Dear Brethren,
The warning in Holy Scripture is plain. Writing across time to members of the precious Ecclesia—literally
“the called-out ones,” who are given the priceless gift of the Holy
Spirit—the apostle Peter deeply cautions us: “Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a
roaring lion, seeking those whom he may devour” (1 Peter:5:8Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour:). That warning is for member and
minister alike. There is no distinction. Both can fall prey to the
deceiver who never sleeps if we neglect full use of God’s power. If
we stumble, most of the time we can correct our spiritual course
privately with God’s help. In other situations, for the spiritual health
of the Church, we must acknowledge some transgressions publicly.
Such is the situation today. It is with
a great deal of sadness and a heavy heart that I must inform you that
Melvin Rhodes has resigned from the Church’s Council of Elders. He
has also resigned as an elder and as an employee of the United Church of
God, an International Association.
The apostle Peter also taught us that
“love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter:4:8And above all things
have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the
multitude of sins.), and it is my fervent hope and expectation that Mr.
Rhodes and all those involved in this situation will receive this
divine love in abundance in the coming days and years. Forgiveness is a
godly miracle, and as we are forgiven, so are we expected to forgive
(Matthew:6:12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.,
Matthew:6:14-15[14]For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you:[15]But if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.).
The personal repentance of sin is
generally a private matter between God and the individual Christian.
However, the nature of this situation (including the importance of the
position that Mr. Rhodes previously held and the regrettable fact
that those against the Church may seek to twist this tragic condition for harm), requires that we provide you with additional information.
This is painful, but it is necessary to be transparent and honest.
Simply put, a number of years ago Mr. Rhodes engaged in unchristian
behavior that was unbecoming an ordained minister and in violation of
both biblical standards and our established policies.
This occurred a number of years ago,
but it only came to my personal attention a week ago. In conformance
with established Church policy and biblical standards, Victor Kubik,
operation manager of Ministerial and Member Services (who also was
without any previous knowledge this matter), and I immediately set
about to investigate the serious claim against Mr. Rhodes. He was
overseas at the time, but he quickly came to Cincinnati at our request
on his return.
In meeting with Mr. Kubik and me
earlier this week, Mr. Rhodes admitted this unchristian behavior and
offered to resign from the Council, even though he had privately
repented years ago. We accepted his resignation, and based on our
responsibilities and scope of authority, relieved him of ministerial
duties pending notification of the Council of Elders. Mr. Rhodes also
offered to resign as an employee and elder if so requested by the
Council. Since the behavior in question is prohibited by scriptural
standards, the Church’s code of conduct and other policies, the
Council promptly and rightly directed us to request the resignation of
Mr. Rhodes from the ministry and as an employee of the United Church
of God, an International Association. He did and is fully cooperating with the Council’s directive and the investigation.
As I noted in an earlier correspondence
to our elders and employees, if additional information comes to light
the Council and administration will take further action as needed.
It is obviously extraordinarily painful
for all, and Mr. Kubik and I—together with the entire Council of
Elders—request your prayers for the healing and forgiveness of
everyone involved in this situation. We also request your prayers for
the protection and shielding of the Church from “the fiery darts of
the wicked one” (Ephesians:6:16Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.)
who doubtless would like to use this situation to harm the Church.
Whenever a situation like this occurs,
our faith can be shaken, and we will feel that our trust has been
betrayed. All people are fallible, and leaders too often let us down.
That is why we must always, and I mean always, look to the
true Leader of the Church, Jesus Christ (Ephesians:1:22And hath put all
things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to
the church,), and to God the Father and His Word as our example of
godly leadership and for our salvation. The United Church of God has a
structure that preserves and protects our doctrines, provides checks
on abuse of power, and has policies in place for the investigation and
appropriate application of disciplinary action against ministerial
misconduct once discovered. When these policies are not followed there
are also consequences for those failing to do their duty.
Lest we or others outside of our fellowship be quick to judge wrongly, we must also all humbly remember that “all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans:3:23For all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;, emphasis added). While
we may be forgiven by God of our sins, our sins may still have serious
consequences.
The Council has already begun the
process of selecting a new chairman. I sincerely invite you to pray
with a solid and renewed sense of urgency and resolve that God would
direct and bless His Church through our Elder Brother and soon-coming
King.
While asking you to remember the Church—the spiritual Ecclesia—in your daily prayers, I also hope that you are fasting regularly as
Christ directed us to do (Matthew:6:16-18[16]Moreover when ye fast, be
not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their
faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you,
They have their reward.[17]But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine
head, and wash thy face;[18]That thou appear not unto men to fast, but
unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in
secret, shall reward thee openly.). Over the past year or so all of us
at the home office have developed the tradition of fasting one day
during the last week of the month. The point is for us to draw closer
to God so we can more effectively do His work. We have not publicly
talked about it because God tells us to “not appear to be fasting”
(verse 18).
However, given the present
circumstances, I invite you to join with us this month and choose a
day to fast for the Church, that we may all collectively offer
ourselves as “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans:12:1I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service., New International Version). That way, as
Paul instructs us, we will be better able to “test and approve what
God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (verse 2, NIV).
Thank you from my heart for your continued prayers and support. May God be with us all as we humbly submit to and serve Him.
In Christ’s service, Dennis Luker
