Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

In another thread it was mentioned concerning the Tulsa situation that changes has caused many to want to change.

I wanted to discuss what the changes are that you have noticed.

For myself I have noticed the following.

1. Most church no longer have foot washing.
2. Most new churches are being built without altars.
3. I see more women cutting their hair.
4. I see men and women coloring their hair.
5. I see more jewelery.
6. Many folks now have TV's in their homes.
7. Many now go to the theather.
8. I see more make-up.
9. Shorter dresses again, (saw them in the 70's as well)
10. Many women feel it is ok to wear pants.
11. Everyone now has a computer it seems.
12. Many feel it is not necessary to pay tithes.

Now these are some of the changes I have noticed since I have been in the church. I'm not saying all of these are wrong, but these are things you didn't see 30 years ago.


Did I miss anything?

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Video is a big part of many church services.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Communion is ignored.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

We only fellowship with those who share our exact ideology.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

We are more businesss-minded.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Oneness and Trinitarian preachers now rarely preach for one another like they did in the old days...:stirpot

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Thank God!

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

It is? I find this hard to believe. Not where I come from or in any of the churches we've pastored over the past 30 years.

I certainly hope not. Goodness!

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

That's new?

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

We use to think it was horrible that some of the Methodists and Baptists didn't have Sunday evening services, and now a lot of Apostolics don't either!

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Are you going to churches and asking them if they are having communion? I haven't seen it being ignored anywhere in UPC...

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Little confused by that one PP. I don't remember communion being that often 30 years ago. (Some churches never, and most only on New Years Eve). In the south from the churches I have been exposed to, it seems to be MORE prevalent than 30 years ago.....


Er sorry... good thread carry on...

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

How often do most OP churches celebrate communion?

Once a year?

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Musical styles have changed-- a lot.
There's a lot more contemporary stuff now.
I've found that to be good in most cases. Sometimes not.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

How often did you guys celebrate communion in the church you pastored?

More than once a year?

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Very few announced revivial services and when they are held they are much shorter.
Wednesday night services are not well attended.
Just a couple I could think of -

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

I'm not saying that I agree with any of the changes, but also, you have to look at societal changes, what was happening 30 years ago, probably was very different from what was happening 30 years prior to that.

Just to clarify, I do feel that many of the things listed are things that shouldn't be messed with biblically, but some things just change as society changes.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Agreed.

It doesn't seem as big a deal to miss church as it did back then.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Absolutely, yes.

In the last church we pastored, communion was served once a month.

Other churches we pastored it varied but definitely more than once a year. I think that in a couple churches we tried for every 3 months.

I have to say that I thought once a month would create a situation where communion would become a "hohum" event, but it wasn't like that at all. Every communion service was special and relevant and meaningful.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Definitely.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Easter and Christmas. That way everyone was in church on those days....LOL!

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Amazing.

I have never heard of a OP church doing that.


Cool.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

I think there are a lot less oatmeal boxes going on top of a womans head.

I also think there is a lot less judgmentalism going on, though there is still too much... I think there is a lot less presonal preferences being preached, though there is still too much...

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Back in the 70s my pastor had better never hear of you sinning,now the pastor at the local church preaches we all sin a little every day.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

I don't agree with that. I believe we can live in victory if we walk in the Spirit. This is what Scripture says.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

we are having communion and foot washing sunday night.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

When I was COOLJC we had communion the first Sunday night of every month.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

While I would'nt say we "sin a little every day" I do think it's important to realize our best rightousness is far, far short of qualifying us for the kingdom.

Also, I believe none other than Christ can truely say he is "sin free".

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

To start with communion was not a cracker and jigger of juice,it was the feast of the passover.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Not sure what you mean by "sin free" Stephen.

Do you not believe that the blood is there for continual cleansing if we avail ourselves of that IF we do sin? What about the scripture that says the blood of Christ "cleanseth" us from our sin. The "eth" always denotes a continual action. That is there for us when we need it and when we admit guilt and sin. Once you're cleansed, you're clean until the next time you sin or transgress. Then you can avail yourself of that cleansing once again.

Do you not believe the scripture that says that if we walk in the Spirit we will NOT fulfil the lust of the flesh?

I believe that it's possible to live in victory. In fact, I KNOW it is.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Interesting.

The UPC church I grew up in had communion once a month.

Our local church (OP) celebrates communion once a month.

I sometimes wonder if that is often enough.

To be completely honest, every Sunday wouldn't offend me.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Oh really,

Eph.5:3: But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;4: Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.5: For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God
Gal.5:19: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20: Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21: Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God
24: And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts

1 Cor.6:9: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,(Homosexuals)10: Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God

1 John3:3: And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.4: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.5: And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.6: Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him
1 John3:7: Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.8: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.9: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

With regard to communion - I was brought up doing it just once a year, and that kind of disappointed me.

I think the logistics of footwashing is taking a toll. You always need a seperate room for the ladies - outside the sanctuary, even if there are far more ladies than men. And then you have to carry the "buckets" around and keep the water warm but not too hot. Inevitably, there's a major spill and the dissolved toe jam from a dozen saints is forever a part of the carpet.

I think there's definitely more televisions in more homes. But alot of that has to do with the technology being blurred in many people's minds. The key here is the principle, not the electronics (Psalm 101:3).

On many of the other issues, maybe I don't run with as "liberal" a crowd as others. http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ons/icon10.gif I don't see that much of a change. Hey, some of the guys are still wearing the same suits they wore 30 years ago!

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

:toofunny:toofunny:toofunny

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Amen,

1 John 1:7: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

We have communiion probably 3or 4 times a year in worship service.

We also partake of communion in our homr freidship groups.

I serve communion three times a year in a community center I do Wed services at.

Now footwashin'....that's another subject.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Oh yes, the blood certainly is there and works on our behalf at all times.

We need to confess our sin and our short coming daily.

If I ever say I have arrived and have no need of the mediator, I have then believed a lie. It is through a repentant state that I live victorious, and not by an absence of transgressions (though it can have such a result)

If we say we have no sin, we lie.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Perhaps there are some semantics involved but, while I don't doubt you are ready for the kingdom through His blood, I do doubt you had a perfectly Christ-like day.

We fall short - every day. That is not an excuse to sin. But an acknowledgement that is crucial and central to Christian confession.

Re: Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years
 

Yes, I think so...