice visions of synergy and the sharing of spiritual gifts and callings beginning to be fulfilled as leadership from our General Presbytery joined together for meetings with traditionally more restrictive or closed counsel and committees. The recent joint counsel session of the General Presbyters called by the General Overseer included full session meetings with the Global Outreach committee to discuss policy decisions, procedures, and to make decisions concerning immediate and local needs around the world. Past practices and traditions would not have brought these two entities together, however in continuation of polity decisions made more than 10 years ago, doors are being opened, and sessions of committees and general leadership are moving more towards shared accountability and responsibility. These open doors demonstrate deeper levels of synergy, cooperation and effectiveness. The General Presbyters also meet with member of the Finance and Stewardship Committee, Biblical Doctrine and Polity Committee, the International Offices Administrative Committee, the Unity of Ministry Review Team, as well as various ministry leaders. The next meeting of the General Presbytery will be in October 2007. |