UCCP Mabantao

TOday is a Labor Day, which reminds us that our wOrk in the ministry for the Lord, is not just an obligation, but it is a divine call.
So, every honest task, whether visible or invisible, gains significance when dedicated to GOd. Our hands may get tired, but our purpose always stays divine. As we labor, we become an embodiment of the Lord who Himself toiled and took rest. Let us not only do our work diligently but do it lovingly, honestly, and sincerely, for nothing goes unnoticed by God.

Hallelujah!

🕊️ COMMENTARY SERIES: THE BETRAYAL OF OUR COVENANT

Al Magno Tinio
April 23, 2026
Milagro, Ormoc City

PART IV: TO ABROGATE THE 1948 BASIS OF UNION IS TO COMMIT THE GREATEST CRIME IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE UCCP!

💔 THE BASIS OF UNION IS NOT MERELY PAPER - IT IS A SACRED COVENANT SEALED BEFORE GOD AND MEN!

Let us go back to the very roots of our existence as a Church. The government and order of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines were not invented out of thin air. They were born from the 1948 BASIS OF UNION - the sacred agreement forged by five different denominations, who laid down their distinct identities to become one body in Christ. This document is not just a historical relic. It is the CONSTITUTION OF OUR CONSTITUTION, the very bedrock upon which all our laws, policies, and life as a Church stand.

From the very beginning, its sanctity was recognized as inviolable:

✅ At the Uniting Assembly of May 1948, the body explicitly declared: “WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THE BASIS OF UNION.” It was recognized as higher than any act of any assembly.

✅ In 1950, the Executive Committee solemnly affirmed: “THE BASIS OF UNION IS A CONTRACT.” It is a binding agreement between equal partners, and NO POINT IN IT CAN EVER BE ABROGATED WITHOUT THE FULL CONSENT OF EVERY PARTY CONCERNED.

✅ Most decisively, at the 7th General Assembly of 1960, the question was asked: If the Constitution conflicts with the Basis of Union, which prevails?

The answer was clear, final, and eternal:

VOTED: That in cases of conflict, THE BASIS OF UNION SHALL PREVAIL.

This means the Basis of Union is the SUPREME STANDARD of our validity and legitimacy. It is the yardstick by which all laws, all amendments, all actions are measured. To touch it, to break it, to abrogate it is to tear the very soul out of the UCCP and leave us a body without life, a church without identity.

✝️ THEOLOGICAL TRUTH: OUR CHURCH ORDER IS BIBLICAL AND REFORMED – NOT OF THIS WORLD’S POWER!

As our theologian Rev. Dr. Everett Mendoza so clearly taught, the UCCP is structured according to the very nature of the Church as revealed in Scripture:

We are the People of God, the Body of Christ, the Community of the Spirit.

Our three judicatories - the Local Church, the Conference, and the General Assembly - are not levels of a hierarchy where some are above and others are below. They are distinct, autonomous spheres of ministry, bound together not by chains of command, but by KOINONIA - sacred fellowship, mutual love, and equal partnership.

Dr. Mendoza warned us:

Church order is not about the distribution of power like secular governments or corporations. It is about creating space for God’s people to gather, to worship, to serve, and to fulfill their mission.

He reminded us that the principle of “power over others” is foreign to the Gospel. Jesus Himself declared:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. NOT SO WITH YOU!” (Matthew 20:25-26)

Our polity was born out of the Protestant Reformation, which radically rejected the monarchical, papal system of the Middle Ages. We believe in equality under God. We believe in autonomy. We believe that authority comes from the gathered people of God, not from a class of lords who rule from above.

⚠️ THE BETRAYAL: WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN THE 2026 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IS TO MURDER OUR VERY IDENTITY!

In the coming Constitutional Convention on May 21-23, 2026, they are not proposing mere changes. They are proposing the TOTAL ABROGATION OF EVERY SACRED PRINCIPLE that makes us who we are. Look at what they want to legalize, and weep:

1️⃣ THEY KILL LOCAL CHURCH AUTONOMY - THE VERY HEART AND SOUL OF THE 1948 COVENANT!

The Basis of Union guarantees that the Local Church is sovereign under God, with inherent rights to govern its own life.

THEY WANT TO ERASE THIS!

Autonomy will no longer be a right given by God. It will exist only as a privilege granted by the Council of Bishops - to be taken away, crushed, or erased anytime it does not suit their agenda! This is blasphemy! The local church is the primary Ekklesia where Christ dwells! To say it has no rights unless bishops allow it is to deny that Christ is present and Lord in His own congregation!

2️⃣ THEY CONCENTRATE ALL POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH OVER MINISTERS IN THE HANDS OF A FEW!

They want the power to expel, defrock, and discipline solely in the hands of the Council of Bishops.

Gone is due process. Gone is the voice of the community. They want to hold the power to ruin a minister’s life and livelihood with no appeal, no accountability. This is tyranny, not church order!

3️⃣ THEY TURN LEADERS INTO FEUDAL LORDS!

They want Conference Ministers to have absolute power to assign, oversee, and discipline workers - turning the office from a servant of the people into a ruler over them. No longer will leaders answer to the churches they serve; they will answer only to the hierarchy above them!

4️⃣ THEY STEAL THE RIGHT OF CONGREGATIONS TO CALL THEIR OWN PASTORS!

They decree that assignments of church workers are only valid if approved by the Conference.

Meaning: The local church, the flock who knows their own needs, who pays the salary, who walks together in faith – HAVE NO SAY IN WHO LEADS THEM! A distant office will force whom they want on you, and you have no choice but to accept! This is a violation of every principle of freedom and stewardship!

5️⃣ THEY PUT EVERYTHING UNDER THE DICTATORSHIP OF THE “PRIME BISHOP”!

All National Organizations, all Hospitals, all Schools, all Institutions – everything will be attached directly to the Office of the Prime Bishop.

All assets, all ministries, all resources under the absolute control of one man! This is exactly the papal system, the monarchical order our forefathers rejected! This is Caesaropapism in the house of God!

💔 THE VERDICT: THIS IS SIN. THIS IS CRIME. THIS IS BETRAYAL.

To abrogate the Basis of Union is to break the covenant our fathers made with God and with one another. It is to spit on the memory of the saints who built this Church. It is to sell our birthright for a mess of power and pottage.

And remember the ruling of 1960: THE BASIS OF UNION PREVAILS OVER ANY CONSTITUTION OR AMENDMENT.

Even if they force these changes through, even if they sign their names on paper, THEY ARE NULL AND VOID FROM THE BEGINNING. They violate the supreme law of our Church, they violate the Word of God, they violate the conscience of every faithful member.

They can change the words. They can grab the power. They can wear the titles.

But they can never make injustice right. They can never make betrayal holy. They can never kill the truth that this Church belongs to JESUS CHRIST, and not to them!

We will not allow them to commit this greatest crime against our history, our faith, and our God! 😤✝️

To be continued…

COMMENTARY SERIES: THE BETRAYAL OF OUR COVENANT

Al Magno Tinio
April 22, 2026
Milagro, Ormoc City

PART II: BLOW BY BLOW: THESE ARE NOT JUST WORDS - THESE ARE LIES TO STEAL YOUR FREEDOM!

Every line of these proposed amendments is carefully crafted to deceive. Let us tear them apart one by one, and expose the treachery hidden behind every phrase:

1️⃣ “All local churches and worshipping congregations within the area shall belong to such conference”

THEY HAVE TURNED THE TRUTH UPSIDE DOWN!

From the very beginning, God ordained the LOCAL CHURCH AS THE PRIMARY, SOVEREIGN ENTITY! The Conference does not exist above us, nor before us. It is ONLY a creation of the local churches - it only becomes a juridical body WHEN WE, the congregations, choose to assemble together in session! It is nothing but an administrative tool we built to serve us - NOT a master that owns us!

But now they word it as if we are their property, as if we “belong” to them! They want to erase the truth: Ekklesia - the true Church of Christ - lives and breathes in the local congregation, not in some central office! They want to make themselves our lords, when in fact they only exist because we allow them to!

2️⃣ “Proclaim the faith and promote the expressions of the church”

SO NOW WHO IS THE TRUE “LOCUS” OF EKKLESIA?

Our faith has always stood firm on this sacred principle: THE LOCAL CHURCH IS THE LOCUS - THE VERY PLACE WHERE CHURCH HAPPENS! This is where the Gospel is preached, sacraments are administered, and the people of God gather as one family under God!

But these amendments want to redefine everything! Now they imply that the CONFERENCE is the real source and center of faith, and we are just mere extensions of them! This is a direct attack on our very identity! They want to seize sole authority to define what we believe and what we practice - so that truth becomes whatever they say it is! They are stealing the very soul of what it means to be a church of Christ!

3️⃣ “Affirm and apply in all its activities and programs the Declaration of Principles”

AND WHAT BECOMES OF LOCAL CHURCH AUTONOMY? IT IS DEAD! BURIED AND FORGOTTEN!

This is their clever, deceptive trap to erase the sacred covenant that THE MINISTRY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IS FREE FROM ANY OUTSIDE INTERVENTION!

Now they can hide behind this line and meddle in anything they want! They can interfere in our elections, our programs, our leadership, our properties - and just say, “We are only applying the principles!”

The autonomy our forefathers fought and died for? The freedom to govern our own affairs under God? GONE! It no longer exists as an inherent right. Now it is nothing but a privilege they can sn**ch away anytime it does not suit their agenda!

4️⃣ “Provide adequate salaries and benefits of church workers within the area”

WHAT A BLATANT LIE! WHAT SHAMELESS HYPOCRISY!

Does this mean salaries are now centralized? YES - AND IT IS ALL ABOUT CONTROL!

Let us speak the raw, unvarnished truth: THE CONFERENCE DOES NOT HAVE MONEY OF ITS OWN! It survives, it exists, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE WIDER MISSION SUPPORT WE LOCAL CHURCHES GIVE - a whopping 22% TO 26% DEDUCTED FROM OUR INCOME EVERY SINGLE MONTH OF THE YEAR! We feed them! We sustain them!

And what do they give us in return? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! ZERO! NADA!

They cannot even provide basic liturgical materials, Sunday School lessons, or simple resources for our congregations! They are good for nothing but draining our pockets!

Save only for the Legitimate Cebu Conference, Inc. (LCCI), the thriving fellowship in Bukidnon, the new movement in Antique, and perhaps two faithful Conferences in Mindanao -

👉 BUT ALL THE REST - AND MOST ESPECIALLY THE SOUTHERN-WESTERN LEYTE CONFERENCE - ARE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT A 100% USELESS, BLOODSUCKING, PARASITIC BUREAUCRACY!

They take and take and take from us, yet give back nothing but empty demands, arrogant orders, and oppression! They exist only to feed their own pride and greed, while leaving the local churches to fend for themselves!

Now they want to control all salaries? Why? So that every pastor, every worker will look up to THEM for their livelihood! So that no one dares oppose them, lest their salary be cut! They want to hold the purse strings to bind everyone to their will - using OUR OWN MONEY to rule over us!

These are not mere amendments. This is a calculated takeover of everything that is rightfully ours!

To be continued…

MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE – FOOT WASHING & HOLY COMMUNION

The UCCP MABANTAO warmly invites everyone to join our Maundy Thursday Service, a sacred time of remembrance and humility as we reflect on the love and service of Jesus Christ.

📅 April 02, 2026
⏰ 3 PM
📍 PRK 3, MABANTAO KAPALONG DDN

Message:
Maundy Thursday reminds us of the night when Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples and showed the true meaning of humility by washing their feet. Through Foot Washing and Holy Communion, we remember His command to love and serve one another.

As it is written in The Bible:
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” — John 13:14

Let us come together in reverence, gratitude, and fellowship as we remember Christ’s sacrifice and His call to serve with love.

Everyone is invited. ✝️🙏

“What defines Us today: Judgment or Mercy?”
Text: Juan 8:7
By. Rev. RaquelNaldo J. Relos- UCCP-Pastor

Intro:

Mga igsoon, maayOng adlaw kanatOng tanan.
KarOng panahon sa Kuwaresma, kita gidasig sa usa ka lawom ug matinud-anon nga pagpamalandong dili lang sa atOng mga binuhatan atobangan sa Ginoo, kundi sa atong kasingkasing usab. Kay sa tinuod lang, ang pinakadako nga gubat karong panahuna dili lang sa Tunga-tungang Sidlakan ug Estados Unidos o niining nasod, kundi sa sulOd mismo sa atong kaugalingon ingon nga tawo.

Ug kaniha atong nadungog ang pulOng sa Ginoo pinaagi ni (Juan 8:7) nga naga-ingon “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.”
Unsay buot pasabOt niini alang kanato?
Kining maong sugilanon mahitungod kini sa usa ka Babaye nga nadakpan sa iyang sala nga nahimo ug gidala sa mga religious leaders ngadto kang Jesus kanhi. Ug sumala sa balaod sa mga Hudio, dapat siyang silotan pinaagi sa pagbato kaniya.
Apan ang tinuod nga tuyo sa mga nagdala kaniya mao ang pagsulay kang Ginoong Jesus, kung mosupak ba Siya sa balaod o dili. Apan sa Iyang tubag, wala Niya gitubag ang ilang bitik pinaagi sa debate, kundi pinaagi sa paghatag og salamin aron kapanaminan sa ilang kaugalingon. Gisuginlan sila ni Jesus sa pagpakita nga ang tanan makasasala, ug walay usa nga mibarog kanila nga miingong limpyo aron maoy maghukom, hinungdan nga namauli ug nagsuginlanay sa usag-usa gumukan sa ilang kaulaw.

Mga igsoon, kini maong pulong ni Jesus kanhi hagit usab kanato karon niining panahon sa kwaresma sa atong kinabuhi sa matag-usa.
Kay sa tinood lang kita nga tawo sagad, dali ra kaayo ta muhukom sa atong isigkatawo. Ug murag natural na kaayo nato nga kung makakita ta og sayop sa uban, ato silang husgahan dayon nga sad-an. Usahay gani, mas dali pa nato makita ang ilang sayop kaysa atong kaugalingon sayop.

So mga Igsuon, tuguti ko ninyo nga kinining maong dictum nga atong huptan sa atong pamalandong karon nga naga-ingon: “Judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who you are.” Ug kung ato kining i-apply ug e-basi sa pulong ni Ginoong Jesus, samag gire-incarnate ug ginapahinumdoman kita nga sa matag bato nga atong e-bato sa uban pinaagi sa atong paghukom, nagpadayag kita kung unsa ang sulod sa atong kasingkasing.

Ngano man nga sagad dali ra kaayu tang muhukom sa atong isigkatawo?
Tungod kay usahay mas sayon tan-awon ang sayop sa uban kaysa moatubang sa atong kaugalingong kahuyang. Mas sayon moingon nga “sala na nila” kaysa moangkon nga “ako usab makasasala.” Mao nga ang paghukom mahimong paagi nato sa pagtago sa atong kaugalingong kakulangan.

Hinungdan nga niining maong sugilanon ni Ginoong Jesus, wala’y bisan usa nga mibato. Tungod kay ngano? Kay sa dihang nadungog nila ang pulong ni Ginoong Jesus, nakaamgo sila nga sila usab adunay sala. Ug isa-isa silang nanglakaw sa ilang kaulaw sa atobangan ni Jesus kanhi.

Mga igsoon, mao kini ang espiritu sa Kuwaresma. Dili kini panahon sa pagtan-aw sa sayop sa uban, kundi panahon kini sa pagsusi sa atong kaugalingon. Ug panahon sa pag-angkon nga kita usab nanginahanglan sa grasya sa Ginoo.

Hinungdan nga si Ginoong si Jesus wala nag-condemn sa babaye, pero wala usab Niya giingon sa Babaye nga okay ra ang iyang sala. Kondili, Iyang giingnan siya sa laing bahin sa teksto, “Go, and sin no more.” Mao kini ang husto nga balanse sa kalooy ug pagbag-o. Dili pag-condemn, kundi paghatag og bag-ong higayon.

Busa mga igsoon, unsa man ang tawag sa Ginoo kanato karon? Tingali dili na kita magdala og bato batok sa uban. Tingali panahon na nga ihulog nato ang atong mga bato nga gidala-dala, mga bato sa paghukom, kasuko, ug pride.

Ug sa matag higayon nga gusto tang muhukom sa uban , hinumduman nato kining maong pulong ni Ginoong Jesus: “Nga Kung wala kay sala, ikaw ang unang mobato.” Ug sa dihang ato kining hunahunaon pag-ayo, kita mismo ang mohunong sa pagpugong ug maghinulsol.

Karong Kuwaresma, gihagit kita sa pagbaton ug bag-o ug mahinulsulong kasingkasing. Nga imbis maghukom, kita mahimong mapainubsanon na kita. Nga imbis mag-condemn, kita mahimong mapinasayloon na kita sa atong isigkatawo. Nga imbis magbantay ta, sa sayop sa uban, kita magtan-aw sa grasya sa Ginoo nga naglihok sa atong kinabuhi aron mahimaya ang Dios kanato.

Ug sa katapusan, mga igsoon, gihagit kita karon sa pag-ampo pina-agi niining maong awit nga kanunay natong madungog sa panahon sa Kuwaresma:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…”
Kini nga awit nagapadayag usa ka tininuod nga pag-ampo—nga ang atong Ginoo magalimpyo sa atong kasingkasing. Kay kung limpyo ang atong kasingkasing, dili na kita mangita og bato aron e-bato sa uban, kundi mangita ta, og paagi aron sila matagad ug matabangan.

Busa pangutan-on nato ang atong kaugalingon karon: Unsa man ang nag-define nimo ug nako karon? Ang atong paghukom ba, o ang kalooy nga atong gipakita?

Hinaut nga ang gugmag kaluoy Ni Jesus, magbanwag kanatong tanan, ug niining atong panaw sa Kuwaresma , kita mahimong ipiktibo nga mga tawo nga mailhan dili sa pagbato ug bato, kundi sa pagpasaylo, kalooy, ug gugma ni Ginoong Jesu-kristo. Amen.

Hossana in the highest hallelujah!

Your true character of who you are is, when you do good but no one is watching!

Walking thrOugh the wilderness, I’ve learned, that GOd never leaves us.
Even in struggle and lOneliness, He is shaping our faith and preparing us for His purpose. Trust Him—He is with us always.