You also have a valid point, but unfortunately its little more than a strawman. I’d like to believe you are being sincere in your assertions but given what we know, its more like some very duplictious doublespeak is going on.

You asked what appears to be sincere questions about why we cant help do something for helpless people? I have asked you to survey this site and look at the cries of people in COGIC whom Bishop Blake has repeatedly ignored. In return for their pain and suffering they have received “official statements” or either cold silence. Why is he trying to save the world but ignoring those in his own sheepfold? You asked for truthfulness, so dont dodge questions and act as if it doesnt exist.

You are now seeming to downplay this whole affair as nothing but a few minutes of handshakes and loose chatter. But in the video, Bishop Blake heralded this as an “international epock” and a opportunity to kill the foes of tolerance and bigotry. Clearly, he did not view this as some backyard bbq in Lubbock TX.

What people are looking for is honesty. And so far they are getting is spin and damage control.

I understand where you are coming from. There are some isolated cases in scripture where associations with the unsaved were required to accomplish Godly plans. But I think we need to take caution when we make exceptions the rule.

I agree with Pastor Moore here. We cannot co-opt or remix the gospel to be a social gospel–although such purposes may appear morally to be the right thing to do for the world. It is the spirit of the man that needs to be saved; this is what Jesus came for–not his wallet, house, belly, or etc…I think, such community work is fine–but it is always problematic when it obscures your primary purpose which is to be a light in the world and to be set apart from darkness.

I would like to echo K.P. Kohanann who is one of the leaders in world missions in Asia. in his book, he talked about how he spent his first years in India which is largely Hinduistic, trying to win people to Christ by providing all these social services. They had all the food drives. They taught English to the children and tended to the sick. But he noticed that no one was getting saved; all the work and money was doing nothing. But the Lord came to him and told him this was the wrong way; just get in the streets and preach the gospel. He felt it was crazy at first. But it worked. Hundreds were coming to Christ because of God’s method which is “foolishness to the unbeliever, but power to the saving of the soul for those who believe.”

If you are saying that the human rights agreement that COGIC with other world leaders does not mean they will actually work or co-labor together; then , why would they even muster the effort to pull together such a document or meeting?

My fear is not for what action or efforts may result in the future with possibly COGIC lending a hand to interfaith projects. My fear is around what inaction or silence may result on the behalf of COGIC in the future–such documents often do well in muffling potential dissent. And when we need to “cry aloud and spare not” as a church against what’s going on in the world, we do not need to be restricted by agreements or alliances we have made casually in the past.

Blessing to you!