Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI, Garner Next???

[DAII]

The recent list published in the Forward of pastors and ministers dropping from the fellowship includes:

Mark Johnston
Vince Larson

Johnston who preached a stirring message at GC in 2007 and was subsequently the target of a General Board member's (Chester Wright's) letter to then Bishop Haney ... alluding to MJ being an emergent.

The Motown boys are on the move.

***** Jeff Garner MAY BE in the process of dropping out *** will this be official in the coming days ????

[pelathais]

It's sad to see that the UPCI is still guided by the angriest and most intemperate voices.

... of course, the second name you listed seems to have pretty much shown himself out the door a little while back.

[deacon blues]

The last BOTT I attended MJ preached a fine message about Jesus. In fact I was beginning to regret attending the conference until that message. I knew God sent me there to specifically hear that Word from the Lord. I was dumbstruck that people were offended at the message. The sermon basically said that Jesus was what this is all about. That people "would see Jesus". That the only people who got in the way of people who wanted to see Jesus were the Pharisees. MJ preached if we want people to see Jesus we have to fight against a Pharisee spirit. I was in complete agreement. I was convicted to fight the Pharisee in me. I believe all people of faith have the potential to become religious, self-righteous, steeped in tradition, hypocritical Pharisees. I took the message personal and embraced its truth. Others evidently took it personal and were offended. It was the beginning of the crucifixion of MJ.

Funny thing. You would think the "Jesus Only" people, the "people of the Name", the people with the great revelation of who Jesus is would rejoice at such a message. But I guess the Pharisee part hit a little close to home for some and they didn't like the reflection in the looking glass of the Word. They decided to forget what manner of man they saw in that reflection.

And, as history bears out millions of times before, the messenger is targeted, despised, marginalized, defamed, deemed dangerous and toxic. Strange that preaching Jesus, the blood and the cross makes someone a pariah. Preach anything, but don't preach Jesus! There's no other choice. Preach for the praise of men or preach for the applause of heaven.

Burning at the stake, hanging, drowning, firing squad, excommunication, kicked out, pressured out, starved out, crucified, whatever---the end result is the same. The Machine will destroy you. Okay a little dramatic, but you get the picture. MJ will do fine. He's a good man and will keep preaching Jesus. A good church will continue to move forward.

For those of you that want to preach Jesus for those who would see Jesus, keep on keepin on. But be warned, hell takes notice of the Jesus Preachers. Be vigilant, be alert. But take heart: the gates of hell will not prevail.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

That the only people who got in the way of people who wanted to see Jesus were the Pharisees.

From a Biblical standpoint, is this correct? I'm not at home to do any research, but it seems like all of the religious groups were at fault. I know we like to target the Pharisees, but seems like the other groups were just as much as fault as well.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

That the only people who got in the way of people who wanted to see Jesus were the Pharisees.

Originally Posted by aegsm76

From a Biblical standpoint, is this correct? I'm not at home to do any research, but it seems like all of the religious groups were at fault. I know we like to target the Pharisees, but seems like the other groups were just as much as fault as well.

Well, let's just consider the New Testament, and the NT only for a moment.

What "other religious groups" were involved in criticizing and attacking the ministry of Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry in the Gospels? ... nobody?

In the specific case cited, "... We would see Jesus..." (John 12) we have an example of a group of "Greeks" (most likely Hellenized, and thus ritually "unclean" Jews) asking to see Jesus. This request is handed up a sort of chain of command among the disciples and we are never told whether the "Greeks" got to see Jesus at all.

We are told however, that Jesus Christ is to be glorified and that "the Prince of this world shall be cast out." Thus, it appears, Christ is to become the "Prince" of all men - whether they are ritualistically kosher or not.

The text continues a discussion where some question Jesus' testimony based upon their own understanding of the Law. Jesus corrects their understanding and once again asserts His own Primacy.

... but, we are never told whether or not the "Greeks" got to see Jesus. From the context, I guess they did, eventually; when Jesus was "lifted up."

[POWERUP]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

The last BOTT I attended MJ preached a fine message about Jesus. In fact I was beginning to regret attending the conference until that message. I knew God sent me there to specifically hear that Word from the Lord. I was dumbstruck that people were offended at the message. The sermon basically said that Jesus was what this is all about. That people "would see Jesus". That the only people who got in the way of people who wanted to see Jesus were the Pharisees. MJ preached if we want people to see Jesus we have to fight against a Pharisee spirit. I was in complete agreement. I was convicted to fight the Pharisee in me. I believe all people of faith have the potential to become religious, self-righteous, steeped in tradition, hypocritical Pharisees. I took the message personal and embraced its truth. Others evidently took it personal and were offended. It was the beginning of the crucifixion of MJ.

Funny thing. You would think the "Jesus Only" people, the "people of the Name", the people with the great revelation of who Jesus is would rejoice at such a message. But I guess the Pharisee part hit a little close to home for some and they didn't like the reflection in the looking glass of the Word. They decided to forget what manner of man they saw in that reflection.

And, as history bears out millions of times before, the messenger is targeted, despised, marginalized, defamed, deemed dangerous and toxic. Strange that preaching Jesus, the blood and the cross makes someone a pariah. Preach anything, but don't preach Jesus! There's no other choice. Preach for the praise of men or preach for the applause of heaven.

Burning at the stake, hanging, drowning, firing squad, excommunication, kicked out, pressured out, starved out, crucified, whatever---the end result is the same. The Machine will destroy you. Okay a little dramatic, but you get the picture. MJ will do fine. He's a good man and will keep preaching Jesus. A good church will continue to move forward.

For those of you that want to preach Jesus for those who would see Jesus, keep on keepin on. But be warned, hell takes notice of the Jesus Preachers. Be vigilant, be alert. But take heart: the gates of hell will not prevail.

Right on the money!!!! Well said.

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

The last BOTT I attended MJ preached a fine message about Jesus. In fact I was beginning to regret attending the conference until that message. I knew God sent me there to specifically hear that Word from the Lord. I was dumbstruck that people were offended at the message. The sermon basically said that Jesus was what this is all about. That people "would see Jesus". That the only people who got in the way of people who wanted to see Jesus were the Pharisees. MJ preached if we want people to see Jesus we have to fight against a Pharisee spirit. I was in complete agreement. I was convicted to fight the Pharisee in me. I believe all people of faith have the potential to become religious, self-righteous, steeped in tradition, hypocritical Pharisees. I took the message personal and embraced its truth. Others evidently took it personal and were offended. It was the beginning of the crucifixion of MJ.

Funny thing. You would think the "Jesus Only" people, the "people of the Name", the people with the great revelation of who Jesus is would rejoice at such a message. But I guess the Pharisee part hit a little close to home for some and they didn't like the reflection in the looking glass of the Word. They decided to forget what manner of man they saw in that reflection.

And, as history bears out millions of times before, the messenger is targeted, despised, marginalized, defamed, deemed dangerous and toxic. Strange that preaching Jesus, the blood and the cross makes someone a pariah. Preach anything, but don't preach Jesus! There's no other choice. Preach for the praise of men or preach for the applause of heaven.

Burning at the stake, hanging, drowning, firing squad, excommunication, kicked out, pressured out, starved out, crucified, whatever---the end result is the same. The Machine will destroy you. Okay a little dramatic, but you get the picture. MJ will do fine. He's a good man and will keep preaching Jesus. A good church will continue to move forward.

For those of you that want to preach Jesus for those who would see Jesus, keep on keepin on. But be warned, hell takes notice of the Jesus Preachers. Be vigilant, be alert. But take heart: the gates of hell will not prevail.

Very well-said! I think that deserves a standing ovation...

[Jermyn Davidson]

Can someone PLEASE post a picture or link to a picture (non-youtube) of Pastor (Evangelist) Mark Johnston?

Does anyone know if this guy has like a raspy quality to his voice? If so, I remember him from Jacksonville, NC-- many years ago.

Thank you!

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Can someone PLEASE post a picture or link to a picture (non-youtube) of Pastor (Evangelist) Mark Johnston?

Does anyone know if this guy has like a raspy quality to his voice? If so, I remember him from Jacksonville, NC-- many years ago.

Thank you!

http://www.yourjourney.tv/#/who-we-are/pastors

dunno about how raspy his voice is lately, however.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by pelathais

http://www.yourjourney.tv/#/who-we-are/pastors

dunno about how raspy his voice is lately, however.

I watched the commercial for "The Journey" and am not surprsed these guys are leaving the UPC. Nothing I saw in that video "looked" UPC and in the Mothership looks are a huge part.

It is interesting how hard it is for most traditional Oneness Pentecostals to even consider a different paradigm of church than church as something you dress up to the hilt for.

I had this discussion with a UPC relative a few months ago. She thinks it is terrible that a Preacher would preach without a suit and people would go to church dressed casually. She honestly sees it as disrespect to God. Believes the old mantra that you must dress up for church to "offer God your best",etc,etc.

I tried to explain to her that these people were not disrespecting God but looked at their relationship with him as more friend than someone you had to dress up for to impress.