Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the Church of God of Prophecy Consortium PASTORAL TRACK Syllabus History & Polity of the Church of God of Prophecy MC601M Hempstead, New York January 26-29, 2012 Professor Héctor Ortiz, D. Min. 1
GORDON-CONWELL/COGOP CONSORTIUM Hempstead, New York January 26-29, 2012 History & Polity of the COGOP MC601M Professor: Héctor Ortiz, D. Min. Telephone: 281-685-3407 E-mail: hortiz@cogop.org Course Description This course will focus on the roots and identity of the Church of God of Prophecy and its government and polity. In order to accomplish the objectives of the course, an in-depth examination of the history of the COGOP from its inception will be undertaken. In writing about history, Geoffrey Elton states, The purpose of history is to understand the past, and if the past is to be understood it must be given full respect in its own right (R.J. Evans, 1999:197). The biblical text tells us one of the primary reasons of history is These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come (1 Cor 10:11 NIV). This course will honor the past, review the present, and project into the future. Course Objectives The objectives of this course include the following: 1. Review the era, leadership style, and history of the COGOP founder, A. J. Tomlinson. 2. Review the historical development of the identity of the COGOP. 3. Review the historical successes, accidents, and ill advice theology. 4. Trace the periods of maintenance, transition, and the new paradigm. Course Competencies 1. The student will have a good grasp on the roots of the Church of God of Prophecy. 2. The course will enable the student to understand and clarify the historical accidents that took place. 3. The review of historical events within the phase of maintenance and the dynamics of transition will give the student a posture to engage the future in the COGOP. 2
Required Texts Required texts for this course are listed below with indication as to when certain books will be available. The design of this course is that some required books will be immediately available while others will come on line as the White Wing Publishing House makes them available. The reason for this is that some of our historical books have been out of print for many years and the Center for Biblical Leadership is working in conjunction with the Publishing House to reformat these books. All the books are in English, and those who may not do well with English need to secure someone to assist them with the texts. The following books should be ordered from the office of the presiding bishop, Bishop Rahadames Matos. Students should contact Bishop Matos for price and payment. Section A The following books can be obtained from Bishop Matos as of September 1, 2011: 1. Varlack, Adrian, Sr. Foundations: Church of God of Prophecy Concise History, Polity, Doctrine, and Future. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 2010. ISBN 978-1- 889505-77-0. 2. General Assembly Minutes: 1906-1914; Photographic Reproductions of the First Ten General Assembly Minutes. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 1992. No ISBN number; Item number 6004. 3. Spurling, R. G. The Lost Link. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 1920. ISBN 1-889505-48-x Section B The second set of books will be available through Bishop Matos office by December 1, 2011. 4. Tomlinson, A. J. The Last Great Conflict. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 1984. ISBN 978-1-889505-82-4. 5. Tomlinson, A. J. Compilation of Annual Addresses, edited by Dr. Hector Ortiz and Adrian Varlack, Sr. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 2011. Note: These five books must be read before class. Section C This third set of books will be available through Bishop Matos by February 1, 2012. 6. Tomlinson, A. J. God s Pioneer. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 2012. ISBN 978-1-889505-83-1. 7. Tomlinson, M. A., and Billy D. Murray. Compilation of Annual Addresses, Edited by Dr. Hector Ortiz and Adrian Varlack. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 2012. Note: These two books must be read as part of the post residency work. 3
Methodology (Course Requirements) 1. Attendance and participation are mandatory. 2. The five books in sections one and two must be read before the first day of class. 3. Book Reviews Each student is to provide a two-page review of Adrian Varlack s book and a two-page review of The Last Great Conflict by A. J. Tomlinson. These reviews are to be turned in on the first day of class. 4. Final paper: The final paper is a historical analysis paper, not a sermon nor a testimony. It should be eight (8) pages excluding the front page, outline page, end notes and bibliography. The final paper should be double-spaced and can be written in English or Spanish. It should contain no less than 15 references. The theme for the final paper will have to be approved by the professor. 5. Transmission of Final Paper: The final paper should be sent by e-mail to Dr. Hector Ortiz, hortiz@cogop.org and to kosborn@cogop.org. The due date for the final paper is April 1, 2012. DUE DATE FOR FINAL PAPER April 1, 2012 Important Information Academic Honesty Students are on their honor to complete assignments with integrity. This means that all written assignments are to reflect the student s own work and to be submitted for credit only in this course. Relative to the entire course of study, it must be stressed that cheating and plagiarism (using the intellectual property [works] of others without proper citation credit, giving the impression that it is the student s own work) are not acceptable. Student Responsibility The syllabus is being sent well in advance of the class. Students have plenty of time to obtain their books and complete the reading assignments and the book reviews that are due upon arrival the first day of class. Those who do not complete these assignments and turn them in by the due date will receive a ½ grade reduction in their final grade. If both the reading assignments and the book reviews are late, it will result in a full letter-grade reduction. 4
Intensive/Residence January 26-29, 2012 1. Participation in class discussions relative to the professor s lectures is expected. 2. During the residency period, some historical films will be shown. 3. In order to facilitate discussion, we will use focus groups. Each focus group will analyze certain aspects of leadership connected to the film and readings. Also, each focus group will report their views in order to deal with the critical aspect of class material. Grading Required Reading 15% Critical Book Review 30% Focus Group Presentation & Attendance 15% Final Paper 40% Remember: Final Paper due date is April 1, 2012. 5
History & Polity of the COCOP MC601M Class Schedule January 26, 2012 10:00 a.m. Devotion 10:15 Orientation/Class Registration 10:45 Class Introduction 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:30 Class A. J. Tomlinson Era 2:45 Recess 3:00 Class A. J. Tomlinson Era (continue) 5:00 Dinner 6:30 Beginning of Pentecostal Movement 8:00 Dismissal January 27, 2012 9:30 a.m. Devotion 9:45 Class A. J. Tomlinson Era 10:45 Recess 11:00 Class A. J. Tomlinson Era (continue) 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:30 Class The Schism 2:45 Recess 3:00 Class Recovery/Later Work 5:00 Dinner 6:30 Class A. J. Tomlinson, Final Days 8:00 Dismissal January 28, 2012 9:30 a.m. Devotion 9:45 Class M. A. Tomlinson Era 10:45 Recess 11:00 Class M. A. Tomlinson Era (continue) 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:30 Class Maintenance 2:45 Recess 6
January 28, 2012 (continued) 3:00 Class Maintenance (continue) 5:00 Dinner 6:30 Class Maintenance (continue) 8:00 Dismissal January 29, 2012 9:00 a.m. Devotion 9:15 Class Billy D. Murray Era 10:30 Recess 11:00 Class Transition 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:30 Class Transition (continue) 2:45 Recess 3:00 Class Doctrinal Adjustments 5:00 Snack 5:45 Final Class Session Polity 7:45 Dismissal 7
Reference Bibliography (Selective) General Assembly Minutes: 1906-1914; Photographic Reproductions of the First Ten General Assembly Minutes. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 1992. Davidson, C.T. Upon this Rock, 3 Volumes. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House & Press, 1973. Duggar, Lillie. A. J. Tomlinson: Former General Overseer of the Church of God. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 1964. Preston, Daniel D. The Era of A. J. Tomlinson. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House & Press, 1984. Robins, R. G. A. J. Tomlinson: Plainfolk Modernist. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2004. Pruitt, Raymond M. Fundamentals of the Faith. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 1981. Spurling, R. G. The Lost Link. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 1920. ISBN 1-889505-48-x Stone, James. The Church of God of Prophecy: History & Polity. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House & Press, 1977. Tomlinson, A. J. Compilation of Annual Addresses, edited by Dr. Hector Ortiz and Adrian Varlack, Sr. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 2011.. Diary of A. J. Tomlinson, Homer Tomlinson. Queens Village, NY: Church of God World Headquarters, 1949.. God s Pioneer. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 2012. ISBN 978-1- 889505-83-1.. The Last Great Conflict. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 1984. ISBN 978-1-889505-82-4. Tomlinson, M. A. The Glorious Church of God. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House & Press, 1968. Tomlinson, M. A., and Billy D. Murray. Compilation of Annual Addresses, Edited by Dr. Hector Ortiz and Adrian Varlack. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 2012. 8
Varlack, Adrian, Sr. Foundations: Church of God of Prophecy Concise History, Polity, Doctrine, and Future. Cleveland, TN: White Wing Publishing House, 2010. 9