West Virginia Constitution & The Church Inc. Question Re-Visited
A senate resolution has been introduced to amend the W.Va. Constitution (Art. 6 Sec. 47) to make church incorporation lawful. It is opening a can of worms. Scripture warns against unequal yoking. Isn’t church incorporation and submitting to corporate policies unequal yoking?
The failure of W.Va. government to abide by its own constitution in this regard was part of the action Thomas, Gene and I took against all three branches of state government in 2015. A resolution, SJR4 (image below), is now attempting to bring government law into compliance with their actions or lack of, rather than bringing the rule of law into compliance with the supreme law of the state. Article 6, Section 47 is a clear, concise, and righteously founded, part of the 1872 West Virginia Constitution.
What happens in West Virginia with the attempt to amend the W.Va. Constitution can have national ramifications.
What follows will explain its being posted.
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February 16, 2021
Dear Pastor Bo Burgess, (Email from me to Pastor Burgess. The Burgess letter I'm addressing follows below)
I attend Valley Independent Baptist Church, pastored by Charles Stanley, in Huttonsville, W.Va. On February 14, he gave me a copy of your 1/29/2021 letter from West Virginia Baptists for Biblical Values.
It is very pleasing to see Christian interest in oversight and involvement in politics. As a Christian and an active member of the West Virginia Constitution Party (WVCP), I was able to be on the ballot for US Senate in 2014, Governor in 2016, and Sheriff of Randolph County in 2020. I pray that despite not being elected, (some profit was had by bringing Christian principles into the fray.)
Last night, the WVCP agreed to my request to reach out to you as more than an individual to offer to work in tandem with you concerning positive and negative legislation coming out of Charleston.
I believe it was no accident that Pastor Stanley informed me of your work when he did. The same day, I gave him a copy of a pending Senate Joint Resolution, SJR4 that is pushing to amend the West Virginia Constitution to make Church Incorporation lawful in the state.
Church incorporation is an issue that I have researched and for which I’ve taken political action. I include (see below) an attached pdf which contains links to SJR4 and a sampling of the information and actions that I have taken and shared with the public concerning church incorporation. It has been seven years since Attorney General Patrick Morrisey promised to look into the seriousness of Art. 6 Sec. 47 of our constitution, which forbids churches to incorporate. Sadly, I have yet to get his findings.
Members of the WVCP question whether SJR4 could become a step toward mandatory church incorporation.
The WVCP has experience in writing press releases, letters to the editor, contacting legislators, and contacting media on pressing issues. As we are a party with an underlying Christian foundation and platform, many areas we address are Christian based. All meetings begin with prayers to our Savior and Lawgiver, Jesus.
Duty is ours. Results are His.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss how I and the WVCP can join forces with you.
Sincerely,
Phillip Hudok
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Pastor Bo Burgess letter:
SJR4 Senate Resolution to Amend Art. 6 Sec. 47 of the W.Va. Constitution:
Links to actions taken since 2013 regarding Art. 6, Sec. 47: