George O. Wood: General Superintendent

George O. Wood: General Superintendent

Rev. George O. Wood

George O. Wood has been elected to the office of the General Superintendent of the General Council of the Assemblies of God

George Wood is a prince of a man who is not only well-educated, but sensible. In my experience in interacting with him not only in meetings but when I provided support on his computer (for some time he was the only executive to use one), he is considerate, a gentleman, and actually listens to the people around him, regardless of their status or stature. He understands missions, being the son of missionaries. He understands contemporary culture, and he is one of the smartest men I’ve ever met — next to Rich Hammar.

Plus he’s really one of the best preachers I’ve ever listened to. And he’s a biblical preacher, not something most of the elder statesmen in our Fellowship have a good track record of.

Here’s to hoping he ushers in a new era of change for the A/G.

Rich

[tags]blogrodent, religion, pentecostal, leadership, george-wood, george-o-wood, general-superintendent, general-council-of-the-assemblies-of-god, general-council, christianity, assemblies-of-god[/tags]

33 thoughts on “George O. Wood: General Superintendent

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  3. Rich Post author

    Continued from the comments section of my Call the Vote post.

    Going into the second round of balloting for the Assistant General Secretary. Here are the candidates with their previous votes from the first round of ballots:

    1583: Alton Garrison
    811: Doug Clay
    233: Elizabeth Grant
    45: John Palmer
    41: Dan Betzer
    20: Zollie Smith
    15: Terry Raburn
    13: Wayne Benson
    12: Randy Valimont
    7: Greene
    5: Cook
    5: Klaus
    5: Griswold
    2: Cargill

    After the second round, there was still not enough to elect a candidate. Nominees have now been reduced to the remaining top three candidates, who are:

    Alton Garrison
    Doug Clay
    Elizabeth Grant

    Rich

  4. apollos

    “he’s a biblical preacher, not something most of the elder statesmen in our Fellowship have a good track record of.”

    wow, that was some serious kung-fu Rich. The statement would also be accurate if you took out “of the elder statesmen”. Which, IMO, is one reason resolution #9 is so important. Also, at this point, it would be a mistake to underestimate Wood, as it appears some people are doing (I base this on having read comments on numerous other blogs).

    I think we need Charlton Heston as chair spokesman, it would sound so cool if he said, “LET IT BE SO ORDERED”.

  5. Rich Post author

    Ha ha,

    One of the best sermons I’ve ever heard was “God’s Non-Interventions,” delivered at my church here in Naperville, IL. I liked it so much I secured Wood’s permission to submit it to PreachingToday.com, and it became one of their featured messages. If you’re a member of PT, check it out here.

    When I first heard Jack Hayford preach, I thought to myself, “Man, if I ever go into ministry, I want to be like Jack Hayford.” Then I heard George Wood preach. Now I’m conflicted. I want to be Jarge Haywood. Or maybe Geack Woodford.

    I just can’t decide.

    Rich.

  6. Rich Post author

    Final elections:

    General Superintendent: George O. Wood
    Assistant General Superintendent: L. Alton Garrison
    General Secretary: John Palmer
    AG World Missions Director: L. John Bueno (reelected)
    AG US Missions Director: Zollie L. Smith, Jr.

    Rich.

  7. Pastor e

    You know I’m personally thrilled to have brother Wood as our GS. While at GC this week, I heard several guys talk about a ‘youth movement’ and one even commented to me after the election that they were “disappointed in the election because of brother Wood’s age”.

    I have to totally disagree with that – I personally love the fact that someone who is seasoned and a true veteran of ministry will lead this great fellowship. Never have bought in to the thought that someone has to be young to be “forward thinking” – that depends totally on the person and we got a good one leading the charge now!

    I know Dr. Opal Reddin would have been greatly pleased with this election!

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  9. Rich Post author

    Not that this needs further illustration, but, really, nothing illustrates the difference in the change of leadership more than this comment left on the FutureAG website by the new general superintendent, George O. Wood.

    I don’t think I’ve ever seen a blog comment left by Trask. (Weblogs, I think, simply weren’t on his radar.) Here is what Bro. Wood had to say:

    George O. Wood said…

    When I was chosen today as general superintendent-elect, I made a pledge that I would do my very best to serve the whole church. That certainly includes all of you who have so seriously and carefully engaged in dialog on this blog. The Assemblies of God desperately needs everyone of you. I want you to know that I will do my very best to listen and to be a bridge-builder in this wonderful family of believers. Malachi ends by talking about the day when the hearts of fathers would be turned to their children, and vice versa. I want that for our church. I will do everything I can to bring the generations together. But, I am going to need your help!

    Will you help me and the other terrific team of leaders chosen today? We need your prayers and your counsel. And, this is a two-way street — I promise also to pray for you and to do my best to speak into your lives as well.

    I also want to say that the most important thing, other than prayer, that we need to do for each other is love one another. I want our Fellowship to be one marked by genuine love and respect for one another. We are all in this together!

    As the business was unfolding this afternoon, I felt the Lord put this Scripture in my heart:

    “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

    I do not intend to be a weighted-down with burdens servant among you. Doing the Lord’s work should bring us joy, spontaneity, and laughter. Oh yes, there will be serious times — but, with all my heart I want us to share His life abundantly.

    The Fellowship has given me an immense responsibility and I covet your prayers and support.

    Thanks so much for letting me take this moment to share some of my heart with you. Let’s encourage one another, build up one another, be honest with one another, and love another!

    Blessings to you!

    George O. Wood
    General Superintendent-Elect

  10. Rich Post author

    For the interested, here is the comment I left at the FutureAG website, assuming it gets moderator approval:

    - – -

    Just in case nobody’s actually pointed this out, or realized it, this is an historic moment. I believe this may well be the first time an executive officer of the General Council of the Assemblies of God has ever left a comment on a weblog.

    I may be wrong, of course, but it’s the first time I’ve seen one in my short lifetime as a blogger.

    For you who are worried that George O. Wood is “too old” our “out of touch” with the times, this, alone, should allay your fears.

    George Wood is a remarkable man. I speak from some experience having served at the A/G HQ and having worked with him first in a technical support capacity (I helped fix his computer when it was malfunctioning) and later when I served as the A/G’s first webmaster. In every interaction I enjoyed with him he was unfailingly gracious, good-spirited, and real.

    I’m proud and excited that we have the leadership team we do. Well, I don’t know Griswold. But, I’m sure with Bro. Wood to mentor him, he’ll turn out to be a fine choice, indeed.

    I cannot think of a better mentor to have for ministry anywhere, anyplace, or any time.

    Regards,

    Rich
    BlogRodent

  11. Rich Post author

    No, my bad, I was thinking Griswold when he was a nominee for one of the positions, and I couldn’t place who he was.

    A momentary cessation of all mental activity led me to therefore write “Griswold” as though he had been elected. I don’t know what I was actually thinking.

    Normal mental operations will resume after I get eight hours of sleep. Which appears to be not in the running tonight (writing assignment deadlines due).

    Rich

  12. lvtolearn

    This week I viewed the events of the Assemblies of God General Council on-line and on INSP. It was the first time that I have seen worship in the AG for quite a while. Although, I grew up in the Assembly of God, as an adult, I have been an Episcopalian.

    I was very impressed by the leadership of General Superintendent Trask. He seems like such as wonderful and kind person. If fact, many of his mannerisms remind me of John Paul II who interacted so well with the youth. Many of the wonderful things that I remember about the AG are still present ….such as the love and respect that seems to be present for one another. I believe …as your leadership seems to believe…that love and nurturing of individuals will be the real guiding force for continued growth in the AG.

    I continue to admire the AG for its professionalism and its spiritualality. There are things that are different…like the music…but this is something that is changing in many churches.

    I found your blog through a google search. I will check in from time to time to see what the AG is talking about!

  13. Bennet M. Barlean

    Dear Mr. Wood,

    If you want to be a bridge builder and bring hearts back together, perhaps you should start with righting the injustices the General Council has has allowed to incur and even encouraged at District levels, (ie: The NW District and the unjust excommunication of Albert and Aimee Anderson, faithful AG pastors for 47 years, for exposing illegal and immoral activity by the Rollin Carlson and the NW District leadership).

    Start with repentance and healing the injustices and then talk about leading the generations with a new vision.

  14. RAYMOND M. BARNETT

    Dear Mr. Wood,

    I read your blog about building bridges and loving one another. I would like to add this to Benett Barlean’s comments about correcting the documented injustices in the NW District.

    Unless you begin to “mend fences,” particularly those whom the Executive Presbytery under the direction of Thomas Trask and yourself have willfully torn down, you cannot be heard by God, since our blood cries out to Him for justice. All of your actions, performed with full knowledge of what you were doing here in the New York District and in many other parts of the country [all of which are well documented with evidence, not sentiment], still linger in the memory of our Most Holy God. As I write, we patiently await adjudication from Him, and as we all know, His judgment will not sleep forever.

    Time would fail me to speak of the egregious disregard of the Executive Presbytery for the Assemblies of God Constitution and By-Laws and the laws of religious incorporation in many of our States, as you seized, and continue to seize pastorates and properties around the USA from their lawful owners – the local church.

    There is not enough space to write in detail of the brutal, heinous, and willful tearing up of local A/G congregations in order to keep “your” churches “yours.” Nor is there enough room to pen the unreasonable and discriminatory acts of the Presbytery as they conduct their unjust/kangaroo courts in the dismissal of ministers of good reputation. Ministers and missionaries I say whom, having committed no real sin against God OR the Assemblies of God, have been bribed, psychologically beaten, and spiritually abused and berated simply because they dare to disagree or question the actions and activities of the Presbytery. Prudence forbids that I describe the details of the cover-ups of illegal and immoral activities.

    Those of us, who have been tied to the rack and heard the whistle of your whip, are loath to hear mere words. We recall, and very well, the thrashing sting of its angry tail, as our backs were laid bare to the bone by the tyranny of wickedness in high places. How can we forget any time soon the unrighteousness and corruption of men in absolute power who, after having been corrupted absolutely by such power, continue to say all the right things but fail to do them?

    If you are sincere about loving one another, please remember, “Love works no ill to its neighbor.” In addition, if you are determined to build bridges between the brethren, you can have your engineers point one in my direction. Then, I will provide you with a list of many others who are in great need of your professed altruism.

    Mr. Wood, unless you provide a decent burial to the many martyrs that you men have made in the past, our ghosts will continue to haunt you in the future. We will continue to cry out to God, and give him no rest, until His hand repays the Assemblies of God, and His anger reaches forth to strike a fatal blow to the blight of this present evil world and the curse of all ages – the unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

    Perhaps, Mr. Wood, you can now make the change that is needed to bring the Assemblies of God back to its’ foundation – a life of prayer and the preaching of the Word of God. Time will tell, and we will watch – and continue to pray.

    “Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. ” Psalm 17: 1-2

    Raymond M. Barnett

    The Time for Truth Ministries

    http://www.timefortruth.com

  15. James Sundquist

    Dear Mr. Wood and all Assemblies of God Pastors and Members and the Church at Large,

    Now isn’t anybody going to stand up in the middle of the congregation at the national AOG covention this month (or after the convention) and name names and demand an accounting of Trask…demand reinstatement of AOG pastors such as Ray Barnett, Albert & Aimee Anderson that Trask trashed..demand repentance for the following…someone with the same backbone that Dr. Opal Reddin had when she was called down by Trask…maybe someone with a megaphone, in case, Trask turns off their mike too?

    It would be nice to think all of the pressure of many saints that exposed Tom Trask brought about his resignation. And it is certainly good to have him gone so he can’t cause more destruction. But a resignation without repentance restitution is a sham. And unless the new Gen Supt George Wood issues a national announcement of repentance for removing those pastors (such as Ray Barnett and Albert Anderson) fraudulently and restores their credentials, retirement benefits, and pastorships, this will only serve to perpetuate a mockery of God who will not be mocked, their sin remains and there will be no bridge to even walk across.

    For more information on Tom Trask’s false teachings, and unholy alliances which the AOG is still entangled, AOG false teacher/pastors Todd Hudnall, Lee McFarland, Tommy Barnett that George Woods must remove and renounce, see Chapter 10 and Appendices of Rick Warren’s Global Peace Plan vs. Scripture book, available in its entirety at:

    http://www.abrahamic-faith.com/False-Teachers.html

    Sincerely in Christ,

    James Sundquist
    Director
    Rock Salt Publishing

  16. David Moore

    I am a frequent reader of this blog, but have commented only sparingly, mainly in examining and interpreting some of the AG stistical information, especially as it relates to church growth and the ethnic minority sector of the Fellowship. Nothing has been written (that I have seen) about the election of Zollie Smith (an African American) to the position of Executive Director of U.S. Missions. A minority being elected to one of the top six executive positions is truly historic and we should applaud this moment.

    As to the new General Supt., I simply echo Rich’s comments. I have known Dr. Wood for nearly 40 years. I have always wished that he would some day become our top leader, and now that my dreams have been realized I would say that we should become prepared for the kind of leadership that exhibits the following characteristics:

    Impartiality
    Openness
    Trusting
    Compassionate
    Collegial
    Biblically-based
    Theologically astute
    Professional
    Transparant
    Creative
    Innovative
    Responsive
    Considerate
    Analytical
    Kingdom-minded
    Inclusive
    Hopeful

    I can think of many others, but I’ll stop there. Wood has been a real inspiration to me personally and, like the mentor I never met (Peter Drucker), he has impacted my life from a distance in more ways than he could ever know. Rich, you said it well when you described him. I could not be more pleased with the outcome.

    Back to Zollie Smith. I also know him personally and while Springfield will present a bigger culture change than he might expect (not just the community but Headquarters too), Zollie will bring needed perspective to executive decision-making that has been absent.

  17. Kevin R. Bishop

    I agree with the comments posted by RAYMOND M. BARNETT. I was personally trained by Dr. Reddin and know that she stood for truth and not a watered down gospel. I — along with many other pastors from around the globe — have been mistreated and abused by this A/G denominational mess.

    In my situation the A/G district of Wisconsin/Northern Michigan were so committed to keep the church they forced me from an Assembly of God church that they later sold it to a Wesleyan Congregation. The building and the parsonage were debt-free and they pocketed the proceeds from the sale so the A/G could have more money to cause more waves of devastation around the country. A church in Springfield, MO, is going through exactly what I went through.

    The A/G will lie, cheat and steal and make the one’s lied about and stolen from look like the bad guys because they have more money to keep the fight going and drain their opponents’ bank accounts.

    Please do not tell a lie about their integrity and impartiality. One can tell who is in who’s back pocket.

    –Kevin R. Bishop

  18. James Sundquist

    ASSEMBLIES OF GOD “REVERSION CLAUSE”:

    What Kevin R. Bishop is referring to is Reversion Clause in the AOG Constitution.

    One of the snares in AOG and Christian Missionary Alliance and other denominations is the REVERSION CLAUSE. It is one of the main lynch pins which holds the power of the elite together at the expense of the local church. It gets further compounded (and builds even more absolute power to the elite) when tithing pledges and building fund pledges and covenants snare the members into even more bondage. (That, in great part is how Warren secures loyalty to the party).

    If a local Church decides it does not want to be AOG anymore … the reversion clause give the AOG headquarters absolute sovereignty over the local church, rendering any local sovereignty statements null and void. That specific clause governs the general. So it is critical in my view for the AOG to make a motion to abolish that clause.

    The other thing that occurred to me is that the AOG headquarters fashion themselves as though they are the bank that owns the local church, so anytime they choose, they think they can FORECLOSE on the property and assets of the local AOG church. But this thinking is fatally flawed. Local churches make % of income payments to the headquarters, but these are not like mortgage payments in which the home owner doesn’t really own the house until it is completely paid for. But it is not as though the local members or local church is paying back the headquarters (although in some cases the headquarters, in fact, did loan or finance a local church … which should be paid back) for the local property that the AOG headquarters owns.

    And besides this, those offerings and payments to the headquarters are not designated as house (church) payments but is allocated for missionaries and administration. So virtually no money sent from a local church to the district or headquarters should constitute a house (church property) payment. When the AOG headquarters does this it is really a license to steal!

    Now, the AOG headquarters has not foreclosed that many churches globally and it would only represent a tiny percentage of the thousands of AOG churches. However, it still has the effect of a club or Damocles Sword hanging above their heads.

    A bunch of Episcopal Churches in Northern Virginia fought this battle in the courts and, as I understand it, won the case, and they are all independent now with new names (they withdrew because of objections to the liberal antibiblical stances and teachings in the denomination). Similar battles are happening the Roman Catholic church due to the sex scandal law suits … but in these cases, the RC simply had to close parishes to sell the property to pay for their sins … resulting in NO CHURCH being left to go to.

    Bottom line, the present constitution, at least with respect to autonomy, is a joke. If the AOG members can’t or won’t abrogate this clause, all members should at least know about the clause before they sign a building fund pledge (shouldn’t sign one anyway … is it is contrary to Scripture).

    How about making a motion to simply ask the question at the convention:

    “I would like a show of hands of all gathered here today, who among you knows what the ‘REVERSION CLAUSE’ is in the AOG constitution and what it means?”

    How could the AOG leader presiding over the meeting object to that question? Then after the show of hands simply explain it … don’t give an opinion (at least yet) … just state the facts of what it means! You must be dying to know the answer you will get.

    Then follow it up with one more question … which will probably get shouted down.

    “How many of you would become members of an AOG church or sign a building fund, if you knew that at any point the AOG headquarters has the power to FORECLOSE on your property?”

    Now that he is General Superintendant, why don’t you all ask Rev. George Wood these questions?

    Now, I asked a CMA pastor, Ron Heffield, about this clause. Now get this … he said that before the AOG, there was the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He said after the Azusa Street Revival, a host of CMA churches split off to become AOG churches. So to stop the bleeding and to regain control over these wayward, maverick churches, the CMA instituted the infamous reversion clause.

  19. Don

    The “Reversion clause” is only in your local church’s Constitution if the body put it there when they adopted the constitution. It is in the sample constitution and bylaws you get from GPH, but you do not have to adopt that word for word (unless you are home missions church or other such dependent situation). Given the painful experiences of mainline churches that lost everything when they left an apostate denomination I would never endorse ratifying such a poison pill into the church’s constitution.

  20. David Moore

    Richard, I’m not sure whether this is the proper place in the blog to submit these comments. I will trust you to position them appropriately. These are my thoughts about the future of the Assemblies of God in light of the “new” leadership.

    Peter Drucker is arguably the most respected, as well as most influential, management theorist of our generation. He passed away a few years ago at the age of 95. During his lifetime, spanning from Germany to Great Britain to the United States, he authored more than 90 books. I often refer to Drucker as the mentor I never met. I think some of the insights he recorded toward the end of his life might be useful as an analytical tool in evaluating the changes that have recently taken place in the leadership of the Assemblies of God.

    At 90 years of age Drucker wrote the book Management Challenges For The 21st Century. In this book he states that,

    “Change is painful and risky, and above all it requires a great deal of very hard work. But unless it is seen as the task of the organization, the organization — whether a university, a hospital, or a church — will not survive.”

    Those are pretty strong words.

    He goes on to say, “so the first priority — and the foundation for all others — is to abandon yesterday.” Drucker concludes his injunction for the necessity of embracing change with these words:

    “We almost always overestimate how much ‘life’ there is still in the old way of thinking. Usually it is not ‘dying;’ it is dead. And there’s nothing as difficult and as expensive, but also nothing as futile, as to try to keep a corpse from stinking.”

    When I read this I was reminded of the words of Jesus spoken to the disciples of John (Matthew 9:16).

    “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

    Jesus was responding to the concern of the disciples of John that the disciples of Jesus were dishonoring established tradition by not fasting. Jesus did not minimize the importance of fasting (tradition). “The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” (Matthew 9: 15) Rather, Jesus wanted them to know that if the gospel is to be advanced change is necessary, and old forms are not able to contain change.

    Respect for “old forms” and continuing to use them as containers for “fresh” ingredients are very different. The Assemblies of God has a rich tradition, one that should be respected, honored, and preserved. But as both Drucker and Jesus suggest, there is a time to “abandon yesterday” and “pour new wine into new wineskins.” The future of our Fellowship, and more importantly, the future of the church of Jesus Christ, as it has throughout the ages, depends on it.

    Let us then embrace change and move forward, preserving past values and never compromising the truth of the gospel, but in its application being fully cognizant of the realities of societal change, cultural differences, and the dynamics of globalization in the world in which we live. Let us also expect change that reflects these realities to be forthcoming in the strategies and designs of our new leadership, our “new wine” if you will.

  21. RAYMOND M. BARNETT

    Dear Rich,

    It occurred to me to respond to David Moore’s post of September 12, 2007, but i was not able to make up my mind; i.e. whether to cry or to laugh. How low will we sink before we hit bottom? When the role models of the church and it’s leadership are money – driven businesmen [Yes, I am aware that Drucker professed to be a Christian], it is indicative of a serious, systemic problem that, at this point in world and church history, may well be incurable.

    Is David Moore aware of other things that Peter Drucker has said, beyond the select quotes listed above? – such as:

    “Executives owe it to the organization and to their fellow workers not to tolerate nonperforming individuals in important jobs.”

    How do we, in the church, measure “nonperforming?” By Noah – who had 8 souls in his church [sic] after 100 years of ministry? By Jeremiah -whose message was intolerable to the ears of God’s people, and was rewarded for his eforts by excoriation, imprisonment, and rejection? By Isaiah, who, according to tradition, was sawn in half? By John the Baptist, who whose bloody head was rolled onto a silver salver and delivered to the daughter of a seductive strumpet because he never read Carnegie’s – “How To Win Friends and Influence People?” By the Apostles, who almost to a man, were killed for both their message and their delivery? In God’s eyes, who is really productive and “nonproductive?” Only Eternity will tell!

    Peter Drucker, again said – “The corporation is the “master,” the employee is the “servant”. Because the corporation owns the means of production without which the employee could not make a living, the employee needs the corporation more than vice versa.”

    The church and its leaders are now “masters,” and the brothers and sisters in the church are the “servants?” No wonder Jesus vowed to vomit Laodicea out of his mouth!

    Drucker again said – “Most discussions of decision making assume that only senior executives make decisions or that only senior executives’ decisions matter. This is a dangerous mistake.”

    Based on his previous statement, this rises to the level of cognitive dissonance, even though I will admit the A/G needs to heed this point!

    Peter Drucker spent his entire life teaching “business” techniques to “businessmen” and “businesses.” Is the church to be run on the principles of a business tycoon, whose bottom line was product, profit, and productivity? What does the Scripture say?

    Whatever happened to prayer, preaching, and the power of the Holy Spirit? What ever became of the A/G’s commitment to follow the paradigm [sic] of the Apostles in the book of Acts –

    Act 6:1-4 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
    But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. .”

    And, notice the results they received –

    Act 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

    An increase in God’s Word, an increase in numerical growth, and an increase in the religious clergy becoming born again, all from – prayer and preaching? My, what old wine contained in the 2,000 year old wineskin of the Holy Scriptures! But, away with it, and on with the new!

    Would to God we could even come close to duplicating what the Apostles did – resurrection of the dead; healing of sicknessess and diseases without medical intervention; casting out of devils [yes, they DO exst],thousands of converted, holy disciples of Christ, etc.

    Ravi Zacharias , in an interview with Major John Carter on “Leadership and Calling” said – “I think to know that you are called is a seal within your heart. I might also add—this is one thing that is not stressed for many who go into the ministry at this time. Today it is almost a manufactured profession. John Stott’s comment years ago was very appropriate when he said that the pastor’s study is replaced by the terminology “pastor’s office.” He said the study is where you learned and understood and heard from God and then went and spoke to the people. The office is where you manage a group of people. And without pushing it too far, the point is still well taken.”

    Yes, indeed, it is a point well taken!

    I submit to you, that the sickness of the modern church may well be beyond cure, if men are looking to Peter Drucker instead of Simon Peter, who read and studied Jesus Christ – the Eternal Son of God; as should ALL minsters of the Gospel.

    Raymond M. Barnett

    The Time for Truth Ministries

    http://www.timefortruth.com

  22. Mathew

    Dear Dr. Wood,

    Greetings to you in Jesus name. Congratulation upon your new position and responsibility. I followed your presentation online and despite the fact that we live in prosperous nation does not negate that some of us who are involved in church planting are still doing the same way your parents did long time ago. Things have not been changed especially for those who have come from other part of the world and do church planting here in the US.

  23. Jeffrey L. Whittaker

    I am writing in response to “Pastor e’s” remarks of Aug. 10, 2007. I am sorry for my delay, but I have been out of the country. My only remark is addressed to the statement made that Dr. Opal Reddin would be pleased with our new executive team in Springfield. To this I can only assert what she shared with me for many hours during numerous visits before her death: She was NOT THRILLED with the direction of our movement, nor the lack of honest leadership in our executive team of that time, and when she tried to contribute to the debate at the 2005 General Council in Denver, CO., she was cut off by Supt. Trask and told that her Scriputral comments were not germane to the subject before the council (the former ecumenical bylaw of the AoG). The current executive will only further the downward spiral of grasping at Purpose Driven, Emergent straws while neglecting the true foundations that are given lip service during General Council sermons. I wept during Thomas Trask’s farewell sermon because he preached like a man coming into office instead of one going out. Pragmatism and utilitarianism are the battle cries of the modern AoG, thank the Lord that Dr. Reddin isn’t here to endure it.

    God have mercy on us all,
    Jeffrey L. Whittaker

  24. Pastor E

    In hindsight – I now must agree with Jeffrey Whittaker’s comment above. Per some comments I had heard in the past – I had thought that Dr. Wood was different than what he appears to be now. Didn’t realize that he loved Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven model, nor did I realize he was going to make overtures to the Emergent – and yes – Dr. Reddin would be heartbroken over all of that.

    I loved Bro. Trask’s farewell message as well – to bad it hadn’t been preached years ago.

    Praying for the A/G

    Eric Smith – Pastor e

  25. RAYMOND M. BARNETT

    Dear Rich,

    A response to Jeff Whitaker and Eric Smith’s remarks above.

    Concerning Thomas Trask – Great speeches, even right speeches, are often given by corrupt men. I read the transcript of Trask’s soliloquy. For those of us who have seen his public persona versus his private behavior, we know the difference between saying the right things and doing them. Do we so soon forget the “right” speeches of Jimmy Swaggart, Marvin Gorman, Ted Haggard, et al?

    [Please refer to – http://www.timefortruth.com/ForYourSpirit/StateOfChurch.aspx

    Believe it or not, not all men in positions of authority are honest; and not all disbarred members of the hegemonious A/G denomination [which the A/G has become – illegally] are sinful, untruthful, or bitter. Truth can still be found in forgotten dwellings and forsaken places.

    Unfortunately, I too wept when I read Trask’s words. I thought – If only he had lived them! Then the A/G would not have half the problems it does now! But, alas! – Truth has fallen in the streets, and lies shattered in shards of broken pieces in the highways and byways of Springfield!

    Concerning George Wood – Clever, endearing, and cunning. It is interesting that you refer to him Rich, as a “prince of a man,” for he is more like Niccolo Machiavelli than most A/G constituents know. As a political realist, he, like his predecessor Trask, knows well the Machiavellian philosophy, which can be stated thus –

    “The theories expressed in The Prince are often venerated as very insightful and shrewd methods an aspiring prince can use to gain the throne, or an existing prince can use to establish and maintain his reign. According to Machiavelli, moral principles must yield to every circumstance, especially in such cases where sordid, inhumane actions may be required. It is imperative that the prince be willing to do anything necessary to maintain power; however, Machiavelli asserts strongly that above all, the prince must not be hated. He does give a concise answer on whether or not a prince should be feared or loved, he states, “..a wise prince should establish himself on that which is his own control and not in that of others; he must endeavor to avoid hatred, as is noted.” He also says “It is best to be both feared and loved, however, if one cannot be both it is better to be feared than loved.” [Massa-Carrara, Marina (2006). El Principe/The Prince]

    Trask was feared and loved, but more feared than loved by most A/G constituents. His choler and irascible temperament earned him that reputation.

    Mr. Wood will prove to be more loved than feared. However, as he “builds bridges” to the Warrenites and many others, the barbarians will cross those overpasses and conduits, and destroy the foundations forever, as they did centuries ago in the Roman Church.

    Sound doctrine and its’ practice will not survive the coming invasion, as Biblical faith and practice that women like Opal Reddin and so many others labored to build so long ago, crumbles in clouds of dust when the walls come down.

  26. Jeffrey L. Whittaker

    Dear Pastor “e” and Ray Barnett,

    Pastor “e”, thank you so much for your kind reflections and thoughts contained in your most recent post! We must continue to write with a great sense of intercession and courage as we all navigate the treacherous waters of this current day! I am so comforted that Jesus continues to build His true church, and that the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. Blessings to you.

    Brother Ray: Your comments are as direct and insightful as ever! I remember being told by a Michigan District Official upon his finding out that I had sent then Supt. Thomas Trask a questioning e-mail, “Brother, you’re going where angels fear to tread!” That was a key moment of illumination as to what spirit was at work. I prayed, “Oh Lord, may none of my congregation ever feel that they need be afraid of their Pastor, simply for seeking the truth. Blessings upon you.

    For Christ’s Sake,
    Brother Jeff

  27. James Sundquist

    SUBJECT: COMMENTARY ON HAL DONALDSON’S INTERVIEW OF DEPARTING GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT THOMAS TRASK

    Dear Steve,

    This is not a legitimate interview from a responsible journalist reporting the news…rather it is an infomercial interview with pravda softball questions planted by the AG or Trask himself…not the 20 questions I would have asked him or you would have asked him or Ray Barnett, or Albert & Aimee Anderson, or Jacob Prasch, or Philip Powell, Steve Svenson, Ray Baumann, or Jeffrey Whittacker or Bob DeWaay. None of us are against Trask or are criticizing him because he simply works with other denominations….all of us do that…but because he himself is corrupt and promotes a host of false teachers. The first question is a good one…but why didn’t Mr. Donaldson press him on it…how could anyone possibly believe his answer why he left half way into his term of office? And where are the paragraphs and questions about restitution that Mr. Trask never answered and Hal Donaldson never asked? What a great opportunity lost by Mr. Trask to make restitution to all of the brothers in Christ he destroyed in the name of Jesus.

    So instead of giving people like Ray Barnett and other AG Brothers he has destroyed a golden parachute for their retirement, he [and his accomplice Hal Donaldson] gives himself a eulogy (and a golden parachute). So Mr. Trask here is one of my questions for you? What are the financial components of your severance package that those AG pastors you drove out will never see?

    This interview totally obfuscates the facts. You would think Mr. Trask was a hero in the AG instead of a Diotrophes. Dead Pharisees would be proud of this interview as would State approved Churches in the Soviet Union and China.

    Now if Hal Donaldson were really serious, he would now interview Ray Barnett for the Pentecostal Evangel. But as in any state controlled media, only the party line is promoted…all opposition is censored.

    But Philip Powel, Ray Barnett, Brett Bigg, Ray Baumann, Jewel Grewe, Brett Bigg, Jacob Prasch, Ray Baughman, Steve Svendsen, Bob DeWaay, Bennet Barlean, you are all invited to post my commentary on this Trask charade interview…you can be certain the censorship will bar it from being published in the Pentecostal Evangel. Did anyone ever see former AG Matriarch’s Dr. Opal Reddin’s appeal letter to the all AG pastors warning them about Rick Warren in the Pentecostal Evangel? Of course not! Did anyone ever see former AG Matriarch’s document that the AG was going Ecumenical published in the Pentecostal Evangel? Of course not! (But Jewel Grewe’s Discernment Ministries and Contending for the Faith and other radio and print publications did…bravo for you). Did anyone at Pentecostal Evangel ever interview or publish anyone who wrote about the abuse of Dr. Opal Reddin at the hands of Tom Trask at the National AG Convention? Of course not! They can’t say they never received any such articles, as I sent them to them myself. Think things will now go better with the new General Superintendent George Wood? Think again! He has already made a published statement that he will not even entertain any opposing views of Rick Warren’s teachings, in spite of Opal Reddin’s own personal appeal which he stiffed! Not satisfied by refusing to air an opposing view, he attacks them personally! Once and for all, let the AG party line reign supreme and false teachers abound. Let all still small voices in the wilderness be silenced. Let all opposition be vanquished! The AG has also been confronted repeatedly for promoting the false teachings of Rick Warren. To date no repentance…only retaliation!

    Thomas Trask should be worried about Christ’s return for he will face the Lord Himself who may confront him with these Scriptures:

    “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” Proverbs 17:15

    &

    “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Lev. 19:15).

    And if Tom Trask or George Wood were to per chance ask the Lord where their seats are located is at the Wedding Supper at the Lamb, Mr. Trask and Mr. Wood should wonder if the Lord will say to them: “Well I had seats for you, but I have now given them to for AG Pastor Albert Anderson and former NY AG District Superintendent Saied Adour.” [No offense intended to the host of other noble brothers and sisters defiled and destroyed by these men in the Assemblies of God.]

    Pro 22:1 A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.

    Ecc 7:1 A good name [is] better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

    Pro 18:19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.

    Pro 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.

    Pro 28:10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession.

    *****
    Pro 24:23¶These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

    Pro 24:24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

    Pro 24:25But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

    ***

    Zec 11:17Woe to the idol [some translations render “worthless”] shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword [shall be] upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

    But thank God for Albert & Aimee Anderson, an AG pastor for nearly a half a century, for publishing WHITE COLLAR CRIME IN THE CHURCH, their just released new book which will help cast down the strongholds of the leadership in the Assemblies of God and expose their nefarious deeds of darkness, once and for all to see. It is available at:

    http://www.airleaf.com/synopsis.asp?bookid=624&order=

    But the NW District is also promoting Dale Pollard as a feature speaker who promotes Emerging Church October 5, 2007 – Presenter: Dr. Dale Pollard. Dale will share on the connection between counseling & spiritual formation, the topic of his doctoral project. Brian McLaren – http://www.anewkindofchristian.com

    In 2008 they are featuring Dr. Kent Mankins another major promoter of personality temperament divination and a host of other psychoheresies.

    Note right on his website he does not even hide the fact that he is using Myers-Briggs…which is universally known to be Carl Jung occultism which he obtained from one of his spirit-guides…a demon he called Philemon. See Chapter 11 of my book which discuss Jung in Rick Warren’s (SHAPE)…also promoted by the AOG

    And thank for Philip Powell and his CETF Contending Earnestly for The Faith Magazine for their due diligence and persistence in posting the extensive false teachings and corruption in the Assemblies of God from their global ministry in Australia..month after month.

    Kindest regards in Christ,

    James Sundquist
    Director
    Rock Salt Publishing

  28. Not Avi Victor Mordecai

    I am not sure who knows the correct ,, absolutely correct interpretation of the Bible except perhaps the Messiah himself.
    That is why I think we should be careful in condemning all those with whom we disagree as heretics destined to Hellfire.

    James Sundquist does this repeatedly, he condemns Islam and Roman Catholics as condemned for example. (How many billion people is that, and they both recognize Jesus Iesa as Messiah).

    “for in what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and in what measure ye measure, it shall be measured to you.”
    MAT 7:2

    If James Sundquist does not have a perfect understanding of Christ’s role in the creation, as many of us no doubt do not, then may he be judged measure for measure as he has judged others,

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