Philippine theology conferences

This update excerpts reports from GCI Philippines media and communications coordinator Len Joson.

GCI Philippines recently hosted four conferences to help pastors and other leaders understand better the Trinitarian theology now embraced by GCI. The main conference presenters were GCI-USA ministry developers Dr. Dan Rogers and Ted Johnston. Here are brief reports from each location.

Cebu City

About 150 pastors, pastoral team leaders, youth leaders and members from area GCI churches in Visayas and Mindanao gathered in Cebu City on November 30-December 2. The main conference presenter was GCI-USA ministry developer, Ted Johnston, who led discussions concerning the basic concepts of Trinitarian, Christ-centered theology. Philippine National Director Eugene Guzon and Pastor Rex Dela Pena hosted Ted and assisted in presentations.

Ted used various illustrations in his presentations, including one explaining the “upper story” (objective) and “lower story” (subjective) aspects of our humanity in Jesus who is our representative and substitute. He also explained how salvation, which is fundamentally relational, has many aspects–like the facets of a beautiful diamond. These facets need to be viewed together. Such illustrations helped clarify some of the more challenging aspects of Trinitarian theology.

Many who attended expressed gratitude that Ted had answered their questions. Pastor Joven Jaralve of Zamboanga wrote: “Thank you so much for the Cebu conference…. I was so blessed and liberated from bondage of doubts and uncertainties.” The Visayas and Mindanao leaders went home inspired, much encouraged and equipped with a better understanding of our Trinitarian, Christ-centered theology.

Metro Manila

On the evenings of December 4 and 5, Pastor Ted met at GCI’s Crossway church in Metro Manila with about 30 GCI pastors, other key leaders and visitors. The audience was enthusiastic, with many questions asked. Pastor Ted obliged and did not mind going overtime. His presentations were inspiring to many. Romy Abrena wrote: “I’m so glad to meet Ted personally and happy to hear his overview of our theology…. I just wanted to immerse myself listening.”

Baguio City

On December 7-9, GCI-USA CAD director Dr. Dan Rogers met with about 120 pastors, pastoral team leaders and youth leaders from GCI churches in Metro Manila and Central and Northern Luzon. The conference was held at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS) in Baguio City. Dan and his wife Barbara visited there several years ago for a GCI Philippines festival.

Dan explained the historical background and theological journey of WCG/GCI, going back to its roots before Herbert Armstrong founded the Radio Church of God. He then explained the basic concepts of GCI’s Trinitarian theology. The conference ended with communion. Conference organizers were Pastors Audie Santibanez and Rex Dela Pena along with Philippine National Director Eugene Guzon and his national office staff.

Here are comments from four of the Baguio City participants:

I had been reading and studying articles on Trinitarian theology but somehow questions and concepts remained unanswered and blurred. This conference with Dr. Dan Rogers offered a general framework by which I can now understand. He outlined a general consensus on how theological concepts are formed through history and gave a clear perspective on how to understand biblical verses based on the main objectives of Jesus’ plan for mankind. There is much to study, but the main direction is clear. I’ve learned much and I’d like to thank the denomination for such action to help us all. I indeed hope this will lead to church growth as well as individual growth.

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This conference is so valuable to me personally and to the local church because it will help us leaders cascade more clearly the understanding about GCI Trinitarian, incarnational theology. Many thanks to Dr. Dan Rogers and to GCI Philippines leadership for sponsoring the conference.

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At first I was really hurt by what Pastor Dan Rogers said about Mr. [Herbert] Armstrong…. But God later on made me realize through what he was saying that the pain of experiencing these “changes” had been experienced by him earlier…. I thank God for making me realize (or reminding me?) that his love is the most important thing. I also thank Pastor Rogers for everything, especially using the “scaffolding” analogy. It was really helpful to me. One last thing I want to thank him for is sharing his story about the smelly person that sat beside him on the train. Before we were an exclusivist group, but now we realize that everyone is a child of God. It’s up to us to let them know about it! God really is good all the time!

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I am thankful to be part of this conference for many reasons. I realize God has always been faithful in loving and guiding our fellowship to the truth in Jesus that we can trust him about everything including our future. Many thanks to the GCI leadership (US and the Philippines) for this conference.

Pili

Pastor Ted Johnston was also the lead presenter at the conference held on December 7-9 at Central Bicol State University in Pili, Camarines Sur (near Naga City) in the Bicol Region. About 100 GCI Philippines senior pastors, wives and pastoral team leaders from the Southern Luzon area participated. In addition, several GCI church leaders and members came from Metro Manila and San Carlos City, Pangasinan. Pastor Ted gave essentially the same presentation in Pili that he had given earlier in Cebu City.

One of the highlights of the Pili conference was the ordination to elder of Jonathan Oscar Jimenez, son of Oscar Jimenez who is senior pastor of the GCI church in Donsol, Sorsogon.

Many conference participants noted that Pastor Ted made clear the theology that GCI now teaches. They appreciated his illustrations, particularly those concerning the “upper” and “lower” story aspects of reality in Christ and the importance of understanding that the “imperatives” (commands) of Scripture always follow (in priority) the “indicatives” (issues of our identity in Christ). Participants went home with enthusiastic resolve to share the insights they had gained.

Following the conference, host pastors Drs. Rey Taniajura and Jose Manzano, area superintendent and assistant area superintendent respectively, took Pastor Ted to visit GCI’s church in Iriga City. Members in this church, which began as an outreach, are part of the indigenous Oyango tribe. Local pastor Domingo Trilles and Reuel Pamor, who pastors the conference’s host church, also accompanied Pastor Ted on the visit.