Hello again! I just got back from GC and figured I would visit AFF and see what everyone's opinions of the services, singing, preaching, offerings, worship, etc are.
First time at UPC Gen Con? What did you think? Impressed? disappointed?
Old hat GC veteran? How has it changed? is it better? worse? What did you specifically think about this years GC?
I am especially interested in hearing opinions of Saturday night, Sunday morning, and Sunday nights services!
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
My brain said "APostolicfriends FOrum" and shortened it to APFO.
I think it needs a tune up.
I can see how that could happen.........
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Watch the Sunday night service NOW if you'd like. I myself am watching.
Oh and if your just getting back, how about you tell us about your experience. I know I'd like to know.
I thought Sunday morning was awesome. The choir was great, the worship was real and vibrant, the order of service flowed well. The offering went smoothly, as well as the introductions, announcements etc. The preaching was superb! Overall it was a great example of what an apostolic church service is like to those who have never been exposed to one before.
You could feel the anointing on the singing and preaching. And the Holy Ghost was moving throughout the whole service. The worship and preaching flowed well together. The congregation was intent on the message, moved at the altar call, and I sincerely believe lives were changed, Fathers were challenged, and families were strengthened. That makes churches stronger. That improves soul winning. Its a win win situation.
Saturday night......
Well, it reminded me of a combination between an Abbot and Costello skit and one of those worldly "Christian concert/meetings" that you attend anticipating worship, preaching, and an inspiring, challenging message. (In this case, being world missions night and a General Confrence, an inspiring, challenging call to support missions), only to find its all about receiving the offering, and everything else is a side note.
"Lets have the offering for an hour, then we can go eat..... OH, wait, we have to have a little preaching first. Maybe some music.....Oh, you mean there was already a choir trying to sing? Well golly gee, We were too busy with twisting arms to notice." HA HA HA but didn't you love our comedy routine folks?
The poor preacher..... absolutely NO atmosphere, no worship, or moving of any spirit other than a desperate need for a bathroom break, and then they hand the poor guy the mike and say preach!?!? They killed any spirit of worship with a total lack of organization. The Choir was starting to sing at one point, and worship was starting to break out. the problem was, that song was planned to have been the prelude to the preaching. A song of worship, praise and focus on God. But after a one hour pledge offering, a comedy skit AND forcing them to sing it during the general offering... well, they killed any "moving" dead in its tracks. (By the way, that choir had learned a song custom written and specially prepared for the conference's general offering. The MC called the ushers up to receive the offering, the choir started singing the offering song, the ushers got in place, then the guy launched into the hour long pledge offering,((That had a different set of ushers)) leaving the ushers AND the choir high and dry looking like they didn't know what they were doing. He then tells the choir to "Sing your last song while the offering is received" An offering for a general conference with thousands of people..... most songs last three to four minutes..... ad this is supposed to be seeting the service for the preaching of the word?)
I have seen much larger offerings received when the focus is on God first, and then showing the desperate need for an offering, and relying on God for the compassion of people and the desire to give.
Not twisting arms and making people think, "y'all aint gettin out of here till you PLEDGE!!" The worship, and the message were completely shoved to the side. Not cool.
Sunday night.... well, we had to leave before the night service so I am anticipating seeing the video.
I always feel sorry for those tapped to minister during one of those services that contains a long drawn out offering ordeal.
Sounds like this one was disorganized on top of everything else. Ouch!
I am really surprised there has not been more commentary and reviews of the services on AFF this year. Surely the high price of gas didn't keep all of the UPC AFFers home!
__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
I thought Sunday morning was awesome. The choir was great, the worship was real and vibrant, the order of service flowed well. The offering went smoothly, as well as the introductions, announcements etc. The preaching was superb! Overall it was a great example of what an apostolic church service is like to those who have never been exposed to one before.
You could feel the anointing on the singing and preaching. And the Holy Ghost was moving throughout the whole service. The worship and preaching flowed well together. The congregation was intent on the message, moved at the altar call, and I sincerely believe lives were changed, Fathers were challenged, and families were strengthened. That makes churches stronger. That improves soul winning. Its a win win situation.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, sunday morning..... the childrens choir and drama....... AMAZING!!! that was good enough for an altar call by itself!
CC1 I am surprised also at the deafening silence about GC. It makes me wonder if the attendance was down or if there were just not any AFFers that attended.
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