WPF's Youth Congress?

[Sept5SavedTeen]

Anybody here going? Anyone part of an assembly or group of assemblies that are sending their young people? I am awfully tempted to go. And after seeing the price of airfare from Providence, RI to Tulsa, along with the cheap motel rates in Tulsa, I might be able to spring it. Well, I figured I'd throw this out there and see if anyone is or knows anyone that is going.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

[RandyWayne]

Why is everything in Tulsa? Is it because all GPS units automatically point there??

[Consapostolic1]

I might attend since it's only about 1 hour away from me. I'm so excited that there finally having things in a more centralized loctaion. I only know of one of the speakers so far haven't heard about any others yet

[Sister Alvear]

I love working with young people...if I were close I would go just to see them and JOIN them worshipping the Lord.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

I might attend since it's only about 1 hour away from me. I'm so excited that there finally having things in a more centralized loctaion. I only know of one of the speakers so far haven't heard about any others yet

Is your pastor WPF?

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

[Consapostolic1]

Is your pastor WPF?

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

I think we are, nothing has been publicly announced yet. I think we'll find out after the Branson meeting. I hope so we've been independent for so long I'm ready to start doing more with other churches.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

I think we are, nothing has been publicly announced yet. I think we'll find out after the Branson meeting. I hope so we've been independent for so long I'm ready to start doing more with other churches.

Tired of being independent?! Being independent is the best, lol!

Yeah, I know, indeps can miss out on fellowship every now and then...

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

[StillStanding]

I might attend since it's only about 1 hour away from me. I'm so excited that there finally having things in a more centralized loctaion. I only know of one of the speakers so far haven't heard about any others yet
I'm sorry, but every time I see your name, I think constipated Apostolic! :lol

[Monkeyman]

I'm sorry, but every time I see your name, I think constipated Apostolic! :lolEverytime I see yours i think pee-a-nist!!

[Consapostolic1]

I'm sorry, but every time I see your name, I think constipated Apostolic! :lol

Couldn't you've thought of consecrated or conservative, but you dropped the C bomb.lol

[Consapostolic1]

Tired of being independent?! Being independent is the best, lol!

Yeah, I know, indeps can miss out on fellowship every now and then...

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

We've been independent since I've been at my church and it would really be nice to see some new faces. Why do you think being Independent is so great.

[Neck]

Anybody here going? Anyone part of an assembly or group of assemblies that are sending their young people? I am awfully tempted to go. And after seeing the price of airfare from Providence, RI to Tulsa, along with the cheap motel rates in Tulsa, I might be able to spring it. Well, I figured I'd throw this out there and see if anyone is or knows anyone that is going.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Since I am 43 and the last Younth Congress I went to was, Shreveport, LA in 1983 in the UPC.

I think I will stay home...

[Sept5SavedTeen]

We've been independent since I've been at my church and it would really be nice to see some new faces. Why do you think being Independent is so great.

I don't like denominationalism... it's divisive and it is NOT biblical. Also, I find organization people to be arrogant and proud. This WPF looks better than the UPC, but I say if they're forming an org just for fellowship, why not just leave the UPC, go indep and just have fellowship. Which assembly in OK do you attend, brother?

Now that I think of it too, there is a WPF pastor about 3-4 hours north of where I live, in Bangor, ME, called Bro. Smith, he also has a conference called Heritage every year in May, so some of his young people might go to PEAK, and I know Bro. Calhoun, so I might contact him also to see if his youth are going.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

[B_Kendrick]

I don't like denominationalism... it's divisive and it is NOT biblical. Also, I find organization people to be arrogant and proud. This WPF looks better than the UPC, but I say if they're forming an org just for fellowship, why not just leave the UPC, go indep and just have fellowship. Which assembly in OK do you attend, brother?

I agree 100%! We pulled out of the UPC back in November, yet our fellowship has not changed on bit!!! SO what is the purpose of the WPF? We have the same fellowship. Pacific Coast Camp, On Course, West Coast Conference. All of these conferences we have attended even when we were in the UPC. So its not our fellowship thats changed so why join something like WPF?

[tv1a]

I'm busy watching paint peel off my wall.

[TCSQ]

I'm busy watching paint peel off my wall.


Just be careful NOT to eat the flakes. Lead poisoning and all you know....

[NW Pastor]

I don't like denominationalism... it's divisive and it is NOT biblical. Also, I find organization people to be arrogant and proud.


That's interesting. I find many independents to be arrogant and proud. This is why they find it difficult to work together with anyone who does not replicate all of their core values. They rarely unite for progressive missions, choosing rather to host ralleys around the core beliefs. Oftentimes, the unity they are able to achieve is eventually lost due to differences of minor doctrinal positions, or over who is in charge. (Remember, these are "independents").

Peter, Paul, and other apostles often were able put aside sharp differences, so the gospel message would not be marginalized by fruitless infighting. They are the ones who turned the world upside down. Perhaps we could learn as much from the apostles fellowship as we do from the doctrine.

[Barb]

Peter, Paul, and other apostles often were able put aside sharp differences, so the gospel message would not be marginalized by fruitless infighting. They are the ones who turned the world upside down. Perhaps we could learn as much from the apostles fellowship as we do from the doctrine.

For the most part, as of late I have tried to stay clear of these threads because this back and forth stuff is not why I'm here.

However, I must say that I agree with this part of your post. If we could only learn from those who made it work...*sigh*

[CC1]

That's interesting. I find many independents to be arrogant and proud. This is why they find it difficult to work together with anyone who does not replicate all of their core values. They rarely unite for progressive missions, choosing rather to host ralleys around the core beliefs. Oftentimes, the unity they are able to achieve is eventually lost due to differences of minor doctrinal positions, or over who is in charge. (Remember, these are "independents").

Peter, Paul, and other apostles often were able put aside sharp differences, so the gospel message would not be marginalized by fruitless infighting. They are the ones who turned the world upside down. Perhaps we could learn as much from the apostles fellowship as we do from the doctrine.

LOL!!! NW Pastor this was a great comeback to the poster who found members of org.'s "arrogant", etc.

I know there are some fine GIB's but your points are well taken that for some being independent is more about not playing well with others or submitting than anything else.

I would say that for every arrogrant or otherwise flawed "organizations" person there is also an independent one with the same flaws.

[NW Pastor]

LOL!!! NW Pastor this was a great comeback to the poster who found members of org.'s "arrogant", etc.

I know there are some fine GIB's but your points are well taken that for some being independent is more about not playing well with others or submitting than anything else.

I would say that for every arrogrant or otherwise flawed "organizations" person there is also an independent one with the same flaws.

Thanks. I did feel a little rediculous for pointing out the obvious. But what could I do? It was obvious.

[SOUNWORTHY]

Sometimes independent is down hill. I feel it is good to have some support, it can get very cold on the outside.Just my humble opinion!!

[NW Pastor]

Sometimes independent is down hill. I feel it is good to have some support, it can get very cold on the outside.Just my humble opinion!!

I wonder how many "independents" are referenced in the New Testament? I is my understanding that there was only one church body. Those that left it, according to John, were never really of it. Could those have been independents?

[Sept5SavedTeen]

I wonder how many "independents" are referenced in the New Testament? I is my understanding that there was only one church body. Those that left it, according to John, were never really of it. Could those have been independents?

"Independent" isn't a term I like, but unfortunately, those who reject the denominational system have to call themselves that to distinguish themselves, or that is what they are called by those in denominations. The "independent" term is generally meant as assemblies that are autonomous from denominational bodies (which the Bible does not authorize).

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

[NW Pastor]

"Independent" isn't a term I like, but unfortunately, those who reject the denominational system have to call themselves that to distinguish themselves, or that is what they are called by those in denominations. The "independent" term is generally meant as assemblies that are autonomous from denominational bodies (which the Bible does not authorize).

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

What kind of bodies does it authorize? Although strict denominationalism may not be supported by scripture, there seems to be ample references to councils and elders to whom even the likes of Peter and Paul answered. Sometimes I wonder if many of our ministers forget that they are servants of the body, not lords over God's heritage. We all must be accountable to someone. And not just to a group of men who may change at our whim when they no longer validate our dicisions or ways of doing things.

There are, without a doubt, many "independents" who are fine men, and are doing all they can to build a church for his name's sake. However, could they be too willing sever themselves from the rest of the body, sacrificing a higher degree of overall effectiveness and impact, because of an inability to find common ground with brethren who preach the same salvation doctrine?

An arm, regardless of how strong, coordinated, or agile looses its effectiveness when severed from the body. None of us are meant to operate alone. I must remind myself that Christ did not just die for indevidual sinners, but he went to the cross for the church. He died to recieve a bride, not brides.

Jesus' prayer was that we be one. I often fear that in our rush to see our own prayers answered, we leave his unanswered. By rushing to build our own kingdoms, could we be guilty of dismembering his.

I don't have all the answers, and I do believe strongly that we should live a separated lifestyle, but I do not believe that means separate from each other. Rather we are to be distinct from the world and it's systems. We live for God, but love the brethren.

God bless you.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

What kind of bodies does it authorize? Although strict denominationalism may not be supported by scripture, there seems to be ample references to councils and elders to whom even the likes of Peter and Paul answered. Sometimes I wonder if many of our ministers forget that they are servants of the body, not lords over God's heritage. We all must be accountable to someone. And not just to a group of men who may change at our whim when they no longer validate our dicisions or ways of doing things.

There are, without a doubt, many "independents" who are fine men, and are doing all they can to build a church for his name's sake. However, could they be too willing sever themselves from the rest of the body, sacrificing a higher degree of overall effectiveness and impact, because of an inability to find common ground with brethren who preach the same salvation doctrine?

An arm, regardless of how strong, coordinated, or agile looses its effectiveness when severed from the body. None of us are meant to operate alone. I must remind myself that Christ did not just die for indevidual sinners, but he went to the cross for the church. He died to recieve a bride, not brides.

Jesus' prayer was that we be one. I often fear that in our rush to see our own prayers answered, we leave his unanswered. By rushing to build our own kingdoms, could we be guilty of dismembering his.

I don't have all the answers, and I do believe strongly that we should live a separated lifestyle, but I do not believe that means separate from each other. Rather we are to be distinct from the world and it's systems. We live for God, but love the brethren.

God bless you.

Thanks for the post, I agree and see your train of thought in it. Unfortunately, many independents have given other independents a bad name. My assembly is not independent so that my pastor can hold all the power in the assembly- however, I'm not saying there aren't independent assemblies out there that are like that. My assembly believes strongly in having a plurality of elders, and we've even considered a plural pastorship. The problem we have is not a pastor who doesn't want to appoint men, but we have men who don't want to be appointed- for whatever reason I don't know. There is one man who has stepped up to the plate and been appointed as a deacon, we hope more will follow his example. This system helps provide accountability for the pastor. Also, my pastor works with others, and all apostolic pastors should as they did in the NT. For example, if someone is disfellowshipped from our assembly (it has only happened ONCE to my knowledge), two other pastors (one indep and one UPC) in our area will also not allow that person to worship in their assembly. My pastor does the same thing, however, I don't know how many disfellowshiped people there have been from the other two assemblies. In this way the Body of Christ is protected from wolves in sheep's clothing and if someone has a contention with the saints in one assembly, they can not just go to another assembly and everything be fine, they must mend their problem and the Body must heal before they can go somewhere else, or perhaps cause trouble again. So, I definately believe a local, indep, autonomous congregation can be run well or be run poorly. I believe if it is run correctly it is most Biblical. I also believe a UPC, WPF or AMF or whatever other denominational assembly can be run well, however, as good as it may run, it oversteps it's authority Scripturally by being bound to a denominational body.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex