Did I understand correctly?

[Sister Alvear]

I will say nothing....other than sorry if I offended anyone with a simple question...

[Thinking]

While the WPF has organized much more than the originally stated plans,

Bishop H, I respect you, and the manner in which you post. You seem to know a great deal concerning the WPF, and in that vein, I'm asking your thoughts concerning the reason for the development you have stated here.

[bishoph]

Originally Posted by Thinking

Bishop H, I respect you, and the manner in which you post. You seem to know a great deal concerning the WPF, and in that vein, I'm asking your thoughts concerning the reason for the development you have stated here.

Thank you for your kind words!

I want to say up front that I am not speaking in any official capacity about/for the WPF, so most of what I have to say is my opinion, which may or may not be worth very much.

First let me say that the men who formed the WPF, are IMHO great men of God, and I believe their motives were pure. When they stated that it was/would not be an organization but rather a fellowship, I firmly believe that is what they envisioned. A place of common ground for those who wished to stay in their respective organizations (for various reasons, i.e. those pastors who have churches that are affiliated/or that the UPCI/other organization has invested much into) while fellowshipping with brethren who may be more in line with their convictions, standards, lifestyle, or ideology. In many cases it would not serve as a replacement of their current structured organization, but would supplement it, much like those who are part of the AWCF. For those who either were independent or who decided to leave their respective organizations, some departments were put in place to facilitate fellowship, growth, solidarity, education, and support.

That being said, while the founders may have envisioned a well organized yet "loose" fellowship: as they began to grow and men who were used to more "structure" came on board, they have become more and more organized, IMO in an attempt to meet some of those needs. However, they still do not license/credential ministers, every church is fully autonomous, there are no politics in play, (as any elections are by lot, so it would be nearly impossible for a person to "campaign/politic" for position.) There are no paid officials (with the exception of one "headquarters" rep).

With regard to "organizing" on the foreign field, there are some countries where a minister MUST be licensed with a legitimate organization in order to be recognized by the government. In such cases much prayer, thought and time has been spent trying to figure out how to provide that, yet maintain a "fellowship" structure. Which by the way may be impossible. So they may become an organization by way of adaptation/evolution on the foreign field, and at home as well.

[Thinking]

Thank you for your response, Bishop H. How does the electing by lot operate? Are the names of all constituents subject to being drawn?

[bishoph]

Originally Posted by Thinking

Thank you for your response, Bishop H. How does the electing by lot operate? Are the names of all constituents subject to being drawn?

Yes to some degree! I am sure there are some qualifications, but any man/woman (for the women's leaders) who is qualified can have his name nominated. Here is the direct quote of the procedure from their website where a complete constitution and bylaws may be accessed. http://www.worldwidepf.com/go/defaul...aws/article-i/

The Executive Council is presently made up of the six founding members of WPF. The General Council is made up of up to fifty members who were asked by the Executive Council to serve and who assented to serve. For the purposes of establishment and stabilization of WPF, there shall be no elections held for the Executive Council or the General Council during the first two years of the WPF.

1. Election of Executive Council and office of Chairman
   1. Every two years at the Annual Summit, the Executive Council Chairman shall be changed. The outgoing Chairman will automatically be off the Executive Council. The office of Chairman will then be deferred to the next Executive Council member previously designated by the Executive Council.
   2. To replace the outgoing Executive Council member, a vote will be taken of all members of WPF that are in attendance. The members names with the top three number of votes will be placed into a container and one name will be drawn at random to serve on the Executive Council. This newly elected Executive Council member will, in his turn, serve as Chairman.
   3. The Executive Chairman of Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship may not be a member of any other religious organization except WPF.
   4. The original six members of the Executive Council and founders of WPF shall be Honorary Executive Council members for as long as they retain a membership in good standing with WPF. As a honorary member of the Executive Council, they may attend Executive Council meetings, General Council meetings, and may speak on all business discussed, but have no vote therein. This is done for the historical knowledge that each of the founders can provide for future generations of leadership.
2. Election of General Council
   1. Every two years at the Annual Summit seven members of the General Council shall be changed. The identity of these seven shall be determined by lot. The term of service for these General Council members shall officially terminate at conclusion of the Annual Summit.
   2. A vote will then be taken by all members of WPF in attendance. The seven names with the most votes will serve on the General Council. In the event of an equal number of votes being cast for two or more nominees for seventh place, their names will be placed into a container. The name drawn will serve on the General Council.
   3. Every two years, seven names will be drawn from the remaining original names. Each two years thereafter, seven names will be drawn from the remaining members which have served longest. This will continue until the original General Council members are replaced (though anyone may be returned to office after a one year leave of service).

Notice that after an executive council member has served two years he must be removed from the executive council and (may be retained only as non-voting honorary member) and that every two years, seven General Council members are replaced by lot as well. Not the kind of structure for power hungry and dictator style leaders.