A Maturing Ekklesia Adrian L. Varlack Sr. CBL Faculty/Church Historian CGP AREAS OF CHANGE A Maturing Ekklesia Adrian L. Varlack Sr. CBL Faculty/Church Historian 10/30/2012

BEING GOD’S EKKLESIA The Church of God of Prophecy is striving to be a faithful Ekklesia of Jesus Christ, an Ekklesia that exists in obedience under the rubric of God’s Spirit and God’s Word. The CGP has and is demonstrating its intentionality to be obedient and submissive to the Spirit of God and renew its pledge of faithfulness to the Word rightly divided. The following are some of the decisions and realignments made or now in progress in the Church: 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change Study of the Office of General Overseer (1990-1992) Uniqueness of GO’s office not Biblical Led to Plurality in 1994 Selection of Presbyters (1997/98) by Int’l Presbytery To work with General Overseer to provide shared leadership for International Church Stay abreast of IC’s needs to facilitate evangelism 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change International Office Changes Reconfiguration of Ministries From Directional to Resourcing Encourage leaders to seek inspiration at all levels Restoration of the Primacy of the local church Fostering of better community relations both within the kingdom and secularly 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change CPMA became HERITAGE MINISTRIES Updated Markers in FOW to reflect better Bible interpretation Inserted the Protestant Reformation Story FOW re-characterized as a place to preserve and celebrate our rich heritage instead of the perfecting arm of the church 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change We adopted New Assembly procedures and restated its primary purpose: … to serve as an interpretative and decision- making body that deals with pressing universal truths that affect gospel proclamation. The Assembly admitted that current organizational structures may be reviewed and revised by the Spirit from time to time. 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change In correcting some well-meaning but defective language from 1944 the Assembly re-studied outward adornment re-characterizing it as a matter of Christian conscience with due consideration, in love, one for another. Stressing inner beauty, we condemned both judgmental-ism and libertinism as a result of better Biblical exegesis. 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change We re-configured our Financial System (the primacy of the local church in mind) to recognize the principle of mutual service and accountability, empowering the local church in the areas of discipleship, evangelism, and community relations. Churches were encouraged not to turn inward but to maintain a focus on world evangelism 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change International Offices proposed a fresh paradigm, “Turning to the Harvest”, away from self-centeredness and with a renewed concern for the lost of this world in obedience to the Spirit’s call (1984). A new openness towards the Kingdom of God resulted and a new self- understanding of the church began to develop. The church continues under this rubric of Harvest. 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change Approach to Ministry Service: We openly embraced the concept of Servant Leadership through practical imitation of Jesus’ servant-hood model Encouraged educational self- development through life-long learning and more formal study The Church is being refocused on Jesus Christ, correcting the institutional self- centeredness condemned by the Spirit in 1984 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change Relocating the International Assembly: We arrested the “Mecca spirit” by moving the Assembly site We changed the Assembly’s frequency to biennial as of 1992 The Tabernacle property sale provided the funds to secure the small ministerial aid supplement throughout the lifetime of those in the program. The Assembly is more representative 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change Recognition of Biblical Ministry Roles: Re-studied Biblical ministries and accepted the concept of apostolic and prophetic functions. Discontinued the practice of excluding women from business decisions and expanded their ministry roles. Recognized Deacons in the full context of the local church and re-established that females can be Deaconesses on biblical grounds 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change We have recognized that there is a renewed worldwide prayer emphasis birthed by the Holy Ghost – a sign and evidence of the Church’s dependence on the Holy Ghost. By this prayer renewal we are encountering the Holy Spirit afresh as part of the revival of our vital relationship with Him Prayer is now prioritized as a core value along with Harvest and Leadership Development. 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change In 1998 we began addressing matters of Ecclesiology in the International Assembly and in 2004 the Assembly passed amended membership criteria in light of our turn to the Harvest. The emphasis is to get new believers into the safety of the Church and to engage them in close follower-ship of Jesus Christ. 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change We are serious about being a worldwide, participatory Church. As such we have recognized the need for true international representation and have began efforts towards a system (by proxy) to reflect this gospel outcome in a real way. This may need continued work to be truly effective. 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change In 2006 we adjusted, revised, expanded, and re-titled our former teaching “Against Divorce and Remarriage Evil” to a more comprehensive and solidly pro-family Biblical position using the new title: Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage emphasizing the biblical ideal for marriage, outlining what the Bible does not allow as valid marriages, discouraging divorce, and introducing the pastoral exceptions recognized by our Lord. 10/30/2012

CGP Areas of Change In 2008 we clarified and more clearly defined the roles of International Assembly Committees and did some minor tweaking of our financial system by way of encouragement and voluntary participation. In 2010 there were two BDP Affirmations: One on Bible Translations and the other on The Presence and Manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The F & S Committee recommended a further Study Task Force and reported on some surveys. 10/30/2012