What was interesting was that at the 1975 GC in Ft. Worth when the TV subject was really building toward a confrontation Kenneth Phillips was the official speaker at the "Evangelists Banquet". I found that very interesting at the time based on the politics.
I was blessed beyond measure to have Bro. Murrell Ewing come over last night to preach for us. The man is simply incredible and the anointing on his life is almost breathtaking when he 'locks in'. He did so much good for our Church last night and I'll love him forever because of it. He's one of those 'icons' that we need to cherish while we can.
Sitting around the table after Church we began to talk 'preaching' (naturally! oloroid) and I mentioned to him a message that he preached which remains one of my 'favorites' to this day. I think the year was 1977 and he was preaching our General Conference and wonderfullly delivered an incredible message called "If Love Ever Speaks".
Ironically, when I mentioned it to him he said, "I tried so hard to preach something else but I had been given a word I knew was from God!" He went on to tell me several supernatural confirmations that he was, indeed, to preach that message. But, towards the end of the conversation his wife said, "I was stopped several times by weeping preachers on our way out telling me that my husband had singlehandedly just stopped the organization from splitting."
On further explaination they told me that this was the year that Hanby and Phillips brought the television issue up and there was such friction going back and forth. Suddenly, remembering the message, I could see the absolute value of that message at that moment. It spoke about Solomon taking the baby up ready to divide it with a sword and how love spoke through the real Mother and said, "NO! Don't destroy the baby! I still know what I know but I don't want my baby to die because of someone I don't agree with!"
Perhaps we need another 'Murrell Ewing' moment at this upcoming General Conference. I would suggest that if you don't have the message try to find a copy... it's an incredible message.
I have a question for you Steaddy.....
Are you under the impression that ME is NOT in favor of the TV res??
The man stood quaking and trembling in his emotions as tears flowed down his cheek, looking over the vast congregation that he had addressed so many times before under such a great anointing. His service and giving had been unselfish which has blessed the body of Christ world-wide. Many times before had he stood in the CG pulpit but this was to be the last time. His licenses were denied renewal by an intolerant fellowship that refused to allow the man of God to go in the direction that he felt that God was leading his ministry and his church.
I will never forget the Lord's humble servant's last words before a fellowship that he dearly cherished, choosing rather to be obedient to the voice of the Lord that was leading him...
"It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all." With those final words ringing in my ears, Kenneth Phillips walked away deeply feeling the pain of rejection. As a fellowship, we are so much poorer today.
I too love bro. Ewing. I've known him since the ST grade when we both attended the same class room. His was indeed a great message. Too bad so many others are not as loving and kind as both him and he who chose to follow the Lord in the way of rejection.
We'll never know what would have been the outcome had Hanby and Phillips been allowed to test the waters and do a pilot into TV with the blessing of the org. The rejection of their belief that God was directing their paths, no doubt produced incredible conflict into their ministries. And though there was not a huge walkout the org split back then none the less. I and many other young hungry and committed men and women left in the pursuing months and years. If the org had been mature enough P&H would have seen the problems and difficulties with TV broadcasting and there might have been opportunity for redirection and redefining into a workable media outreach. Instead when they did not succeed in their early attempts, it was as if they were wrong and failed. Phillips as survived in some manner, Han by seems to be a major train wreck. So, in my opinion the org failed miserably, and lost thousands of its children which is even now proving to be disastrous, with the continuing exit of it future generations.
It is easy just to cast them away as rebellious and carnal. Yet now the org faces the same issues again with some of its most dynamic leaders, will it may the same mistakes again? If it passes now it proves even more glaringly the failure of the earlier decisions. My advise to the UPC, grow up and mature or pass on to irrelevance. Of, course no one is listening to my input.
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
We'll never know what would have been the outcome had Hanby and Phillips been allowed to test the waters and do a pilot into TV with the blessing of the org. The rejection of their belief that God was directing their paths, no doubt produced incredible conflict into their ministries. And though there was not a huge walkout the org split back then none the less. I and many other young hungry and committed men and women left in the pursuing months and years. If the org had been mature enough P&H would have seen the problems and difficulties with TV broadcasting and there might have been opportunity for redirection and redefining into a workable media outreach. Instead when they did not succeed in their early attempts, it was as if they were wrong and failed. Phillips as survived in some manner, Han by seems to be a major train wreck. So, in my opinion the org failed miserably, and lost thousands of its children which is even now proving to be disastrous, with the continuing exit of it future generations.
It is easy just to cast them away as rebellious and carnal. Yet now the org faces the same issues again with some of its most dynamic leaders, will it may the same mistakes again? If it passes now it proves even more glaringly the failure of the earlier decisions. My advise to the UPC, grow up and mature or pass on to irrelevance. Of, course no one is listening to my input.
I'm listening! GOOD THOUGHTS!
__________________ Words: For when an emoticon just isn't enough.