DKBs 1st Test: Will He Uphold Manual w/ Craft?

[DAII]

I think one of the prevailing questions that many familiar with org politics, on all sides of the political spectrum, have ... is whether the new GS will uphold the manual by being more assertive against those don't comply.

Many have described his leadership style as "by the book". If one of his last communications as the STX district leader is any indication, it would lead many to believe he is a stickler to policy:

...we must acknowledge that a few ministers have begun to question some of our Apostolic distinctives, particularly some aspects of holiness in outward appearance and possibly some aspects of the doctrine of salvation. The District Board unanimously and firmly believes that we must maintain our Apostolic identity on these biblical doctrines of the new birth and holiness, while continuing to press for revival and growth.

As a District Board, we take seriously our responsibility to ensure that all our ministers adhere to these scriptural teachings. The District Board has adopted a plan of action and has asked me as district superintendent to follow up on these matters. We understand that the local church is self-governing, that the pastor has authority and responsibility to lead the local church, and that there is room for diversity of opinion and application in many areas. We also understand the need for wisdom, patience, and tolerance in both evangelism and discipleship, proclaiming the life of faith and not legalism. However, we expect that those who are used in public leadership, such as preaching, teaching, and leading in worship, will reflect the values of the New Testament church as understood and proclaimed by the UPCI. If some ministers are seeking direction on these issues, we are available for personal discussion and guidance, and we will provide tools and forums for further study. We don’t want anyone to leave our fellowship, but if some have made a definite decision that they do not believe and will not implement these teachings, then they are no longer in harmony with the UPCI, and the most consistent decision is for them to withdraw.

With the TV resolution and WPF fallout in the fellowship's rearview mirror and his indication that Apostolic Identity and Unity are part of his agenda, will there be a push against those who don't comply to rules or minimum standards of fellowship, i.e. the Holiness Article, dual membership?

Bernard has been vocal as to the org's policy about dual membership. In a January 2008 letter to his STX constituents, he writes:

1. [B]It seems clear that the Tulsa conference organizers have decided to form a new ministerial organization called the Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship (WPF). Don’t confuse this with the Pentecostal World Fellowship, which is a cooperative body of the leading trinitarian Pentecostal organizations.) As the WPF mail-out shows, they have developed an extensive organizational structure and have selected the key leaders. It seems that the chosen form of government is oligarchy. The WPF website reveals that it already has its own Articles of Faith (which prohibit “soliciting television for ministry” but don’t prohibit TV advertising or unsolicited TV ministry). The WPF will parallel the UPCI’s efforts in such areas as Foreign Missions, Home Missions, Youth Ministry, Ladies Ministry, Education, and even Bible Quizzing. To fulfill this plan, the WPF will need to identify ministerial license in some way in order to qualify members, qualify officers, conduct votes, and enforce adherence to its Articles of Faith. However, the Manual of the UPCI states that its ministers cannot be licensed with another “organization or association” (Art. VII, Sec. 2, Par.

6). Thus, it appears that those who officially join the WPF will be choosing to leave the UPCI. Some of the organizers have already done so. While there is great value in conferences that promote holiness, I don’t believe the solution is to form a new organization.


Source:
January 28th letter to STX district ministers -http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=11722

He further reiterates his stance on dual license, as an an executive, with this recap of the General Board' s to decision to rule against ministers holding dual license specifically with the WPF, in this quote from his June 2008 letter to the STX ministry:

1. Belonging to Two Organizations. The UPCI Manual says on p. 46: “No minister shall be permitted to hold license or ordination with any other religious organization or association.” The legal counsel for the UPCI wrote an opinion stating that the General Board is the proper body to determine when this provision applies, and he identified some concerns that need to be considered in this regard. Consequently, the General Board decided that this provision applies to organizations that meet certain criteria such as requiring payment of ministerial dues, requiring subscription to Articles of Faith, and conducting operations that are parallel to the UPCI, even if an organization doesn’t use the precise language of issuing “license.” Specifically, the General Board concluded that it is not proper for someone to be a voting, dues-paying minister of the UPCI and also a voting, dues-paying minister of the new organization called Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship that was recently created at a conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Holding such dual ministerial membership could lead to conflicts of interests, since ministers could vote on parallel offices in two different organizations, would be subject to two different Articles of Faith, would be subject to two different procedures for ministerial discipline, and so on. Moreover, some confusion has already been created on the foreign missions field because of WPF leaders contacting and visiting national UPC ministers. The General Board also noted that each District Board has the responsibility and privilege to implement this provision of the Manual according to the circumstances and timing appropriate to each local situation. The Board’s decision was made after much prayer and discussion and with overwhelming consensus.


This ruling does not mean that members of the WPF are “under question,” and therefore it does not prohibit fellowship between members of the two groups. Of course, all of us should continue to follow ministerial ethics and UPCI guidelines in this regard. The Board recognized that a number of good men have chosen to become part of the new group, and there is no desire to disparage them.


In light of this ruling, as district superintendent I appeal to you as follows. (1) If any are considering the possibility of officially joining the WPF, I urge you not to do so. If you wish to have fellowship with WPF ministers or attend WPF-sponsored events, you can do so without becoming a dues-paying member. (2) If any have officially joined the WPF, I urge you not to continue paying dues and not to renew membership after the initial period. (3) If you have any questions or concerns, I urge you to discuss them with your presbyter or with me as district superintendent. Through good communication, I believe we can resolve any difficulties or problems.

However, two years removed, we do not find any such type of sanction being taken against the likes of TL Craft, of Mississippi, who continues to hold license in the UPCI and membership with the WPF, by those District Supintendents (GB members) and their local boards.

Craft, a prime example, is clearly a member of the WPF as a General Council member, as Article 1 of the WPF Constitution by-laws reads:

All members of both Executive and General Councils must be members of WPF and at least (30) thirty years of age, who have been faithful to the life and doctrine of Jesus Christ as expressed in Scripture and as enunciated for fellowship purposes in the Articles of Faith.

http://www.worldwidepf.com/go/defaul...aws/article-i/

It appears obvious, even to the casual org spectator, that under Haney, no headquarter sanctions have been meted nor serious attempts to ask Craft to leave or comply to the manual have been made. Especially, with Craft recently being named as a 2009 inductee of the UPCI's Order of Faith - http://oof.upci.org/2009.asp

" The Order of the Faith, established in 2002, is the United Pentecostal Church International's prestigious award honoring the awardee's outstanding achievement and exemplary service to the UPCI. Awardees are decided upon by the Executive Committee."

The Order of the Faith awards are awarded at the annual general conference of the UPCI, held during the fall of each year.

Of course, those who understand legalese know that the authority to call Craft's card lies with the Miss. board ... but surely headquarters can show its disapproval in many ways against this improper action but rather seems to have rewarded Craft with its induction.

One would speculate that is this type of wanton oversight and deference will be made for those ministers on the left that are considering or may have already been dually licensed with fellowships such as Global Network of Christian Ministries?

Or will the DKB leadership protocol continue to be to point to policy and the manual with bulldog intensity but simply leave the decision for action mainly with the hands of the minister to withdraw?

Will the order of the day at HQ continue to be laizze-faire, business as usual? What is the plan of action that he was to follow against those don't comply in STX?

Does anyone follow the manual anymore or is this more evidence of the waning influence of denominationalism in the lives of ministers?

Or shall we chalk this one up to nepotism?

[Sam]

I hope you have sent a copy of that email to DKB.

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Sam

I hope you have sent a copy of that email to DKB.

DKB doesn't care what I think.

["GL"]

[DAII]

Originally Posted by "GL"

Careful, you'll hurt yourself.

[TJJJ]

ORDER OF FAITH?

Goodness, that sounds Catholic!

What is next for them? Sainthood?

[crakjak]

These are difficult days for leadership!! Chew-up by the UC on the one side, and by the liberals on the other. What can be done?

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by crakjak

These are difficult days for leadership!! Chew-up by the UC on the one side, and by the liberals on the other. What can be done?

You're right about it being a tough line to walk for leadership. Heroes of the faith can't be disciplined, can they? You don't set an example with a hero! You find some peon and make an example out of him, hoping that the hero gets the message!

BTW, TLC is one of my heroes!

[Sister Alvear]

As long as there are humans there will be organizations....

[DAII]

So he is above the rules?

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

You're right about it being a tough line to walk for leadership. Heroes of the faith can't be disciplined, can they? You don't set an example with a hero! You find some peon and make an example out of him, hoping that the hero gets the message!

BTW, TLC is one of my heroes!