COGL 2022 Re-Emerging Statement
A message from the COGL Board
We are aware that in the past couple of years there were some social media posts that caused a lot of damage and division within our community. Though COGL network was not the acting party of the posts, COGL was implicated, and many assumed that these posts represented the views and positions of the network. They did not.
We are very sorry for the negative impact these posts have had and the way in which they have caused great offense to valuable members of our community and harmed the work of unity, in the Body of Christ.
THIS IS COGL
We exist to bring people together to see our city transformed by Jesus Christ. Our energy and focus are given to Christian unity.
Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through 0all and in all.
We pray for and bless ALL people, and ALL of those in authority.
We don't promote a political platform or party. We are a nonpartisan organization.
1 Timothy 2: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
We seek the peace and prosperity of our city and ALL people who dwell in it.
Jeremiah 29: 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
All believers are one in Christ, and every human soul is created in the image of God the Creator. We denounce and reject all forms and practices of hate and oppression, such as racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, classism, and the like.
Galatians 3: 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
We support and encourage Christian leaders of all backgrounds callings/passions, and spheres of influence. Those who love our city extravagantly and those who inspire us all to grow are the true change-agents that transform our city.
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Our aim is to serve our city and the people who live here in the most effective ways possible. We seek not to make COGL’s name great, but to see Jesus’ name made great, both in and through His people.
Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant.
We posture ourselves to listen, love, respect and value all people, even when our opinions may differ, especially on issues of culture, doctrine and politics.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
We promote the value and seek to protect the lives of all people from the womb to the tomb. Like Jesus, we intentionally engage to defend the vulnerable and disenfranchised.
I Corinthians 12:24 But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.