The State of the UPC
 

Just curious...is there a way that we can really know the truth about the state of the organization? I remember when a presentation was given at the 50th year celebration and the truth was spun to favor one group and isolate another at the time of the merger...so in this regard I've made the estimation that we can't trust the establishment to tell the truth about itself, especially when they use statistics like...raise your hand if you spoke in tongues, yay!! 1000 soul revival and 10,000 added to the church!

What is the current state of the UPC?

Re: The State of the UPC
 

Current condition?

Maybe 20 years to collapse.

Re: The State of the UPC
 

Uhhhh MIssouri?








Wait that's not right....

Re: The State of the UPC
 

...it could be. :whistle

Re: The State of the UPC
 

At best, it's stagnant. Its best years are far gone, and the continued brain drain has taken an incalculable toll.

The best and brightest are leaving in droves.

Re: The State of the UPC
 

I was thinking more in demographics.

Currently the median age of its ministers is 54.

There are something like less than 400 under the age of 35 and it looks like they make up a good portion of those leaving.

Hence on the present course, 20 years tops.

Re: The State of the UPC
 

I do not think it will collapse, but I think it is having problems finding its way.
I am hopeful that DB will set the ship back on course.
Of course, my own course is probably different than yours!!!
There have been several time through the years that I believe the org. missed the boat.
And I am not talking about doctine or politics.
I think the org should have either sponsored an accredited Bible school, or partnered with an accredited school.
Another big swing and miss was something that I pushed for along with several others.
Which is now termed as Youth Corps, I believe.
Some of us wanted to "model" this after what the Mormons do, but this vision was lost in the politics of the organization and watered down.
I really think that something like this could have energized the younger generation and given them a heart for leadership.
Other problems have included the generational leadership change that many other orgs have gone through and had issues with.
Also, the basic vision and structure of numerous departments did not keep up with the times. Departments such as Foreign Missions, Sunday School, Pentecostal Publishing House, almost every department.
The one exception to this has been the Youth department, which has been the one that has responded the best to change, I believe.
However, the excitement of the Youth Department is soon lost when they move into regular departments or "regular" church.
I could go on for days about this and not even touch doctrinal issues.

Re: The State of the UPC
 

I guess I am a bit more optimistic.

Say the UPC is stagnant currently, as far as numerically within the United States...

There are many or perhaps even most Protestant churches that have actually been stagnant or in decline for over 20 years they are not "collapsing" - at least not yet.

Re: The State of the UPC
 

Bump for Hoovie

Re: The State of the UPC
 

I understand. This is not good news at all. And if true it's cause for alarm, no doubt.

However, it does not take into account the hundreds of young ministers coming into the organization annually. Naturally, the numbers coming in over the age of 35 would be fewer... Therefore if stagnant, or even slight decline it would still not automatically spell out the demise of the group any time soon.