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

 

To The COGIC General Assembly

Today, October 30, 2009 Bishop J.C. Gilkey with the help of Enoch Perry III and C. Edward Watson obtained a temporary injunction against the “Board of Trustees” of Emanuel Church of God in Christ, Wichita, Kansas.  Based on this injunction all COGIC pastors be aware, in the eyes of the court, the local people do not own or control their property.  Forget all this stuff about no state or national money being used, that nice beautiful church you built, you did the national church a big favor.  Check out what was done in Kentucky with Moore’s Temple    A Time To Weep . In my opinion, the way it is being used, the “Trust Clause” means you don’t own your property, the National Church does, you are only the Caretaker.   Enoch Perry said the Pastor controls the property.  He controls when service starts, whether the heat is turned up or not.  Don’t be fooled, here in Wichita, Kansas, with the help of a letter from Bishop Blake which said Bishop Gilkey had the authority to enforce the Judicaiary Boards Majority Decision.  Again Bishop Gilkey recieved a Preliminary Injunction giving him control over the property.  He also admitted it has always been about the property.  They also had a copy of my blog.  Wow, they alleged my blog was proof we never intended to submit to COGIC authority.  If you have seen previous blogs, you would know the rules don’t apply to a certain few.  To borrow a phrase from Bishop Blakes book,   (Why I Stood For the Defense In Orlando), ”How Long This Madness”.   Be not decieved, GOD is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.

Remember, you do not own your property, the National Church does, you are just the caretaker

How Long O God?

O LORD GOD, to whom vengeance  belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.  Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: and shew judgement, render a reward to the proud.  LORD how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?  How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?   They break in pieces, O LORD, and afflict thine inheritance. (Psalms 94:1-4).  

We who are members of the Church of God in Christ have allowed the word of God to become secondary.  The culture talks about seperation of church and state, we want to seperate how we operate from the Word of God.  We esteem the “Constitution above the Word of God.  In Ps 138.2 David says I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindes and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above above all thy name.   How can we neglect justice in the name of ” the Constitution” and think we are doing GOD a service .   In Amos 5:21-24  GOD says I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your soloemn assemblies.  Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: niether will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.  Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.  But let judgement run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. 

GOD watches his word, not the constitution.  When will we stop bowing to the altar of the constitution.  When will we stop offering victims on the altar of the constitution by neglecting the cries of the  abused,  and by neglecting to dispense justice to the weak and oppressed.   Isaiah 9:16 says For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and they that follow them are destroyed.

When the whirlwind comes, how many will cry out why  GOD .  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8).                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Why are things like this tolerated in the Church of God in Christ Restraining order

Real Meaning of Hierarchical Government

I want to say, this is based on the latest information I have, if and when I find different verifiable info, I will present it. 

We have often heard it said that C.O.G.I.C is a hierarchy.    They define it by saying this is a church of appointments.   However, there are some who hold the view that the National Church owns all property used as C.O.G.I.C.   You probably think that can’t be true, how can a National Church that doesn’t buy a roll of toilet tissue claim to own all property.   Two things, the trust clause and the claim of hierarchical government.  In the Blue Ribbon Committees Official Draft, of the Constitutional Convention Proposed Amendments, on pg 2, Part II Ecclesiastical  Structure, the second sentence states;  “Ecclesiastically, the Church of God in Christ, a hierarchical organization is composed of the following.”       If that is approved then in the, civil court, we will operate where the General Board and the Board of Bishops will literally control the property and anyone who is a member.  Click on the high lighted  word” New Jerusalem Appeal “ to see the full text of the results of a Bishop in Kansas taking property from people and quit claiming it to an individual New Jerusalem Appeal.  Also click on this  no hierarchical government to gain further insight

Here We Go Again

For the second time in five years Bishop J. C. Gilkey has gotten a restraining order against Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, Wichita, Kansas.

On September 27, 2009 Bishop Gilkey came out to Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, Wichita , Kansas.   He came out with four other members of his jurisdiction,  a letter he said was from Bishop Blake     9_27_2009 Bisop blake .   This is what the Trust clause does,   October 2009 Restraining Order ,  this is what Bishop Gilkey, Enoch Perry III, (Enoch Perry advised Bishop Gilkey to file the first legal action) and a great number of other Bishops believe.   Bishop Gilkey has stated the National Church has an equitable interest in all property used for C.O.G.I.C  services, even rental property.   It appears we have a battle between the Constitution and the WORD OF GOD.  The Constitution as it is written and some of the proposed ammendments bring us into bondage.  As an example, in the proposed ammendments Section D paragraph 5.3 states ” A member of a local church shall not transfer membership to another local Church of God In Christ unless the local member has the written consent of the Pastor where the member is enrolled.  The pastor should give the member who is in good standing a letter of consent upon request” .  Why is there an attempt to control people so?  In 2 Corinthians 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is,  there is liberty.    GOD who as the ability and power to force us to comply allows us to have a choice.  Why is it, there are those who are writing the Constitution attempting to force us?  The Constitution puts us in bondage,  but where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  No liberty, no Spirit of the Lord.   When we put our trust, in the Constitution instead of the Word of God are we not like Israel before the captivity.  

  Psalms 94:1-7  O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.  Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.  LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?  How long shall they utter and speak hard  things?  and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?  They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.  They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.  Yetr they say,  The  LORD  shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

O GOD have mercy on us thy people

Forget the mote, take out the beam

  It is amazing how well we can see the mote in our brothers eye while ignoring the beam in our own.   How can leaders expect others to obey the “Constitution”, when they don’t obey the rules themselves.  When Emmanuel first filed a transfer request we were told of the “Green and White Book”.   Under the Green and White Book there were some new transfer requirements so we were told.  Why are we expected to obey when if you read the document Void Ab Initio others have no problem ignoring the parts that don’t suit them.