Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance.
 

As I stated this is my first time posting, I searched the internet and was blessed to find this forum, may God Bless those who work hard to keep it going.

A little background on me and my wife, we are both Oneness Apostolics and have been living for God in that each over 15 years + and have been wonderfully married for 3 years this April 24th, and we are in our early 40's.

Since moving to Knoxville, Tn from the Washington Dc area where I attended Pastor Libbys church for 12+ years, we have found only a couple of UPC church's here, and only 1 in Knoxville itself.

Since arriving at this church about a year ago, we have seen some serious transformation.

This church is now a non-holiness church, I will not mention the name out of respect, but the changes started small and then have grown over the last 4-6 months to full beards, makeup, jewelry, and on and on.

It actually started to affect me, not my wife me, I dressed down, didnt shave, really didnt grow a beard either but kept it stubble.

It was amazing how easily we slipped into this role of relaxation, coming to church in jeans more then dress slacks, usually no tie.

Then my wonderful wife checked me, and it wasnt like I did this on purpose, I just let myself slip.

We decided to look around and see what other church's were in the area, there are no UPC church's here, and a couple ALJC churchs, but the holiness is lacking.

The good thing about this is it has caused me to dive deeper into my bible about biblical holiness, and the utter seperation of the sexes, and being totally seperated from the world in ALL things.

I called the TN UPC district board in Jackson, TN, they were sadly aware of the direction my current church is heading.

But thank God they are making plans to start a new work in Knoxville, TN to reach 250k+ people that are starving for Apostolic Oneness.

The man to head this church will be Brother Jason Pearcy and his wife, they were to TN youth leaders but are now evangelising all over the US and abroad.

So in late April they are coming to Knoxville and begin work on a new church here, we have spoken to them at length many times, they are excited they have us ready to help them.

If it takes a few months to start this work, is it wise for us to stay put?

Which I finally have arrived at my point, do we leave and attend another church for a few months?

Some of our other dear friends have left already, and we have so many good relationships with couples that are young in God, but you can tell there is no transformation in them.

I appreciate any helpful words in respect to our situation.

God Bless You,

Brother Eric Hendrix

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Hello Bro Hendrix and welcome! :)
I will sure be in prayer with you as you and your
wife decide which direction you need to take in
the matters you brought up. God bless!

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Call Brother Libby. Ask his advice. Pray a lot and DO NOT take any direct advice from this website too seriously.

This place if a meeting place for OPs, former OPs, non-OPs.... It is not a place where Apostolics congregate and talk.... It is a place where a group of people from a wide cross section of people with as varried a set of beliefs as the local mall come to talk.

seriously, call brother Libby. He will give you the best advice you are likely to get.

Praying for you my brother!

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

I agree with your advice for him to call Bro. Libby.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Welcome Bro. Eric. Will be praying that the Lord gives you the direction for this situation.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Outstanding, Bro Ferd!

I still come here occasionally to read, to see who I might still know, etc.

AFF has "diversified" over the years and is certainly a place to visit and discuss things...but, really, no forum is a good place for advice.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

OK, well maybe I won't give my own unique brand of advice then. :foottap

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

You would not like my advice as I commend the pastor of the church you have been attending for focusing on the word of God and not Pentecostal traditions and legalism.

However if your years of psychological conditioning proves too much for you to overcome as it appears is the case you certainly should find a church that lines up with the traditions, rules, and regulations you are used to and expect.

I think mature christians helping with a start up work is a marvelous thing. The only thing that would keep me from doing that would be if I had children old enough that I would want them to be part of a children's ministry or youth group that was large enough to provide friends and fellowship.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Nothing wrong with beards or jeans. There is also nothing in any UPC official teaching that Holiness is a matter of jeans, beards or ties...for a guy at least..so I don't know why you are bothered over that

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

My guess would be 15 years of psychological conditioning that it is a sin and wrong!

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Way to think for yourself and not fall off the cliff with that pastor!

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

And then again, some folks have deep convictions over certain
areas and things. If it's okay to you, fine, but, don't make those
of us who feel it's wrong seem unstable somehow.

Ironic post alert.

I also recommend Ferd's advice. Good luck in your search!

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

The poster quoted above is my friend. We have "known" each other in forum land for better than a decade. We actually have broken bread once.

(Cee Cee Won, if you come back to Dallas, I will take you to a place that is air-conditioned! LOL!)

But his post illustrates my point. I am far closer in my beliefs to the thread starter than I am to my internet buddy CC1.

This place is great to sit around and talk to some friends from various perspectives. It’s even good for discussion of particular points of doctrine, so long as you are sure of what you believe and can handle those who believe things that will likely freak you out.

But because of that diversity, this is not the place to get trusted, sage advice. LOL.

Irony alert
Im giving advice to not trust my own advice! Hee hee…. Call Pastor Libby. Dude is a seriously good man.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Lol..Actually I too agree with ferds advise but I thought I would throw in that post to help balance out cc1s post but ferd also did a better job on that then me. :-)

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Deep convictions they expect everyone to have and obey

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

:thumbsup

Yep. You have to be able to see a visual transformation circa 1950s.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

I had convictions of certain things before being taught by a
preacher. Too, I think it's only right to be in obedience to
your man of God. That's why it's important for the poster
who started this thread to find the church he and his family
can attend and not feel they are going against what they
believe.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Honestly, the best advice that could help EHendrix71 decide what to do would be for him to spend plenty of time before the Lord .... seeking the counsel of the Lord. Man's advice is full of wisdom.... or so it seems.

But Ecclesiastes 1:17-18 shows how helpful man's wisdom really is.
17 "And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

So man's wisdom and knowledge leads one down a dead end street that increaseth sorrow.

We need the wisdom and guidance of the Spirit. EH71 would do much better to spend time heeding the spirit of the Lord's guidance in His life, than seeking out advice on a public forum. The Lord is able to completely direct his steps in the way they need to go.

I will be praying for EH71 and his family, that the Lord will speak clearly to them the direction, and the path they need to follow.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Welcome Brother Eric Hendrix

just keep in mind that in here there are different types of oneness apostolics,
from different branches.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Any relation to Jimmy?

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

You have no idea how bad I've been wanting to say that.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Actually, it's Jimi.....

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

" I dressed down, didnt shave, really didnt grow a beard either but kept it stubble.

It was amazing how easily we slipped into this role of relaxation, coming to church in jeans more then dress slacks, usually no tie."

These are total non issues. ehendrix, in my opinion, you want to beware of anyone making them a big deal.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

In my opinion it is a huge deal. The church is a place to worship God with other brothers and sisters and I think it's disrespectful to go casually to church. ( and yes there is times where u can't avoid it but it should be the exception and not the rule)

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Do you believe the early church changed clothes just prior to meeting together?

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Disrespectful towards who? Brothers and Sisters or God?

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

I am considered by most (especially on here....lol) as an ultra-con, however, what I'm about to say will probably get me excommunicated from the UC club.......I couldn't care less whether people come in casual or dressed up to the nines......my job is to get people to hear the gospel, know and fall in love with Jesus, teach them how to talk to and listen to HIM, teach them sound doctrine, and LEAD them as a true follower of Jesus.

On most Sunday's I will be in suit, however, each week we actually assign one of our praise team to dress casual. (clean, no holes, etc.) Why? Because when someone walks through our door I want them to relate to someone regardless of how dressed up they are/are not. Same reason we are purposely building a multicultural leadership team......no tokens, no bait and switch......real people in real leadership roles serving the body.

Mid-week, again most of the time I'll have on a suit coat/sport coat but NO tie and we encourage our people to come casual or business casual. Why? Practicality.....many people are coming from work and do not have time to go home and change into a suit.

I don't have a problem with those that feel differently, but just don't judge everyone as irreverent because they don't dress up to go to church. I remember reading once....."Wisdom is justified of her children."

fire away.....lol

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

I applaud you, bishoph.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

I know Bro. Libby...great man! I am sure he would give sound advice.

All that said....I understand dressing up for service, as I was taught that for years, as well as to be clean shaven at all times - being in Ministry, this was just a couple of expectations.

Having been in this for 20yrs now, and getting older and raising teenagers, I would say that my hard line stance from what I was taught years ago is certainly not the same. Now, I do go to church shaved and at least business casual, but i do not wear a tie every service, like I used to.

I personally believe that there is a great difference between being "convicted" and being "convinced". You can be conditioned to believe and call it conviction, when it has nothing to do with conviction at all, but a form of spiritual conditioning...my opinion. I have had enough happen over 20 years to be able to look back and see where God really did convict me and where I simply conformed.

At any rate, issues like facial hair and neck ties remind me that our traditions can be as powerful and influential in our walk with God as scripture...if we let them...

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

May I say GOOD GRIEF!!!!. There is absolutely nothing in the bible about dressing up for church. I don't have a problem with it but I also don't have a problem with not.

To think that God cares about whether you have a suit and tie on or blue jeans and a casual shirt when you worship him is absurd.

bishiph's post earlier on this page addresses this also.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

if you people think the issue is not being dressed up for church, you have become blind and cannot see afar off...

Last Sunday (Easter) I dressed up for church with a tie for the first time in a year! I noticed that several other men did the same thing. Tradition.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

The absolute best church I have ever been a part of when it came to dress was Christ Church Nashville. Many times I would be sitting on a pew with men in Armani suits who were next to men in blue jeans or khaki pants and no one thought anything about it. Clothes were not why people were there and they had no interest in judging how others were dressed. My current church would not judge anybody who came dressed up but we just don't have any. I don't think I have ever seen anybody in a suit (wait, there was one on Easter) although a few men occasionally where a sports jacket in the winter.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

I never said they have to wear a tie and suit but when we are going to worship the King then I think we should not dress casual cause its not a causal event. Now that being said if your best is jeans and that is "dressing up" to you that that's fine. I just don't like the casual mentality that people have toward God. My dad in the past year has came to church with me ( he only has been to an apostolic church a handful of times) and when he comes he will put on his button up Hawaiian shirt. To him that is putting on his best cause he is a tshirt or tank top kinda guy.

Re: Hello, new here, and looking for some guidance
 

Not trying to be disrespctful but do you allow food and drink in your sanctuary? And if you don't and its just cause you don't want to get the carpets dirty then that's fine but if its cause you want people to reverence the "house of God" and then we come dressed like we went to our buddies house and then when we go to a wedding we then want to put our best. What so you think you are teaching the saints in your church at that point? That is my point.