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Resolution No. 5: TV and the UPC
By Kent d Curry with special reporting by Derrick Williams
October 4, 2004

For the United Pentecostal Church International’s (UPCI) 80^th General Conference, the focus was not on the regular elections or the Mormon surroundings, but on Resolution No. 5, which resolved to allow UPCI ministers to create advertising and programming for television.

Speculation was rampant on all sides, with predictions that the debate would dissolve into unsavory outbursts (it didn’t, everyone was civil and courteous, and only a couple speakers “preached,” but even they stayed on topic), to no one would’ve done any serious research on the topic (a few speakers from both sides conducted research and shared their findings), to threats that churches would pull out of the organization if the resolution passed.

Bro. Kenneth Haney, general superintendent of the UPCI, presided over the session in Salt Lake City’s Delta Center, setting the ground rules for all, enforcing them fairly, leading prayer, making sure the speakers rotated between those for and those against, refusing to allow clapping at any point, and then closing the session at the predetermined hour time limit. (A motion to continue after that hour, from 11 a.m. to noon, failed.)

He also refused the “Call the Question” that rang through the building about 20 minutes in, insisting the discussion be allowed first. Later, he (twice) asked if anyone was taping this business meeting, which is never allowed; when one brave soul raised his hand, Haney asked to speak with him after the session.

The Debate
By my count, 16 speakers shared their viewpoints from the different microphones on the floor. Unfortunately, because the quality of the speaker system, and the fact that some speakers did not give their full names, I was unable to attribute all of the quotes. (If there are inaccuracies, please understand that to be my scribbled notes and not the speakers themselves.)

The speaker’s arguments broke down as follows:

Those against the resolution:

■  According to a book on winning souls, crusades and television ministry account for just .05% of everyone won to the Lord. Personal contact is much more effective.

■  Our separation message (from the world) is tied to television. “This will not change the world, it will change us.”

■  Bro. Larry Booker said he didn’t believe Jesus would use any means possible to reach the world. Without any modern technology, Paul reached all of Asia. He then illustrated his point by calling the demoniac girl who followed Paul proclaiming him a man of God, a medium if you will. This “medium” verified Paul’s ministry, but he still rebuked her. There were mediums the apostles wouldn’t use.

■  We are already one of the fastest growing religious movements in the world without television. This is a divisive issue that shakes the foundations. Think of unity: ‘If meat causes my brother to stumble, I won’t eat meat.’ We must pound the stakes of holiness deeper into the foundation.

■  One speaker pointed out that TV costs lots of money (James Dobson won’t buy television because it’s not cost effective); and the inconsistency of this resolution (An ad is tantamount to an endorsement of TV, that’s why people protest certain advertisers whose ads run during certain offensive shows).

■  TV is a jaded medium and has corrupted everyone who attempted to use it to reach souls.

Those for the resolution

■  According to Nielson, there are 110 million homes in the United States; over 108,400,000 have televisions; 42 percent have three televisions. This huge market is being untouched by the true Apostolic message.

■  For the sake of consistency, we have used every technology before and after television, this should not be the sticking point.

■  When the UPCI merger took place in 1945, it was accepted that there were “different views,” but we merged on what we agreed on, not what we disagreed on.

■  This brush arbor mentality must change, said Bro. Maurice Gordon after stating he had a conviction against owning a television before he received the Holy Ghost. “I don’t want their (the unreached) blood on my hands.”

■  Why is TV inappropriate for ads, but the internet appropriate? Paul and Barnabas disagreed about using Mark, but stayed respectful toward each other. The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC) allows TV advertising, yet hasn’t gone Charismatic.

■  We must teach character and principles instead of rules.

■  One speaker asked why everyone was thrilled at the local TV news coverage, but didn’t want to do it themselves. Holiness is attractive.

■  Bro. Irvin Baxter, Jr. of Endtime (radio) Ministries stated that God want us to preach to every creature without compromise; current TV programming is carnal, while some is evil; resolutions won’t protect us, as the internet is available; TV is an effective medium at reaching others, as politicians couldn’t be elected without it; for his radio ministry, he has a full-time employee that just answers queries from listeners seeking church homes and/or Bible studies. (In the last 18 months, 4,000 families have contacted them.) As for cost issues, he has a standing offer to reach 5 million homes for free. Also, he spends about $40,000 for 30 radio stations, but could reach 3.3 million via television for $50,000.

Not That It Ended There
Once the debate time ended, there was a call for a secret ballot. Bro. Kenny Godair then challenged the assembly to make a public statement to the world, in contrast to other religious organizations that have publicly endorsed sin (homosexual marriages and leaders, etc.). He moved for a public vote. (Of course, this would show everyone where they stood, and might endanger preaching opportunities, etc.)

This motion was put to a voice vote. Most seemed dumbfounded at its closeness. (I was unable to tell the difference between the yea’s and the nays.)

Haney then said to the collected brethren that before he announced the chair’s decision, “Don’t be ashamed to vote your conscience.” He implored everyone to stand firm in their beliefs.

He then said the voice vote was too close to call (I heard no one disagree with this assessment later), and they would revote by standing. Bro. Jerry Jones, general secretary of the UPCI, rallied the ushers and the long process of counting standing members began.

Once the numbers were counted, there were 1,226 for a secret ballot, 847 against. Haney noted there were more voters today (2,073) than yesterday (during the elections), so Bro. Paul Mooney, who oversees the tabulating, asked that everyone who voted be UPCI and that there be only one vote per minister. All non-UPCers were asked to exit the voting areas. (Everyone obviously hoping this was just a formality.)

Haney then led everyone to prayer, told them a “yes” vote was for the resolution, a “no” was against, then said, “You already know your conviction.”

Once the ballots were collected (at about 12:39 p.m.), about 200+ ministers exited (overhearing one say he had voted and was finished).

While the tabulating occurred offstage, the next resolution was introduced and discussed.

At about 1:01 p.m., the totals were announced. Mooney guaranteed their accuracy, as they’d been recounted three times. The final tally: 1,097 against (56.5%), 847 (43.5%) for the resolution. (Total votes: 1,944) Resolution 5 was defeated by 250 votes.

Final Thoughts
Naturally, there were many opinions stated and overhead for the remainder of the week. Here are a few:

■  One minister was struck that most of the pro-TV speakers didn’t use scripture, but many of the anti-speakers did.

■  I met an honest preacher who admitted he arrived at the business session undecided. (It was assumed everyone had already dug in on their side.)

■  Two ministers said they voted against the resolution due to the division it would have created if it had passed.

■  One knowledgeable source said the UPC has less than 10 churches that could afford broadcasts (and by that, I understood him to mean broadcasting services, which is problematic to begin with). It’s my understanding that at least one large church was ready to start broadcasting (almost) instantly.

■  Many feel TV won’t be an issue in five years, due to the merging / integrating of television with other technologies. (Indeed, one of the speakers on the floor mentioned that his cell phone had 30 channels available to it.)

■  Others felt like the timing of this resolution, at Salt Lake City, was poorly planned because the western districts, as a rule, are more conservative than the rest of the nation. This same group thought the resolution would have passed if it were instead presented in Richmond, VA (next year’s site).

■  It’s hard to catch the pulse on the closeness of the final vote. Many said they expected it to be that close, but only after the secret ballot vote was taken. Only a few admitted they were shocked at the overall percentages. Those who were certain it would be close certainly weren’t forecasting their views before Thursday.

Overall, this vote is just another signal that the world around uspolitically, socially, spirituallyis undergoing major transitions. For now, the UPCI voted to remain unchanged on this issue.

ninetyandnine.com

© 2004, Kent d Curry and Derrick Williams

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Kent d Curry is an Executive Editor of ninetyandnine.com. Derrick Williams is the Bible Quiz Coordinator of Florida District.