Not too long ago, in the fall of 2002, David K. Bernard, made the transition from scholar and chief apologist of the UPCI to politician and leader when he helped create the charter for the South Texas District and was subsequently voted its leader.
As a "renaissance man" and erudite anomaly among his ministerial peers, having a bachelor's degree, a law degree, various published books and fluent in Korean, he will step into the helm as one of the most qualified men to become General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church Int., if not the most.
The man who has written the "definitive" apologies for the organization's view on "practical" Holiness Standards, the prevailing New Birth view and apologized for the Westberg Resolution in 1992, is an open epistle for all to see.
However, with various years now as District Superintendent and President of the Urshan Graduate School under his belt, it would be beneficial to consider DKB's leadership style in these positions in any analysis or commentary as to what his leadership will be like as the org's newest head.
1. First and foremost, DKB is a master communicator, especially with the pen and/or keyboard, and tireless in doing so.
This will be a stark difference from the last administration. As one factors the fallout of why KH did not garner a 2/3 vote of confidence, many will point to a GS that had never really gave his opinion on the important issues that mattered in the last four years - especially with the TV resolution and the formation of the WPF.
As District Superintendent, DKB made it a habit to keep his constituents informed about these issues, and others. This forum has various letters published by DKB in which he expressed his thought and concerns about the TV resolution (Columbus and Tampa), the formation of the WPF and the General Board ruling to not allow ministers to hold license in both orgs.
Simply look at the South Texas District website (
http://www.stxupci.com) and you find the most comprehensive, exhaustive and up-to-date district website in the fellowship.
DKB has opined on many issues, even the mundane and "fringe" one's, including the time he logged on to CAF to set the record straight about certain things written about him and his family. The general consensus is that all his correspondences are pleasant and cordial in tone while direct and authoritative in demanding compliance.
Ministers, even in other districts and states, have received letters from DKB as warnings that they have preached for ministers "under question" in his district and that they should not have done so or do so again.
This type of constant and relentless communication, no doubt, will be welcomed by many who felt that the org had lost touch with the rank and file and had been apathetic to the issues of the day. Others, will soon, complain that about org centralizing power and intervening in their district and local affairs.
2. DKB may not have coined the term "Apostolic Identity" but is on a campaign to sear the term as a battle cry into the consciousness and DNA of the fellowship.
Last November, his UGST symposium paper entitled "Holiness and Culture" for the UGST's "Standing Together for Truth" symposium shows a man who will not buckle in most of the distinctives he has helped to define in the last quarter century in compliance to the Holiness article of the UPCI. You can access his paper here:
http://www.ugst.org/uploaded/Symposi...re_Bernard.pdf
When given the opportunity to write a chapter about the future of Oneness Pentecostalism in the 2007 book
The future of Pentecostalism in the United States By Eric Patterson, Edmund John Rybarczyk -
DKB wrote,
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Technology, globalization, and postmodernism are all influencing Oneness Pentecostalism yet so far do not seem to to be causing a change in identity. Rather, it appears that the movement is finding new opportunities for evangelism without compromise of identity.
http://books.google.com/books?id=ZOS...ernard&f=false
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More importantly, you will find the term and aggressive agenda to remain steadfast to "Apostolic Identity" plastered in many of his writings and dialogues as DS of STX.
Here is an excerpt from his September 2009 update on the STX district website (
http://www.stxupci.com/september-update/) :
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Apostolic Identity. -We are thankful for the tremendous revival and growth that we are experiencing. At the same time, we must acknowledge that a few ministers have begun to question some of our Apostolic distinctives, particularly some aspects of holiness in outward appearance and possibly some aspects of the doctrine of salvation. The District Board unanimously and firmly believes that we must maintain our Apostolic identity on these biblical doctrines of the new birth and holiness, while continuing to press for revival and growth. As a District Board, we take seriously our responsibility to ensure that all our ministers adhere to these scriptural teachings. The District Board has adopted a plan of action and has asked me as district superintendent to follow up on these matters. We understand that the local church is self-governing, that the pastor has authority and responsibility to lead the local church, and that there is room for diversity of opinion and application in many areas. We also understand the need for wisdom, patience, and tolerance in both evangelism and discipleship, proclaiming the life of faith and not legalism. However, we expect that those who are used in public leadership, such as preaching, teaching, and leading in worship, will reflect the values of the New Testament church as understood and proclaimed by the UPCI. If some ministers are seeking direction on these issues, we are available for personal discussion and guidance, and we will provide tools and forums for further study. We don’t want anyone to leave our fellowship, but if some have made a definite decision that they do not believe and will not implement these teachings, then they are no longer in harmony with the UPCI, and the most consistent decision is for them to withdraw.
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The emboldened portion should not be ignored as it pertains to his aggressive agenda to preserve and define "Apostolic Identity". In his acceptance speech to the fellowship this last Thursday, Bernard made it clear that protocol will center around the "Word and written policies".
3. Bernard will "mark" and has "marked" many, thus far, as a leader. Using written policy, Bernard has used it, as District Superintendent, in a way reminiscent of a zealous District Attorney. The broader powers given to district boards to place men under question in 2007, has been used with impunity in the STX district, even ex-post-facto. Men, such as Kenneth Phillips, who have been out of the fellowship for decades, have been blacklisted recently under Bernard's direction. Recently, a minister from the STX, told his peers that Bernard and his board, just recently took action against at least 3 ministers to remove ministers "who do not believe the message". It would not surprise many to see that the STX district's "blacklist" might be the largest in the fellowship.
Lastly, this assertive or aggressive leadership style, depending on who you speak to, will lead to a steady stream of liberals who will be turning in their licenses in the next 2 years. These include ministers and teachers who have crossed paths with DKB at UGST and the Texas District and those will find their approach as not in compliance to "Apostolic Identity". The intellectual dishonesty of broad-brush terms like "emergent" and "charismatic" will be eliminated from the WEC's vernacular but the same intolerance for varying views and interpretations will be replaced by a call to preserve "identity" in the name of unity and patience yet seemingly with some teeth behind it.
Ironically, this same over-reaching and centralized WEC intervention that will become the mode of operation during a long tenure as GS will also turn off and alienate many conservatives who will not appreciate any heavy-handedness or perceived threats to their local sovereignty while unsatisfied with the pace and scope of a looming and imminent pogrom. The WeDeclare crowd will be silenced simply because of their unauthorized and "unethical" approach.
As one poster on AFF remarked recently
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The cons got their blood sacrifice with Haney. Unfortunately with jackals, once the blood starts flowing their appetites are insatiable. Bernard got what he wanted. Sometimes we get what we think we always wanted; and find out it's the last thing we wanted.
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Of course, you're immune to all of this if you are Rex Johnson who shared the same district and city as DKB.
Actually, the bolded statements you made were quite amusing
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