I Love The UPCI
 

I have grown increasingly frustrated with posters bashing the UPC. I totally understand that many have had some very negative and hurtful experiences while attending a UPC church; however, holding on to the pain while tearing down the organization at every chance hasn't done anyone any good.

I have experienced hurt too and I thought that I would never go back, but I realized that if change was every going to occur it would be better orchestrated from within.

Instead of bashing the UPCI why not pray for your local church and the leadership? Stop hating and start loving!!!

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Yeah me too. I guess I can consider myself fortunate... I have not had these horrific happenings. Oh I am well aware of issues, problems, contentions and even inconsistencies, yet I know these exist in various forms in all denominations.

God has been good to me!

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

PROFOUND, Bro. ChosenbyOne!!! Absolutely profound!!

Victory, victory, will be mine.
Victory, victory, will be mine.
If I hold my peace and let the
Lord fight my battles.
Victory, victory, will be mine!:happydance:happydance

Blessings,

Falla39

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Speaking about problems the UPCI has doesn't mean that it's being bashed or hated. It's discussions that are important and need to take place in order for healing and change to begin.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

You seem to be where God wants you to be. That is a wonderful place to be. As long as He has you there, bloom and be fruitful! :D

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Thank you Chosen.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Amen! to that, and an Amen! to CB1's opening post as well.

There is a "culture of silence" that can overtake any group of human beings. We need to be mindful of the importance of speaking out. When the UPC "hurt" me it was a time when I actually made things worse- for both myself and the UPC (or at least, that little part of it that was around me) by keeping the "code of silence."

I didn't realize it at the time, but I hurt my DS and others by not bringing something to their attention. Instead, I just quietly fell on my sword like a good soldato and aided the "bad guys" with my compliant stupidity. No more.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Love the UPCI, too.

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Dan's pants are on fire!!!

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

It is not always what is being said that is bothersome, but the
way it is said. The spirit in which it is spoken.

If my husband asks me to do something in a kind voice, I am glad
to do it. But if he should use a forceful, unkind bully type voice, although
I have no problem doing what he said, I would have a problem with the tone
or(spirit) in which he said it.

Sometimes it doesn't feel or sound like the "spirits" are of God!

And no, silence isn't always golden either!

Blessings,

Falla39

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I can agree with that to a degree, however, there are those who talk bad all the time about the UPC and any other organization that they feelare "ultra conservative".
I personally do not like organizations, I think most have an elitist attitude. I do understand that it is good to be part of a group therefore I do not say much against organizations in general. I would LOVE to see more fellowship between the groups. I am a firm believer that until we do we will never have the growth that God has for the church.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

The UPCI is a great organization. I have lots of friends who are still a part of it!

In every organization, there are some fringe individuals who may give the organization a bad name. My opinions are from personal experiences from my part of the country.

I do believe that the UPCI is doing a lot of things right!

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

He is a good God!

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I love that song, MomC.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KOIJU5yyoDo

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

H1,

I agree that discussions are important, but like Falla39 wrote it is the tone of the discussion that tends to be hurtful. Many times, the conversation becomes disrespectful to us that have remained UPC. There have been posts by people that I considered friends that I know would never say such rude comments to my face, yet they had no problems writing them here on AFF. It certainly didn't promote healing when I read what they wrote!

CB1

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Thanks, Pianoman.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

While I agree with your premise, keep in mind, there are some very cutting remarks made against those who have left the UPC, such as "Left truth", "false doctrine", etc.

On either side, discussion is fine, the personal attacks are not.

Having said that, I left the UPC a few years ago, and am very happy to be where I am - however, I would never disrespect the UPCI in any way, shape or form.

As Pianoman said, within any organization there are people, and where there are people, there is imperfection.

I love my job, but I deal with a few people on a daily basis that do not treat me with respect, but that's just life. I don't quit my job, I don't assume that the entire organization is made up of morons, because my experience is that the vast majority of the folks with whom, and for whom I work are very good people.

Someday I may accept a position with a different company, depending on my own circumstances, but I'll never disrespect the company I'm with now, because they have been very, very good to me.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Let me preface this by saying I do understand what you are saying CB1.

However, at times, I believe there has been too much emphasis put on UPCI. Why do we have to defend the UPCI? Why do we have to state we love the UPCI?

I don't believe I have heard other denominations declare their love for their organization as much as I have seen it around here for the UPCI.

When is the last time you heard someone say I love AOG or I love the Methodist?

Would it be more appropriate to say we love the people of the UPCI?

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

What I would like for our friends here on AFF to know was that not everyone who attended a UPC church was some backwards, liberal hating, control freak!

I have not been UPC all my life and I have been exposed to many different churches from Lutheran to Charismatic; however, I went back to the UPC because that was where I knew God wanted me to attend.

To read what some folks have written about us you would think that no one had an education beyond "kindergarten"; however, many of us were degreed professionals who could think for ourselves and be objective enough to discern what we believed as truth.

Now, I am going to get showered and dress to attend my UPC church this morning. I pray that everyone, UPC or not, has a wonderful time in the Lord's house today.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I understand that perception is reality, but I'm a bit confused - maybe I missed all those posts that declared that all UPC folks were liberal hating, backwards control freaks?

I have a seen a few posts from people sharing personal experiences, but I've also seen very many posts from folks who shared their love for the UPCI, even though they've left?

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Thank you!

I guess the one bad apple spoils the whole bunch philosophy is at work here.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

The word "incest" comes to mind! :drama

And "Billy Bob"

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

incestuous - excessively or improperly intimate or exclusive <mainstream fashion magazines have an incestuous relationship with advertisers

I believe his Billy Bob post was TIC.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I totally agree. My former pastor joined UPCI when I was 13 yrs. old. So, I guess you could say I grew up in a UPCI church, at least in my formative years.

I, too, am a degreed professional. My husband and I taught our children to read the Word, to RESPECTFULLY, ask SS Teachers to show them in the Bible what they were teaching, IF it wasn't addressed at the beginning of the lesson.

Did some think we were REBELS? Yep! Sure did! But, guess what? We still love God. We still go to that same church WITH the people that thought we were REBELS and we still ALL WORSHIP TOGETHER!!

Agree with Bro. Hoover (I can call you Bro.? Right?) God has been good to me and my family!

Have good church everyone! I'm running late and have to hook up a monitor for a SS Teacher this morning!!

Beth

Wanted to add this: When I needed a reference to attend Nursing School, my SECOND former Pastor wrote a HORRIBLE reference for me. He actually believed that going to school would cause everyone to backslide! Let me go a little further, he is a wonderful man and he loves God with all his heart and TRULY thought he was looking after souls. But, I believe that God had other plans for me OR maybe I had other plans for me and God "allowed" me to fulfill my goals for His Purpose.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

It may be TIC but some words are LOADED with innuendo. IOW, He used the word to elicit a particular feeling in the reader's hearts.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with using descriptive language to get a point across but I can see how some folks might take it more to heart (offended) than others would.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Here's a good reason CB1 you get some of the posts from former UPC members - - this just gets old.

I just usually try to handle it by ignoring it, but just as you have started this thread because it's how you feel, there are some here that state how they feel about always being told they are lost or don't have the Holy Ghost because they look different.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

It gets old no matter which side it comes from. :reaction

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we could get back to discussing issues without making personal attacks or criticisms, we could all benefit from the forum much more, in my humble opinion!

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

So very true!

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

AMEN! sweet sister.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I go to a UPC church and I am a very loving person. I try never to say unkind words to people on AFF or anywhere else. And I try not condemn and judge or pre-judge people. As I know personally the pain of that. If it does not uplift anyone it hurts them, so think before you speak might be good for us all.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I love the UPCI and don´t even know a lot of them...I love the WWPF and don´t know a lot of them...I love for our God is a God of love...if we cannot love we do not know God for GOD IS LOVE.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Brazil is a better country becuse of the UPCI...and I have never been to one of their conventions...but thousands of people know Jesus because of their missionaries and national preachers...I rejoice in that fact.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

You're posting is inspired this afternoon, sister! Thanks for being a blessing! :)

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I have been called charismatic because many posts are about love...even to the point of receiving e mails telling me that...

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I havent read this whole thread but I too agree I am tired of those who just think the UPC is horrible and anyone who is in it is in bondage... not true but they can live in their own little happy world and I will continue in my world! I am blessed!

The last 2 nights I have sat and worshiped in the First Annual RAIN conference sponsored by the upc.. RAIN is Reaching African Immigrants in North America... its a product of a burden the UPC has for African ministries and our African daughter work was fortunate enough to have the first conference here! It was awesome and we are so excited! Seeing more and more Africans come in daily is such a blessing! We look forward to one day being there with them in their country to worship with them there but until that day we will be happy with fellowship here with them...

It was funny because they introduced my hubby as their white african brother who aint seen africa but is more African than some of them LOL... he loved that... These people are such a blessing and we love them... and I personally love the UPC! Had a wonderful time of fellowship after with the African church family and many of the officials from Missouri and I have to say... I love their burden for Africa!!!!!

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

Wish I could have been there; I would have loved it!!!!!:bliss

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I thought of you the entire time! You would have absolutely loved it... and Bro Nathan Kortu and Bro Forpa preached and Bro Hall and Bro Clanton (or Clayton I never could understand him it was so loud where we were talking) all spoke and it was so so awesome and we were so blessed!

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

What exactly do you love?

It just seems odd to me that someone has to proclaim your love for the UPCI.

Re: I Love The UPCI
 

I've known of a couple of pastors who were threatened when members of their congregations expressed an interest in higher education. I would have had to have a talk with Jesus about finding another place to worship.

How did church go this morning? We had an awesome service...I almost shouted and I don't ever shout! lol