Report from the 2023 General Assembly and International Convention
The National Convention and the General Assembly of the Church of God met this year in Tampa, Florida. I compliment the planners of the convention for choosing such a beautiful and relaxing destination for the convention. These are two events happening simultaneously. The National Convention is a gathering of people from all over the world to worship, hear inspiring preaching, fellowship, and learn about what God is doing globally through the Church of God. The speakers such as Mark Jackson, Walter Kim, Jo Saxton, and Rod Stafford presented Holy Spirit inspired sermons that convicted and inspired the convention.
The second part of this event is the General Assembly in which representatives from the United States and Canada conduct the business of the Church of God. The Church of God is truly grass roots driven in that the General Assembly directs the business of the general counsel of the Church of God. The budget is presented, discussed and voted on. Resolutions are brought to the floor of the assembly to be voted on.
This year there were ten resolutions presented. One was about changes in by-laws. Another one was about Leadership Focus. The Justice and Equity Taskforce was formed at the last General Assembly in Denver. It brought six resolutions to the floor. (I will include a link to Jim Lyon’s report which includes a more detailed description of the resolutions:
https://www.jesusisthesubject.org/capacity-for-better-church-of-god-day-one-delivers-doses-of-reality-and-expectancy/ ). Jim Lyon reported that the budget was balanced this year for the first time in many years. Church of God ministries had worked hard to reduce costs and increase income so that the budget was finally balanced. However, the resolutions brought by the Justice and Equity Task force added $378,000 in costs to the budget. The largest part of this increase is a resolution to create a new executive position in Church of God Ministries to deal with justice and equity in the Church of God. The exact job description is yet to be detailed. This position will be paid $150,000 per year. So, the resolutions from the Justice and Equity Task force will add $378,000 to the budget every year. Honestly, I was very disappointed these resolutions passed. After celebrating a historic balanced budget, $378,000 of debt was added on to it by passing these resolutions. No one knows where the money to cover this debt will be found. I believe it was irresponsible of the task force to bring these expensive resolutions to the floor and irresponsible of the GA to pass the resolutions. The new position proposed by the task force is troubling because there is not a clear and concise definition of their job description or who this person will be. I spoke against passing this resolution and suggested an alternative solution. Since we are searching for a new General Director import the responsibilities of the new position into the General Director position since that position is already covered in the budget. However, my idea was rejected. Now with this new position, since Jim Lyon announced he will not seek another term as General Director, there will be a search for a new director as well as a search for this new position. I also spoke against another resolution brought by the task force which would use Pentecost Sunday as a day to celebrate diversity. I think to add any other focus to the day we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit detracts and diminishes our proper celebration of the Holy Spirit. I suggested we move the diversity celebration to another day but my suggestion was rejected.
So, as you can see, this year’s National Convention and General Assembly was both inspiring and disappointing. I believe the National Church of God General Assembly has veered away from its true direction and focus. I would like to see resolutions and discussion on empowering the church, evangelizing the world, encouraging people in ministry, and building the Kingdom of God. Several years ago, Jim Lyon had coined the visionary phrase “Jesus is the Subject” as a guiding principle for the Church of God. I was inspired by this vision of centering everything we do on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Yet now I no longer hear about “Jesus is the Subject.”
The Church of God has a unique and powerful message and presence in the world. Our witness to unity, holiness, the power of the gathering of the body of Christ, the inspiring expectation of the coming of Jesus Christ, and many scripturally based principles reveals Christ to the world. Our mission in Alabama is to empower the church so the church can impact their world for Christ. The body of Christ, the church, is the hope for people in our community who are lost, hurt, damaged, struggling and needing help. I am so thankful to join with our pastors, ministers, and congregations across Alabama who are working together to reach people for Christ. We are united in the General Assembly of the Church of God in Alabama to building the Kingdom of God through proclaiming Christ to the world.
Together let us pray for God to fill us with the Holy Spirit and inspire us to fix our eyes on Jesus so He can be lifted up to draw all people to Him.
Milan Dekich
