The World According To Chris Brewer

Big news yesterday in the COGOP…the General Assembly passed the BDP Marriage Document that has been the subject of some talk on this website for the past couple days. Thanks to Debbie Nuttall, who transcribed the basic gist of what was said and done during the business meeting (it pays to be the church clerk!!!), we read that 97 people refused to submit or abstain their vote to the General Assembly, but Bishop Fisher placed them under the counsel of their state/regional Presiding Bishops and declared the document passed. Praise the Lord.

Aside from untying the hands of the pastors who have been affected by the divorce and remarriage teaching in the COGOP, this has much significance. We’ve dealt with an issue that has been plaguing our church since its inception. We’ve shown that we’re focused and driven toward reaching the lost rather than enforcing a strict interpretation of the Bible. And we’ve also taken the burden of repenting to and attempting restitution with everyone the COGOP has driven out of the church and stamped a “damaged goods” label on simply because they are living in double marriage.

So the basic gist of what happened, and Pastor Gary Langley from Jude 2 said it best — is this:

We have recognized that, while divorce is terrible, and, generally, remarriage is wrong, that doesn’t apply across the board. There are hundreds of permutations and complications that demand that we stop making a one-size-fits-all rule, and judge each situation on a case-by-case basis, accepting those whom God has accepting, and receiving those who have received Him.

What a wonderful thing the COGOP has done, and I am very proud of our leadership for stepping up and LEADING.

Now onto news from our local COGOP, Lakeside Church. Cameron preached yesterday and gave some impressive descriptions and visuals of the temples the children of Israel had in the Old Testament days, and basically showed how only a high priest was able to communicate with God for the entire community before Jesus died, but after Jesus died He became the sacrificial Lamb and is now our direct connection to God Himself. How awesome is that.

One thing that blessed me was after church, John, Kevin and Danny started a little praise jam, singing “Open the Eyes of My Heart” and continuing long after most had left. It was incredible to see Cameron and another man whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet dance to the Lord in front, not worried about time or their surroundings.

Personal news!!! I don’t want to shut down FirestormLIVE just yet. I want to turn it into a weapon of good. Something ministry-related. I have had it on my heart to turn it into a youth forum and put some serious prayer behind it before I do anything with it. More to come on that, but please pray that if I am to use FirestormLIVE.net as a Christian youth ministry forum that it be beneficial to all who visit and it blesses and touches many.

68 more days until I begin the moving process!!! I’ll be mapping out my route and reserving hotel rooms in places where I plan on staying so I can get them pretty cheap. Question is, should I drive straight through to Portland or stop at a bunch of scenic places, take some photos and relax during the journey???

Newport News News!!! Nothing here, I just thought it would sound cool. Carry on.