A series of eight regional “Listening Tours” has been announced by the Church of God Executive Committee which will take place across the United States in February and March 2009.
“The executive committee is committed to placing a high value on an environment where trust can be demonstrated,” stated General overseer Dr. Raymond Culpepper. “We will conduct these listening tours in strategic locations, so as many people as possible can have access to attending. These meetings will be structured as a time when we can listen to the concerns, feelings and interests of the people, both pastors and laity.”
Culpepper went on to say that feedback and information gained from the listening tours, along with discussion with pastors and laity, will be brought before the Council of Eighteen, where the information will “help us bring a truly missional agenda to the 2010 General Assembly, launching the church into the second decade of the 21st century,” Culpepper said.
The schedule will consist of one day packed with sessions for various groups. The morning session from 9:30 – 11:30 will be specifically for pastors and/or ministers age 40 and older. A noon luncheon will be for area district overseers. An afternoon listening session will be geared toward hearing from pastors and/or ministers under the age of 40. The final evening session will be specifically for laity.
While any of the groups may attend any session, careful consideration will be given to allow priority for the individuals of the targeted group to speak before others. According to Culpepper, the purpose of the listening tour is to hear from the field; it is not for promotion of a program or agenda of the executive leadership.
Locations for the listening tour are as follows:
February 3, 2009 – Liberty Square – Cartersville, Georgia;
February 5, 2009 – Southern Hills – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
February 17, 2009 – Longview, Washington;
February 26, 2009 – Living Waters – Los Angeles, California;
March 12, 2009 – Blue Hills – Hartford, Connecticut;
March 17, 2009 – Victory Tabernacle – Richmond, Virginia;
March 19, 2009 – River Hills – Tampa, Florida;
March 26, 2009 – River of Life – Indianapolis, Indiana
For further information on logistics, please contact the local church or state/regional office associated with each location.