#ourCOG Why I’m Pentecostal: The Background
https://ourcog.org/why-im-pentecostal-the-background/

Other than the blazing light and literal blindness, my introduction to God came as something of a Damascus kitchen experience. God broke in when I bolted the door shut. I realized early that God wasn’t through being involved in His creation.

That doesn’t mean I had plans for anything more. I knew so little of the Bible then that the idea of speaking in tongues had no room in my growing understanding of faith. Even when I read those sections, I simply wrote them off as something that happened “back then.” Funny how we add an internal commentary to the Bible that dictates our approach.

I’ve often heard that Pentecostalism is stained by emotionalism—and I would plead somewhat guilty. Our emotions help us experience God, after all. We grasp at His complete uniqueness, His ridiculous power, and we can’t help but be smacked with a river of emotion. It’s a Continue reading Why I’m Pentecostal: The Background #ourCOG

#ourCOG Chapter 7: People of Jewish Background and Jewish Affinity
https://ourcog.org/chapter-7-people-of-jewish-background-and-jewish-affinity/

Most of this report has focused on the characteristics, attitudes and experiences of the U.S. Jewish population, defined as Jews by religion and Jews of no religion. The survey also interviewed people who have a connection to Jews or Judaism but who have not been categorized as Jewish in this report. These respondents have been […] Continue reading Chapter 7: People of Jewish Background and Jewish Affinity #ourCOG

#ourCOG Master’s Degree of Chaplaincy Ministry in Bulgaria: The Road Ahead
https://ourcog.org/masters-degree-of-chaplaincy-ministry-in-bulgaria-the-road-ahead-5/

In the beginning of the 21st century in Bulgaria, law and chaplaincy meet on the road to democracy. But before chaplaincy could be legalized completely and endorsed by the state to its full functionality, several changes must be undergone. Some of them are:

1) Legal provision allowing chaplains to work as staff in the army, which guarantees the equal presence of protestant chaplains as well.
2) The approval, acceptance and implementation of a NATO based model for chaplaincy within the structures of the Bulgarian Army.

3) Periodical and systematic Continue reading Master’s Degree of Chaplaincy Ministry in Bulgaria: The Road Ahead #ourCOG

#ourCOG 4 Lessons I’ve Learned from the (Hateful) Ministry of Fred Phelps
https://ourcog.org/4-lessons-ive-learned-from-the-hateful-ministry-of-fred-phelps/

Fred Phelps, the Westboro Baptist Church patriarch, is dying. It’s been revealed that he’d been excommunicated from the church he had pastored for 59 years in August, 2013, and is living out his final days in hospice care.

It’s strange to think that Phelps, a lawyer and founder of a Topeka, KS law firm in 1964, was a huge advocate for civil rights. In fact, Phelps’ small law firm made up 1/3 of the state’s federal docket of 60′s era civil rights cases.

Being Fred Phelps eventually caught up with him. He was disbarred, on both the state and federal level for un Continue reading 4 Lessons I’ve Learned from the (Hateful) Ministry of Fred Phelps #ourCOG

#ourCOG Repost: Ministry NOT for Sale
https://ourcog.org/repost-ministry-not-for-sale/

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not (Proverbs 1:10)

Several years ago, while employed with a certain organization, we faced the dilemma to choose between what was morally right and what was financially secure. Regardless of the jeopardy of this predicament, we were able to make the right decision, preserving our integrity and disallowing financial pressure to dictate our moral choices. Soon thereafter, we initiated a healing process which dealt with the internal wounds, restored the lost trust and attempted to recover the invested time and resources. Years past, we forgot the pain, but never forgot the lesson we learned …

Recently, while involved in a global ministry campaign, we were faced with a similar situation. This time, howeve Continue reading Repost: Ministry NOT for Sale #ourCOG