180 Degrees

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Coming from your background, it probably doesn't feel conservative though, right?

That could be some of it - yes, but the point is Abundant's broadbrushing really only works for him and says very little about the UPC and those in it.

[Jack Shephard]

Quickly stated...I was raised ALJC and then went to IL and joined a very conservative UPC church. About 1 year later moved back to TN and the ALJC church. About a year later moved to AZ and married my wife. During these previous times I was very conservative almost staunchy.

After about a year of being a youth pastor in a church here in AZ. I went crazy, so it is sad. I began to question somethings about the teachings. Not all were standard related, but some where. I have come along way to get here now. I did leave the UPC church for over a year and went to a pentecostal/charasmatic church with the leadership being former UPC. The church was not a Shockamoo church. Not alot of dancing and stuff, but real deep worship. My wife and daughter did not follow me to that church but chose to stay in the mother ship with her mother and father. After about a year of a very alot of problems caused by her father not liking me going to the other church. I desided to make life easier on me that I would return to the UPC church. I enjoy it don't get me wrong but my beliefs are still not close to theirs and the pastors have talked to me about not voicing my opinions. I keep all of them to myself unless someone comes out and asks. I don't and never will contribute to division in an assembly. So here I am 27 with a 2 yr old and a great marriage. I am happy with my family. I would like to still be at the church ran by former UPCers cause it is a great church. But I chose what I thought was best for my family. We will see what happens down the road.

P.S. I go to movies, wear shorts, and occasionaly curse, but only when I stub my toe..lol

[Jermyn Davidson]

I am a liberal "one-stepper". My identification as such is a very recent change for me (the last few months). I am still trying to find the way to live and believe.

For example, I don't own a tv.

The process has been very long. When I started going to the First UPC in jacksonville, NC, I started having doubts about standards. That's where it started for me.

But it was here that I learned how to pray and was used of the Lord in many, many ways.

Fact is, I never felt like I connected with the members there and I attended the ALL of the services faithfully for the 2.5 years I was stationed there. I felt like my intentions was always being second guessed. Many people their never thought I was genuine.

I will note though, I DISTINCTLY remember praying for God to move me from this church. In my heart, I know He told me to stay. I did as long as I was stationed there.

When I moved to Florida, I remember walking down the street and praying, and voicing my concerns about keeping standards. This was 7+ years after I first started having doubts.

The deal sealer for me was when 6 "new converts" grew so discouraged and left my church in Florida. They left over standards.

Of that group, I was close one of them, and felt closer to the rest of them than I did to most of the other "church" folks. It pained me that the people I used to sing, dance and shout with on the front row left our church, in such a painful way.

It hasn't been easy at all walking away from this. It wasn't for them and I aint no different.

If I ever "complete" the move, I'll never go back, unless the Lord says so. But once I "complete" the move, I will be just as adamant in my standing as I was before as a traditional "3 stepper"-- maybe even more so as I stand in confidence on WORD of the Lord, without other stuff added.

Now 11 years has gone by since that first doubt. I still attend the traditional "3-stepper" Apostolic congregation, but I have visited other churches from time to time trying to find one that matches closer to what I believe.

I may have to give up my job and move away to do it.

I really don't want to give up my praise and dance, but I will for doctrine.

It's the WORD of the Lord that saves souls, not my praise and dance. I won't bring people into a place where they will get to know the Lord and then choke on the religiosity of others.

I REFUSE!!!!!!!!! I WON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!

[Pro31:28]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Me?
I just want to appeal to my fellow church members and the leadership. If my appearance falls in the 'average' then I know I am safe. Likewise I want to be liked and not spoken ill of by anyone in the body nor stand out as a sore thumb. To the question of becoming liberal or conservative, the main lesson I have learned is not to rock the boat. Do what the pastor says. Pay my tithes. Report anyone else who is not doing likewise.
Then behind closed doors, watch a good episode of Mythbusters while while enjoying a Samuel Adams brew.

You are so bad!

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by OnTheFritz

I'm curious how many of you made an abrupt or drastic change to arrive at your current belief system.

For instance, I'm not talking about transitioning from non-believer to believer, but rather going from liberal to conservative or vica versa. If you did make a change from one extreme to the other, what was the reason? Was there some revelation or key event that led you in that new direction, or did it happen gradually?

I haven't changed my direction. But just the opposite. My initial beliefs are held more stronger after I evaluated them in depth and discussed them more and more.

Thank God, His word stays the same and He doesn't revise it like I do posts.

[KWSS1976]

I myself really not raised anything dated my wife in highshool she is UPC so she teaches sunday school .I do not agree with alot they teach mostly the tongues holyghost thing but I think my church is pretty good small not real loud no crazy pew jumping very little tongues if an in the sactuary (sp) well rounded I think..

[pelathais]

I came into the UPC environment as a teenager. I was in a very "conservative" church as far as the standards were concerned but it also very "open" in its evangelism. This led to a sort of troubling routine of "bring them in" followed by a "clean them up." In time I began to see how that I was participating in an act of deception, really. That troubled me. We hurt people by the thousands in our community.

When I entered the UPC ministry the one thing that stands out the most in my memory was that big ol' binder everyone had to read, Pentecostal Home Study Course. The concerns I had about folks who told me the UPC was a "cult" and all were completely alleviated by my reading of that binder. I saw a church group that really felt that it was on to some important truths, but one that refused to judge all other Christians as "lost." I used to actually quote from that binder and point out that it was required reading for all UPC ministers to anyone who criticized the UPC. "Look!" I'd say... "This is the official line... we don't judge other Christians like you say we do..."

When they changed the binder, and the Fundamental Doctrine and the Articles of Faith and started to refer to their own brethren openly as "excrement" I really felt that I might have to leave.

I was thrown out before actually having to make that decision.

[Monkeyman]

Received the HG in a UPC church, still in...'nuf said.

[KWSS1976]

I have to know what gets you thrown out of a church.. I myself think that god looks down on that and those that do that will have to answer.

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

I have to know what gets you thrown out of a church.. I myself think that god looks down on that and those that do that will have to answer.

Whew, the Apostle Paul is in trouble then isn't he???!!!