BOARD OF BISHOPS GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 BOARD OF BISHOPS GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE Of the CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INC DEACON TIMOTHY JONES Complainant, vs. Bishop ALBERT GALBRAITH, Respondent Case Number: Pursuant to the Official Manual; Article VIII; Section D COMPLAINANTS PETITION OF OFFICIAL CHARGES Comes Now Deacon Timothy Jones, a former member of the Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, 1660 McAllister, San Francisco, California, hereinafter referred to as the Complainant, and files this herein petition against Bishop Albert Galbraith, Jurisdictional Prelate of the North California First Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, with headquarters in Memphis Tennessee and allege and state as follows; Bishop Albert Galbraith, hereinafter referred to as the Respondent, did violate the Bible, and the rules and regulations of the Official Manual of The Church of God in Christ, Inc. as follows; Page 1 of 7

2 I ARTICLE VIII D, 1(a.) Failure to abide by the laws, rules and regulations of the Church of God in Christ; Respondent failed to provide the necessary oversite to insure the Pastor was in compliance with the rules found in Part III, A, 10, 11: 10. The Officers and Trustees of a local church shall not mortgage Church property in order to pay or meet current expenses of the Church 11. No deed, conveyance or mortgage or real estate of a local church shall be binding on the Church Of God In Christ unless the execution of said instrument has been approved in writing by the Jurisdictional Bishop having jurisdiction over said local church. Respondent sat idle, as his son mortgaged a parking lot owned by the church, for $350, and eight months later sold the property without first obtaining a resolution from the members. This lack of oversite and accountability has led to a loss of real property valued over $950, and exposed the National Church to potential liability. 1 II ARTICLE VIII D, 1(b). Nonfeasance in Office: The failure of an agent to perform a task he/she has agreed to do for his/her principal: Despite repeated and phone calls, Respondent failed to exercise oversight to prevent to prevent his pastoral appointee from misusing the flock of GOD. Respondent was indifferent to the concerns of the members under his care 2 1 Exhibit 4 2 Exhibit 9 Page 2 of 7

3 After Each incident involving Elder Scott Galbraith, Complainants contacted, Respondent who took no action to protect the local members or the Church of God in Christ, Inc. 3 One Sunday some time later, I entered the church and was on my way up to the podium where my drums have been for years, Pastor Scott Galbraith came from behind the pulpit and ran down to where I was and punched me in the face for no reason, I asked him what was he doing and he didn't say anything, so I called the police. Pastor Scott Galbraith s wife met the police as they came in and I believe told them her version of the story. After I told the police what had happened, he told them that he was the pastor and it was a mutual fight, and no one was arrested. I never raised my hands to him, I called Bishop Galbraith along with other members of the congregation and he didn't come or address the issue. I then went to court and filed for a restraining order which was granted against Scott Galbraith not to be within 5 yards of me in the sanctuary and 50 yards outside of the church 4 III ARTICLE VIII D, 1(d). Abuse of the powers and prerogatives of Bishop. When the members of Jerusalem COGIC complained of the actions of his son, Respondent should have recused himself. Respondents course of action deprived Complainants and the members of their Fourteenth Amendment right of due process. The Jurisdictional Bishop is an integral part of the Church of God in Christ judicial 3 Exhibits 1 and 2 4 Exhibit 1 Page 3 of 7

4 system, Respondents actions sent a clear message his son was above the law of the Church of God in Christ. As the prelate, Respondent is charged with ensuring justice is carried out in his jurisdiction. Respondent chose to ignore the pleadings of those under his care, and acted as a hireling who ignored the cries of the sheep. 5 IV ARTICLE VIII D, 1(h). Conduct unbecoming a Bishop; Respondent failed to discipline the appointed Pastor (his son Scott Galbraith) even with the knowledge said Pastor attacked Complainant Deacon Jones with a microphone, striking him in the face. 6 The first paragraph of the Constitution of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. states; We, the members of the Church of God in Christ, hold the Holy Scriptures as contained in the Old and New Testaments of our Bible as our rule of Faith and Practice. Complainant did not restrain his son, (Pastor Scott Galbraith) in this and other offences of which he had knowledge of, even though his son, as did the sons of Eli, made himself (themselves) vile; therefore making this a violation of the Word of God and the Constitution of the Church of God in Christ. (1 Samuel 3:12 13, AV) In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge 5 Exhibits 1,2, and 9 6 Exhibit 3, 7 Page 4 of 7

5 his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. ARTICLE IV, A, 3 states; Each Jurisdictional Bishop shall be the representative of the Church Of God In Christ in respect to all church matters in his Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and shall have general supervision over all departments and Churches in his jurisdiction. As the representative on the Church of God In Christ, Inc. with respect to all church matters, the Respondent abdicated his responsibility with respect to the supervision of his son, Pastor Scott Galbraith. V ARTICLE VIII D, 1(i). Willfully failing or refusing to use means at his command to protect the property, rights, and interests of the Church Of God In Christ. Respondent s pastoral appointee mortgaged a parking lot, which was debt free for $350,000. The term of the loan was two years, Elder Scott Galbraith sold the property on July 31, 2013, he sold the property, on which the new owner has constructed apartments. This is a violation of the State of California statutes. 7 Because of this failure, Jerusalem church of God in Christ is forever deprived of a $1,000, piece of prime real estate and off street parking in the city of San Francisco. 7 Exhibit 11 Page 5 of 7

6 CONCLUSION AND DESIRED OUTCOME Respondent has shown a callous disregard for the rules and regulations of the Church of God in Christ, and the people under his care. His failure to protect the property of the church has resulted in losses of over $999, to the local church and the potential loss of the National Church s non-profit corporation tax status. As a Jurisdictional Bishop, Respondent knew or should have known of the actions of his appointee, especially since this appointee is his son. Complainant s request is, as Jurisdictional Bishop, Respondent be removed from office, according to the Word of God; Let his days be few; and let another take his office. (Psalm 109:8, KJV) Page 6 of 7

7 I Deacon Timothy Jones, a member of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., as Complainants in the above and foregoing Petition, affirm that the statements and allegations contained therein are true, and correct on this Wednesday, May 19, Deacon Timothy Jones 617 Black Oak Way Antioch, State Phone (415) drummer35years@hotmail.com Page 7 of 7