Letter From C.M. Becton Regarding Resolution 4
 

Just received this letter from via email from C. M. Becton....

Dear Friend:

Christian greetings!

Having been a part of the United Pentecostal Church for most of my life, I felt very compelled to write some of my feelings concerning our last General Conference. Of course the Spiritual aspect, in my opinion was superb. One of the best.
My longevity includes the fact the I have attended every General Conference since the merger conference of 1945. In fact I had my 17th birthday during the time of that conference. I felt the call to preach some months after that conference and have been in the ministry full time for about 62 years.
Having served as the General Secretary for 25 years, I am perhaps more involved with facts and figures. I realize that facts are sometimes uninteresting but please hear me out as I feel they are very important especially with the passing of Resolution Number 4.
I went through the Manual of the UPCI, a booklet that is one of the many duties of the General Secretary's office. This is what I found:

1. In both "The Articles of Faith" and the "Position Papers" there is a total of 265 words regarding our being against television. One of these states that "no minister having a television in his or her home shall be permitted to hold license of credentials with the UPCI."

2. Resolution number 4 that passed at the General Conference affects only 16 words.

3. If it were a fact that we are for television, before this could happen the General Conference would have to pass many resolutions to eliminate the remaining 249 words. (In my opinion this just isn't going to happen.)

With the above statistics how could it be thought that the UPCI is now approving or is going to approve television. Is there really any need for anyone to leave the UPCI with the thought that we are letting up on our Holiness Standards?

Please conscientiously consider the facts and prayerfully think of what action that you will take. It is so important in these the last days for there to be a "CHURCH" that is without spot or blemish for the Lord is soon to come.

With great concern, I am


Cleveland M. Becton

This letter makes no sense. Its confusing and ambiguous. This makes me want to stay in the organization like looking at a moslem woman makes me want to be one of them.:bedtime

HUH?

Ok. Someone please break this down for me.
What exactly is his point?

See post #5

I have the greatest respect for CMB, but I think he will eventually be proven wrong on this. I think this IS going to happen...eventually. However, if every word in reference to television were removed from the manual, this would not mean that we are FOR television...it would just allow each pastor to deal with the issue on the local level, which is what is happening anyway, regardless what the manual requires.

IMO, a lot of needless division could have been prevented if the statement regarding holiness in the Articles of Faith did not include a list of specifics.

Wouldn't this have been better? "We wholeheartedly disapprove of our people indulging in any activities which are not conducive to good Christianity and godly living." (PERIOD-DELETE-DELETE-DELETE) "We admonish all of our people to refrain from unwholesome practices in the interest of spiritual progress and the soon coming of the Lord for His Church."

If you put a resolution in stating that I will vote for it... good post..

I have the utmost respect for Bro. B too. I think perhaps his thoughts were clearer in his head than it reads on paper.