General Assembly Agenda: Item 2 (AFFILIATION WITH CHURCH OF GOD)

b) Others would like to see existing churches in Church of God allowed to hold the deeds and ownership to their own properties.  Therefore they look at this measure and say, “Why should others get a freedom that we don’t have?  If I can’t benefit from this change then I’ll make darn sure no-one else will either!”  Again, this is short-sighted.  The existing system involves thousands of churches and with many loans and mortgages being underwritten by denominational headquarters at State level.  It makes sense to proceed with caution.  Allowing Associate Churches would be a prudent first step whick, with very little risk, could pave the way for similar freedom to be extended at some time in the future to existing Church of God congregations.

Needless to say, I will be voting in favour of this motion.