Comments on: A Missionary As General Superintendent?

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:43:22 +0000

I am in total agreement that we should have a missionary in the top seat of the movement. I’ll be honest, I was in SGF while getting an MDiv from AGTS and I am not too keen on the idea that Alton Garrison will the be the next Sup. It just doesn’t sit well with me and I was not too keen on his preaching abilities either - I’ll stop there. Indeed we are a missionary movement and we need to maintian that focus. btw, I came to your site via the future ag site. I agree with others that cnadacy should be based on skills and abilities as well as calling - not visibility in the movement or having been from the “heartland.”

By: John

John — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 07:46:14 +0000

Glen, I like where this conversation is headed. Technology and populism are making a fundamental impact on the world and our fellowship needs to position itself, if not for relevance, then at least for the opportunity to dialog with the outside world. A missionary well-versed in life outside the Springfield vacuum would suffice.

(sidebar: Did Jim Braddy emerge from a mega?)

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:59:27 +0000

Interesting idea. It would be unlikely that John Bueno could do the job, as his health is not great and he is a bit old. Some of the younger missionary leaders might be interesting choices.

I found your blog today. I am enjoying it.

By: Vic Varis

Vic Varis — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:34:37 +0000

Hey Glen–

Good presentation here– as we would expect.

I think you raise an interesting proposal. I was wondering the past day or two if we might see someone like the head of AG World Missions step into a post like this. While the current candidate in that case, John Bueno, would represent the old guard, still it might lead to a new era of bringing the “two Assemblies of God” movements together.

They say there have always been 2 movements– one led by Thomas Trask and the other led by John Bueno.

As it is I think you are right that Alton Garrison will be the most likely choice. I base that on my observations of how these kinds of things have gone in the past and the fact that he is very highly visible in the movement as pastor, evangelist and youth evangelist for years.

The thing with great guys like Les Welk is that they are NOT from the “heartland” of the Assemblies of God. I believe geographical location of the GC has always playing into critical issues and elections. I also believe this is a reason the GC rarely makes appearances on the West Coast.

This raises another issue that we, as a kind new guard of AG leaders should consider– is it time to change the way we elect leaders and move to a form of distance balloting? By mail or even internet?

I feel this would be considered a dangerous proposal for all those that like status quo (I’m supposing that means those in “the heartland”) because of the fact that I mentioned regarding location of GC’s.

Distance balloting would bring everyone into the process that for one reason or another can not or are not allowed to travel (church staff) . It probably is the only way we would ever really see significant change in our movement. It would also force us to do what the bloggers are now doing– giving us more information to consider and a chance to process dialogue.

Anyone want to sponsor a bylaws proposal for 2009?