A Growing Trend of Fed UP!!!!

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Judah

We were told that we would lose the protective covering of the Body of Christ if we left. It's almost been 2 years now, and Jesus has proved to provide protection, daily bread, companionship, covering, all things that a good Shepherd would do. Imagine that!

When we unaffiliated the church, we were told we would lose all the "help" we were getting. The presbyter came and told our congregation basically that if they unaffiliated that my husband might take all the money and run. Well about a year later my husband turned in his UPC credentials and we left the church and UPC and money behind. We sing this song to each other sometimes and get a good laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFGZufk4HFs

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Cotton Mather

I have personally wrestled with the same decision Randy has come to. I feel Jesus leading me in another direction. The trouble is that there is no viable alternative organizationally, and fellowship will be sparse.

What I do know is that things cannot continue as they are. I have never seen such discontent.

There are alot of discordant notes being played in the UPC. Pray for harmony and symphony in that part of the body of Christ. The work of Jesus will not get done without unity. We, as the children of God, should be able to get along with all our brethren. We'll be worshipping the Lamb together in New Jerusalem, we must do the same here.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Furthermore, I have been independent and I have been UPC.

If you are a pastor or have an established ministry as an evangelist, your world is unlikely to change much if you go independent.

However, for an aspiring young minister, there are some doors that will close for you if you decide to chuck your card before you have really established yourself.

I do not defend that as right or proper; it just happens to be reality.

One of the main reasons I got back in was so the opportunities for the young preachers in our assembly would be expanded.

Good words of wisdom. For a preacher who does not have any doctrinal differences with the UPC they should think twice or even three times before leaving.

In my mind leaving makes the most sense for those who pastor large enough churches they don't need the fellowship and who have differing views on doctrine or standards.

[Judah]

Originally Posted by ILG

When we unaffiliated the church, we were told we would lose all the "help" we were getting. The presbyter came and told our congregation basically that if they unaffiliated that my husband might take all the money and run. Well about a year later my husband turned in his UPC credentials and we left the church and UPC and money behind. We sing this song to each other sometimes and get a good laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFGZufk4HFs

That is hilarious!

I guess mine would be "Fly Like an Eagle."

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

There is discontent on many levels, and not all of it among just the young ministers.

It exists because of a plethora of factors, not just because our elders are all crushing the life out of every young ministry.

There are also a lot of young men who are happy where they are.

If you are discontented, you will tend to talk mainly with those who share your view, so it might be difficult to assess this on a broad scale based sloeley on your own fellowship.

I am no great apologist for the organization, so please don't take it that way. I have my own issues with the UPC and her politics.

I just don't think this is some sweeping epidemic, really.

I agree with most of this. I will say that I believe there is more discontent than I personally have ever seen. I do not ask for men to come and talk to me about these things - they just do. It is as if we are all holding our breath right now, just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Coonskinner, I appreciate my elders but I do not worship them. Any young man who is raw and has zeal will find it hard to survive within the current organizational boundaries. He is told he must filter everything through these elders. Well, I am very sorry but some of us are waking up to the realization that some of the doctrines forwarded by our elders are contrary to sound bible principles. This marks us as rebellious and ungrateful.

I see no way to reconcile with false doctrine.

Originally Posted by mizpeh

There are alot of discordant notes being played in the UPC. Pray for harmony and symphony in that part of the body of Christ. The work of Jesus will not get done without unity. We, as the children of God, should be able to get along with all our brethren. We'll be worshipping the Lamb together in New Jerusalem, we must do the same here.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

I appreciate your spirit, but I do not value unity over Truth.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by CC1

Good words of wisdom. For a preacher who does not have any doctrinal differences with the UPC they should think twice or even three times before leaving.

In my mind leaving makes the most sense for those who pastor large enough churches they don't need the fellowship and who have differing views on doctrine or standards.

This is true. I think if the doctrinal stance is exactly the same, a person should think long and hard. Some of the benefits would be not having to pay into the district and having the freedom to run the church as you see fit. But there is a loss of fellowship and structure. For some anyway.

What benefits are there really? I pay over $1000.00 a year to the org for what? And then I am told I have no voice.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Cotton Mather

What benefits are there really? I pay over $1000.00 a year to the org for what? And then I am told I have no voice.

I completely understand that. I just felt totally milked. I know that sounds crass but it's how I feel.

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

There is discontent on many levels, and not all of it among just the young ministers.

It exists because of a plethora of factors, not just because our elders are all crushing the life out of every young ministry.

There are also a lot of young men who are happy where they are.

If you are discontented, you will tend to talk mainly with those who share your view, so it might be difficult to assess this on a broad scale based sloeley on your own fellowship.
I am no great apologist for the organization, so please don't take it that way. I have my own issues with the UPC and her politics.

I just don't think this is some sweeping epidemic, really.

I could understand this... I did not start the discontented conversation... It just headed that way from his comments... I do NOT like to dwell on discontent... it just isn't worth the conversation at times...

and it may not be sweeping but it seems most don't or won't talk about how they honestly feel for fear of repercussions... just some find their voice when they realize other folks are feeling the same...