Thankful For My Heritage?

[Jason B]

I often hear former "aposotlics", ex-UPC types talk about how they are "thankful for their heritage" or some such statement.

If someone is truly thankful for their heritage, why do they seemingly get joy as it falls apart?

The more worldly the churches become the better, it seems.

I left the upc. I don't hate the upc. I am against their doctrine on salvation. I think standards are misapplied and turned into legalism, I believe that emotionalism and sensationalism get a free pass as being the "Holy Ghost" when mostly it is just out of order carnality, and I'm sick of organizational politics.

That said, I think there are some good qualitites amongst some UPC types, namely a stong desire to get closer to God, a longing for prayer and revival. A desire to live a life of holiness and modesty. A desire to live seperate from the world (not necessarily using the same definition of separation as the UC's), and making the church a real priority.

When I left the UPC, I desired so much more than doctrine, legalism, and religion. I wanted a more authentic Chrisitanity. A Christianity more based on the Bible than tradition. A community of believers who walk in faith and righteousness before the Lord, whether they be pentecostal, baptist, church of christ, etc.

What I have found is that authentic Christianity is hard to find. That Christianity tends to follow pop culture, and that most "believers" seem to think the more like the world the church gets, they more we can "reach them."


I have to wonder, who's reaching who?