Chapter 16: Myth—God Owns Solid Rock

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Myth—God Owns Solid Rock

This time, Matthews disenfranchised the entire membership of their voting rights. He vested all voting rights into himself and his board, which

coincidentally was now out of the congregation’s control and was starting to shrink. Read Article IV that Matthews filed below and ask if any reasonable congregation would knowingly vote to give away its member voting rights. Matthews’ used another ruse as an excuse to file additional lies with the

Minnesota Secretary of State. Yet, no one knew he was making these false Article of Incorporation changes. The members knew nothing of these changes and did not vote for any of them. This evil was taking place behind the scenes. Church members only saw Matthews’ angelic face and smile as

he cleverly worked his swindle from an “appearance of righteousness.”

Falsified October 1995 Article IV Filing!

To assure the corporation of its sovereignty and independence and to perpetually protect the church, all ecclesiastical and

legal power and authority relative to the corporation shall be exercised by and in accordance with the New Testament Church pattern. Thus under the leadership of the Holy Spirit the Board of Trustees shall conduct all the business of the corporation (church) and shall be the only voting members of

the corporation (church). The number of Trustees, and their qualifications shall be established in the Bylaws of this corporation. The qualifications of members and the manner of their admission shall be fully provided in the Bylaws.

Matthews never informed the church that Jim Kaseman’s AFCM5 church requirements stated that the members could not have voting rights. Therefore, the AFCM denomination shift was also a part of Matthews’ ruse.

In a later lawsuit, Matthews’ attorneys claimed that the congregation waived its rights to any changes Matthews chose to make. However, legally, one cannot waive any rights they are not informed they are waiving. Existing Articles and Bylaws stated clearly that all Article changes had to be posted

for four weeks and formal notice supplied to voting members. But why should that stop a swindler? Therefore, Matthews succeeded in keeping both the Assembly of God and the congregation in the dark about his con activities including his fraudulent filings with the Secretary of State.