Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

Part 1

I'd like to know, how many African Americans and Latino's are on the General board of the United Pentecostal Church. (names and churches they pastor please) Or for that matter, how many hold high ranks within the United Pentecostal Church Intl. Why I ask? Well, for one, all of my friends that are outside the organization tell me that there are almost NONE. With that in mind, I'd like to see if they are correct in their assumtions. If it is true, I'd like to know what are plans does the United Pentecostal Church have to make the organization more racially diverse here in the United States (besides having black evangelism AND spanish daughter works).

Part 2
Below is a sample article that I just read about this issue. What are your thoughts please.

A significant migration of Black Christians from the traditional Black-led Pentecostal churches to White-led Pentecostal churches has been occurring, leading to some of those becoming Black-majority churches. The reasons for this have not been properly researched as yet, but from conversations between this writer and some individuals who have made the switch it is clear that many of these are Black professionals and socio-economic climbers who whilst embracing the Pentecostal impulse, desire a more structured church and worship life than is the case in some Black-led Pentecostal churches. Indeed, there is now a sharp divide between sophisticated and professionally run, as against working class and orally inclined, Black Pentecostal churches in Britain.

Such migrations do not easily lend themselves to good relationships between Pentecostal members, leaders, and organisations. Particularly as it can easily be argued that the class difference that may have, at least in part, occasioned the divide between Black and White Pentecostals in the past, is now at work dividing Black Pentecostals between themselves and siphoning off the Black professional who now feel more at home in a White Pentecostal environment. Interestingly, these Black professionals are rarely given in White Pentecostal churches the leadership prominence they would generally receive in Black Pentecostal ones, yet they appear willing to migrate in growing numbers and pay the price of simply being followers. The need for Black and White Pentecostal leaders to engage is greater than ever, before followership overwhelms leadership with migration patterns that do not foster the unity of the spirit. Jesus’ prayer that his church be ‘one, that the world may believe’ (John 17) requires that the Church in all its diversity actively plays its part in bringing about a true oikoumene i.e. reconciling the whole inhabited earth in becoming the living household (oikos) of God. In this task the church, excluded and beaten down by the world, finds its rightful place as the world’s salt and light. This working together of those called out by God, yet rejected by the world, is for the good of the inhabitants of the earth and the glory of God. However, it cannot be done without the reconciliation of the body of Christ to itself in love and respect. Sharing an understanding of the Holy Spirit that powers and empowers the church is a good starting point.

Source: http://www.blacknet.co.uk/UK/UK/A_Ca...le_church.html

Re: Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

This is an interesting question/topic. I would say that your friends are correct in their assumptions. I don't think there are any specific plans to make the leadership and constituency of the UPC more diverse, besides the existing Spanish, Black Evangelism, and Multicultural Ministries departments.

I believe there are a couple of African-Americans on the General Board of the
UPC:

Rev. Arthur Naylor - New Jersey Metro District Superintendant
Pastor of First Pentecostal Prayer of Faith http://www.1stpentecostal.org/ -
Hamilton Square, NJ

Rev. Arthur Thomas - New York Metro District Superintendant
Pastor of Oneness Rehoboth Apostolic Church http://oracministries.org/ - Mount Vernon, NY

The following are some well known African American Pastors in the UPC:

Alonzo Terry (also director of Black Evangelism http://www.blackevangelism.com. Not sure if this a general board post. I believe it falls under Home Missions.)
Solid Rock UPC http://www.solidrockupc.com/ Atlanta (College Park), GA

Granville McKenzie Faith Sanctuary http://www.faithsanctuary.com/ - Toronto, Ontario Canada

Mike Mitchell New Life Tabernacle Church http://www.newlifetabernaclechurch.com/ - Brooklyn, NY

Chester Mitchell Capital Community Church http://www.capitalcommunity.org/ - Ashburn, VA

Sam Emory Apostolic Tabernacle Church http://www.upcmerced.com/ - Merced, CA

Daniel Davy New Life Tabernacle UPC http://www.newlifetabernacleupc.org/ - Tampa, FL

An African American that might have been on the General Board as General Youth President if he were eligible to run is Wayne Francis. He would have no doubt been elected at the past General Conference . He is still the Promotions Director for the General Youth Division, a position not on the General Board though.

As far as Latinos on the general board, I can't say for certain. If you look at
the names of the district superintendents on this listing http://wec.upci.org/Districts/, there does not appear to be any Latinos.

I am not sure if the national Spanish Ministries director position is a general
board post, or if it is under the Home Missions Division. The national director
is Elias Limones who Pastors The Pentecostals of the Bay Area in Pittsburgh, CA http://www.pentecostales.org

In regards to the excerpt of the article you posted and specifically to this
line "Black professionals are rarely given in White Pentecostal churches the
leadership prominence they would generally receive in Black Pentecostal ones" I would say that this depends on the the church and Pastor. I know in some places, minorities can only go so far.

I would also say that of the African-American Pastors I mentioned above,
African-Americans would comprise 50%-60% or greater of their church memberships.

Re: Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

Until 1924 the PAW was racially mixed. When the great divide came, it more or less stayed that way for a long time.

I can remember in my youth our pastor at the time advising folks that they might feel more 'comfortable' attending Bethlehem Temple. He was a good man and meant no harm, but that was the mindset of the day.

Of course this would never be done today as most churches welcome diversity. However, certain dynamics are hard to change. I do NOT think it is intentional, and I don't think you were implying that.

Your question is a good one...as for organizational "plans" to be racially diverse in leadership, I am not sure they have them...

One more thing...I understand the questions by your friends. When I left the UPCI and affiliated with a COOLJC assembly, my family and friends were wondering how long it would last...one White woman in an all Black congregation.

But I believed it was the will of God for me then, and know it was today. It was a 24 year membership with a heart alliance that is as strong now as when I was there.

I said that to say, people will always ask and wonder when it comes to racial matters...I wish it weren't so, but it is. But all we can do is pray that the powers that be set men and women in place who are clean before God, have a determination to see the Gospel presented to all, and have the best interest at heart for all.

Re: Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

YES LORD! I love the above post. Keep them coming. You know, its funny, if I were talking about beards and skirt lenghts this thread would have already had 10+ pages. Its sad that in 8 hours only 2 replys have been given which to me shows that the majority of the posters on this site are either a) not willing to discuss this matter or b) truly cant answer the questions that have been presented. (I wonder why......I wonder if the majority of the posters even care). But you know what, this IS a good topic and both black, white and latino (as well as other nationalities) should be eager to talk about this so that we can spread DIVERSITY through our own local congregations.

I'll give it some more time since I did post this message late on a Saturday night. I am sure more people have things to say on this subject, but for those who have answered the question thus far, THANK YOU!

Re: Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

The split beginning at the Southern Conference that caused to racial divide in Oneness Pentecostalism is an ugly blot on our history. It killed Bishop Haywood he never got over it. It was I personally belief a one of the greatest injustices in our history that has never really been healed and hurt both groups.

Re: Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

Beards and skirt lengths are subjective. People can argue what the scriptures mean all day long, and no one can prove they're right.

However, the topic of blacks and hispanics in leadership is a very "proveable" question, and I suspect that many are uncomfortable with the answer.

MinisterWD did a great job of listing the diversity in the General Board by minister and church, so at this point, not sure there's much more to say....

Re: Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

There probably isn't very many...at the moment. The UPC has been by and large a mostly white organization like the Apostolic Assemblies is a mostly Hispanic and the PAW a mostly African American one. The UPC however does have a number of AA and HA membership and even pastors. I'd say it's past time we have more AA and HA leadership too....Maybe Obama is up for the task? "YES WE CAN!!!":ursofunny

Re: Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

In the kingdom of God why does it matter if we are black, white, red, purple, green? What difference does it make if the board is white, black, or mixed?
God is no respecter of persons so it doesn't really matter. We are not to be like the government and build in predjudices. We are not to look at the color of the skin. Boards are a man made thing anyway.

:snapout

Lets not worry over who how many are black or brown or white and lets just serve God and do what we can to win the lost no matter the color.

Re: Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

The UPC basically "kicked" the blacks out as Bro. Epley hinted on. I have read the history and it is one that is not pretty at all. The UPCI IS primarily a white organization and the leadership basically reflects its membership. Barb is absolutely correct. I remember years ago after witnessing to a guy I worked with who came to our church and got baptized. My pastor actually told the guy that he may be more comfortable at the PAW church in my hearing. I am ashamed that ever happened.

Over the past few years, NLC has seen an increase in African-Americans and our church is probably the most racially diverse church in our city. We have racially mixed couples and the diversity makes so many different folks feel comfortable. Our church looks a lot like what heaven will be! :D

Re: Blacks and Latinos in the UPCI Question.
 

In the UPC church I used to attend, the same thing happned MOW. They were told that they might be more comfortable in a black church.

TRANSLATION: Us whites will be more comfortable with you in a black church.

Interracial dating was strongly discouraged, the "scripture" used was birds of a feather flock together.

It is a shameful part of our history....It is history now, right?