This was a comment that I felt had to be seen by all.
George O. Wood
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
August 10, 2007 10:15 PM
Saturday, August 11, 2007
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35 comments:
Encouraging words. Thanks for posting this for all to see. I for one look forward to working underneath Dr. Wood.
I want to say "congratulations" to Dr. Wood to show my respect and admiration... but more importantly I want to let him know that my prayers are with him and the entire GP. While this election is a statement of recognition of honor where honor is due, it is simultaneously a burden of responsibility that the Lord has chosen to place on him.
Whether we recognize it or not, this blog was a groundbreaking moment in the AG that, should Jesus wait long enough for His return, history books will record as a defining moment. It does not matter if it influenced the vote. What matters is that we have recognized the power of communication, collaboration and critique afforded us by the modern tools of technology. We are responsible for how we use it. Like every issue today, stewardship will be the challenge.
Let's use it... but use it wisely.
Congratulations to George Wood and Alton Garrison. I agree with what "anonymous" said concerning stereotypes and our newly elected officials. Both have the wisdom we need from their generation but they are also progressive in their thinking. I think it's a positive step for the A/G and it gives me hope for the movement.
I believe that God has given us man after His heart. I appreciate the experience that Dr Wood will bring to our movement but more importantly that He will be a spiritual man who will lead with the heart of Christ.
I love this fellowship and all that it repreents- My prayer is that we will have a visitation from God. All of our programs, new ideas and Kind words to each other will never produce the Life of Christ in His people.
I believe that we are the Last Days Bride- He is coming for a church whose lamps are trimmed and burning. I pray we do not miss this moment in God's providence.
You certainly have my prayers and faithful support. I am a missionary that loves the place God has called me to while maintaining a deep love for America and all the great churches that support our work! It burns within me to see a move of God- void of the emotionalism, void of the false teachings, void of all the programs, etc. Just a family of Churches that love Christ, living in the power of the Spirit and with a heart to minister Christ to the hurting.
Is it too much to ask for a Christ centered move of God? If I read the Word correctly it is in our Father's heart to grant it -if there will just be men and women who Believe Him to do it-and then cease trying to manufacture something from our own hand.
Dr. Wood the challenges that lay before you are great-there really is no way you can accomplish the task- but if a man in your position would believe God, I know God will will undertake for you and do a mighty work!
Again, my prayers are with you!
Dear Dr. Wood,
Is it disrespectful of my new GS to say "you rock!"?
As I drove a friend to the Indy airport this morning, we both were marveling at yesterday's business. It is not overstating the matter at all to say that it may have been the most significant day in the history of our movement.
I speak for myself, but I believe that I reflect the heart of many of us, when I say that I feel the wind of revival blowing in our fellowship. I praise the Lord for the leadership that has preceded you and that has laid the foundation for revival. But God has clearly anointed and appointed you and the rest of your executive team for such an hour as this. You have my love, my loyalty, my prayers, and my best efforts.
Finally, thank you for taking time from the beginning to acknowledge all of us in the blogosphere. Our methods of communication and interaction may be non-traditional, but I pray that you have read the words of your brothers and sisters to see that our hearts beat in unison for the work of the Lord and the mission of the Assemblies of God.
Blessings,
David W Barnett
P.S. If I ever take a pastorate, will you come speak at my church?
Dr. Wood, Dr. Garrison, my husband Larry and I are so blessed and so incredibly proud to have you as our A/G general and assistant superintendent respectively. We thank God for both of you and the leadership you have shown in the past in our fellowship and we know that under your capable and integral leadership,the best is yet to come. Thank you for being willing to serve. Our prayers and support are with you for the days ahead.
Is it just me or is the "news" on the AG site less sanitized than you've ever seen it before? Previously it made the press of the Republic of Chinese appear tame. Kudos to George for implementing measures where diversity in opinions is encouraged! Dang, I'm encouraged.
Many blessings to you...I look forward to a new outpouring and a fresh move of the spirit very soon!
Thank you for accepting such an incredible task!
Hi Brother Wood! Thanks for sharing your heart with us. I'll be praying for you!
Dr. Wood, please know that you are not the problem and I believe you will help bring about the solution.
Be Blessed...
Congrats Dr. Wood,
We will be praying with you for your leadership and vision. There certainly seems to be a sense of urgency of change in the air as I spoke to many at GC, this is exciting! God has chosen you to lead us into the next era of the Assemblies of God. May he give you great wisdom, faith and courage.
Dr.Wood,
By writing to us young AG folks through this blog you have honored us.
This truly shows your commitment to reach out for those of us that were pretty upset with the fact that some resolutions we deeply cared about were voted down.
We pledge our sweat and prayers to make this movement strong.
Thank you!
wow, thanks for doing this Dr. Wood. I must say I am impressed. You have instantly won me over with your post and I say to you that yes, we are all on the same team and you have my loyalty. Togather we really can make a difference.
Congratulations!!
And i would not take that humourous comment from the floor about the lack of testosterone in the GP and EP personally.
NW District is with you!
CRAIG
Kudos to Zollie (rhymes with Dollie) Smith!! He’ll be a great addition to the TEAM. It’s exciting to have a GS with an undergraduate degree from a liberal arts college and advanced degrees in fields other than theology. Since “complex organizations fail in complex ways” (and succeed as well)—it is important to have someone crafting and adjusting systems who has adequate “mental models” for the task. This in fact appears to be a major task of the new administration—how to bridge the gap between those with a “learning organization” mentality and those who view life through rather “primitive and simplistic” mindsets. Much of the discussion on the floor (regarding women and younger pastors) was illustrative of this gap in my mind! Any chance the new TEAM would appoint Paul and others to a new communication post—AgblogDialogue? Dave Gable would also be a bright, available person to tap to craft new systems that empower dialogue and innovation.
The common we that is represented in this blog is a group of AG people who care deeply for the future of this movement as well as the culture and generations that we want to see reached and discipled to impact our local community, our country, and our world.
This blog has created a family atmosphere in which we can discuss issues, disagree, learn from each other, and share concerns. I've watched as people have been open with hurts, fears, and discouragement. I've watched as people have offered hope, acceptance, and encouragement.
People want to find meaning and belonging within their community. This forum has proven to be a venue for that to occur. Even by being able to be anonymous, people have had freedom to express themselves when they probably wouldn't have dared in other settings. Yet if one person ventures to share a concern, it is most likely that that one person represents many with the same uneasiness or apprehensions.
To some it may feel a little unsettling or uncomfortable to see and hear the disquiet. But we can't fix what we can't see. We can't understand the silence or what is left unspoken. When it is all thrown out onto the table we can begin to assimilate and build, almost like working a puzzle!
Dr. Wood, thank you for joining with us and sharing your heart. We don't expect you and the team to go it alone. We are here because we care. And because we care, you and the leadership team will be encouraged, supported, and prayed for as the headship that God has allowed to be brought into place for such a time as this.
Pam
Dr. Wood,
With all due to respect, it seems to me that this Council rather forcefully shut down forward progress in pretty much every form that presented itself.
For me, that paints a discouraging picture of our future. We once had the courage to innovate, change and adapt. Certainly there were tiny steps of change at this Council, but over-all they seem too little, too late to even address the issues of 10 years ago, let alone create adaptive methodologies for our tomorrows.
I love this church, but after this Council, it seems to me that the dark message is, "innovation is not very welcome here", and "we are too proud of our past to adequately offer hope to the needs of the future".
As so it seems that I often love this church as someone loves a self destructive friend- you cannot turn away, but neither can you help because help is not accepted.
There may be hope in an all-new leadership team. I try to comfort myself in the inevitable nature of the change that a new team represents. And the appointment of Zollie Smith, along with what he had to say about taking over our culture and winning lost people to Jesus, these things give me glimmers of hope.
And I will continue to pray for you as our leader, asking our God and Father to give you wisdom to help remove the obstacles that keep us as a movement from effectively reaching our culture and prevailing once again in our day. May God grant you His guidance, and may you find the courage to follow it, even in the newly established culture-of-resistance-to-change that seemed to have created itself at this Council.
Gerry Stoltzfoos
(Gerry@FreedomValley.org)
www.freedomvalley.org
Gettysburg, PA.
FutureAGers:
Where do we go from here?
Steve Smallwood
Bro. Wood,
Congratulations!
Your rise to leadership in the short few weeks leading to GC was amazing to watch. The term "reluctant leader" was used many times throughout this blog in describing the ideal superintendent - and I don't believe there could be a better term to describe you. You made no "plays" for the position... it was truly led by God's hand. Your words upon acceptance were powerful, and how reassuring it was to hear you say that you approach the task with "fear and trembling". Your wife only echoed those sentiments by affirming that you both feel that you are "here to serve" the fellowship. God bless you and your family as you begin this new phase of life.
I truly believe that your role is far more than being an "interim" or "bridging the gap". You have been chosen to do great things for the fellowship we are all so passionate about. You have shown me that our beliefs rise far above "the culture" that is so often discussed. This "culture" wants nothing more than for someone to be real to them. That definition of reality would exclude a stuffed-shirt preacher, but it would also exclude a pastor who tries to don the clothes of today's youth while sipping coffee and acting [substantially] younger than he is!
Yours is an attitude that reaches old and young, because it is who you are. It is not a "leadership style", it is not a "method", it is not an "approach". It is who you are, and it is truly a breath of fresh air.
And for those who despise the thought of our beliefs being watered down for future generations, you MUST listen to the sermon Bro. Wood gave at Central Assembly's 100th anniversary about "passing on a full bucket" to future generations:
http://centralassembly.podbean.com
/2007/06/01/100th-anniversary-ban
quet-dr-george-wood/
I must say I had mixed emotions about the elections as they were unfolding. I am excited to hear these words knowing that one of the greatest issues we face in the assemblies is a generational gap, and I must admit both generations have a part to play in bridging this gap.
I'm very proud of my dad. I'm also very proud of the five guys who got this blog started in the first place, as well as those of you have taken time to write on this site. The Wednesday lunch was a fabulous event, I made some new friends, and I look forward to the ongoing conversation over the next few years. As younger ministers, let's give the new executive team our prayers, support, and suggestions. And let's also remain open to learning from their wisdom and experience.
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 exectuive 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 im 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 teamm 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
To Dr. Wood and Dr. Garrison (I think he's a Dr:)
Congratulations to you both on your elections to these offices!
Thank you also for hearing the heart of so many younger men and women in our fellowship! Your post has encouraged me also...I didn't grow up AG, but came to this group after years of working in independent churches...and all we all want is for this fellowship to BE the catalyst for revival and renewal and even the next Great Awakening! May God give you both the grace and mercy to guide the ship in HIS direction...
While I'm too old to be embraced by the younger crowd, and too young to fit in with the old, I pray that God will speak to some of these younger pastors and "old men", that maybe we could get to the table...invite each other into each others churches...do more than have lunch; let's have some prayer and intercession together that will destroy any and all divide, so we can be united to destroy the devils kingdom and bring Jesus' Kingdom to come and His will to be done on this earth like it is in heaven...
I'm not going to be anonymous...
David Copeland, Evangelist
Revival Now Ministries
Lanett, Alabama
Dr. Wood, my heart rejoices over your election, and that of the others on the executive team--especially Bro. Zollie Smith!
I expect all of the clergywomen of the Assemblies of God are rejoicing in this moment. We love you, Brother Wood!
At 57, I am not young. But I like to think I am young at heart, and I am struggling with some of the same issues of how to do church today that many of our younger pastors are talking about--my heart beats with the younger ministers of the AG! I just look old on the outside. Hey, even Bro. Trask called me "young lady" during the business session. That discussion from the floor had me angry, frustrated, and hopeful by turns. IMHO, you are also one who is no longer "young" but understands and is not stuck in old ways of thinking or acting. I believe the will of the Lord was done in these elections, and you have my prayers and enthusiastic support.
hmm, the comment about "sanitized" news on the A/G site, is that person referring to the council today stories? i'd love to have a deeper chat with that person (who left his/her comment anonymously) because i've worked oun the council today since 1993; intrigued to hear feedback if this year's coverage genuinely felt different.
and dr wood was a god-directed choice. anyone who's pastored in southern california brings a fresh, diverse perspective to the table, in my book.
Congratulations Dr. Wood, my heart leaps with expectency when I see you in the GS role and speaking through this blog.
To me one of the most encouraging things is Dr. Wood's encouragement of this forum for dialogue. What a contrast from the era that quashed the journal, "Agora."
Please forgive me for my initial disappointment, it was clearly misplaced.
My prayers are definitely with you.
Dear Dr. George WOOD
It is indeed with great joy we have heard of your election as the new General Superintendent of U.S.A General Council of the Assemblies of God.
We are also glad that you have humbly accepted to carry out this heavy responsibility. Your patience, self-control and calmness shown all through this election process have revealed to us, your confidence and trust in God, showing to us a high degree of maturity that certain Christian leaders are lacking nowadays.
Do please be assured, that the sister General Council of the assemblies of God of Burkina Faso; that still remembers your historical visit and blessed ministry during our 75th Anniversary celebration in March 1996, will faithfully assure you its continual prayer support.
May the One who has set you up, in that great position, enable you to carry it out successfully for the Glory of His Name.
Fraternally yours in Him
Pastor Pawentaore OUEDRAOGO General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Burkina Faso
Chairman of WAGRA
On the lighter side ... now that all is said and done, here's something that made the rounds at Headquarters prior to Council (edited a bit). The voting delegates obviously made the right choice! :)
TOP 5 SIGNS YOU'VE ELECTED A BAD GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT
5. First order of business: Change Headquarters color back to blue
4. National Prayer Center phone calls outsourced to India
3. Insists on being transported in an electric-powered “SupeMobile”
2. Pushes to consolidate Spanish-speaking districts into a single district, “Señor Adult Ministries”
1. Hobby: Dogfighting
A lawyer from California! That is incredibly diverse!
Just getting caught up on the dialogue after the weekend. Let me also offer my congratulations to Dr. Wodd for his early influence. Since his posting a couple of days ago, an honest dialogue about what it is going to take for the AG to reposition itself for a thriving future was completely stifled and replaced by a long series of postings praising our new GS. The mandate to fall back in line was heard loud and clear...
"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!"
That's impressive. If leadership is measured by influence on this sight, we have our man.
Stifled? Wow, Anonymous, that is a rather unpleasant way to characterize comments of congratulations. There is a time for everything. Some courteous or even complimentary comments upon Wood's election certainly don't mean we all are suddenly falling in lock step! To imply this is fairly insulting, in my opinion.
Congratulations Dr Wood. Thank you for posting on this blog. In my opinion, it is another step in building the bridge.
In May of 1984, we first meet at your church. You have always been a role model to me.
Thank you for challenging Pastor Barnett to go to L.A.
I am excited to see what God has next for our fellowship. You and your team are in my prayers. God bless
I am disappointed about the electoral process at the GC; also the over abundance of opinions of this blog being influential is borderline arrogance.
I am uncertain that a majority can declare or discover sovereignty. No where in the scriptures was voting a valid decision making tool. We elect top officers with less information than is available for the EP's. Perhaps we should do as the disciples and cast lots.
Expression is key, but substance is better. I do not want to devalue this tool, but to say it is revolutionary is a bit ambitious. The conversation has been occurring for many years; the internet generation has just now got into it. Welcome! It's about time you got involved. Now maybe you will show up at the sectional meetings, district councils and the GC.
Your blog is a good starting point, but nothing can replace a warm body and a sharp mind in synergistic conversation.
Anonymous, you say "it's about time you got involved." How did you come to the determination that the participants on this blog were previously uninvolved? If you read even a few of these posts, you'll discover these are some of the most dedicated, highly involved people in our Fellowship. They are absolutely committed to making a difference for the sake of the Kingdom. If sectional meetings, etc. could have accomplished it all, there would be little need for blogs like this. "The internet generation has just now got into" the conversation? Wrong. They've been conversing all along ... but, have you been listening?
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