CHURCH INC. ....Should The Church Of Christ be a Corporation?
August 10 2002 at 9:56 AM
from IP address 66.20.109.196
Church incorporation- What's Wrong With It?
FOR:
Those that are for incorporation will tell you;
"This is simply a practical
everyday business decision and you
will see no effect on day-to-day operations."
"This will allow us to receive government donations that we otherwise couldn't get"
AGAINST:
Those that are against incorporation will tell you;
Incorporation of the Church just puts the Church closer to being under the control of Satan. Who denies that Satan controls our government. Jesus didn't when Satan tried to bribe him.
Decisions will be made with what is right under state law not what's right under God's law.
The Church's teaching on morality, homosexuality, man, woman, marriage, divorce and so much more will now have to conform to man's law not God's.
This message has been edited by ConcernedMembers from IP address 66.20.109.196 on Aug 10, 2002 2:52 PM This message has been edited by ConcernedMembers from IP address 66.20.109.196 on Aug 10, 2002 11:44 AM
I suppose we COULD just meet in each other's homes in small groups as the early church did and forget about all this need to organize/incorporate and have a building with all the attendant problems? But then, I guess concentrating on the simple pattern of worship set forth in the New Testament is too unsophisticated to be acceptable to most today. I guess God really didn't know what he was doing after all. Good thing He has us to figure out a better plan that would be more acceptable to Him.
I was told to acquire a Church House by the Lord!
I would like to know your opinion on a Church House and a Church period! Do Church Houses where saints live in and have servcies have to be incorporate?
Love, S,C
Yes I would effect our salvation from sin. There is not one passage in the bible that commands or even hints to us becoming a corperation. This is only on an individual basis.
Dear Concerned Member:
My husband and I are members of the Church of Christ, and I grew up at Madison many years ago, under Ira North and the wonderful eldership that was in existence at that time. After my husband and I were married, we traveled to several places to live. According to some state laws, churches must incorporate to be of legal status. There is a meeting once a year of the church membership, and trustees are appointed, or continued from previous appointments. This in no way affects the church's teaching or operation. It is a matter of satisfying the legal requirments of different states. I had supposed that it might be that way all over this country. We are in WV, and even here, in this little "out of the way" place, we are incorporated to satisfy the legal requirements. We have a deed filed in the courthouse for the property to satisfy another legal requirement. This, too, does not affect the operation of the church. It has nothing to do with how our services are conducted, nor when they are conducted. If Madison has incorporated, I do not know the reason for it, whether it is for financial reasons or legal requirements. If the congregation is in financial straits, it may be a matter of incorporating to protect individual members. I do not know. Do you know? We are very hurt by the "goings on" at Madison, but I am not sure that the incorporating of the place is a wrong turn. If you think so, why? I am just interested to know what is wrong with it. I know that here it would be wrong to NOT incorporate.
Thank you for your time.
C. Scott
Brothers,
Please do not allow the owners of this site to draw us into another fight over something that has never been an issue. I have been a member of the church for sixty years and aquainted with churches from New York to California, Canada to South America. Some churches have been incorporated as far back as I can remember and some have not. Usually the only way you could tell a difference was when it came time to have the annual meeting to elect new trustees or re-afirm the existing ones. Some say there are legal advantages and others say no, while others could care less.
It is clear to me that the owners of this site will bring up anything to try and divide.(It is obvious they probably don't attend anymore, If they ever did). If they can't convince you that Madison is "Pagan", they will try and confuse you over incorporation. The next thing you know they will try and divide us over whether the parking lot should be paved with asphalt or concrete, or whether it should be left "natural dirt".
Anyone who reads through this site with the links connected will see all to well that unless they can rule they will die trying to ruin.
Don't be sucked in. I know its tempting, but they are interested only in how many people they can line up against any of these things.......
Just notice how many of the links have played out, no one is interested anymore, so, they come up with something else. Watch it, when this link dies out they will come up with something else and try and make it an issue to divide........
Does anyone need Scripture to show you that such is wrong?
Re: Incorporation, To Be or Not : (by Mem,ber At Madison) August 10 2002, 10:06 PM
August 12 2002, 7:19 PM
Dear Member:
The incorporation has never been an issue at Madison????? You indicated that you “have been a member of the church for sixty years.” Since I have no idea as to how long you’ve been a member at Madison, I would like to remind you that the “incorporation” ordeal had not occurred prior to the resignation of the 7 elders in less than a year’s time. Based on that fact, I find it difficult to convince myself that incorporation was not an agendum in the elders’ discussions and meetings at that time. Also, my recollection is that the reinstatement of the use of the praise team was a big issue – probably the final “straw” -- among the elders some months ago. Look at what happened just this past July? The “amplified” voices of the “praise team” performances have been reinstated. And please don’t even begin to think that such (the “praise team” or choir) is no longer an issue!!!
Only those who are not familiar with the “Restoration Movement” and with what the New Testament teaches about the church or the body of Christ, and are not so familiar with what the Community Church Movement is doing in dismantling churches of Christ, would say (as you said), “It is clear to me that the owners of this site will bring up anything to try and divide.”
Let me make one correction to your statement about incorporation: This site does not “try and confuse you over incorporation.” The site is informing you of more of the risky and trendy “upgrading-the-church” moves. Just try to follow the SUBTLE PATTERN of changes that the change advocates have implemented at Madison: the Saddleback feature of the “alternative” contemporary style of worship, the domination by the “praise team’s” vocal cords in “congregational” singing, less emphasis in the study of the Scriptures and more use of study materials from denominational sources, the Pentecostal belief in the Holy Spirit, overall secularism mixed in with spiritualism, just recently the preaching of the “tithing” experience in a Christian’s life (which will probably be followed by the signing of a pledge or commitment), the “covenant of membership” (probably coming up next), and others.
Member, let’s not be in favor of the prospect of making the church of Christ at Madison into a denomination. Otherwise, it would seem to not matter if you started worshipping with those in the denominational world that already have these things you really desire in place and have the experience that some churches of Christ are just getting a taste of.
Don’t be so sure about “how many of the links have played out.” For one thing, your fellow workers and responders have not done their job of counterattacking the truth. Are they not interested anymore? Or do they lack scriptural evidences to support their views? Are you going to be just like them? Lose interest? No scriptural support? Yes, it is VERY IMPORTANT that we not violate God’s will for Christians.
Actually, the Federal Government (if you believe the IRS is a part of the Federal Government) requires ALL churches to register as Corporations and if you want to maintain your tax exempt status you are not allowed to discuss anything of a political matter. (This law is currently being reviewed).
Under the current law "anything political" can mean speaking against homosexuallity, war, adultry, the sad state of public education, etc.
Some states require by law that churches incorporate.
The problem with the Madison church now is that the leadership has abandoned the New Testament pattern of organization, worship, and pratices. So it really does not matter under the present leadership what the Madison post-modern Church of Christ denomination does--not any more than any other denomination in the Madsion area. This is a free country where churches do what they will from Oral Roberts to Max Lucado and Bill Hybels, and all under the law of the body politic. Buck Dozier would better serve the Madison church by going back into poltics serving under the controlling hands of handlers
And J.E. Choate would better serve the cause of Christ (if that is what he is interested in serving) by keeping his nose out of Madison Church of Christ. What part of "we are not interested in your expert criticism" don't you understand? If things make no difference, then why are you so interested in getting in the middle of it? BUG OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps you would fall on your knees and Brother Choate will tell you some history. I lament that he is too much of a gentleman to tell what I sense to be the TRUE story.
Because you defend it you share the guilt of the Jubilee movement begun with your (Madison's) preacher on the board of the Jubilee Corporation. You share the guilt of reaching out TO THE WORLD to radically restructure churches of Christ into exactly what you have at Madison. My old group went home to Seattle having figured out how to slip the "church house of widows" right from under their nose. You have LADED yourself with the guilt by association.
You had a much longer nose when you dug up Gnosticism and the ZOE (mother goddess worship) concept. You participated in spending $250,000.00 (that's 1/4 of a million dollars) at Jubilee 98 and it seems to me that the feature was handwaving singers swaying around the "Asherah" poles with pipers piping and cymbals clanging.
You participated in teaching people how to LIFT HOLY NANDS and even to LAY ON HANDS. As far as I can see that is what you DIDN'T get for your quarter of a million dollars. Oh, yes, you probably sold books, sold CDs and booked gigs for the next year. That, too, is the MARK of the end-time Babylonian Harlot worship with his/her musicians and instruments screaming all of the way into Sheol.
You are a co conspirator in reaching out and touching probably every church of Christ in the country and probably the world with your "children in the seeker marketplace piping hoping to get Jesus into the perverted song and dance" of Dionysus, the original god of the new wineskin. Since the original "infiltrators and diverters" of the 19th century you have accepted membership with the grandest SOWING OF DISCORD in the history of the church.
Brother Choate didn't ask permission: "We" are interested in anything he says as a Biblically Literate scholar. Anti-Biblical means anti-Christ: you have chosen the losing side which will be the overwhelming majority of pseudo-Christians and I'll betcha that Brother Choate will be part of that "tiny drop of good juice, from the one almost rotten grape, off the one bare cluster, off the one dead vine, out of the one briar-infested vineyard, whose walls have been BROKEN down By God personally to let the BEAST people in to carry off those interested in wine, women and music." Try Amos 5, 6 and Isaiah 5.
I suspect that one can be a "member" without being a Child of God imbibing His Spirit evidenced by a hunger and thirst for knowing everything which can be known about Jesus, God Incarnate whom carnal eyes cannot see when they CLAP or "drive tent pegs" into His head.
Look closely at your forehead. If it is "brassy" then it has the mark of the NACHASH or serpent. No, it won't wash off, ever, never.
Incorporation was required in Seattle and the bylaws and the Secretary of State demanded an annual meeting of ALL MEMBERS to decide on the trustees.
The church had a "creed in the deed" which prohibited the introduction of instruments. Sooosss! We gets us a LAWYER after driving off the old members with a PRAISE TEAM from Jubilee and ZOE and got us a new membership. We lied and had the statement read that to PROTECT THE MEMBERSHIP the state bylaws HAD to be changed to permit instrumental music. Why? Why, not permitting instruments made you a SECTARIAN and you could be sued and lose all of your property if you were found guilty of being a SECTARIAN by preventing the singy-clappy guys and dolls from making church into a "theater for holy entertainment."
Went further, lied about the Biblical and historical facts but after years of silly sermonizing whos to know truth from a lie.
Well, it turned out that a few years of BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS to invite the SEEKERS in, the Christian Church (that loving, nonsectarian) group just up and stole the church house of widows. That has been the 100% history of actively trying to subvert everyone to instruments.
When a friend wanted to speak about the Bible's outlawing MUSIC as worship, he was told: "No, that would just be SOWING DISCORD." Well, how about getting the OLD bylaws so that the people can know what they are voting about. No. Cannot find bylaws. Check the safe. No, can't allow them to be conflicted about the WILL of the old owners. That would be SOWING DISCORD.
So, don't believe the STATED reasons for incorporating because POSTMODERNISM means that RENARRATING the truth is NOT lying if it serves a grander goal. Watch for that CLAUSE which permits music!
I suspect that the BYLAWS, incorporating and stacking the board of trustees is to keep YOU from STEALING BACK the property a DIRECT AUDIBLE VOICE FROM GOD said would serve Him better without the Word and by "children piping" FINALLY getting Him to sing and dance the perverted song and dance of Dionysus. Leading the YOUT into Canaan land fulfills the type.
After all, Rubel Shelly and John York allow as how Jesus had some SURPLUS words which John was not able to record and, whos's to say, we might be hearing those long lost words RITCHERE. Audibly!
Knew a young lady in Seattle: Holy Spirit told her to leave husband and baby and escape with the washing machine repairman. Keep your EARS open!
Re: CHURCH INC. ....Should The Church Of Christ be a Corporation?
August 13 2002, 6:12 PM
The 501c3 Tax Exemption
Taking a License to Preach
Is your church government licensed and approved? The incorporation
of the local Christian assembly and application for the 501c3 tax exemption
is indeed the proof of such apostasy.
The Ecclesia vs the Corporation
<dl>
<dt> ecclesia</dt>
L. ecclesia, Gr. ekklesia 1577, ek-klay-see'-ah;
from a comp. of Grk 1537 and a der. of Grk 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concr.)
a popular meeting, espec. a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or
Chr. community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):-assembly,
church.
Strong's Greek Dictionary of the Bible</dl>
The word the bible uses to describe the church is the ecclesia (assembly)
of believers. This assembly has existed since Adam, and will continue until
our lord Christ returns to judge the quick and the dead. The ecclesia
is created by Christ alone...
<blockquote>For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed
to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these
He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. -Romans
8:29-30</blockquote>
<blockquote>But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were
not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy
but now have obtained mercy. -1 Peter 2:9-10</blockquote>
Christ alone is the head of the church...
<blockquote>...which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the
dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above
all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that
is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He
put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things
to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in
all. -Eph 1:20-23</blockquote>
The organized (visible) church has not, however, always been synonymous
with this assembly. Religious leadership, seeking to retain or increase
their ecclesiastical authority, has throughout the ages often subjected
the organized church to the whims of political entities. Each time this
has happened it has been necessary for the assembly of believers to separate
from the established church.
Incorporated Churches?
A corporation is the creation of government, and subject to any and all
decrees which it's creator ordains.
<dl>
<dt> corporation</dt>
An artificial person or legal entity created by or under
the authority of the laws of a state. An association of persons created
by statute as a legal entity.
Blacks Law Dictionary, 6th Ed.</dl>
When a church incorporates it submits a charter to the state, which the
state has the power to approve or deny. The corporate church becomes subject
to the state and the state now assumes authority to review the actions
of the church and all corporate officers. Does your church designate the
pastor as the president of the corporation? Is there a Board of Directors?
Do you hold Business Meetings to discuss corporate finances?
Since the state is the creator of your corporate church, to whom
are these corporate officers legally responsible?
<blockquote>The officers of a charitable organization are accountable to
the court and subject to removal by the court, or by the state board of
charities. They are bound by the ordinary strict rules concerning the authority
of a fiduciary; and persons dealing with them must at their peril, take
notice of the powers granted the corporation by it's articles of incorporation. [11 C.J. Charities s103]</blockquote>
Increasingly the properties of corporate churches are being seized by government
agents, and the officers of corporate churches are being prosecuted, simply
because they have taken politically incorrect (but biblically consistent)
stands.
Can a Christian serve two masters? Are the privileges offered
by the state to the corporate church worth the price?
<blockquote>No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate
the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise
the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. -Luke 16:13</blockquote>
Government Restrictions on the Corporate Church
TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
<dl>
<dt>
<tt>Sec. 501. Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts,
etc.</tt></dt>
<tt>(c) List of exempt organizations</tt>
<dl>
<tt>(3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation,
organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific,
testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster
national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part
of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment),
or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the
net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder
or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying
on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except
as otherwise provided in subsection (h)), and which does not participate
in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements),
any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate
for public office.</tt>
Perhaps this is why the organized church today is silent concerning the
actions of our current Antichrist Occupational Government. Perhaps if we
had a real church, and real preachers like those who took to the pulpits
of the American colonies to preach the Law to the oppressor and Liberty
to the people in the 1700's, thirty-five million innocent babies would
not have been sacrificed in the last 20 years.
The judgment of the Almighty has already begun on the Harlot Church
and the Beast she serves. Who then, will YOU serve?
<blockquote>After these things I saw another angel coming down from
heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his
glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great
is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison
for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For
all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,
the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants
of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." And
I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people,
lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her
sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." -Rev
18:1-5</blockquote>
This document is provided by Gospel
Plow for the purpose of educating the remnant.
I read with the interest the text that appears to quote the IRS Revenue Code. I have a copy and it does not state that a church cannot preach a politically incorrect sermon. As with many issues here, I find that quotes are often incorrect and scripture does not address issues unless applied on an "out of context" basis.
Where does the Bible state anything about incorporating? Yes, the church is under the direction of the Elders who are subject to Christ. I have seen plenty of incorporation documents that do nothing to muddy the water on that issue. Incorporation provides some protection and benefits to a church organization but does not prevent the body from following the Bible's teachings one bit.
I am willing to be wrong if I am provided scripture that proves it so. However, all I see now is opinion, not facts (scripture). While it is easy to pull scripture and apply it to many situations to suit our personal desire, it is not right to use it this way.
One writer addressed the Restoration Movement to this argument also. How does that apply? Teach me. Did the Corinthians and Ephesians build church buildings on major thoroughfares? Did they operate in a litigious society such as we face today? Did they require insurance to protect the churches assets? Did they have assets (buildings, furnishings, teaching materials, vans)? Are any of us really following the church as Christ envisions it?
That wonderful President Lyndon B. Johnson was instrumental in the passing of the Federal Law that made if possible for the IRS to revoke the tax exempt status of any Church that had a political message.
The Title 26 text above is a fabrication. However, the instructions for form 1023 clearly state that breaking the law will result in the loss of tax exempt status.
Who in the Lords Church would break the law? Why, we are honest law abiding citizens and wouldn't ever think of doing such a thing. If a woman applies for the job of preacher or desires the work of an elder would we be so criminal as to deny her either of these positions? After all, the law is clear on discrimination (gender, national origin, color, creed, sexual orientation, etc.
Do you believe there is a right and a wrong? Now you are guilty of hate speech. Do you discipline - correct your children or worse yet make them go to Church? You can be reported for child abuse.
As for common buildings in the Bible, you will find no mention of them. "Well, we have to meet somewhere" you might be saying. How about NT example? The NT church met house to house. There is no authority for a common building. There is no authority because there is no need for it. Jesus said to GO and teach all nations, not sit in a common building and hope all nations come to us.
Historically speaking (depending on which book you read) common buildings started to spring up in the mid 2nd century AD. Before that the Church was a community or neihborhood entity. They were small gatherings 50 - 100 people and they shared all things. Those that had shared with those who had not. No mortgage/rent, utility bills, maintenance, insurance, etc. No need to worry that a subversive group will come in and take over. After all, How could they take over your house?
Anything we do should be done to the glory of God. Right?
Why must we incorporate? We incorporate because churches, whether we want to admit it or not are just big businesses. More and more these businesses are operated for the convinience of the members. See if this isn't so.
We incorporate so donations from members, and non-member trusts like the Akin Foundation can contribute to the "Non-Profit Corporation" in a tax-deductable manner.
We incorporate so we can save brethren money on taxes. We incorporate so the "church" can purchase items tax-free.
We incorporate so we can have church employees such as preachers, secretarys, janitors, maintenance men. All these employees are so that members won't have to do anything themselves but can pay someone to do it for them.
There are multitudes of practicle reasons to incorporate. All of them are for us. How many of them are to glorify God?
When we incorporate, do we set up an organization with a board of directors and officers that is separate from and different than the organization God intended for us to have? To what then is a christian contributing to? At who's feet is he or she laying her offering for taking care of the needy saints? Is it the apostles or elders? No, it's the board of directors. Does this glorify God or ourselves?
Is it mandatory now for churches to incorporate? When did this happen? If so do they all have 501c3 corporations?
Is there more than one type of incorporation method a church can use? I.E.: can a church incorporate and not be a 501c3 incorporation? If so what would the difference be as far as church operation, and purpose under the law, for existing and deserving a nonprofit status?
If there is more than one way to incorporate for a church why are so many churches choosing the 501c3? As I understand it, the 501c3 status is for religious institutions or charities, which really doesn't define a church. It seems to be geared more toward a school or something like a community charity service.They are community organizations.The purpose of a community organization is to provide services to the community. The purpose of a church is to provide a place to worship for it's members.It seems as if in order to keep the 501c3 status churches must change to become more community-oriented under the rules for the 501c3 code.Why have churches taken this type incorporation? Is there no nonprofit status just for churches now?
It has been strange to see that the church growth movement seems to begin to influence worship format, for one thing, around the same time as these churches take on the 501c3 status.Is this really true? Am I just imagining this and seeing a relationship where one does not really exist?
Are the changes in church structure,purpose, worship format, and doctrine connected to the 501c3 nonprofit tax codes? Does every nonprofit corporation that a church forms mean that the church has to change- if it is a Church of Christ?
I downloaded the book on the takeover of the Madison Church Of Christ and look forward to reading it. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen a covert church takeover occur.
Part of what I do in my ministry is to organize churches in such a way as to dramatically reduce the likelihood of such a thing happening. I will say that an incorporated church is usually much more vulnerable to a covert takeover than a free-church.
There's much banter here on the issues of incorporation and the 501c3. As a legal researcher I've devoted over ten years studying the issue.
The ramifications of what happens when a church incorporates and becomes a 501c3 are not merely legal (and there are many legal problems). There are also huge theological issues, and there are major lessons to be learned from church history, particularly as it applies to incorporation (the genesis of the corporation was around 250 B.C. The early church dealt with it much differently than most churches today are).
To shed a little more light on the subject, please see the web site: http://hushmoney.org
This message has been edited by ConcernedMembers from IP address 65.80.169.110 on Nov 28, 2003 8:01 AM
In Texas, Incorporation of a church as a not for profit corporation is required under state law. A church will lose it's tax exemption if it does not incorporate. Just though I would pass this information along.
The Bible says we must follow the laws of the land (unless they are against what God has instructed us to do). I don't see what is wrong with meeting in a regular old house like the Christians did in the first century.
Olivia
This web site is not part of or approved by any Church!
...........................THE BOOK
What Happened At the Madison Church of Christ?
There are thousands of churches being taken over across America.
This book is only about one of those churches. It's about the Madison
Church Of Christ. By studying the methods used here along with the resource
references you might be able to inoculate your church. At the very least
you will recognize the signs early on.
Many of the current members of the Madison Church of Christ still don't
know what happened.
Some never will know! This book is for them as well.
Madison Church of Christ was a 60 year old church. At one time it was
one of the largest churches in the US, and the largest Church of Christ.
It thrived for many years on the vision of it's elders and those of
it's ministers. Those visions undoubtably came from the the inspired word
of Jesus Christ.
At sometime in the last 10 years there was a deliberate plan by a majority
of the elders to take the Madison Church of Christ into a more worldly
realm.
They used secrecy, covert planning, and outside sources to scheme and
to change the format and direction of the Madison Church of Christ.
The Elders knew that the membership would never approve such a plan.
Using the tools of the "Community Church Movement"(consultants, books,
seminars, meetings,planters,seeders) they slowly started initiating change
so it was never noticed by the members until it was too late.....
At the heart of the plan was the fact that old members were going to
be driven off so new techniques could be used to go out and reach the unchurched
through new "Contemporary Holy Entertainment" methods developed by the
"Community Church Movement"
Old members had to be kept on board long enough to get their plans ready,
or the funds would not be there to pay for the new building. So by the
plans very nature, it had to be secret.
The church had no plan in effect to renew or approve elders. There was
never any need. The elders had always been "as approved by God". 10 of the last
15 elders would begin to shed some doubt on that.
The Elders did not even need a majority at first, because some of the
elders went along unwittingly.
This edition starts shortly after some of the members begin to smell
something strange in January 2001. Later editions may go back and fill
in some of the timeline.
To even start to understand whats happening here, you must read the
background materials in the first of the book.
This is only the first edition, and not the end. New editions will be
printed as needed. To keep abreast of current changes, please visit our
web site; http://www.concernedmembers.com/madison
Here is the list of players;
5 Godly Elders
10 Not so Godly Elders
120 "Deacons" (allegiance unknown)
2,800 - 4,000 church "members"
2 "teners" (people who have publicly confessed to have broken all ten
commandments)
Unknown number of "sinners" (This is what the 10 elders call us.)
Unknown number of "demons" (Flying everywhere, to many to count)