Independent by Design, Cooperative by Choice: Yearbook and Registration
By Carl Stagner
It’s not a census. It’s not Social Security. It has nothing to do with the title on your car, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’ve just signed a creed, signed up for selective service, or directed shoppers to buy pink onesies for your newborn. It has been said that we Church of God congregations function independently by design, but cooperatively by choice. That means that we don’t have to work together, but we choose to cooperate to further the kingdom of God. We know we can’t do it alone. Yet we don’t know very much about ourselves if ministers and churches overlook the need for annual registration—registration that has historically helped Church of God Ministries produce a Yearbook.
Stewardship of our resources is important to us. That’s why we’re focusing our efforts on encouraging churches and ministers to complete their annual registration online through our new CHOG 24/7 (www.chog24-7.org). The process has been simplified, upgraded, and made more intuitive.
Like having an Amazon.com account, your CHOG 24/7 account allows you to stay connected with the Church of God. It also enables you to keep your information up-to-date. Like an Amazon.com account, you now have access to your information at any time, from any location. No more waiting. Just login, create an account, edit your information as needed, and you’re good to go for 365 days. It’s that simple.
We sincerely appreciate your patience during this transition time between the old registration process and the new. Thank you for waiting as we re-envision the production of the Yearbook to better serve your needs in a fast-paced, mobile society. Many use the Yearbook to connect with pastors and churches across the country. Some take the Yearbook with them on vacation and, based on where they lodge on a given Saturday night, they crack open a Yearbook to find a local Church of God congregation to visit. We’ve got good news! For those who register, you’ll not need to wait for a printed version to arrive in the mail. The Yearbook will now have an app and digital version that you can access from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. For those who still prefer the hardcopy, you’ll have the chance to place your order for the next printed Yearbook, slated to be shipped in early January 2016.
So affirm your affiliation with the Church of God you know and love. Re-establish your connection with the movement. We’ve made it easier than ever, and we value your time. Take a few moments to complete this somewhat dry, but important task. Then get back to preaching the gospel, setting the captive free, and transforming your community one soul at a time.
For a complete, step-by-step guide to annual church and minister registration, visit www.jesusisthesubject.org/yearbook-update.
