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An Open Letter from Bishop Otis Daniel
Dated: 02/18/07
...to Whom It May Concern in regards to a Misappropriation of
Funds on the part of The Church of God
February 18, 2007
To Whom It May Concern:
The Church of God found out years ago that apparently there is no safety in the council of men, a group of men, a board of men, a party of men, or a committee of men. There is only safety in a multitude of counselors, and in our case, The General Assembly under the direction of the Holy Ghost. If the General Assembly is mislead in any way the safety net is removed and then becomes the direction of man, groups, boards, parties, or committees to meet their agenda. The Bible, which is our rule of faith, warns us to make sure that the intentions of the heart be portrayed by the statements of the mouth. This is so imbedded in the character of the church that it has been taught and even passed in our Assembly by the multitude of counselors to make sure this is adhered to by the General Church from the General Headquarters to the local church.
CONCERNING OFFERINGS: “All monies are to be used for the purpose for which they are given or raised.”
100th General Assembly, September 2, 2005 A.B.M. Program page 59 Assembly minutes. Offerings received for work needed to be done in the Pruitt’s home. Repairs already made $2,500, but several repairs needed, carpet replaced, window replacement frames and casings. These extra needs would cost around $3,500. Offering received $8,520.25 plus 20 pounds. This was to be handled by General Headquarters. This offering was depleted without all the necessary repairs being paid.
101st General Assembly, September 1, 2006. Special recognition for the General Overseer Emeritus and wife, Norma. General A.B.M. director Connie Wilson to the General Assembly: “Would you like to show your love one more time with a love offering. I felt it would be wonderful for the assembly to do this for them. We would like to receive an offering for their house hold expenditures. I ask you to dig in your hearts and pockets. We cannot repay this couple for what they have done for us. This is a giving of love that you are going to present to Brother and Sister Pruitt.” Offering received $8, 551.22.
101st General Assembly September 3, 2006 Questions and Subjects Committee Section I: General Overseer Emeritus.
In recognition of thirteen years of devoted service as General Overseer of The Church of God, we recommend that Bishop Robert J. Pruitt be designated General Overseer Emeritus. We ask this General Assembly to show their love and approval by acclamation.
101st General Assembly September 3, 2006 Ways and Means Committee Recommendation:
This committee recommends the Administrative Committee be given the authority to provide necessary living assistance, in CONJUNCTION WITH GOVERNMENT INCOME, not to exceed the monthly maximum allotment to our General Overseer Emeritus and wife, Norma.
FACTS TO CONSIDER
It was the understanding by those without any political agenda that the report of the Ways and Means Committee mean exactly what was stated and there be no hidden clauses or loop holes for anyone to crawl through and neglect that which the Assembly agreed and passed on.
It appears to me and it is my belief that the 2006 Assembly Love offering, that we contributed to has now been depleted by misuse of the Administrative Committee.
It is a sad time when one needs a law degree instead of a degree in Divinity to understand what was stated and passed upon in any General Assembly. Members left the 2006 General Assembly with the understanding that the Ways and means Committee report would be carried out to the General Assembly desires. Brother Pruitt’s allotment would be met each month by Headquarters to bring his monthly salary up to the maximum allotment allowed by adding the necessary amount to his government social security income.
The cost of the carpet and installation has been taken out of this 2006 love offering. This was to be taken out of the offerings in 2005 which was received for this expense.
The remaining 2006 love offering was not given to the Pruitts but has been depleted by taking out the money allotted ($2,400) by the General Assembly for the Pruitt’s monthly living assistance in conjunction with their government allotment.
The term used for this is labeled “Misappropriations of Funds” by the secular world. How do we the members of The Church of God label this?
It is my understanding that this love offering should have been given to the Pruitts to be deposited into their account to be disbursed as their desired, and the living assistance should be received each month from the General Treasurer of The Church. If this is not the way it should have been handled, then the majority of the 101st General Assembly has been mislead.
The Administrative Committee is not ignorant about the amount of allotment which the Church is responsible to give to the Pruitts each month, even though the amount was taken from the Pruitt’s Assembly love offering. They disbursed $2,400. each month out of the love offering for three months until it was depleted to $711.44. The Pruitts have not received a monthly allotment for the past two months.
In my opinion, some are insulting the Pruitts and their years of commitment by making degrading statements such as, “We know Brother and Sister Pruitt are not destitute,” and “The less that the Pruitts draws from The Church, the better it would be for The Church. Our pockets are not as deep as the Church of God of Prophecy.” These statements should have never been made. The Administrative Committee has also requested a budget each month from Brother and Sister Pruitt. This budget will be used to base the amount paid to them according to their needs. This was not the understanding of the majority of the General Assembly when it was passed.
The Assembly did not give this love offering to make these monthly provisions based on the fact that they could or could not afford a tank of gas, the Pruitts being homeless and on the streets, or if they have the means to by a “Happy Meal” from a fast food restaurant. The Pruitt’s band account, whether large or small, and the way they spend their money is not the Church’s business. Our business is to honestly do what we said we would do.
These facts and statements were not swept under the rug, but given to you by request from those informed and concerned. Enclosed is a copy of Church Data from the General Ledger from the Period of September 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007, which was presented to the Pruitts.
Submitted by,
Otis Daniel
A faithful tithe payer
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Brother Otis Daniel of Tennessee