Ten minutes with UCC’s Carlton Pearson
Written by Nancy Haught, Religion News Service
September 5, 2007Editor’s note: ’10 Minutes With” is a periodic religion interview series in The Oregonian and distributed widely by Religion News Service. This week’s conversation is with the Rev. Carlton D. Pearson, a member of the UCC, who lives in Tulsa, Okla.
Seven years ago, Bishop Carlton D. Pearson was a fourth-generation evangelical preacher and one of Oral Roberts’ anointed; he had
graduated from Oral Roberts University and served on its board of regents. He prayed with U.S. presidents, preached to 5,000 people in his home church in Tulsa, Okla., and to thousands more on television.
And then, in an interview, Pearson said that he did not believe God would consign countless souls — or anyone, for that matter — to hell.
And then, in an interview, Pearson said that he did not believe God would consign countless souls — or anyone, for that matter — to hell.
In that instant, he broke ranks with those Christians who believe that unrepentant sinners will go to hell. That doctrine, called universal salvation, is an old one, but it’s still not popular in some circles.
Pearson was denounced by the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops and by the Rev. Ted Haggard, who was then president of the National Association of Evangelicals. Pearson’s worldwide television audience disappeared. Only a few hundred stayed in his local congregation, and he lost the building itself in foreclosure.
Today, Pearson, 54, is still a bishop. (“Once a bishop, always a bishop,” he says.) He’s joined the United Church of Christ, and his steadfast disciples — maybe 1,200 of them — meet in an Episcopal church in Tulsa.
At one time I would have considered Carlton Pearson a premier celebrity preacher. Having released successful CD projects, appearing at other celebrity preachers conferences, traveling in private jets and living large after working people gave their hard earned money in the offering. This article provides an alternative look at what happens when you fall from grace. I actually believe that he is the great example of one who has received God’s grace although he lost favor with many men and women.
Lesson that I see – When our goal is to please man we miss the opportunities to receive the best that God has for us.
Challenge for leaders – What are we doing to please people more than pleasing God?
Grace Be With You
Making Disciples in an Emerging Culture 
September 8, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I don’t understand. Are you saying that Pearson lost his celebrity status when he became more authentic?
September 8, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Pearson lost his celebrity status because he took a doctrinal view based on how he read and understood the scriptures that is significantly different than the position help by the “Celebrity Preacher Country Club”. This included Oral Roberts University, Pentecostal, prosperity message elite. I believe that he was always authentic but his change of theological position was not popular with the groups that had supported him over the years.
September 14, 2007 at 1:33 am
Perhaps he lost his congregation because he was rejected by the elites of the Pentecostal industry. Or perhaps he lost his congregation because he espoused heresy. Either are good reasons.
October 9, 2007 at 11:04 pm
God dont send anyone to hell you send yourself to hell being a sinner living a sinful life!!!
November 12, 2007 at 9:46 am
[…] Where is the accountability? Where are the elders? Where is the church council? I notice that John Cherry, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Bishop Charles Blake and Floyd Flake, are not under investigation. […]
August 3, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Thank you Mr. Carlton Pearson for recognizing the truth about heaven and hell. I came to this same belief over 20 years ago, but most people will not accept it, so I rarely talk about it. But, to hear it from a man of deep faith like yourself reinforces my belief and I thank you for that, knowing that I am not alone in my belief.
August 3, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I am amazed that someone else actually has come to believe some of the very things i hold onto myself. I have learned to “get to know my father by getting to know myself”. Meaning i would not deny my children my home simply because they were wrong in a thought. You go and teach, i personally do not do organized religion it seems only to be a tool for control of the masses, i am not god fearing, i am god loving. Thanks for getting my attention, good luck on your journey carlton
May 27, 2009 at 6:23 am
i had not been attending church for a while and now that bishop pearson is in chicago teaching, i am attending and i enjoy the fresh word and discernment