Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI, Garner Next???

[Praxeas]

BTW is Richard Gazowsky still licensed?

[Socialite]

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.

I remember that message. Stirring!!!!

MJ went out with a bang... this prime-time message, and then the General Conference "I'd Rather Be a Hero (to one) Than a Celebrity (to thousands)."

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

BTW is Richard Gazowsky still licensed?

[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.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

Pel - I don't think you can hang this one on him. I believe that what he meant to happen with the org was stopped by the way NAU handled the affirmation statement.
I think this goes right back to the TV vote, which so far has appeared to be more of a symbolic vote.
This led to the loss of some far right churches, which then resulted in the entire org moving further to the right. Now you have the reaction from the more left-leaning churches who are not happy.
Sort of an interesting study in group org politics and I would like for someone to complete an in-depth look at it, with some facts and figures.

Yes, while I agree (I think we agree) and I don't think the events under discussion are directly related at all to the 1992 resolution brouhaha; the spirits and the attitudes do resemble one another, IMHO anyway.

When I heard Bro. Westberg say that, it wasn't just in the context of the '92 resolution, though it was just before that conference. It was said in the context of of ... and you other guys that are lurking, maybe you can help me out ... but the context was, "Every movement needs to have a bowel movement every now and then..."

This attitude just strikes me as being emblematic of the whole mentality behind the radicals in the UPC/Apostolic movement. CW's open letter condemning his "neighbor" MJ can be seen in the same light.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

BTW is Richard Gazowsky still licensed?

I heard he was "certified."

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Socialite

I remember that message. Stirring!!!!

MJ went out with a bang... this prime-time message, and then the General Conference "I'd Rather Be a Hero (to one) Than a Celebrity (to thousands)."

Dude's my hero!

[Socialite]

Of course MJ was the scapegoat for many WPF preachers, who scoffed at the UPC for what they considered "their future posterboys." So they rolled out their campaign song, "A Preferred Apostolic Future."

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Of course MJ was the scapegoat for many WPF preachers, who scoffed at the UPC for what they considered "their future posterboys." So they rolled out their campaign song, "A Preferred Apostolic Future."

E Tu Chester?

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Charnock

I recently let my license drop.

I know of six other ministers whom I am close to in both age and ideology who have done the same.

They're sick of it.

Sick of what?