UPC Pastors & TV Issue...A Saint's Perspective

[PreacherV]

The writer of the following letter states he has sent this to pastors all across the nation. Comments, anyone?


Greetings Pastors and Leaders,

My name is *****, I have been associated with the UPC for over 30 years. My father was a pastor in the UPC before passing away a few years ago.

As a saint in the church I am contacting you today about a sensitive issue regarding Pastors having Televisions. Most of the formal discussions about this matter have come from the leadership, I think it is time Pastors hear from the saints. I live in a large metropolitan area and have developed friendships with 4 pastors in this area. I believe my tenure in the UPC and my friendship with these pastors and many of their saints give me a voice in this matter.

For about 10 years now my pastor friends have found ways to watch Television without jeopardizing their license with the UPC. Here are just a few;

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They all have “Monitors” (a TV screen without capabilities of receiving channels)·
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They rent movies and play them on the monitors.
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Some buy entire seasons of popular television shows to watch after the season is over.
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They come to saints houses to watch TV especially sporting events.
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Their children look for reasons to come to my house to watch TV with my son.
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They watch TV from the Internet.

This kind of action from pastors promotes;

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A lack of confidence in the hierarchy who endorse abstinence from owning a Television.
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It teaches saints it’s ok to look for loop holes for things they don’t really believe in.
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Most of all it portrays a kind of hypocrisy.

The Internet offers far more dangers than Television yet rules do not apply here. The internet can easily take up as much if not more time and have the capability of viewing the most despicable things. A person can also be more isolated than watching Television thus allowing curiosity without being noticed. Much more responsibility is required to monitor our actions on the Internet than Television. If Pastors are trusted with the awesome responsibility of governing their actions on the Internet why is Television a concern. It is because it is an old time tradition that we are not willing to let go of. The scriptures tell us Tradition can blind us from Truth.

This letter has been sent to pastors all across the nation. The intent is not to divide but to unite. It is time to come together on this issue! If you don’t there is an unraveling of confidence in the leadership that is taking place that you may not be aware of.

Pastors need to come together and confront this issue with the hierarchy and let them know this rule is making hypocrites of what I predict is thousands of pastors and undermining the unity of the church. If we believe the Holy Spirit can guide us against the woe’s of the Internet then we have to believe it can do it against the woe’s of Television.

The Internet and Television are two of the biggest dangers we face. Satan has accomplished two goals with the present standard. He has caused an undermining of Leadership from leadership and given saints an OK to find loop holes for things they do not really believe in.

To the hierarchy I encourage you to look for the truth over tradition. The very good you think you are holding to could be the very thing to unravel the fiber of unity. It is far better to warn saints of the woe’s of this world with a word of caution and encourage the Holy Ghost to lead them, rather than make a rule that is going to be undermined!

If you don’t want a Television don’t get one! If you get one be an example and live by personal restraint as you would with the Internet.

Most importantly - Don’t be a hypocrite! Stand on one side or the other!



One of the Saints,

********

[Esther]

A person can also be more isolated than watching Television thus allowing curiosity without being noticed

This statement is so true.

A good letter IMO.

[ForeverBlessed]

Originally Posted by PreacherV

Most importantly - Don’t be a hypocrite! Stand on one side or the other!



One of the Saints,

********

I believe most who feel strongly against TV have taken a stand and not being a hypocrite about the TV...

I've been around UPC all my life.... in all fairness to the conservatives, we have UPC preachers that truly have conviction against TV and they do not watch it anywhere and are very consistant about it.

We also have those who don't agree with UPC on the issue, but don't want to part ways for various reasons and they do watch it every where but will respect the policy enough not to have an actual TV in their homes.

Then we have those who have TV anyway.... and yes I know them...

TV is really such a non issue in a lot of districts... and among many churches. I am someone who just believes it shouldn't be regulated from the top of an organization but an individual church matter... but who am I.

As far as the rule for ministers... I don't see a "saint" really having a say so in the whole ordeal... UPC is an organization for ministers...not saints. The preachers who want TV need to fight for their right to use it as others use the Internet...or just sign their little paper and be obedient. (and I know all about signing papers and being obedient.. )

[ManOfWord]

"Saints" have 100% of the control over the convictions and standards regarding their lives. And that is where it should be!!! The ministry is to be servants and expositors of the Word of God. The ministry is also to respect the "laity" (I hat that word) as adults and people who are capable of hearing from the God whom they serve.

No preacher/pastor alive has the ability to change anyone into anything. We can only lead and show the way by example and exhortation. Oh, and I forgot....we are to love like Jesus did.....unconditionally.....the carnal or spiritual. They are HIS sheep. He died for them, not me. I am not their King and I am not their savior or pope!! I am their servant!!!

Do I need to 'splain that "mow" betta?

[bethola]

Well, I am a "saint" ( a little uncomfortable with that particular term) and I have a television. I have more than ONE television. I wouldn't care if my PASTOR had a television. WHY? Because, in this world of ever changing technology, the television is the LEAST of my worries.

I know, I know, there are things one shouldn't watch and I would hope that mature Christians would be capable of monitoring themselves. Some won't....but, they cannot be policed 24/7 and I agree that this is NOT the Pastor's job. The internet is, in my opinion, a bigger problem than the television. What about CELL PHONES? I don't think these have been mentioned. We can download movies to IPODS....what about those?

It's about BALANCE! It's about having a right heart and a right relationship with God!

Just my humble opinion.....as a "saint" that is.

Beth in KY

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

"Saints" have 100% of the control over the convictions and standards regarding their lives. And that is where it should be!!! The ministry is to be servants and expositors of the Word of God. The ministry is also to respect the "laity" (I hat that word) as adults and people who are capable of hearing from the God whom they serve.

No preacher/pastor alive has the ability to change anyone into anything. We can only lead and show the way by example and exhortation. Oh, and I forgot....we are to love like Jesus did.....unconditionally.....the carnal or spiritual. They are HIS sheep. He died for them, not me. I am not their King and I am not their savior or pope!! I am their servant!!!

Do I need to 'splain that "mow" betta?

Good post. Pastor. Jolly good post!

[Straightline]

I didn't receive the letter.



Not bothering to run
to the mailbox in a
Straightline