Many of you may not be aware of a situation in the Texas Southeast One Jurisdiction in Houston, Texas. In an effort to appear tough on clergy sexual misconduct, the Board of Bishops has chosen to violate the very document they vowed to uphold. They then turn around and virtually tell another bishop in New Mexico go and sin no more. I have obtained a letter written to Moses Tyson by a superintendent in the Houston area. One of the paragraphs he wrote was so profound, I thought I would quote it here, I will then post the entire letter.
“When a body of Believers keeps changing the rules to meet their needs then they lose their God and then it becomes their body and not the Body of Christ or can I say if we were to act like him, be like him and look like him is this what he would act like, be like, and look like,…”
Good Morning Elder Tyson,
On Monday May 08, 2017, I decided to contact Bishop Kirk Thompson to see if it was ok to attend one of the meetings. Because on our website it stated if we had an interest in one of the new jurisdictions we may attend as an observer. So, I called Bishop Thompson and he informed me that it would be in my best interest and that I should attend that meeting to hear what Bishop Tate had to offer. When I arrived at the meeting, they had an area to sign in as an observer. As the meeting got underway, they ask all of the observers to sit towards the rear of the building and those who were committed in following Bishop Tate to come up front. Of course, I sat in the back because I was an observer. Bishop Tate began to share about the direction of Texas Southeast 1 and the status of his proposed jurisdiction. He continued to share and Bishop Kobe walked in with his group and they introduce themselves explaining to us who they were and why they were there. As Bishop Kobe begins to speak, he wanted to verify that everyone there planned to follow Bishop Tate’s leadership; Bishop Tate told him he might want to verify if everyone attending was in support of this. Then he asked the question. Everyone in support of and following Bishop Tate about 57 out of 58 stood, I was the only one still sitting along with an elder right next to me.
He asked me who I was and I stated, “My name is Superintendent Grayling Alexander of the Rosenberg District of Texas Southeast One”. He asked me if I planned to support Bishop Tate. I told him no, and responded that what he had to share he only wanted to share with those men who are signing on with Tate and then he asked me to excuse myself.
I explained to him that the jurisdictional website stated that if we had an interest in attending the meeting, we could attend as an observer. He replied by saying that things are progressing or something to that effect, asked me to excuse myself again, and told me I should pray.
I walked outside with the other elder that was sitting next to me in the meeting; we chatted for five to ten minutes. After I was on the road home, I received a text that I could come back to the meeting because it was explained to Bishop Kobe that I am a superintendent and pastor. Later on, I noticed I received a couple of missed calls from Sister Banks and I believe Bishop Tate requesting that I returned because Bishop Kobe assumed I was an elder and not a pastor.
Here is my confusion and hopefully some of your contacts can help explain:
First of all, I am sitting in the back and when ask to speak I believe every one heard me when I said my name is Superintendent Grayling Alexander–even if he did not at least most of them in the room hear and knew my position in the church.
Is it standard operating procedure to have closed door meeting of this nature and exclude credential holders who may have an interest in supporting that movement since it is not a fellowship or jurisdiction yet?
How can Pastors call for a vote of their membership and make application to leave one jurisdiction for another that does not exist or better yet, how can someone receive Pastors from a jurisdiction if they are not a jurisdictional bishop themselves?
When will someone comes down and meet with those who are still carrying the banner for Texas Southeast #1 and give us a status update?
I know Bishop Kyles is on suspension until he is reinstated or dismissed, but should he not have the right to attend these meeting as an observer in the event he is reinstated so he can be kept informed. He is a still a bishop credential holder and innocence until found guilty.
Last but least, where is Bishop Charles Blake, he came down to preach to us received offerings for his mission work in Africa, where is he when we are confused, scattered, and discourage. We need a Spiritual father that comes down and minsters to us and feed us with knowledge and wisdom and not through a letter or representative.
I am a fourth-generation Church of God in Christ child, my great grandmother, grandmother, and mother all supported this church. I have had family members who served as Bishops and State Supervisors. I am from a family of nine with three Missionaries one who is a District Missionary and three brothers who served as pastors and two as evangelist. Needless to say, that Texas Southeast First was launched from my home church in Port Arthur, Texas.
Elder Tyson, it seems we have fallen into the “Trump syndrome” (because I am in power I can do whatever I want to whom I want to) as it appears. I am trying and praying to make some since out of this three-year fiasco or least seeking an understanding if our leaders are truly led by God the Holy Spirit or cash or friendship or favors owed to others or flesh, or self-will and last their own standard of righteousness.
Please don’t take this the wrong way as if I am judging our leaders but considering the facts and the decisions they are making they leave me baffle about their God. Do we really have to destroy the Kingdom to get rid of a leader (it’s like burning a barn to kill a rat) and trying to convince others it’s okay. Again, I am not calling Bishop Kyles or anyone else a rat just using this as an analogy.
When a body of Believers keeps changing the rules to meet their needs then they lose their God and then it becomes their body and not the Body of Christ or can I say if we were to act like him, be like him and look like him is this what he would act like, be like, and look like, wow
Please try to get some answer for me
Thanks, and May God bless
P.S. the above statements are solely my statements and they do not represent my office of a pastor or superintendent nor are they in support of anyone but out concern for my church body COGIC; they are the concerns of my heart that I chose to share with you my brother Tyson. Again, I am the least one that should question our leaders.