Originally Posted by DAII (Post 1019235)

less than 5% ...

Originally Posted by deacon blues (Post 1019207)

The last BOTT I attended MJ preached a fine message about Jesus. In fact I was beginning to regret attending the conference until that message. I knew God sent me there to specifically hear that Word from the Lord. I was dumbstruck that people were offended at the message. The sermon basically said that Jesus was what this is all about. That people "would see Jesus". That the only people who got in the way of people who wanted to see Jesus were the Pharisees. MJ preached if we want people to see Jesus we have to fight against a Pharisee spirit. I was in complete agreement. I was convicted to fight the Pharisee in me. I believe all people of faith have the potential to become religious, self-righteous, steeped in tradition, hypocritical Pharisees. I took the message personal and embraced its truth. Others evidently took it personal and were offended. It was the beginning of the crucifixion of MJ.

Funny thing. You would think the "Jesus Only" people, the "people of the Name", the people with the great revelation of who Jesus is would rejoice at such a message. But I guess the Pharisee part hit a little close to home for some and they didn't like the reflection in the looking glass of the Word. They decided to forget what manner of man they saw in that reflection.

And, as history bears out millions of times before, the messenger is targeted, despised, marginalized, defamed, deemed dangerous and toxic. Strange that preaching Jesus, the blood and the cross makes someone a pariah. Preach anything, but don't preach Jesus! There's no other choice. Preach for the praise of men or preach for the applause of heaven.

Burning at the stake, hanging, drowning, firing squad, excommunication, kicked out, pressured out, starved out, crucified, whatever---the end result is the same. The Machine will destroy you. Okay a little dramatic, but you get the picture. MJ will do fine. He's a good man and will keep preaching Jesus. A good church will continue to move forward.

For those of you that want to preach Jesus for those who would see Jesus, keep on keepin on. But be warned, hell takes notice of the Jesus Preachers. Be vigilant, be alert. But take heart: the gates of hell will not prevail.

Originally Posted by MrMasterMind (Post 1019233)

So the entire constituency of the UPC ministers under the age of 35 in now in the 300s and dropping?

Originally Posted by DAII (Post 1019235)

less than 5% ...

Originally Posted by Justin (Post 1019240)

Sources?

Originally Posted by deacon blues (Post 1019207)

That the only people who got in the way of people who wanted to see Jesus were the Pharisees.

Originally Posted by aegsm76 (Post 1019221)

From a Biblical standpoint, is this correct? I'm not at home to do any research, but it seems like all of the religious groups were at fault. I know we like to target the Pharisees, but seems like the other groups were just as much as fault as well.

Originally Posted by DAII (Post 1019276)

Jeff Hennigan and Jim Kilgore next?

Originally Posted by pelathais (Post 1019300)

Those "backsliders" with their "filth?"

Why is it ... Why do the radical and "hard-core" standards kind of guys in the UPC and WPF sound more and more like the "Old Steve Winters?" It seems that even Winters finally got tired of that rap and decided to relax and even "rock out" a bit.

... a crazy kind of a bit, but the guy has certainly tamed his vehemence and rhetoric. Now, to hear someone called "filth" you have to go to General Conference or read a WPF website.