Response to Constitutional Expose

When we wrote and sent out the  Constitutional Rights Expose we sent a copy to each of  leaders of  COGIC inc.  We recieved a response from Bishop S. P. Nesbitt who is now a retired Chief Justice of the Judiciary Board of the Church of God in Christ.  It is from someone who has been in the church for over 80 years.  He has a Juris Doctors degree and has held various positions in the church of over 60 years.  His response is 19 pages long but is so informative it is riveting.   Click on this link Bishop Nesbitts Response to read his response. 

I keep adding this poll to keep before you, the fact there is a Bishop in Wichita, Kansas who for the second time has sued a church to take its property and effectively put the people out who have sweated and paid for it.  This can happen to anyone, because he gets the churchs General Counsel to assist him, the leadership is led to believe it is one issue and refuse to think otherwise.  Be not decieved, GOD is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap 

Poll results

The results of the poll so far are 61% no, I was not notified, 22% think their church is protected, 17% said yes.

Whose report do you believe?

Luke 22:31-32; And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: ³² But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 

It is comforting to know that JESUS himself prayed, for our faith.  Through the almost six years of our struggle, our faith and trust has been in CHRIST and His Word.  We trust in the Word of GOD.  You see, I believe GOD has given us victory.  I know what the report says,  Bishop Gilkey sought and recieved a temporary injunction which gave him keys and control of our property.   One of his attorneys called us squatters, can you imagine those who literaly built the church being called squatters.  The other one, a Cogic ordained Elder, implied we might be worshipping Satan.  Rev. 12:11 says ¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.    This is truly a spiritual battle .   We trust GOD.  We have given Him the glory and we won’t take it back,   RESOUNDING VICTORY IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS

Crisis for COGIC

Is the COGIC in crisis?  There are a multitude of voices crying out for help from some injustice within the Church of God in Christ.  How can a people who are “led of GOD” be party to such a thing?  The Bible clearly calls out for justice in the following sctiptures and this is just a partial list.

Ps 82:3	Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Ps 89:14	Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Ps119:121	I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
Prov 1:3	To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
Prov 8:15	By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Prov 21:3	To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Eccles 5:8	If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

If we do not follow the Bible, we are following our own wisdom or the wisdom of other men.  I say again, when we do those things, we place ourselves in the same place Isarael did, in Habakkuk 1: 2-6 ;

 ² O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! ³ Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. ⁴ Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong  judgment proceedeth. ⁵ Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.⁶ For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.

This letter from Bishop Blake to Bishop Gilkey, is what makes Bishop Gilkey believe he has the support of the National Church to take our property, quiet title in the name of the National Church, and also take over the corporation, Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, Wichita, Kansas.   Even though this clearly violates the scripture.  1 Corinthians 6:1 ¹ Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?  Lord GOD judge between us.  Only GOD can save us.  Let us look to GOD with all our hearts. 

Because I Love COGIC

How can we, who call on the name of the Most High GOD, expect to recieve blessings from GOD when we do not esteem his word above all else.   In Psalms 138:2 the Bible says I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.  GOD has magnified his word above his name, how can we, in the name of the constitution, do what GOD’s Word does not allow and expect to be blessed?  Isn’t that what Isaiah 59:1-4 talks about ¹ Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: ² But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. ³ For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. ⁴ None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.   When we as believers don’t do what GOD says we cause his name to be blasphemed Romans 2:24.  There is a song that says “Let us all go back, back to the old landmark.   Let us ask for the old paths, the good way, and walk therein.  If we do not judge ourselves, we will be condemn with the world.  Romans 11:32  Pray for our leaders

In the poll 57%  have not been notified, 24% have not and feel their church is protected,19% have been notified.

To the General Assembly. II

After attending the convocation this November 2009, I realized why such energy has been expended toward crushing the members of Emmanuel Church of God in Christ.  We are perceived as a threat to the system.  It has been said if we are successful, to transfer to another jurisdiction without a pastor, then everytime the members didn’t like what a bishop did they could just leave.  I again say this is a battle of  the Word of God versus the constitution.  In the Official Manual, it says the local church is the basic unit in the church.   I don’t understand.  The level of hostility that is directed toward us.  How can we expect to be blessed of GOD when we act as the world does?  When we conduct ourselves as the world does we are disobeying the Word of God.  

To those who think they are protected because they are incorporated, or who think because they have a different 501C3 number, read what a Kansas court said in a case Bishop Gilkey initiated and won;  A local church, if it desires to remain independent of the influence of a parent church body, must maintain this independence in the important aspects of its operation, e.g., polity, name, finances. It cannot, as here, enter a binding relationship with a parent church which has provisions of implied trust in its constitution, bylaws, rules, and other documents pertaining to the control of property, yet deny the existence of such relationship. A local church cannot prosper from and enjoy the benefits afforded by a parent hierarchial church, participate in the functioning of that body, and then disclaim affiliation when the parent church acts contrary to the desires of the local church, so as to shield from equitable or contractual obligations the property acquired by the local church either before or during such affiliation. page 8 of  New Jerusalem Appeal.  

Not all states would allow this, but except for the LORD, all churches are at the mercy of the character of their Bishop.  The General Assembly is the only body that can correct this.  I ask the members of the General Assembly who is on the LORD’S side?   There is no one who can truthfully, without guile or deceit justify this action, trying to take a church, strip the founding members of the use of the name of their church, all in the name of the Constitution.  No where has the General Assembly stated the COGIC is hierarchical.   The fact that the General Assembly is the only law making body who interprets the constitution and the make up of Bishops, Pastors, Elders, and Lay members speaks to this fact.

As well as Bishop Blakes book where he said it was a hybrid, a combination of Congregational and hierarchical Why I Stood For the Defense In Orlando .  page 4 paragraph 2

 

Choose Ye this day, whom you will serve.

The poll results so far are 53% no notification, 24% yes, and 24% no, but protected. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections

I was reminded, by someone I consider a friend, that as we go through storms we must remember that there are many in positions of authority who live Godly lives.  They walk upright, and they serve GOD in the beauty of holiness.  From a careful study of the Bible, we know a tree by the fruit it bears.  The majority of Bishops, Pastors and Saints of GOD are to be commended for their walk.  To these men and women, I praise GOD and pray for.  I ask that you pray for me, my desire is to live the Psalms 91 life,     ”He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my GOD; in Him will I trust.” Psalms 91:1-2.  We must all remember, the battle is not ours, it is the Lord’s.    I also remember being reminded of Jerimiah 12:5 ” If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? “   Saints, no matter what we go through, remember, GOD is in control, He has not been surprised so let us rejoice because GOD, the righteous judge said vengance is mine said the Lord, I will repay.

¹ Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. ² Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. ³ For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth  ¹¹ But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. ¹² My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.   Psalms 26:1-3,11,12

Father, I pray thee bless the Church of God in Christ:  I have given GOD the glory, and I won’t take it back.

What the IRS says about the 501C3 and Churches

A previous blog had the wrong information tied to the 501 c3 link.  Here is the correct information concerning I.R.S. Publication 1828.   Page three is where it says churches are automatically exempt.  

Our leaders have an awesome task, let us pray for them.

Another Emmanuel?

I have recieved information, there is another Emmanuel, where the cases are so simular it is amazing. Although this case was in May of 2003, it appears the pattern was established, if you want the court to take jurisdiction, make it a property rights issue.   See for yourselves  http://www.marciaoddi.com/cgi-local/blogdocs/Prayer.pdf .   On a previous blog I had stated we Pastors and members were caretakers, it looks like the term should be sharecroppers.    On one occasion a brother told me “I was Jim Crowed in the south, I didn’t join the church to be Jim Crowed”.  

 ^{Psalms 83:1-3    1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. 2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. …}

^{Psalms 83:9-12   9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of GOD in possession   Psalm 83:1 -3, 9-12} 

To the Members of C.O.G.I.C.

I would like to pose the question to the Pastors and members of the Church of God in Christ;  When you joined the Church of God in Christ, did they give clear and succinct information you were giving away your Church and property?  Did they tell you no matter what your deed said, once you pay your reports, participate, fellowship that you, (in my opinion), became only the caretaker; if you don’t own it but you perform upkeep, pay the bills, keep tissue in the restrooms so it is ready “for the use of the members of the Church of God in Christ”, you are a caretaker.  Your pay is the benefits of being a member of the Church such as use of the 501C3.  Did you know, as long as you have the word “Church” in your name you are automatically exempt see I.R.S. Publication 1828; page 3, Sub-Heading Recognition of Tax Exempt Status. 

I have been accused of being a rebel, a renegade.  Is it wrong to ask for justice?  Is it wrong to ask for fair and equitable treatment?  Is it wrong to expect the Word of God to reign supreme in word and deed?  The easiest thing would be to walk away, say just forget it, but I believe I am obeying GOD in this endeavor.  It is God who sets men up and takes them down. 

Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou,  LORD GOD of Israel our father,  for ever and ever.  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou are exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thy hand is power and might; and in thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  Now therefore our GOD; we thank thee and praise thy glorious name.  I Chronicles 29:10-13.

I truly and sincerely pray for our leaders, for if the enemy can overthrow the leaders, he disillusions and pulls down a host of followers

I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayer, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, for rulers, and for all that are in authority;  that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of our GOD our Saviour; I Timothy 2:1-3

To all who are arrayed against those in Christ who seek justice, fair and equitable treatment I pray; The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.  I Samuel 24:15