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Originally Posted by Pneuman
I don't know if we are on the original subject any longer. It seems this thread has taken the Apostolic rabbit trail, as most eventually do. Just a couple of words about the McMinnville issue.
I don't know if anybody else here actually knows Bill and Matt Davies. My wife and I have known them for years, used to attend services at their church occasionally, and hung out with Matt and the Davies girls as young people. My wife grew up with Matt Davies. I think Elder Elpley fellowships with them, or at least with others who do. The Davies' left the UPC around 15-20 years ago. The general reason that was discussed at the time was that Bill Davies wanted to be the Oregon Dist Superintendent, and when he didn't get it he left in a huff. Since I have left the UPC, I know you can't always trust what is floated, so what I do know is he was a great bit more "conservative" than even the rest of the UPC Oregon dist., which is very "conservative" to begin with.
So this Pastor is well known for his extra mean spirit, and for his ultra controlling nature. I could give many examples. The city of McMinnville is full of ex-members of this church that are beat up from the years they attended, and all believe they are bound for hell if they don't return to that church and submit to the abuse of this man. He often uses his pulpit to abuse members of the church. Some friends of ours who were UPC missionaries and long time Pastors and servants in the UPC went to that church after they retired (their daughter attends), and because they were UPS they were verbally abused consistently from the pulpit. We visited with them a couple of times before they passed, and they said it was like being in hell going to that church ... the Pastor demanded that none of the "saints" fellowship with these evil UPC adherents, etc., etc.
After we left the UPC we had several people come back to Jesus in our church who were former members, and some of the stories were almost unbelievable of the kind of abuse that happens from the pulpit in this church ... and if I hadn't heard it from multiple people who were unaffiliated I may have a hard time believing that a man could have this type of power over people.
I believe the issues is not just that people did work around the church for no pay, but that the Davies actually used labor in their personal businesses from church people without pay ... which is a common occurrence in this church. In addition, it wasn't just defamation of character, the Pastor demanded that nobody in the church d business with the man who is suing as well. I think he has a pretty good case. Unfortunately The Davies' have the money to pay for a very good attorney, don't know if the other guy does.
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I know the retired couple you mention as well at the daughter. It was sad how he treated and elder just because of the brand he preached for.
Bill and Matt will receive judgement for those that left poisoned. I am now in contact with a lot of "backsliders" we were forbidden to talk to. Now I know why. There are 2 sides to every story and Bill didn't want us to know the other side. One got booted for not paying 10% and the mandatory 5% offering.
Notice my avatar is their tithe envelope. 10% and 5% right off the top. Required to make it to heaven. If you don't pay then you owe back before you can be right. That is preached.
I am so glad I got booted. Bill and Matt are backsliders preaching false doctrine. So I would not consider them brothers let alone true believers.
Just my 4 cents. It was around 2002 when he quit the UPCI. Took his ball and went home.
They have 3 of the best in Oregon for attorneys. The funny thing about that is they are paying a lot to defend but Jim has pockets as well. God is good. They will think twice about bashing someone else again.