The United Pentecostal Church
Judicial Procedure
Introduction

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


HOME / CONTACT / HOW DO I HELP? / OLD FEEDBACK / EXPERIENCES / UPC MEMBERS SPEAK / ARTICLES / BOOKS / ISSUES / LOIS' WRITINGS / ORGANIZATIONS / OTHER SITES /
WHY THIS SITE? / STATEMENT OF BELIEFS / WHAT IS SPIRITUAL ABUSE? / OPEN LETTER /
UPC BELIEFS / HISTORY OF UPC / APOSTOLIC CONGRESS / DEVOTIONALS/  SUPPORT GROUP/

Established
August 23, 1997
Copyright © 1997-present by Lois E. Gibson
Contents of this web site and all original works are copyright - All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of the owner.

Shop at our Amazon store! This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.