[1Corinth2v4]

I rarely log onto this forum, reason being every thread’s subject seems repetitious, never reaching any conclusion. However, today’s post will discuss my recent attendance to Pacific Coast Camp Meeting, held in Ventura, California.

Firstly, I’ll divulge personal information about myself. I reside five minutes from Ventura, and was able to attend 3 night services. I did congregate with a church ( this church pulled out after TV resolution passed) that attends and supports this camp meeting, and I also left this group over one year ago, after hearing bothersome statements (e.g. disguised anti-interracial marriage propaganda, etc.).

On a Sunday morning two weeks after leaving, I sat weary and perplexed in my vehicle wondering if I made the correct decision. I then had a Caucasian man dressed in business casual attire, he approach my window. As I rolled down my window this “man” began to speak. He said: “You have been confused and seeking direction. God is arranging your steps, He has a work for you, and you soon shall see it come to pass.” The man then gave me a small piece of paper with writing on it, and then he walked away and vanished into the distance. I looked at the paper and it read: Isaiah 40;29-31. A few days passed and I received a phone call from a UPC pastor stating God had laid me on his mind and asked that I congregate at his church, and needless to say, God is at work!

Now, in regards to camp meeting services, the worship was awesome and I enjoyed the preaching. However, there are a few concerns of mine. When arriving I encountered an ex-upci pastor from a neighboring city. He looked at me and said, where did you come from? I contemplated whether I should frantically search my suit pockets and comment how I had received my VIP invitation. Instead I comported myself like a Christian gentleman, stretched my hand to greet, smiled and said God bless you. I then went to shake a few hands, some entreated me while others surprisingly indirectly and others directly ignored me while I stood before them. Some people have more conservatism pride than they do Holy Ghost, you shall know them by their fruits. Though I'm tired of political titles, friends consider me a conservative, but I'm probably considered a heathen by these brethren, seeing I left the clique and re-joined the UPCI

Here's another concern of mine. While the evening speaker preached, he stated certain saints always bail to other churches when they don't get their way. He said they need to stick around and listen to the elders? I then thought to myself, the pastors on the platform are applauding this speaker, yet when the TV resolution passed, all of those pastors on the platform bailed out of the UPCI! My God, I thought we were suppose to stick it out, and listen to the elders advising against leaving the UPCI? There are still many of us "conservatives" within the UPCI, and we aren't going anywhere. Another concern! After a teenager sang on the platform, a pastor stood by the platform and said, "thank God for this boy sounding like a man!" My Lord, so now men are considered queer if they can hit a vocal high-note? Sir, it's not called being a sissy, it's called having talent! My Lord, I guess real men should also substitute toilet paper with rugged leaves and/or newspaper too.

I also know UPCI acquaintances that attended this camp meeting, and these people were literally asked what they were doing there. I have one comment, love embraces with open arms and an out-stretched hand. The bible reads love is the bond of perfectness (Col 3:14), but I guess to others, being perfect defines as possessing a bitter, hateful, self-centered, self-righteous, holier than thou spirit. After-all, who needs love when you have truth?

I was also told by a saint that he/she was instructed to keep their distance from me since I left "the flock." They restrict their people from fellowshipping with UPC brethren, yet these conservative brethren fellowship with other liberal pastors, and even golf and hunt with them! The five-fold ministry doesn't possess the position of a dictator, at least last time I checked.

Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim ruling power! In the scripture below Peter exhorts the elders to lead by example than to Lord over people. I'd rather lead by example, than ruling with a fist of iron and being a hypocrite.

1 Peter 5(NIV)
3) not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock

Yet, I still count these insulting conservative men/women, all loving conservatives as myself , all liberals and moderates as my brother and sister, and I love them all.

Sincerely,
2Corinth2v4