As predicted by many ... the recently passed Resolution 3 is beginning to be used as a device for disfellowship and divisiveness.
Based on the report of an active church member in church ministry ....
Just today, the District Superintendent of Mississippi has invoked Resolution three to ensure that a UPCI evangelist canceled a prior commitment he had w/ this church.
This week this church was supposed to have a healing and deliverance crusade with a UPC evangelist from Virginia. Today, less than 24 hrs before it was to start the District Supt. called to inform the pastor, who has recently gone independent, that the evangelist would not be able to preach at this newly independent church. He invoked resolution 3 in this matter and said if the evangelist came to this church he would lose his license. The church is now left holding the the proverbial bag ... a crusade sans an evangelist.
Has anyone heard of other recent cases in which Resolution 3 has been used in a similar fashion, yet?
I am not sure this District Supt. had the backing of the entire district board to make this decision. A reading of the resolution says he must have the blessing of the district board. This resolution was supposed to stop rogue DS's from making unilateral decisions for disfellowship, as was the practice for many years. Nor do I know if this newly departed pastor has been officially placed on a blacklist.
Do you think Res. 3 will be tested w/ the formation of the new UC org that will begin in January?
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Lastly, if you are not sure what Res. 3 states, it reads:
Whereas there has not been a clear definition of the terms "under question" and "conduct unbecoming a minister," and
Whereas there seems to be a difference in these terms,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that article VII, Section 7, Paragraph 21 is changed to read as follows:
21. No minister who withdraws or is dropped from our fellowship, whose conduct is under question, shall be allowed to preach for any of our ministers, nor pastor any of our churches. Neither shall any minister of the United Pentecostal Church International fellowship be allowed to preach or participate in any form in any services (except funerals and weddings) sponsored or conducted by any minister who has withdrawn or been dropped, whose conduct is under question. This does not apply to anyone being used in any capacity in his or her local assembly, with the exception of the position of associate pastor or assistant pastor.
(a)
The term "under question" shall be taken to mean a formal decision by a District Board reflecting a concern that conduct in flagrant violation of the Manual of the United Pentecostal Church International has occurred.
(b)
The term "conduct unbecoming a minister" shall be taken to mean any conduct of a moral, financial, or ethical nature that would cause a reproach upon the ministry.
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