Monopoly on Apostolic Identity is no more ....

[SDG]

In the next few months, sources are confirming, that the big buzzword in some OP circles will be Apostolic Identity.

Some will be promoting this concept ... as to address some of the holiness dress standards that SOME apostolics have held throughout the years and the 3 step Water and Spirit doctrine that many (not all) held in the last century.

Beginning with Chester Wright's letter to Kenneth Haney before last year's General Board meeting ... and the actions resolved at that meeting expect this year's North American Youth Congress and other venues to be saturated with a one-sided sanitized view of "Apostolic Idenitity".

The Apostolic Report wrote about last year's meeting saying:

At their latest board meeting, the General Board of the United Pentecostal Church had an extended discussion (about 3 hours) regarding the importance of maintaining their identity as a holiness movement and upholding their positions as stated in the Articles of Faith.

There was a consensus among the board that they need to uphold and reaffirm these teachings. The General Superintendent is set to write a letter to the UPC constituency to express their commitment to the Articles of Faith.

The General Board also concluded that it is not enough simply to reaffirm their position, but they must implement practical ways to teach biblical holiness. Over the next few months, various methods will be used to accomplish this goal; publications, General Conference, Global Impact, and other methods.

In a recent open letter to the ministers of the Texas District, District Superintendent Danny Russo had this to say about the board meeting:

“I want to commend our General Superintendent for giving ample time for expression during this discussion. I left the General Board meeting very encouraged and optimistic about the future of the UPCI. While we are reaching the lost and growing His Kingdom, we must not leave the foundation upon which we are built.”

On a related note, the General Youth Division also presented some plans for Youth Congress in 2009 that will help to accomplish this goal. They want to avoid some of the problems and concerns that have occurred in the past. The General Youth Division will also be developing platform guidelines for Youth Congress and Bible Quizzing participants.

Seemingly, gone are the days of Dora the Explorer and usher in the day of reactionary dogmatism?

A close look at that speakers at this year's NAYC give a clear indication that some of the leadership within the org will roll up there sleeves.

General Session Speakers:

• Shay Mann
• Wayne Huntley
• Wayne Francis
• Brent Coltharp
• Tim Rutledge

Split Session Speakers:

• Kenneth Haney
• Jerry Jones
• Paul Mooney
• Tom Ellis
• Robby Emery
• Akil Thompson
• Chris Endsley
• Nathaniel Binion

Music:

• Justin Conway

There is also mention of a “special general session celebrating Apostolic Identity.”

http://www.northamericanyouthcongress.org/

I fully expect men like Nathaniel Binion and David Bernard to lead the intellectual arguments in this campaign.

On November 7-8, 2008, the Urshan Graduate School of Theology (UGST) hosted “Standing Together for Truth,” their annual symposium.

An article written for Ninetyandnine.com describes Bernard's talks as follows:

Holiness and Culture
UGST President David Bernard gave an excellent presentation on holiness in the 21st century. While many denominations which began with a similar approach to holiness have regressed over the years, the Apostolic Pentecostal movement has typically remained steadfast in this area. Does this mean that we are out of date, or that we need to change to be relevant to our times? Some things in the Bible reflect a particular cultural context, but holiness is a biblical principle that does not change. Bernard did a wonderful job of illustrating why holiness remains relevant in any culture.

While Binion gave a presentation on "emerging" church ...

Emergent or Emerging?
Additionally, there was a lot of discussion on the Emergent Church. Bro. Nathaniel Binion gave a presentation detailing definitions and distinctions between the Emerging Church and the Emergent Church. He also described proper responses from the AP movement to the Emergent Church, coining the phrase and discouraging the idea of “Pentecostal McCarthyism.” A following session looked at the challenges presented to the Church by emerging communication technologies, and how to form community and minister in such a context.

In the next few months there will be serious challenges to the multi-faceted truths concerning our diverse Apostolic heritage.

Our voices will not and cannot be silenced ...

Sites like this one I hope will continue to give a balanced picture about our history, diversity ... and yes ... OUR IDENTITY.

Come let us reason .... For such a time as this ....