The United Pentecostal Church International began with 521 churches and has grown, according to their own figures, to more than 43,000 churches, including daughter works and preaching points, 43,000 ministers, and a total constituency of over 5.75 million worldwide.[3][4] The international fellowship of United Pentecostals consists of national organizations that are united as the Global Council of the UPCI,[5] which is chaired by the general superintendent of the UPCI, currently David K. Bernard.
The General Assembly of the Apostolic Assemblies merged with another church, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW), and accepted the leadership of G. T. Haywood, an African American. This group held the first meeting in Eureka Springs in 1918. This interracial organization adopted the PAW name and remained the only Oneness Pentecostal body until late 1924. Southern Jim Crow laws and racial hatred resulted in many white leaders withdrawing from the PAW rather than remaining under African American leadership.[9] Many local congregations in the Southern U.S., however, remained integrated while attempting to comply with local segregation laws.
In 1925, three new Oneness churches were formed: the Apostolic Churches of Jesus Christ, the Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance,[10] and Emmanuel's Church in Jesus Christ. In 1927, steps were taken toward reunifying these organizations. Meeting in a joint convention in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Emmanuel's Church in Jesus Christ and the Apostolic Churches of Jesus Christ merged, taking the name the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.[11] This merger united about 400 Oneness Pentecostal ministers. In 1931, a unity conference with representatives from four Oneness organizations met in Columbus, Ohio attempting to bring all Oneness Pentecostals together. The Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance voted to merge with the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, but the terms of the proposed merger were rejected by that body. Nevertheless, a union between the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and the PAW was consummated in November 1931. The new body retained the name of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.
In 1932, the Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance changed its name to the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated to reflect its organizational structure. In 1936, Pentecostal Church, Incorporated ministers voted to work toward an amalgamation with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. Final union, however, proved elusive until September 25, 1945, when these two Oneness Pentecostal organizations voted in St. Louis, MO, to merge and form the United Pentecostal Church International.[12][13] The merger of these two Oneness Pentecostal bodies brought together 521 churches.[14]
In the U.S. and Canada, the newly formed United Pentecostal Church International traditionally reflected the surrounding demographics, with the majority of its constituency being White and Anglo-American. In the last quarter of the twentieth century, however, the United Pentecostal Church International attempted to shift its doctrines toward the inclusion of every race and culture in North America. In 2008, the United Pentecostal Church International published a statement against racism, stating that it affirms the worth and dignity of every human being, regardless of race or ethnicity, and consequently opposes bigotry and hatred.[15] Despite attempts to reconcile with minorities, several congregations have left the United Pentecostal Church International citing persistent racism.[16][17]
The UPCI's core theology is consistent with that of other Oneness Pentecostals,[18][19] rejecting the Trinity and instead believing that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are different manifestations of God, as opposed to separate persons.[20] The UPCI believes that one must repent, be baptized "in the name of Jesus" (as opposed to "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"), and receive the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues to be saved, as outlined in Acts 2:38.[21]
Ministers at all levels of the UPCI are allowed to marry and have children. The UPCI considers any form of homosexuality, fornication, adultery, polygamy, bestiality, incest, and transgenderism[a] to be contrary to biblical teaching and states that God's plan is "heterosexuality, with definite boundaries between sexes in both appearance and behavior."[22][23] The UPCI has stated, however, that it does not preach condemnation, but rather reconciliation, and implores everyone to be reconciled to God.
The UPCI opposes legalized abortion, as well as any legislation that would "bring about a climate designed to undermine the sanctity of human life." It has also designated the third Sunday in January of each year as "Sanctity of Life Sunday."[24]
Technology
Scripture elegantly solves the proper management of media technology with a single verse: “I will set no wicked thing before mine eye…”
United Pentecostal Church International, Media Technology
The UPCI states in its Articles of Faith that it disapproves of members owning televisions.[25]
In 1998, the UPCI published a position paper on computer and internet usage that suggested the following guidelines in the home:[26]
Placing computers in an area used by the whole family
Placing programs on computers that block vulgar or sexually explicit material
Sharing passwords
Regularly evaluating website history
Exercising restraint in the usage of such devices
In a 2013 position paper, the UPCI further clarified its stance on all forms of media technology outside of television, including computers, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles. It stated that because "sinful media programming" is available through such mediums, the UPCI calls for responsible use that is solely in accordance with "wholesome Christian principles."[27]
Other issues
The UPCI lays out its position on other matters in its ministerial manual, including the following issues.[25]
The UPCI is opposed to gambling, defined as “to bet on an uncertain outcome, to stake something on a contingency, playing the game of chance for stakes.” This opposition is due to the fact that it considers gambling addictive, inconsistent with scriptural work ethic, ignoring stewardship, and involving monetary gain to the hurt and suffering of the less fortunate.[28]
Organized sports
The UPCI recommends that members refrain from participating in organized sports―excluding recreational activities within the local church―because it has an "attitude and appearance that opposes Pentecostal principles, teachings, and standards."
Transcendental Meditation
The UPCI is strongly opposed to Transcendental Meditation and its "further funding, promotion, or teaching... in classrooms."
In response to the publication of the Revised Standard Version in 1952, the UPCI's General Conference adopted a statement in 1953 disapproving the use of the translation. Further, the statement provided the King James Version as "the most accurate translation of the Scriptures to be used in our churches and among our people."
In 2022, the UPCI further clarified its stance on Bible translations with a position paper. The statement continued to recognize the King James Version of the Bible as a "trusted and prominent translation of the Scriptures," and further recommended only translations (in English or other languages) that meet the following guidelines:[29]
Developed by a committee of scholars who hold a high view of inspiration―considering Scripture both inspired and infallible
The basic governmental structure of the UPCI is congregational at the local church level and presbyterian at higher organizational levels. Local churches are self-governing, electing their own pastors and other leaders, owning their own property, deciding their own budgets, establishing their membership, and conducting all necessary local business.[30] The central organization embraces a modified presbyterian system: ministers meet in sectional, district, and general conferences to elect officers and to conduct the church's affairs. The annual General Conference is the highest authority in the UPCI, with the power to determine articles of faith, elect officers, and determine policy. A General Superintendent is elected to preside over the church as a whole. On October 1, 2009, David K. Bernard was announced as the new General Superintendent.[31]
Statistics
According to their own statistics, the UPCI grew from 521 member churches in 1945 to 4,961 churches (including 466 daughter works and 284 preaching points), 11,694 ministers, and a total constituency of 1,091,000[32] in the United States and Canada in 2023. Outside the U.S. and Canada, the UPCI has 38,238 churches and preaching points, 31,890 ministers, and a constituency of 4,750,595 in 199 nations and 39 territories.[4][33] The international fellowship consists of national organizations that are united as the Global Council of the UPCI, which is chaired by the general superintendent of the UPCI, David K. Bernard. Total worldwide membership, including North America, is at 5.75 million.[3][34]
General Conference
The General Conference of the United Pentecostal Church International is an annual conference occurring yearly since 1945.[35] It is the highest governing body of the UPCI.[4] Attendees of the conference conduct business, receive training, network with colleagues, participate in worship sessions, and raise funds for various ministries.[36][37]
North American Youth Congress (NAYC) is a church gathering primarily for the youth of the UPCI, held biennially since 1979 in various locations around North America. NAYC is the largest event hosted by the United Pentecostal Church International and has been described as one of the largest, if not the largest, gathering of Christian youth in the US.[38][39] The largest NAYC to date was in 2019, when NAYC was held at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri from July 31 to August 2. The event was attended by over 36,000 youths.[40]
Currently, there are only three accredited colleges and seminaries endorsed by the UPCI:
Christian Life College in Stockton, California
Urshan College in Wentzville, Missouri
Urshan Graduate School of Theology in Wentzville, Missouri
Global Association of Theological Studies
The Global Association of Theological Studies (or GATS) is the higher education arm of UPCI Global Missions, overseeing the development and implementation of Oneness Pentecostal curriculum for its member schools.[47] The GATS has 526 bible schools in 120 countries worldwide, representing about 11,000 students and 3,000 graduates annually.[48] In 2019, its member schools graduated 3,375 students.[49]
Footnote
^The UPCI defines "transgenderism" to mean “appearing as, wishing to be considered as, or having undergone surgery to become a member of the opposite sex.”
