Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI, Garner Next???
 

The recent list published in the Forward of pastors and ministers dropping from the fellowship includes:

Mark Johnston
Vince Larson

Johnston who preached a stirring message at GC in 2007 and was subsequently the target of a General Board member's (Chester Wright's) letter to then Bishop Haney ... alluding to MJ being an emergent.

The Motown boys are on the move.

***** Jeff Garner MAY BE in the process of dropping out *** will this be official in the coming days ????

Re: Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI
 

It's sad to see that the UPCI is still guided by the angriest and most intemperate voices.

... of course, the second name you listed seems to have pretty much shown himself out the door a little while back.

Re: Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI
 

The last BOTT I attended MJ preached a fine message about Jesus. In fact I was beginning to regret attending the conference until that message. I knew God sent me there to specifically hear that Word from the Lord. I was dumbstruck that people were offended at the message. The sermon basically said that Jesus was what this is all about. That people "would see Jesus". That the only people who got in the way of people who wanted to see Jesus were the Pharisees. MJ preached if we want people to see Jesus we have to fight against a Pharisee spirit. I was in complete agreement. I was convicted to fight the Pharisee in me. I believe all people of faith have the potential to become religious, self-righteous, steeped in tradition, hypocritical Pharisees. I took the message personal and embraced its truth. Others evidently took it personal and were offended. It was the beginning of the crucifixion of MJ.

Funny thing. You would think the "Jesus Only" people, the "people of the Name", the people with the great revelation of who Jesus is would rejoice at such a message. But I guess the Pharisee part hit a little close to home for some and they didn't like the reflection in the looking glass of the Word. They decided to forget what manner of man they saw in that reflection.

And, as history bears out millions of times before, the messenger is targeted, despised, marginalized, defamed, deemed dangerous and toxic. Strange that preaching Jesus, the blood and the cross makes someone a pariah. Preach anything, but don't preach Jesus! There's no other choice. Preach for the praise of men or preach for the applause of heaven.

Burning at the stake, hanging, drowning, firing squad, excommunication, kicked out, pressured out, starved out, crucified, whatever---the end result is the same. The Machine will destroy you. Okay a little dramatic, but you get the picture. MJ will do fine. He's a good man and will keep preaching Jesus. A good church will continue to move forward.

For those of you that want to preach Jesus for those who would see Jesus, keep on keepin on. But be warned, hell takes notice of the Jesus Preachers. Be vigilant, be alert. But take heart: the gates of hell will not prevail.

Re: Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI
 

I've been privileged to hear Mark Johnston. The UPCI lost another great one.

Re: Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI
 

From a Biblical standpoint, is this correct? I'm not at home to do any research, but it seems like all of the religious groups were at fault. I know we like to target the Pharisees, but seems like the other groups were just as much as fault as well.

Re: Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI
 

According to some of the comments on a Mark Johnston youtube video, He's been out of the UPC for a few months:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt2bAW4ZwLw

"He is not UPCI anymore....he has totally went off the deep end and has no doctrinal stance based on his website.....
Drew2Cute 3 months ago"

"..is he still with UPCI..? I'm asking as I'm unable to locate him in the UPCI Church Locator.
YoMamaWearzArmyBootz 4 months ago

Re: Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI
 

So the entire constituency of the UPC ministers under the age of 35 in now in the 300s and dropping?

Re: Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI
 

less than 5% ...

Re: Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI
 

Sources?

Re: Mark Johnston Drops from UPCI
 

They are witch hunting themselves into extinction.