The Book of Government

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[namaste]

As an FYI, I decided to take a slightly different tact on getting the documents.  I sent an e-mail out to the GC board of oversight this morning requesting production of the documents by 5PM PST Friday.  I told them that if I didn't get them, I would proceed with a formal (certified) request and file complaints with the appropriate agencies/organizations (starting with the IRS).

I figured I should ask politely first.

[J]

Cool, let us know if you hear anything.

[namaste]

Will do!  :wink:

So far I haven't heard a peep.  But they will provide the documents by Friday, or I will immediately escalate the matter.

As I said in my e-mail, apparently they're under the mistaken impression that they have a choice in the matter.  They're quite wrong.

[namaste]

As an FYI-
There are compelling legal reasons to use Articles of Association that have nothing specific to do with church/tradition/doctrinal issues.

Articles of Association are drafted for organizations just like GCx, who are composed of many independent groups affiliate to an overall organization.  In such situations, where it is desired to create the effect of a "loose" legal affiliation, "Articles of Association" are usually drafted.

So the reason why they chooses "Articles of Association" in lieu of a "Book of Government" could be a simple, common, legal one.

HTH.

[The Clone]

Never.  GC will never reform, ask Linda.

[Linda]

Just to clarify, it is my hope that GCM will someday correct some wayward doctrine (mostly in the area of leadership, authority, and commitment to the group). There are some very nice people and families who are part of "the movement".

Never. GC will never reform, ask Linda.

I think what you are referring to here was the comment Mark Darling made to Terry and me when we brought our concerns to him. Mark mentioned that our church, Evergreen, would never change regarding the areas of concern that we mentioned and that it would be better for us to leave rather than to stay and try to change things. (Also, of course, better for the pastors to not have people like us around bringing things up).

It is my understanding that he was not speaking for the entire association of churches, just Evergreen.

[The Clone]

There is a saying in India, Linda: A dog's tail is always crooked.

How much more simple can it be?  Darling will be who he is.  Reba suggests that he is a control freak.  The Open Letter to Mark and other sources and Mark using F-Bombs at youth seminars that the dsyfucntional tendencies will never change, but get worse at it goes.  Ask the dog.

[J]

Sorry for the lack of an update. I see namaste got a copy of the articles.

Dave did finally respond to me 4 months after my last email:

It had been our plan and hope that some updates to our Articles of
Association would have completed by early this summer.  These have not yet
been completed.  If you are still interested in a copy of the Arcitles, I
would be glad to send them to you, even though the updates are not yet
finished.  Although the articles do not include procedures for handling
complaints, they do define the structure of our association.  Please send me
an address where to send them if you so desire.  I believe I sent you an
earlier email concerning how to handle any complaints you or others may
have.


Dave Bovenmyer

However, knowing that the articles of association are nothing like what the "Book Of Government" was promised to be in the error statement, my initial question was never really fielded. To recap, my question was simply:

I am curious as to the status of the "Book of Government" mentioned in the 1991 Church Error Statement. Someone suggested you knew something about it.
Was this book ever created?

A simple "yes" or "no" would have sufficed. Not all of this evasive question dodging.