Quote:
Originally Posted by CC1
Bro. Robbins, as an organization is this one in the liberal, moderate, conservative, or ultra conservative range of the Oneness Pentecostal world?
Based on you I am guessing more toward the conservative and ultra conservative?
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Actually your assumption is wrong, which is why you should never, ever assume anything
, lol.
I think I've posted this in other threads, so hopefully the readers will forgive me for the repeat... but the Emmanuel churches are about as wide of a spectrum as you can get, especially considering our small size within the United States. Some interesting information about us....
- We have more women pastors within our organization per capita than any other Oneness organization in the world. Our founding Overseer was actually a lady.
- We have a mix between denomination churches, as well as affiliate churches. There are some churches within the org, that the pastor is apppointed by the Presiding Bishop, the property is owned by the org, any loans for building, etc is under written by the denom, and there are various rights and privileges and safety nets for those churches. But we also have affiliate churches where the pastor holds credentials with us, is able to vote in the International General Assembly, but the church is autonomous in every way.
- We are in KY, TN, MS and AL in the United States, but are in almost a dozen nations, with around 180 churches in Honduras alone. Those are affiliate churches, under a national bishop.
- Our churches range in regards to "the standards". There are churches that you will go into, and no hair cut, no jewelry, the men would never think of wearing shorts or tank tops, etc. And then there are other churches, like the one I am a member of (the headquarters church), and it looks like a baptist church in some ways. 90% of that congregation's ladies have shorter hair, wear make-up and have no issue with jewlery. Each church has it's own culture regarding the standards, and those are items left between that congregation and the pastor in how they "live out" sanctification and lifestyle holiness.
- I am the youngest minister within our organization, and the only Evangelist that we have right now. We have extremely aging congregations, and aging pastors....we are actually in a shortage of ministers right now.
- I minister in all our churches, I don't care what their stand on the standards is... as an evangelist, it's not my place to preach on "lifestyle holiness" issues anyway, that's not my role when helping our churches. When I teach in my local church even, that's not my place... I'm not the pastor.
- The organization experienced a two splits over it's history, the major one being when the pastor of the headquarters church in the 80's was found guilty of murder, embezzlement of funds, and arson of the church. The org is just now beginning to rise above that pain and horror they went through.
Hope that answers your question. It's no secret to our pastors and churches that I'm a conservative man, but I know my place, and what my role is within these churches and this organization. They respect me for my stand, and I respect them for where they are in the Lord... and it really does work for us... honestly, quite beautifully....
At General Assembly in September, you'll see ultra conservatives hugging and loving on those some would consider liberal... shouting together, worshipping together, and doing a work together for the kingdom. That's why I'm a part of this group of great and wonderful folks.
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