Q. Where can I find more information about the Church of God?
A. More information can be obtained regarding the Church of God, by visiting the following websites:
National Association of the Church of God
General Assembly of the Church of God in Michigan
Q. What does the cross and circles mean or represent in the Metropolitan COG logo?
A. This is not just a logo. It is the face of our Vision. It reminds us that in order for us to accomplish what God has called us to do, we must be committed to www.chog.org, to Fellowship, and to Service.
Q. Metropolitan has given out over 2,100 boxes of free groceries, when is the next Food 4 Families?
A. We give a week's worth of free groceries to 300-400 families periodically. The frequency and dates change often. Open registration, however, is always announced initially through the sign on our church lawn.
Q: Are you charismatic? Are you Pentecostal?
A: Yes! and No! We are charismatic if by that you mean that persons and churches are empowered by the Spirit for the edification of the church on mission in the world. Yes, we are Pentecostal if by the term you mean that the Holy Spirit was given to the early church and continues to come, empower, and call the church to servant ministries. No, if you mean by charismatic or Pentecostal an emphasis on speaking in tongues as "the" sign of a Spirit-filled life, as oppose to the fruit of the Spirit or other evidences of the baptizing work of the Holy Ghost. Moreover, we are a Holy Spirit guided, kept, and sealed congregation.
Q: Do you believe persons have to be baptized in the Church of God in order to go to heaven?
A: No. Baptism is a first step in the life of the Christian convert. When a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, it is expected that the person will take the first step of following Jesus Christ in baptism (Mark 1); however, believers who have been baptized in other church groups will find their baptisms honored. Persons who have been baptized as infants are encouraged to appreciate the act of faith on the part of their parents and to witness to their own decision for Christ through believer's baptism. We rejoice in the provision of God for the salvation and eternal life of persons whom we shall never know, persons who are active in hundreds of other Christian groups. It will be a joy to get acquainted with all those persons in heaven!
Q: Do you believe in divine healing?
A: Yes. We believe that, in a broader sense, all healing is divine. Thus we encourage consultation with medical professionals in matters of physical health and with other professionals in matters of emotional and relational problems. We believe these professionals can be used by God to bring health to ill and injured persons.
In addition to the healing that comes through natural processes and the informed use of medication and surgery, we believe that at times God directly intervenes in the life of individuals to initiate and complete healing. We put into practice James' instructions to the young church: "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord" (James 5:14, niv).
We do not demand of God or arrogantly instruct him about the way healing should take place. We submit our petition and await his gracious action in our lives and in the lives of those whom we love. We do not believe that everyone is healed in the way that we would expect and hope, or even that it is best for everyone to be healed. In praying for healing, we enter into a trust relationship with God; we trust that he will do the best thing for his kingdom and our lives. We believe he knows what is best, even though, for the moment, we may not be able to comprehend it (Job 9:10; Psalm 145:3).
Q: What do you teach about Jesus' second coming?
A: We believe that Jesus will come again, but we have no idea about the date and time (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32–37). Our eschatology (knowledge or study of last things) emphasizes that when Jesus comes to receive his bride, the church, all things of this world will end, and those who have believed on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will go with him to live eternally. Our view of the kingdom of God is that it is a present reality. We believe that when Jesus came to earth, he launched his kingdom (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; Luke 17:20–26), and his kingdom is in the hearts of men and women who give him their allegiance.
We are aware of the diligent study by many premillennial scholars and the optimism of postmillennial Christians; however, we are amillennial. In our study of the Bible, we do not discover any teaching about an earthly reign of Christ in a governmental or military sense. Scriptures speak of last things in figurative language (Revelation 20), and we believe they often refer to spiritual rather than temporal realities. We, for the most part, find little doctrinal compatibility with groups who see the establishment and success of the nation of Israel as essential to God's plan (Romans 2:28–29; Galatians 3:26–28). Teachings which give attention to repeatedly setting dates for the expected return of Christ, to observing natural and other phenomena as indications of the imminent appearance of Christ, and to identifying contemporary historical personages as embodiments of the anti-Christ are likewise foreign to our understanding of Scripture. With persons who feel strongly about these points of view, we agree to disagree and explore other ways of experiencing and expressing our oneness in Christ.
We work and pray for Christ's coming (Revelation 22:20–21). The principal task of Christians, we feel, is to be involved in God's redemptive plan—sharing the gospel rather than speculating about the nature and timing of last things. Most Church of God congregations accept a range of opinions and beliefs on last things.
Q: How big is the Church of God?
A: In the United States and Canada, we have about 2,300 congregations and more than 250,000 persons who attend the worship services of those local churches on a typical Sunday. Although the Church of God was pioneered in the United States, the number of persons who are associated with the Church of God in other countries surpassed the number of those in the United States and Canada in 1983. The church is growing at a vigorous pace in the southern Africa and Asia/Pacific regions and in Latin America. In addition, strong evangelistic programs are resulting in new congregations being planted in strategic locations throughout North America and in a variety of international locations. By the year 2025, the Church of God plans to more than double the number of its congregations and constituents within the United States, Canada, and around the world.