Blacks and the UPCI

[Scott Hutchinson]

Sister A you are a lady of integrity.
No-one in their right mind would class you with the cheapo teleevangelists in the church world.

[Sister Alvear]

our teacher said all men would know we are His disciples IF we have love one for another...Sometimes I am preplexed at things and judgments people make...I think in everything we believe we should be careful how we express ourselves.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by PraiseHymn

Dear sister, did you read anything or anyone that stated women could not be used? Re-read the post. Everyone is NOT called to preach but everyone CAN be used by God to draw souls. I am greatful the Lord used you to win souls to Christ and to start a ministry (of which I pray the Lord will raise Men up to take over where you left off). If you feel called to PASTOR, do such, I have no heaven or hell to put you in. You have to answer to GOD concerning any calling you might have not me.

With that said, its now time for me to put my robe, clergy collar on and go find me a UPCI church I can turn out as again, this women preacher conversation on my end is OVER!

The Great Commission tells all his disciples to preach ....

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by PraiseHymn

Dear sister, did you read anything or anyone that stated women could not be used? Re-read the post. Everyone is NOT called to preach but everyone CAN be used by God to draw souls. I am greatful the Lord used you to win souls to Christ and to start a ministry (of which I pray the Lord will raise Men up to take over where you left off). If you feel called to PASTOR, do such, I have no heaven or hell to put you in. You have to answer to GOD concerning any calling you might have not me.

With that said, its now time for me to put my robe, clergy collar on and go find me a UPCI church I can turn out as again, this women preacher conversation on my end is OVER!

I'd appreciate it if you answer my question before you run away.

[Scott Hutchinson]

PraiseHymn are you involved in the music ministry ? I imagine you are very talented.

[staysharp]

Originally Posted by PraiseHymn

First off, let me start by saying I am new to the forum and this is my first Thread on here (so welcome me ). I had a few questions so that I could get rid of my misconceptions about the UPCI! Let me commend the UPCI for keeping the Apostolic standards as other oneness organizations are falling by the way side due to a lack of preaching the doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ. Seemingly pastors are more eager to fill there congregations with people that want to hear about miracles and financial blessings then how to live a holy and sanctified life before the Lord.

Here are my questions. I have never been a member of a church that is majority white. All my life I have attended an African American church. Instead of Charismatic leaps for joy, we like to "cut a step" or "have church!" Instead of Holy Laughter we "jerk and quake and quicken" when the power of God falls in our services (I'm Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ). Currently my organization is NOT progressive at all, and its only a minority of us who want to progress into something that’s more then an emotional satisfying church service. I am thinking about joining a UPCI church when I move back to ATLANTA but am extremely afraid of how I will be received.

First thing first, as a male, I enjoy wearing facial hair. Can someone explain to me the "no facial hair" rule? The African American church has never had a problem with facial hair and well, I just don’t get it.

Next, I have 2 TV's! What in the world am I going to do with them if I join the UPCI. Sell them? Throw it away? And uh, after I do that, what are my alternatives for no longer watching TV? I have no problem with the tube, since I am Holy Ghost filled, I allow the Spirit of God to tell me what’s right and wrong to watch.

Finally, the black apostolic church has a misconception that the UPCI is a racist organization. Help me understand if this is true or not. How will I be received as a black male. I have a calling on my life and plan on getting ordained if I come over. I believe in wearing clergy collars and robes when I preach. (side bar). Uh, help me understand why I don’t see any African Americans in upper clergy positions in the organization.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I genuinely have a concern and just want to know first hand from people who might already be a part of this organization.

(by the way, I posted the same post over at GNC, just wanted to see what the folks at AFF had to say about this subject).

You will not be received well in this organization. For the most part in the coastal areas that are progressive, blacks are welcomed, but not elevated, especially wearing traditional clergy garb. My experience has been a complete disconnect from the African American community. I went to Camp Meeting this year in a southern state where the black population is over 50% and saw less than 50 blacks.

Racism abounds and is a stench in the nostrils of God. You are more than welcome to try. You may even be preached, but for the most part the upper echelons of the UPCI will not promote you further than where they are. Too much insecurity and fear. It's still a good o'le boys club.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by NewWine

Dan:
you obviously have some issues unrelated to this subject matter that you need to resolve .. but I digress.
I understand if you feel the need to skirt the issue because you can't handle the subject matter. As far as the "need to resolve" issues. I can't resolve you. The only issue I have is that you made a shameful attempt to publicly attack me.

I can't apologize for what has transpired in this nation
No one asked you to neither do I expect you to. Why would you? Unless, you can find the bodies of those that died in slavery and those that are still living. You can't apologize, I'm not owed an apology and don't see one. (LAME RESPONSE) I suspect people will be saying that statement until the rapture happens.

your original argument against the term is fallacious ... if everyone is a person of color ... than calling someone a person of color applies to all and cannot be deemed offensive simply a reality.
My words are not fallacious; to say that everyone can be considered a person of color is not say that calling a person "colored or person of color" in a manner that is degrading is not offensive.

however, the term is acceptable in today's political correct climate.
"Political" does not make it acceptable. It was "politically" acceptable to demean those that were "black"; so therefore does that make it okay? Absolutely, not.

No one can tell you about your unique experience.... however to call folks out in this manner because you personally don't like a term is in my opinion repulsive.
You called yourself out when chose to reply in public as opposed to strictly in the private message that I sent to you. You don't like my response, you brought it on yourself and didn't like what I had to say. So deal with it. No shame in nothing I have said, because you as well as I know that what I said is true.

I'm sorry you have had to bring this conversation to this level.
No need to be condescending; I didn't bring the conversation to this level.
You shouldn't have responded in the manner you did. Trying to "educate" me on something that you obviously know nothing about.

ManofWord:
NW, I think you just need to step back a couple of steps re-evaluate what has been said. I see absolutely no disrespect whatsoever in anything Dan has said. It sounds to me like yo have a chip on your shoulder. It is one thing for a person to speak disrespectfully or in way smacking of prejudice, but I don't see that here.

You are entitled to think whatever you like. As far as needing to step back; I don't need to step back and re-evaluate anything that has been said. I choose my words very carefully. And nothing I have said is in any way wrong.
A chip on my shoulder......LOL...no chip on either of my shoulders. I'm just simply stating what is truthful about a situation that so many people try to be passive about and skirt the issue.

You have a multi-ethnic church. Great!!!! Glad to hear that. However, just because a few "black folk" in your congregation use the term doesn't make it okay. Neither does it mean that any other "black" person should be okay with it. I don't believe in utilitarianism. My comments were not to speak for the whole of those that are considered "black" or whatever term you want to call them; they WERE MY PERSON OPINIONS. There are those "black" folk that call "whites" crackers. Does that mean it's okay for me to do so. No it is not because it is meant to be derogatory. Does that mean that they should not say it because of my views on it. No. As far as you seeing any disrespect, you don't have to the comments were not directed to you.

My original comment, which is posted below was not to speak on the behalf of all "black" or "African-Americans" it was MY PERSONAL VIEW
"Since all skin contains pigment....all are considered "persons of color".
If by "color" you are referring to African-Americans....as an African-American I find the term "color" to be offensive. Yet, in any case; the comment is not "construed differently". People of all ethnicities make statements that are offensive, even at times against those of the same ethnicity."

Margie3: I truly respect your honesty and sincerity in your question. You can call me NewWine, Sister in the Lord, a Good American. Whatever Adam and Eve were called. Seriously, I prefer to be called by my name.

My comments to Dan are simply that towards him and no one else. What he said to me was towards me and no one else. If I offend someone I am to apologize to that person, no to other people and vice-versa. So for anyone who feels the need to say they see no disrespect, you don't have to. If you feel the need to reply to this post then do so, however, I will not respond. I have said how I feel on the subject matter. People will either accept and respect my views, or they will not. To each his own.

Dude, you really need to chill! If you respond in this manner over comments that meant no harm or disrespect, it appears that you have a real problem. Not everyone carries the prejudice you seem to see through your distorted lenses. I don't know what your problem is, but I have NEVER seen any prejudice on this forum. I can promise you, if it crops up, it will be dealt with in the harshest manner from the poster here.

[Sister Alvear]

I have never desired an office...I will put a picture here what God has called me to do:


telling the story of David and the giant to a peoplethat never heard about it...

[SDG]

Originally Posted by staysharp

You will not be received well in this organization. For the most part in the coastal areas that are progressive, blacks are welcomed, but not elevated, especially wearing traditional clergy garb. My experience has been a complete disconnect from the African American community. I went to Camp Meeting this year in a southern state where the black population is over 50% and saw less than 50 blacks.

Racism abounds and is a stench in the nostrils of God. You are more than welcome to try. You may even be preached, but for the most part the upper echelons of the UPCI will not promote you further than where they are. Too much insecurity and fear. It's still a good o'le boys club.

Cynicism or reality?

[Scott Hutchinson]

I'm not UPCI,and I don't pastor currently but if I was a Pastor PraiseHymn would be welcome in my church.