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In March and April I have traveled extensively to district conferences and other special meetings. Everywhere I go, ministers are excited about revival and growth. Even though we have faced various challenges, including adverse economic conditions, faith is rising! Many districts have adopted goals and strategies for planting new preaching points, daughter works, and home missions churches.
Under the auspices of the Stewardship Department, directed by Steve Drury, we have recently established a UPCI-owned insurance company and a UPCI-owned loan company. United Insurance Solutions will enable us to benefit from the commissions on the insurance policies that we currently purchase for ministers and employees. In the future, we will also be able to receive commissions from property and casualty insurance offered in partnership with regional agents.
The United Pentecostal Loan Fund, operated under the United Pentecostal Foundation by a separate board and a separate loan committee, will provide a vehicle for investment in loans to UPCI churches already made by America's Christian Credit Union. Investors will be able to purchase loan certificates in the aggregate loan fund (not individual loans) at a fixed rate that is much better than CDs currently offer. In addition, they will have the satisfaction of knowing that they are advancing the kingdom of God through the construction of new buildings, purchasing land, remodeling, and refinancing. With this new initiative the UPCI will receive a portion of the interest payments that would otherwise go to an outside lender.
The Executive Board approved the formation of a Young Ministers Advisory Council. Composed of ministers under 40 nominated by the Youth Committee and the General Board, it will meet at least once a year to communicate with and advise the general superintendent and the General Board.
In recognition that the UPCI has become a truly international body and is operating with a global perspective, the General Board adopted several resolutions that will be presented to the General Conference. (As usual, UPCI ministers will receive the exact resolutions this summer as adopted by the Resolutions Committee.) First, upon recommendation from the Foreign and Home Missions Divisions, there is a proposal to change their names respectively to Global Missions and North American Missions. When working overseas and especially when dealing with officials from various governments, the phrase "foreign missions" is confusing and sometimes disadvantageous. Likewise, the term "home missions" is sometimes misunderstood to mean family ministry. If the name change is approved, the two divisions will continue to operate with the same policies and jurisdiction as at present. Second, a policy of International Transfer of Ministers was adopted. Third, the General Board voted for an amendment to the International Articles of Faith that was approved unanimously by the Global Council. It would add a statement that salvation is based on the atoning blood of Jesus Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection. When the Articles of Faith was originally written, everyone understood that this was our belief, but on the international scene many have never heard of the UPCI or the Oneness Pentecostal movement generally and need to know what we believe on this matter.
The General Board also recommends that this statement be placed in our UPCI Articles of Faith. It further recommends that we adopt a clarifying amendment to our article on Conscientious Scruples to reflect existing interpretation and practice. Namely, we support all who conscientiously object to the bearing of arms in time of war, but we also recognize that some conscientiously participate in the military under such circumstances.
The General Board has approved two projects to present to the General Conference for endorsement: Purpose Institute, a training program that operates through districts and local churches, and The Jesus Message, a radio ministry that continues some of the work of the former Media Missions Division.
The name of Black Evangelism Ministries has been changed to Building the Bridge Ministries to recognize our progress in this area and to refocus our mission. As African Americans have become numerous in all aspects of church life, including district and general leadership, we don't want to give an impression of a segregated focus. Instead, we want to continue celebrating and encouraging the participation of African Americans but also other races and ethnicities as well, and we want to use our experiences to enhance cross-racial and cross-cultural communication and evangelism more generally.
Plans for General Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, are well under way. Please click here to see the schedule of services and speakers. I hope to see you there!
Sincerely in Christ,
David K. Bernard
