Culpepper Unveils ‘Missional Message’
Church of God General Overseer Dr. Raymond F. Culpepper has recorded a video message addressing the future of the Church of God entitled, “The Tides of Time on the Shore of Tomorrow.” The video is currently on the Church of God Web site under the graphic, ‘Missional Message’ and is also available for download for pastors to broadcast to their churches.
In the address, first delivered in its entirety to the Church of God International Executive Council late last month, Culpepper addresses the topic of “change,” which is not unique to the economic and political realms of the United States and the world, but is affecting the Church of God of the 21st century.
“Change is neither bad nor good,” Culpepper states. “Often change is a friend. In fact, change was a good friend to the Church of God in the 20th century. The church was a strategic change agent. Birthed by the changes inherent in the Holiness and Pentecostal revivals of the early to mid-1900’s our fledgling church took root. Catching the overflow of the changes brought about in the Charismatic Renewal of the mid to late 1900’s, the church flourished. Fueled by a prospering economic climate the church circumnavigated the globe.”
Culpepper talked about the fact that the Church of God in those earlier days was more of a community than a true denomination. The symbol of our (Church of God) identity and guardian of the mission was the international headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee. “God’s favor rested upon our shoulders,” he said. “We had been divinely chosen. Change was our friend.”
The general overseer then outlines in detail four facts which he calls, “Our summons to transformation:”
1. The Church of God is not alone in a changing world
2. God has not changed
3. Our response to change is our choice
4. We will make a strategic difference.
“Simply put, the mission of the church is not just the Great Commission, but the greatest commission, the only enduring commission.“ Culpepper concludes. “ For whatever time I have left as general overseer, I am committing myself to the transformation of the Church of God into a 21st century missional movement. The frame around every issue I deal with will be, “How can I relate this to the mission of the church? The circle of God’s pleasure will help transform every church into a missions outpost, and every preacher and member into missionaries to post-modernity.”
