[Margies3]

I can't speak for all UPC churches because I don't know enough about any of them to say. But I can speak for the one UPC church that I grew up in in the beginning of my walk.

Back when I first started going there, we were adding people to the church all the time. Outsiders. People who had never even heard of Pentecost and were thrilled to be a part of this "new thing".

Then our pastor left to go to the mission field. (Please do not think I am saying he was wrong to go!!!! Absolutely NOT!! He was following God's call for his life!). After he left, this church had a pastor who would easily fit into the "abuser" category that I hear talked about on here, unfortunately. He was only there for a year but during that time the vast majority of the people left.

Since that time, this church has not added one single soul who came in from the world. They've had a few people come from other UPC churches. And most of those people eventually ended up going back to the the UPC churches they had started at.

Right now this church is running about 30-40 people on a good Sunday.

So what do I think? hmmmm. I think there might be some merit to what MOW has said. I'm not sure if it applies to EVERY UPC church, but it surely does to some.

On the other hand, I know churches from other denominations that are in the same condition. So it's not exclusively UPC.