Why not join the AMF?
 

I have a question, that has probably already been posed, but I'll ask it anyways. When the AMF broke from the UPC in the 1960's, they thought the UPC was getting too liberal, so they formed a more conservative fellowship of ministers, which, some would say, then turned into an organization. Many conservative brethren stayed in the UPC, and although the loosening of standards bothered them, they stayed until the tv advertisement resolution came about in 2007, at which point, they believed the UPC had gone too far, and so they wished to break from the UPC to form a more conservative group of ministers, known as the Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship. Now, it would make no sense for all the AMF ministers to become WPF ministers and the AMF be done away with, because their (AMF) group has been around for the past fourty years, has publications, churches (owned by the ministers of course, but still), conferences, ect... My question, is since this second wave of conservative break away's came about in 2007, why didn't they just join the AMF and streghthen an EXISTING conservative fellowship/organization, rather than form their own organization?

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

(UPC) I don't think any one is worried about streghtening any other existing organization. If we were, the apostolic faith would be much stronger as a group. I don't understand why we don't don't just fellowship through AWCF, you still have all your organizations, but at the same time a much broader fellowship.JMO

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

That AWCF seems too liberal... sorry for my honesty, just my humble opinion...

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Well, I will remain in silence ...

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Do you know the answer to the question?... Can you solve th mystery?

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Well, most of them that left the UPC would not really fit in the AMF..

You would have to know a lot of history to understand...

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Because most AMF men do not allow rings of any type nor decorative pins and Christmas trees and most of these men leaving the UPC now have wedding bands and their wives wear pins on their clothes and they put up Christmas trees. In the AMF they would not be allowed to do those things.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

PREACH sister
Go on
Let it out

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Well as for history that can be taught (my major in college is history).

I never thought of that with the Christmas issue. I remember seeing Bro. Godair's church's Christmas drama pictures and whatnot. As for wedding rings, I would have thought that the preachers going into the WPF already got rid of wedding rings- maybe I'm wrong, or maybe their split. Pins on clothes?! That's another big difference?! I'm not mocking the answer, I'm just shocked that that enters into the minds of people. It's too bad those WPF people couldn't say, concerning pins, "Well, if it offends our AMF brethren" (assumming they join the AMF) "then we can get rid of them..." But no one wants to humble themselves like that I guess.

As for "not fitting in" that'd be interesting too to consider. I've been to an AMFM (Apostolic Ministerial Fellowship of Maine) assembly, they're similar to the AMF you see down south, maybe a bit more liberal. I've been to a conservative (formerly AMF) assembly also in Canada... But I've never been to a real bona fide AMF church you see down south (ie. Bro. Mobely's or Bro. Groce's or Bro. Spell's or some other church like that), so maybe I don't know... Sis. Alvear, would the Wilhoites be your typical sort of AMF church in your opinion?

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Bro Spell is not a Typical AMF church. Most likely Groce is, if he hasn't changed since last I knew him. Wilhoites were great people from my memory but have not seen or heard about them in so many years I would not know myself. Spell is very much on the liberal side for AMF. Now by everyone else he would be UC.
I love the Spell's. Elder Spell and his wife have always been very sweet people. I am not sure about the grandson, Anthony, who now helps there.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Are you talking about the Wilhoites from Maine or the other Wilhoites?

I do not think of Brother Spell as a typical AMF person...

Please understand my thinking about the AMF goes back to the late 60´s...when you heard all those anti upc sermons...I am not UPC but am not anti UPC or anti any Jesus name sincere folks...
I am anti a spirit of fighting and tearing down to try to build something else...
I am not against leaving any organization we all must follow the call of God in our life. What may be good for one may not work for another.

I know many Jesus Name groups in Brazil from far right to far left...

I am against pastor´s brainwashing people into thinking they are the only saved church in town...Why am I against this practice? Because people that for some reason leave these churches backslide because they think they are lost anyway if they go somewhere else...

There are missionaries that teach that here in Brazil...I do not believe that...If someone wants to leave my church and go to the UPC or some other JN group they have my blessings...If I cannot help them be saved I want someone else to help them.

Pease understand my thoughts are not about any one person my thoughts are in general...

Souls are very precious to the Lord and if we humans are not careful we had rather destroy someone than see them be saved somewhere else...

I know there are exceptions to the rule...there are some people that will be trouble where ever they go...THEY are the problem...we have had some like that too! But there are others that I felt would do better somewhere else and released them ( if that word can be used) to go somewhere else...

I deeply love our people but I had far rather a person leave or work and go to another JN church than go to the world...

I have heard people say if you go to .......... you are committing spiritual adultery...I don´t like phases that scares people...If I have to scare someone to be with us then I am a poor leader...and usually a deceitful one.
Please note I am NOT calling any certain person deceitful...only the Tactic used to scare people.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

I am almost afraid to post because some could take me wrong...Those that know me know how I stand but maybe from just a glimpse at a post might misunderstand. So I am not against anyone in the AMF. I have dear close frineds that are AMF, UPC and now WWF...so it is not against any organization. There are good sincere people everywhere.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

I don’t believe that the issue of them leaving had anything to do with Res#4. I believe your original question gives validity to this claim. Why not just join the AMF? "Power" is a tremendous friend when tamed but when we become too hungry for it then "power" can become rampant in our lives and destroy our core beliefs.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Was that just a Freudian slip? :ursofunny

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Sister if someone takes you wrong that would be on them. Your spirit, as well as your walk, is one that many could take lessons from.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

you are so right on this. Our pastor feels the same way. He has even said it across the pulpit. If for some reason you can not serve God in this church then please find another truth teaching church to go to rather than just leave church.
It is not about UPC, ALJC, AAFCJ, PAW, or another group. It is about Jesus Christ. It is not Romo's church, Alvear's, Spell's, or Jakes for that matter. It is about Jesus Christ. If what we do lifts up, edifies, glorifies, builds up the kingdom of God that is what matters.
Scare tacts will not keep someone in church but it may help at keeping them OUT of the 'CHURCH'. If a minister is insecure to the point they have to result to those ways then someone needs to take them aside and straighten them out or pull their license.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Now sister Alvear if YOU dont speak up I'm gonna have to! Before anyone joins the AMF I advise them to invest in some Mylar, Lots and LOTS of Mylar!

JC

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Because they could not then be the Tulsa 6 and the 50 elders.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

I just know I want to be saved and to be saved I must have a right spirit..

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Thanks for your post Sis. Alvear, there was a lot of wisdom in what you said.

What's Mylar and why should someone take it if they join the AMF?

Yes, the Willhoites I mentioned are from Maine.

Does anyone know if Bro. Smith from Brewer, ME joined the WPF? I know he went to Apostolic Summit. Also, would anyone know when Heritage Conference in Brewer is going to be held? I'm really looking forward to that conference and seeing the McKillops again, and perhaps the Willhoites will be there too.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

In 1970 came into an AMF church in Pensacola Florida. to my knowledge they would not think ANY of us could possibly be saved.

Because if you are are here you are in the internet. They preach it as a sin worthy of hell.

Golf too...it'll send to the hot place.

For a good solid year that I attended there the wishy washy UPC was bashed from the pulpit and in many conversations in the vestibule.

I would think almost any in the AMF would be considerd ultra conservative.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

I preached the Wilhotes conference once and another time my husband and I preached it together...they are kind to women preachers.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

:ursofunny :ursofunny :ursofunny

My MIL got a kick out of that!

I however had to have her explain it to me, after she was finished laughing!:kickcan

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

While I was still in the AMF my sister married and moved to the deep south and attended another AMF church. The pastor is or was, I believe he is now deceased, related to someone formerly mentioned. I would go visit my big sis every summer. Well every summer I got preached at. Now mind you I attended an AMF church in the north.
I wore my hair parted down the middle and the preacher would get up and say that only UPF fag's wore their hair parted in the middle. I was out to the store one day and had on a pair of pants that had elastic waists instead of belt loops and the next service he preached on the UPC fag's that wear these gay elastic waisted pants. Can't even be real men and wear a belt. This would go on ever summer from the time I was 13 till I was 16. Thankfully my sis and BIL started going to one of those faggy UPC churches and when I would go visit I did not have to hear that stuff anymore. I was finally free to worship God in service and not worry about what I did or said.

I did get a dig in though the last year I was there. Bad of me I know bet it FELT GREAT. One of the ladies in the church who knew this stuff was crazy just like my sis and bil had two daughters that were older than me and they were the craziest, funniest, absolutely antagonizing girls ever. Well they had those BIG ol lace Vestal Goodman handkerchiefs. I asked to borrow one. I had been preached at the service before for wearing a hanky in the breast pocket of my jacket. So this service i took this WHITE FRILLY AND LACY AND BIG hanky and stuck it into the breast pocket of my navy blue suit and I walked to the front and sat right on the front row with my legs crossed like a lady. I would purposefully antagonize him that night to no end. Everything he would say that was aimed at me which was about 99% of the message I would clap my hands and agree with him. He gave the dirtiest looks and EVERYONE was trying very hard to not laugh. After my family left that church along with almost all the faithful he released them from the chains that bound them. If they came to church and paid their tithes they could do anything they wanted and still be saved.

Save the chastisment of me I was only a teen and I was lashing out the only way I knew how at something that was wrong. I was not right either but you know sometimes enough is enough.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Wow, that's sounds like a really controlling type of church environment... It's hard for me to imagine. I know some conservatives, who I'd consider even more conservative than the AMF, but they are some of the most loving Christians I have ever met. Also, there's an AMF church in Pensacola?! But there's a big UPC church in Pensacola?! Well, that's the nature of orgs I guess, it's like their in competition. I know of a split in Maine, where when the pastor split from the UPC, he sent out satelite churches in the same town well established UPC churches were in. I know hear the UPC is starting churches in towns with WPF pastors... It's really too bad. Could anyone tell me how far up north AMF goes?

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

I usta hear the same thing preached at a UPC I attened for many years in Illinois. Pants had to have belt loops AND cuffs.

Hair was not to be washed regularly so it would get a little greasy and you could comb it proper.

This was not a backwoods podunk church but had 500 in Sunday school back in the day. The preacher always wore a little black bow tie.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

ME, Canada, WA, MI, CO ......................
AMF has churches all over.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

We'd be kind to you and your husband too :meetya... we just couldn't have you preach to a mixed crowd... :hanky

Are they "conservative" by AMF standards? Do you know how well their connected to the AMF?

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

They do not have them in Minnesota.... SO THERE:kickcan :)

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

They don't have a website, so it's tough to tell? Do they have any in ME other than the Willhoites? I didn't think they had any in Canada (except the McKillops who are former AMF)... It seemed like a group that went no where north past Ohio or Pennsylvannia.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

you don't know much about them do you? Then don't do internet silly.... they can't have a website! :) jk

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Sounds as bad as the AMF church in TX that taught you could not wear red, open toed shoes, and kicked a lady out of the church because she took a motorcycle ride with a family friend because she should not have been on the back of that ungodly thing. She even wore a skirt while riding so as not to go against church rules.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

I do think God is embarrased by ignorance like this.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

I know they're against internet, although Bro. Spell's church has a website... I was just stating the fact that it's tough to find info on them since they don't have a website. The only info one can really get info on them is by word of mouth if you live far from their churches. Also, the AMF church in Edna, TX has a website.

The women wearing red thing is funny. I was in a UC church and a woman was wearing red and I was thinking, "Is she going to get yelled at?" But they were cool about it...

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Not sure about no websites. SOME of the church have sites. They don't talk about it to the ones who DON'T but some do. If you really want questions answered you may want to search on names like Groce, Meade, Cavanas, Phillips, all associated with apostolic and pentecostal and see what you get.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Oh, I was just messing with ya! It would be nice for them to have a website because I have been to many places looking for a oneness church and could not find one.... A directory would be great to have!!!!!! And pictures... I like to look at pictures on a site.... Then if they don't have red, I won't wear it when I visit!:ursofunny

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

It has been years but I am not so sure about that.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

I don't know much about the other men, but I will say that Elder Groce is a great man.... He is a true gentleman and a real Christian!


I have been to Bro. Cavanas' church and heard Bro. J. Alvear preach and, WOW, what a message it was... I love hearing great men of God! :tissue

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

:ursofunny:ursofunny:ursofunny:ursofunny

I know that one in Edna you mentioned.
His wife can flat out SING. That woman is so blessed with a set of vocal cords and lungs. I had such a crush on her when I was a kid. She of course is much older than me and married.
I emailed them to say hi and ask after their health and was asked if my pastor knew I had contacted him. I was actually offended. have friends back in Ohio that had a daughter to marry a guy in their church.

Re: Why not join the AMF?
 

Are the Meade's, in Akron, AMF or indy? They used to have a website, but it's now down, and I think their phone number changed. I've been trying to reach them about their Apostolic Youth Convention.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex