A beyond-disturbing glance into the pastoral leadership of UPC churches
Sometimes I've wondered why no one ever talks about how UPC pastorates tend to be monarchies - that is, a man pastors a church until he retires or dies, at which point the pastor's son becomes the pastor. This can last for generations. It's important to note that education is completely disregarded for UPC pastors - there are no requirements for seminary degrees, Bachelor degrees, or anything beyond a mere "call" to preach. This, obviously, can have drastic consequences as pastors lack necessary qualifications to lead congregations, knowledge of scripture upon which to base followers' relationships with God, and simple education about one's culture and position within it.
Furthermore, there is no biblical precedent for the handing of pastorates from father-to-son. There are very clear New Testament guidelines for church leadership and selecting pastors, and none of them even remotely revolve around pedigree. There is a disclaimer, of course, that not all UPC (or WWPF, AlJC, etc) churches are monarchistic - in fact, most are not. But this trend definitely exists to a disturbing degree.
Consider, for example, some of the largest Oneness Apostolic churches in the nation, keeping in mind this is a mere sampling of occurrences:
Christian Life Center, Stockton, CA - 3 generations of monarchy
The Pentecostals of Alexandria, Alexandria, LA - 3 generations
Life Tabernacle, Houston, TX - 2 generations
The Pentecostals of the Twin Cities, West Monroe, LA - 2 generations
First Pentecostal, Denham Springs, LA - 2 generations
Bethel UPC, Long Island, NY - 2 generations
First Pentecostal, Jackson, MS - 2 generations
Cornerstone UPC, Ocala, FL - 3 generations
Abundant Life, Ft. Wayne, IN - 2 generations
First Church, Pearland, TX - 2 generations
Christian Life Center, Gaithersburg, MD - 2 generations
The two largest churches in UPC - Alexandria and Stockton - each represent 3 generations of father-son-grandson pastoral leadership. These two churches alone represent a combined 1% of all UPC adherents in the U.S.
This practice of passing leadership positions within the same church from father-to-son, with no inherent qualifications necessary other than genealogy, should pose considerable concern for UPC church membership. As well, keep in mind that church governance within the UPC, like most Charismatic churches, is shaky at best. In my 23 years in UPC I never officially was offered membership (it was presumed), attended a single business meeting (there was only one held in all those years), and never voted for the addition or removal of any church leaders. While exceptions exist, of course, UPC generally does not have positions of deacon or elder, leaving most important financial, spiritual, and polity decisions up to a single person - the pastor - with little accountability.
What does this have to do with biblical matters? The shocking lack of education within the UPC is pandemic. UPC youth are generally discouraged from continuing their education beyond high school, and the ones that do usually depart from the faith. Sadly, though, the vast majority of educated UPCers wind up in a paradoxical atheist-agnostic position, isolated from any body of believers. Within the church, this lack of education and training is promulgated from the pulpit. Senior pastors, whose resumes contain little more than a "call" from God and their family tree, proffer their services, prejudices, and ignorance about the rest of Christianity, relying on their simple "formula" allegedly found in Acts 2:38. All the while, their followers, isolated from true biblical guidance and doctrine, are led astray by legacy-makers in sheep's clothing.
For a truly disturbing view of this (and the socialization of hype), watch this video.
Additional Resources
- OnenessPentecostal.net
- Christ My Only Hope (also ex-Oneness Pentecostal)
- In Christ Alone! Podcasts
- A former UPC pastor's blog
- Acts 18 Ministries
- Pentecostal Freedom
- Recovering Pentecostal
- SpiritualAbuse.org
- Why I Left (UPC)
- Association of Former Pentecostals
- In Christ Alone Ministries
- The Harbor Blog
- Let Us Reason Ministries
- Discernment Ministries
- "Pulpit Pimps" takes on PAW, COGIC, and others
- Wittenburg Door webzine
- UPC on Wikipedia
- Official site of WPF
- Official site of UPCI
Articles
- church governance (1)
- holiness (5)
- My Story (3)
- salvation (6)
- the trinity (8)
- tongues (1)
- worldwide pentecostal fellowship (2)
- worship (6)
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9 comments:
I cannot speak for your experience in a UPC church…all churches are different. But I believe it is inaccurate and unwise to paint all with a broad brush. I have been involved with churches….UPC and others….for over 30 years.
Every church I’ve been a part of…from very small (10 members) to larger (1500 members)…have had business meetings, elections of officers, ratification of by-laws, etc… . All of the churches I been a part of had Trustees. These were members of the congregation who were elected by the congregation to hold the financial assets of the church “in trust”. In other words…they were to make sure the congregation’s best interest were represented and carried out. Again…just my experience.
Regarding your use of the term “monarchistic” and the belief that these individuals are not qualified. I am assuming that you know all of these individuals and their qualifications…or lack there of. Do you take issue with a law firm or doctors office that employs family…is this simply limited to churches? I noticed that you did not mention Lakewood church…do you think he is unqualified also? Does a “degree” qualify a person? If so...then exclude much of the Old Testament writers...and much of the New for that matter. I have sat in seminary classes with Wiccan warlocks & witches(self proclaimed)…do I believe they are qualified to pastor a Christian church simply because they passed the class…No. We are instructed to “study” so that we can become skilled craftsmen approved of by God….not by men. I believe the scriptures are correct when they speak of God gifting people to be pastors, teachers, etc.. . I also believe that it is the responsibility of those who have these gifts to become the best that they can be and this includes education….but I would not say that education makes someone a pastor.
Regarding education. You claim that higher education is “generally discouraged” and imply that most that have it leave their faith in Christ to become an agnostic or atheist. I would question the facts for such a claim. I do not believe it to be true.
Regarding the churches you list. I know them and have worked with most them. Would it make you feel better to know that the next pastor of The Pentecostals of Alex. will not be from that family? Does that make him more or less qualified?
I do believe that education and experience are very valuable resources, but would not dismiss the “prompting, calling, leading” of the Spirit so quickly. Man can only go so far in his pursuit of knowledge….we all need the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.
That young preacher is wearing short legged britches and short sleeves on the platform. This must be one of those liberal UPC churchs! LOL
why should there be a kid you cant nderstand preaching(mocery?)
I do not understand you at all. What is your point? I dare you to go to Alexandria and spend one hour in their prayer room! It will give you a new reason to live!
Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Sir, Jesus told Peter in Luke 22:31 "satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat"
When wheat is sifted it is cast to the wind.
Think about what you are doing and saying.
Gerard!
You are misrepresenting some of these churches! DS for instance PASTOR is a first generation there. Yes his son is youth pastor but there have been a few over the past few years, same thing with West Monroe. Silly Boy!
Hi there! I'm sure I know you, but all I can see is "Anonymous". I do consider DS to be multigenerational since there are two generations of Johnsons there.
The multigenerational selection of pastors - youth/student pastors included - from within the same family is uniquely charismatic, and that's what I'm talking about in the post.
I find this funny, how you attribute that none of the UPCI churches have qualified ministers nor do they make their Ministers go thru some sort of training or seminary... I know from experience that what you're stating here is a load of Malarkey!! There are tones of things that a person has to do to attain a license from the UPCI, and A person doesn't just get there by a 'calling' of God. Many are called but few are chosen! First, in order to even considered to become a Licensed Minister with the UPCI you must adhear to strict guidelines, read a list off materials as well as put in Preaching Time to even be considered.. The UPCI doesn't just give away licenses anymore... There are many Bible Colleges aswell that enrich the minds of Young Ministers, although they are not compulsory for a Minister to attend to receive licensing they're still there! CLC in Stockton, is one of the Largest UPCI Campus' for Bible College and Education of Young People in the United States! As for the whole monarchy thing, After a Pastor decides to give up his spot either due to age, retirement, health issues... etc.. most churches Vote on the incomming Pastor and it is not "chosen" by the leaving pastor, however; The leaving Pastor may suggest the incomming person. I don't know where you're getting all of this information that you're spewing out of Hatred here, but I pray that you will be healed of all the Spiritual Wounds that you clearly have, Remember "One Bad Apple, Doesn't ruin the whole Buch!
You don't have your facts straight. The POA is not pastored by Gentry Mangun. Anthony Mangun is the son of Elder G.A. Mangun and they are the only two Manguns to pastor in Alexandria.
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