The purpose of the Judicial Procedure (hereinafter “JP”) is to resolve grievances,
allegations of failure to abide by the ministerial rules and obligations, and complaints
of ethical, moral, financial, and/or doctrinal violations brought against ministers in
the UPCI.
Since the Bible instructs us to resolve ministerial and church problems within the
church (I Corinthians 6:18), the UPCI does not approve of any credentialed UPCI
minister resorting to the civil courts to seek resolutions of conflicts that arise within
the structure of the UPCI. In many cases, initiating a lawsuit against a fellow minister
or against a UPCI church may be grounds for disciplinary action against a minister.
This JP is designed to be the instrument by which the UPCI resolves grievances
between ministers and complaints about the conduct of ministers.
The JP is not a substitute for appropriate secular criminal investigation or prosecution.
In some circumstances, it may be necessary to inform or cooperate with
secular authorities concerning criminal conduct. No statement in this JP shall be
interpreted to require confidentiality when there is a legal duty to report any criminal
conduct. Further, any guidance in the JP that suggests that information shared
in informal meetings shall not be considered evidence does not apply to situations
related to criminal conduct that must be reported to authorities by law.
Since it is the desire of the fellowship to protect the rights of the accused, it must
always be presumed that the accused is innocent until proven guilty. Moreover, the
JP makes provision for an appeal to correct errors that affect a judgment.
The UPCI strongly condemns any attempt to prejudice the fellowship for or
against the accused through any process outside this JP. A minister’s character
should not be impugned by innuendo or rumor. Moreover, any attempt to obstruct
the judicial process or to intimidate, malign the character of, or threaten recrimination
of the accused minister, the person bringing the grievance or making the complaint,
the district representative, the presiding officer, jurors, counselors, witnesses, or any
others involved in the judicial process may result in substantial disciplinary action,
subject to JP.
This JP seeks a simple means of resolving ministerial problems in an orderly and
Christian atmosphere without requiring any legal training. No person should attempt
to use its provisions to evade guilt or to bend its authority to create confusion. It is
to be administered by firm, competent hands, governed by truth and holiness, and
clothed with respect, brotherly kindness, and love.
The above is part of the judicial procedure of the United Pentecostal Church International and is provided for informational purposes.
Page Added February 10, 2007 & Updated March 3, 2024