The State of the UPC - Page 10

MissBrattified · #91 02-07-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noeticknight

Hi MissB!

When you drew a link between a younger generation of men and a growing resistance to “waffling and inconsistency” in their elders, I couldn’t help but think of billionaire Marc Zuckerberg’s recent statement “young people are just smarter.” Are they? Maybe. Many researchers think there's a connection, and I think you’re on to something.

When I mentioned the Flynn Effect, I was impying a correlation between some of the elements in Flynn's studies with the observations noted in your statement. Put simply, today’s fast-moving, ever changing environment, increased competition in academics, and overall more complex technologies pressuring our young generation, could in fact be responsible for the increased level of scrutiny with “old time religion.” Maybe it’s access to more information. Maybe it’s better nutrition or better genetics. Maybe it’s a little of everything. Whatever it is, it's definitely increasing the gap between the 'ole school crowd and the up and coming "young bucks."

Okay, I get it now. Well, I do agree that kids are getting smarter with every generation. However, I think the idea that young people will latch on to extreme positions easier than older people is an old phenomenon. It goes along with struggling to find an identity. The ability to compromise one's views in deference to another comes with age and maturity. As a young person, this seems impossible since it would require a perceived sacrifice of integrity and principle.

Not a foolproof theory here...just trying to flesh out why more young men would be attracted to the ultra-con camp than the UPCI. It could also be that younger men may actually need tougher boundaries than mature men who have developed self-control and self-discipline, so maybe that's a factor, too?

btw, Coon's original question had to do with why more young preachers are showing up at WPF and UC meetings than getting licensed with the UPCI or other more liberal groups. So are they analyzing the moderate/liberal groups and finding them somehow wanting?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I see a higher percentage of young preachers at the more conservative meetings than I do the general UPC events.

I think the higher degree of respect and esteem for the ministry that tends to be found among this segment of our movement is at least partially responsible for this....

Quote:

Originally Posted by aegsm76

Good to see the old timers back and posting.
I would agree with the assumption that I see more young preachers around the WPF events than the UPCI events. ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

What do you attribute that higher percentage to?

Charnock · #92 02-07-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Okay, I get it now. Well, I do agree that kids are getting smarter with every generation. However, I think the idea that young people will latch on to extreme positions easier than older people is an old phenomenon. It goes along with struggling to find an identity. The ability to compromise one's views in deference to another comes with age and maturity. As a young person, this seems impossible since it would require a perceived sacrifice of integrity and principle.

Not a foolproof theory here...just trying to flesh out why more young men would be attracted to the ultra-con camp than the UPCI. It could also be that younger men may actually need tougher boundaries than mature men who have developed self-control and self-discipline, so maybe that's a factor, too?

btw, Coon's original question had to do with why more young preachers are showing up at WPF and UC meetings than getting licensed with the UPCI or other more liberal groups. So are they analyzing the moderate/liberal groups and finding them somehow wanting?

It's going to take more than one man's theory and observations to convince me the UC's are faring better than the mods and libs. In my area, the churches who struggle the most are the ones who operate from a 1970's mindset.

Hoovie · #93 02-07-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charnock

It's going to take more than one man's theory and observations to convince me the UC's are faring better than the mods and libs. In my area, the churches who struggle the most are the ones who operate from a 1970's mindset.

Yes I think so too...

Would you agree though, that the UC preachers meetings may be better attended and proceed with greater fervor than their more liberal counterparts?

Charnock · #94 02-07-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Yes I think so too...

Would you agree though, that the UC preachers meetings may be better attended and proceed with greater fervor than their more liberal counterparts?

No, I wouldn't.

But that's just my opinion.

I see a lot of "fervor" among men who are left-leaning. More than I've ever seen before. I have no idea what is emboldening them, but they are walking away in droves.

Coonskinner · #95 02-07-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Yes I think so too...

Would you agree though, that the UC preachers meetings may be better attended and proceed with greater fervor than their more liberal counterparts?

Right, since we don't have a life otherwise.

I got it.

Charnock · #96 02-07-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charnock

No, I wouldn't.

But that's just my opinion.

I see a lot of "fervor" among men who are left-leaning. More than I've ever seen before. I have no idea what is emboldening them, but they are walking away in droves.

Also, for the first time, the libs are forming their own fellowship networks. Some of these networks exist in the org, but most exist outside of it. Seems like they aren't as afraid of retribution as they used to be.

Coonskinner · #97 02-07-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charnock

Also, for the first time, the libs are forming their own fellowship networks. Some of these networks exist in the org, but most exist outside of it. Seems like they aren't as afraid of retribution as they used to be.

For the first time?

Ever heard of Global?

Hoovie · #98 02-07-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Right, since we don't have a life otherwise.

I got it.

Well, not sure I meant that abou you, but certainly I have seen this in my own life.

There was a time, twenty five years ago, when the question of going to a ten night revival was a no brainer. I and most of the church would go - and even take off from work if need be. Today? not so much - I would have to make many adjustments to make it happen.

It is safe to say if I/we lived the way we did twenty five years ago (which is what some UC advocate) the choice to go would be easier.

Is there a part of this you disagree with? Please explain.

Charnock · #99 02-07-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

For the first time?

Ever heard of Global?

Global has less than 300 affiliates, and a large portion of those are trinnies.

There are several other networks that are roughly the same size, or larger, that have started within the last few years. I just received an invitation to a "General Conference" of one of these new groups. The conference is 45 minutes from me.

When I called to get info I was shocked at the size and scope of the org, at who was a part of the org, and how quickly it's growing.

Coonskinner · #**100** 02-07-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charnock

Global has less than 300 affiliates, and a large portion of those are trinnies.

There are several other networks that are roughly the same size, or larger, that have started within the last few years. I just received an invitation to a "General Conference" of one of these new groups. The conference is 45 minutes from me.

When I called to get info I was shocked at the size and scope of the org, at who was a part of the org, and how quickly it's growing.

Oddly enough, I haven't received an invitation.