Open Letter from
Bishop Danny Carter
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SUPPORTING
DOCUMENT
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An Open Letter from Bishop Danny Carter
Regional Overseer IN/KY/OH; Dated: 12/15/05
...to All Ministers, Members and Friends of The Church of God
DOCUMENT A Go Forward to Document B >>
March 1, 2005
Danny L. Carter
P.O. Box 345
Franklin, IN 46131
Dear Brother Carter:
Greetings to you and your family in Jesus’ precious and holy name, whom we know to be the Head and Saviour of the Body of Christ, The Church of the Living God.
Allow e to get right to the point of this letter. As you are aware from the past General Assembly the Ways and Means Committee report failed to get a unanimous agreement, therefore this business was tabled and held over for this year’s General Assembly. In tabling this matter for an additional year, I have been burdened, even troubled in my spirit each week and month that passes because there was not a successful or unanimous agreement to what I felt as your General Overseer to be the answer to the financial dilemma that we are facing. Dear one, it is not just a financial crisis here at General Headquarter, but this has become a crisis for the entire Church. The Lord has allowed me to see and feel that this is not so much a financial situation as it is a “control problem.” A “covetousness problem,” and even a “sprit of rebellion” problem. Some have shared with me that they have been told, that “if there is a passage of the pre-1990 financial plan, that “my church” will cut off General Headquarters altogether or “my church will simply not obey.” With this type of attitude it is clearly evident that what the Lord has allowed me to sense and feel is correct. None of us own The Church of God; non of us purchased The Church of God with our blood; therefore, the Church belongs to Christ and to Christ alone.
Sure the devil would want us to think that this is a majority of the people that feel this way, but I simply refuse to believe the enemy. I have pondered over the faces that came down to the microphone at the General Assembly and it seemed that all that was discussed was the “money” what I will lose, what I will have to give up, very little if anything was said concerning the saving of lost souls and how needful this financial adjustment is to the completion of the Great Commission.
Once again, I have asked the Ways and Means Committee to bring this plan before the General Assembly. Some have been so bold to say that I as General Overseer did not want this plan, and that it was only a private agenda of some, but this cannot be further from the truth.
I believe in “theocracy.” I believe in the spirit of “submission.” I believe that we are to “obey” them that have the rule, for they watch for our souls. I believe in the office of General Overseer and let me add, I take this responsibility very seriously, probably much more than some might imagine. I believe in the office of the State/National Overseer and that you and I form the Presbytery. Each of us, when we became licensed in The Church of God signed a document staying, “that we are free from self will” and that we would follow and obey theocracy.
Now, if I did not feel a direction from the Lord in this matter, I would keep silent, but I too, want to make Heaven my home, and I am responsible for what I do and also for what I leave undone. I believe that this plan will work. I believe this plan will free up the cash flow and open the door to help finance our growth.
I once again state to you that I, as General Overseer, am committed not to build up large bank accounts, but to get the money on the field where it is needed and this pre-1990 plan will help us implement and factor in ways to achieve our desired aim.
I am sure that I don’t have to ask you for your support in this matter nor do I need to ask you to be an active participant in boosting this plan or in answering questions from your area, or being positive toward this recommendation and being an encourager to the brethren. However, it has been stated that some of the Overseers are not willing to support this plan, nor are they willing to rally their support behind me as the General Overseer.
Brethren, if this were a doctrinal issue that was biblically unsound this would be an area for disagreement, but simply because some feel “they have another view,” or “I disagree,” or “I don’t feel this,” is not just cause. I am, as your General Overseer, asking you and I am also expecting your full support concerning this plan. The enemy would want us to be divided on this issue especially in leadership, but if we choose to stand together, there is no place for disunity of the spirit of rebellion, and what a voice this makes to the entire Church that the leadership is together. We are still yet required by God to be perfect, if we fail to be of “one mind” God Himself will hold us responsible for the covenant that we have taken.
Please fill out the form at the end and return it in the envelope enclosed by April 1, 2005.
I want you to know that I am aware that the role of a leader, or being in leadership position, is sometimes difficult and lonely, but remember God is faithful and He has promised to “never (never, never), leave nor forsake us.”
Enclosed you will find a copy of the report that was submitted to the last years General Assembly.
There were many questions that came in inquiring what it meant to go back to the pre-1990 plan and what were some of the items paid for by this plan. You will also find enclosed information regarding this question. This is not all inclusive of the pre-1990 plan but only a portion of the needs that could have been met if the plan had been implemented.
God bless you as we work faithfully for the Master, and walk in One Mind and One Spirit.
Yours for Christ and The Church of God,
Robert J. Pruitt
General Overseer
RJP/gb
Enclosures
cc: James C. Nabors
Herman D. Ard
Kevin D. Werkheiser
Note: Please cut at dotted line and send back bottom portion in the enclosed, stamped, self-addressed envelope.
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(please see document graphic for the actual form)
Go Forward to Document B >>
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