One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

I think one of the biggest mistakes that the UPC makes is the emphasis on church, church, church rather than family. People are expected to come bare minimum of 3 services a week, just so they are not "forsaking the assembling" and then there are the bible studies, door knocking, bake sales, singing, etc. etc. etc. on top of it all. I have heard it said that some pastors emphasize a family night one night a week (mine did not). So, are the other 6 to be used for church?? There is little teaching on marriage, family, balance etc. Alsmot all the teaching, in my experience, is on Acts 2:38, going to church, winning the lost, giving and giving and giving to the church.

I don't think it has ever been God's will for people to spend so much time at church and doing church things. We need to focus on our families, our kids, our marriages, our work etc. This is the work of God. That should not be forgotten.

Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

And you think this is only stressed in UPC churches? Baptists, Methosdists, etc. are just the same.

Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

It is not just UPC ,but I understand what you are saying .Our Pastor is the opposite though He does encourage Church att,however he understands if you have other obligations .My wife and I [and children] are the only ones in Church and our parents are getting olderand in need of our care.We feel this is what God wants us to do at this time of our lives.We do get to Church when it is possible.

Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

UPC is my church experience. I have been going to a non-denominational one for about 3 years now and haven't experienced that to the same extent.

Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

But most of us only know or remember the UPCI.

If we were Baptist we would speak from that experience.

Just because a group of organizations continue to do it does not make it OK...

Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

AMEN!

Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

Thank you! One of my biggest regrets is listening to this preaching that was out of balance and out of kilter. I was 19 years old when I got into the UPC, 19 when I got married, 19 when I got pregnant. I came out of a very messed up lifestyle into church, church and more church. I really wish there had been more balance. I followed what I was taught to a T because I wanted the best life possible. I should have spent more time on family and less on church.

Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

I appreciate your honesty, ILG. I have to say that I did experience some of the same things, but what I came away with is a deeper understanding of the Word of God, through prayer, so I can't say I regret any of it. I wouldn't have known or grown without going through what I have experienced.

I saw God move men or move me in all cases. He is an awesome God.

Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

God created a family before he did a church!! It seems to me that the pastors who still teach that you have to come to church every time the doors are open have controll issues. They try to make you feel guilty about worshipping something else if you dont go to church "all the time". God created more than just a church for the human race to enjoy. I was under one pastor who insisted that the whole church attend all functions even youth functions at other churches. And then they wonder why the young people run when they have a little freedom. The youth ages were from 12 to 35 married or single. So I was in the same group as my child and when I refused to be " a part" of the youth I was labeled rebellious.

Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
 

I have to agree I really think the pentecostal churches could use peaching about family and values. I was listening the other day to a preacher on tv and he was talking about what it takes to be a real father and it was very insperational. I think it was a baptist church I was listing to also the church of ladder day saints talk alot of family and spending time with your kids and wife. I remember one time it was a fathers day and I wanted to anounce that my sons baseball team have won the tee ball championship and how proud I was of him so I get up and anounce how happy I was to be a father and how proud of him I was. Well after I did that I had a dad try to out do me by saying that he was proud because a real dad takes there children to church well that really irritated me and my wife the way it was spoken made it sound like he was better than me just because he goes to church everytime the church doors are open. The pastor always talks about how he does not miss not going hunting or fishing with his son because they were always going to church but I think it good to do things with your kids my wife aways comes home in a hurry on wendsday nights and rushing doing things just to get to church I have to remind her sometimes to slowdown if she does not get to make it to church it will be ok god understands.