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An Important Series of Letters for those
concerned with the present state of
The Church of God
From the Desk of BISHOP DANNY CARTER,
Regional Overseer, The Church of God:Dear 1Fold Readers,
During the past few months, there have been certain situations that
have occurred. We felt that our readers deserve to know what is
being said, so the truth may be known.
We are posting, in sequential order, three letters that have been
circulated in the past month. I encourage everyone to carefully read
each letter in the order they were written.
1st Letter:
Brother Otis Daniel was asked to help shed light on situations
surrounding the Pruitt’s Love Offering and the Supplemental
Income Brother Pruitt had not been receiving. This letter is dated
February 18, 2007.
2nd Letter:
Brother Stephen Smith responded with a letter dated February 27, 2007, stating that Brother Daniel did not have, “adequate information” and made “assumptions” that were false. It was later stated in this letter that Brother Daniel had sent out “untrue statements,” for the purpose of sowing discord, and to bring about division.
3rd Letter:
Brother Daniel responds with a letter dated March 27, 2007. This letter is a must-read for everyone.
Dear Readers, please read these three letters and make copies for distribution, that the Holy Ghost might be allowed to help The Church.
Brother Daniel stated in his last letter that his, “…understanding of the situation exceeds headquarter’s explanation, and their explanations are not convincing.” I agree. The time-line of events do not add up. This feeble attempt to push something else aside is ridiculous to say the least.
I believe the ledger presented was an attempt to show that the General Church was destitute, as the Pruitt’s were told it was. This is the same spirit that, in 2005, had convinced Bishop Pruitt that The Church would go out of business (financially) if there wasn’t a change in the tithing system (10% to State/Regional Office & 10% to GHQ). On March 21, 2005, Bishop Dwayne Smith and I met with Brother Pruitt. During this meeting, Brother Pruitt stated, “If we don’t do something, The Church will go out of business.”
The pressure that our General Overseer was under (because of “a financial emergency” that didn’t exist) was tremendous. Dwayne Smith and I recognized that circumstances were being manipulated then, just as I believe they are now.
Dear friends, it is time to bring an end to the tyranny that has been forced upon all of us, and allow Jesus Christ, the Head of The Church, to put everything back in it’s proper place.
He will only use those who have clean hands and a pure heart. Everything that is of the flesh must disappear NOW!
Where are the Men of The Church? Why haven’t the hard questions been asked? How is it that Men of Integrity, who have had all things in common with God and The Church for a lifetime, have been disregarded as if there is no truth in them? Let their records speak for them today, just as it will on judgment day.
Sincerely,
Danny L. Carter
The Church of God
Regional Overseer
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A letter from OTIS DANIEL...
...dated 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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A rebuttal letter from STEPHEN SMITH, General Overseer of The Church of God, Tillie Road, TN:
TO: All State/National/Regional Overseers, General Coordinators and
Appointees of The Church of God.
FROM: General Overseer, Stephen E. Smith
SUBJECT: Letter by Otis Daniel
DATE: February 27, 2007
Dear Fellow Laborers:
Greetings to all of you. I hope you are enjoying the favor of the Lord. We continue to hear good reports of the Lord’s blessings. Conventions, revivals, and local church services are finding God’s favor and we are thankful for His goodness to The Church of God.
I am writing concerning a letter recently mailed by Otis Daniel, which is also circulating on the Internet. It has not caused any major problems, but I felt I should address the issue so that you can answer those in your area who may inquire about it.
Otis Daniel’s letter accuses the Administrative Committee of misappropriating funds designated to help our former General Overseer, Brother Pruitt. This information is not correct. The 2006 General Assembly received an offering of over $8,500.00 for Brother and Sister Pruitt. As with the offerings of previous years, the Pruitts desired to receive portions of the offering as they needed it. The ledger sent out by Daniel reveals that this is exactly what has happened. The funds were given as they were asked for. A part of Daniel’s accusation seems to be that on two occasions (not three, as Daniel asserts) $2,400.00 was given to Brother Pruitt, and Daniel thought this amount was being taken from the General Assembly love offering and used to fulfill the Church’s obligation to supplement the Pruitts’ income as ruled by the General Assembly. This is false. The $2,400.00 simply represents disbursements from the love offering to give to the Pruitts, just as the ledger states. Until a few days ago only about $700.00 remained in this account, and this has been given to Brother Pruitt. The very ledger Daniel included along with his letter reveals that the money has indeed been disbursed, and it has been done as requested by the Pruitts. Otis Daniel simply misread and misinterpreted the information on the ledger.
The General Assembly also passed the following resolution presented by the Ways and means Committee at this last Assembly:
The Committee recommends that 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.
Until last week these funds had not been disbursed, as the General Treasurer had been unable to learn how much government income the Pruitts were receiving. Until this was disclosed, he could not make disbursements, as he had no idea how much funds to allot each month. It was only this past week the needed information was provided, and the funds were paid out in full.
The Church of God deeply loves Brother and Sister Pruitt, and we are committed to see they are taken care of as outlined by the General Assembly. It is deeply disappointing to see those who, without adequate information, make assumptions that are false, and send out untrue statements. Such action is taken, not to edify the Body of Christ or to seek the welfare of others, but to sow discord and bring about division. Let’s continue to pray for these souls. We do not desire to see any lost.
If you desire further information about the funds appropriated to Brother Pruitt, feel free to call our General Treasurer. He will be happy to answer your questions.
God bless and keep you,
Stephen E. Smith
General Overseer
SES/gb
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A letter from BROTHER OTIS DANIEL...
...in response to the February 27 letter from STEPHEN SMITH:March 27, 2007
To Whom It May Concern:
On February 18, 2007, one hundred and eighty-two letters were mailed and two web-sites carried information addressing the matter of a decision made by our General Assembly, about Brother Pruitt’s monthly retirement. Now I am writing to answer accusations concerning the letter I wrote.
The official judgment by General Headquarters about my letter was written to all State, National, Regional Overseers, and appointees of The Church of God, dated February 27, 2007. Headquarters and some others concluded that I “Daniel” was misinformed and had misinterpreted the information printed on the ledger. These also stated that I had inadequate information and that my assumptions were false and that the statements were false. Therefore, I was accused of sowing discord and bringing division to The Church of God.
I gave you the facts and concerns just as they were stated to me. For you that knew Brother Dorian Queener, know that he would occasionally call himself “a dummy” to make a point, so I also use the expression here to say “Am I such a dummy that I would not do my homework before presenting and distributing such a letter of information as this?” Now let those concerned judge this matter.
Where did I get my information? Did I make this information up just to bring division? No. Was not the information documented by the ledger? If everything was in line with the Assembly, then why was I called in the first place? If I was misinformed, it was because Headquarters did not inform the Pruitts of their actions concerning the allotment and disbursements of the love offering. It was not for me to defend Headquarters. It was for Headquarters to defend their actions, and if their explanation is accepted then O.K.
Sure, we can all add and subtract and come up with $711.44 credit, but this was not the issue. The issue was that the Pruitts felt that the love offering was being used to supplement Brother Pruitt, which is not according to the Assembly rulings, and that’s the facts which I gave The Church. The fact is that nothing had been explained to the Pruitts. The Power of Attorney had been disregarded by the Administrative Committee. Their allotment had not been paid. The carpet and installation was paid out of their love offering, which headquarters states: the love offering was disbursed in portions as requested by the Pruitts. Why did the Power of Attorney not know this? Since when does The Church not recognize the law of the land concerning the Power of Attorney? The Administrative Committee is not given the authority over the business affairs of the Pruitts, only the Power of Attorney.
Why was the ledger presented to the Pruitts the first week in February and already with a closing date of February 28th? Why did one individual in the Administrative Committee lead the Pruitts to believe The Church of God was destitute, and he also asked Brother and Sister Pruitt for a budget?
If I was misinformed and misunderstood, then why was a check taken to the Pruitts the day after my letter was posted on the internet? Why did it take over five months for the Administrative Committee to find out Brother Pruitt’s government benefits? Their phone number is not long distance and Brother Pruitt lives probably less than ten miles from Headquarters. Was not this the basis for Brother Pruitt’s salary for several years? Brother Pruitt even disclosed the amount he received monthly at one or more of our General Assemblies as he gave a report of his income. Why did one of the Administrative Committee bring a check and state he wanted his name to be cleared? Why did some on the Administrative Committee ask for the Pruitt’s forgiveness after my letter?
I did not accuse the Administrative Committee of misappropriations of funds. Please read my letter correctly. Just a note: Two friends of the family who hold the title of lawyer and one a Judge, after looking over the ledger, confirmed this by stating, “yes indeed, this is misappropriation of funds, this stinks to high heaven.” They also stated that it could be criminal and someone could go to jail, if this is pursued. However, I do not wish to see anyone prosecuted over this, if that were the case.
More for the Church to consider is how did the 2006 love offering end up in a fund called Pruitt’s Home Maintenance Fund? Why was the cost of the carpet and installation of carpet taken out of the 2006 offering received? Why was it not taken out of the 2005 offering received for this purpose? Refer to the 100th General Assembly Minutes, page 59. Is not this specifically stated?
Is this proper Church Business? I was on the Committee to help write the material for The Leadership Pastoral Development Class, and it was never discussed this way, nor did I ever teach it this way in the class, and neither did I teach Church Business this way in BTI, second term.
I could continue on to ask question after question because the letter from Headquarters does not give any sufficient answers. My understanding of the situation exceeds their explanations, and their explanations are not convincing.
Some have condemned me and categorized me as a sinner, because in their opinion, I did not go before the proper committees, and the proper military chain of command. My answer to this is; This is not a cult. In studying the Bible for fifty-plus years and the church doctrine and business for forty-plus years, I find that I followed the Bible route and informed the Church. The Bible doctrine and the 13th Assembly gave me that right. Besides this, others and myself were place on committees by Brother Pruitt as he spoke these words, “I want you to serve on these committees, because of your years of faithfulness to The Church and because of your integrity.” Now myself and others who served with integrity were dismissed by the former administration, and not by Brother Pruitt. They charged me as being a rebel and disloyal. The current administration never has questioned, or even mentioned our dismissal, even though I have never changed since the time Brother Pruitt appointed me. Someone stated “same horse – different rider. Same spirit – different administration.” The current Administration has accepted and even justified the actions taken by some of the former Administration.
If I have caused any discord, or have in any way caused division by my actions of informing the Church, then go the Bible way and label me, bring charges and disfellowship me. I will gladly be accountable for my actions.
My stand today is as always, and a quote from the Secretary of Defense of the United States seems appropriate here as he fired a top-ranking General at Walter Reed Hospital a few weeks ago: Quote: “I have no patience with men in positions who will not stand up and ask questions and demand answers.” Unquote.
It is time to get off our high horses, and the old saying goes, and forget our inflated positions and pious reputations and realize what and who we are. This issue is just a splinter off the whole board. If there is no need to stand up, sleep on and take thy rest.
Fear says, They who smite the shepherd has more power and are able to scatter the flock. Faith says I will rise, or stand up against those who smite the shepherd and go after the scattered sheep. Faith says, stand up and get these problems corrected from top to bottom, from bottom to top.
Is this worth standing for and asking questions? I have heard, but not from headquarters, that the Church has inherited a large sum on money since the Assembly. If this is true, when will the Church membership be informed about this?
Still Standing,
Otis Daniel
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