You've got to be kidding me??? And THE ISSUE is CONTROL!! Nothing more; nothing less.
I honestly think it's a combination of both. Although I may personally feel that their convictions are misguided, I'm sure they don't. I'm not sure the ratio, but I'd have a hard time saying this is purely, 100% about politics.
However, I do remember in 1992 when the shoe was on the other foot, and several left the UPC in protest over the affirmation statement, they were considered backslidden and there wasn't nearly as much leniency granted them for leaving over THEIR personal convictions.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
I honestly think it's a combination of both. Although I may personally feel that their convictions are misguided, I'm sure they don't. I'm not sure the ratio, but I'd have a hard time saying this is purely, 100% about politics.
However, I do remember in 1992 when the shoe was on the other foot, and several left the UPC in protest over the affirmation statement, they were considered backslidden and there wasn't nearly as much leniency granted them for leaving over THEIR personal convictions.
Brother, a major difference between these men and many of the 1992 emigrants is that many of them very quickly dropped their standards and changed their doctrine.
Brother, a major difference between these men and many of the 1992 emigrants is that many of them very quickly dropped their standards and changed their doctrine.
Not so with these men.
Their message and lifestyle is unchanged.
The why's and wherefore's are inconsequential, my friend. The reason for leaving was the same - new policy violated existing convictions.
The resistance that many of the 1992 "defectors" felt came way before they changed their official stance.
It's the same old song and dance, in my book. A preacher can get up at a General conference, or camp meeting, or any other type of meeting, and preach his personal convictions as far to the right as he cares to, and people will still accept him in the fellowship. However, if a man dares preach a bit to the left, he's blackballed.
I'm not bitter about it, it's just the way it is.
And, I think we're seeing it here as well.
Folks leave because the UPC has gone to the "left" in their opinion, and they are considered martyrs for the faith.
Folks leave because the UPC has gone a bit too far "right" and they are ostracized and considered backsliders.
Just my humble opinion........
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
The why's and wherefore's are inconsequential, my friend. The reason for leaving was the same - new policy violated existing convictions.
The resistance that many of the 1992 "defectors" felt came way before they changed their official stance.
It's the same old song and dance, in my book. A preacher can get up at a General conference, or camp meeting, or any other type of meeting, and preach his personal convictions as far to the right as he cares to, and people will still accept him in the fellowship. However, if a man dares preach a bit to the left, he's blackballed.
I'm not bitter about it, it's just the way it is.
And, I think we're seeing it here as well.
Folks leave because the UPC has gone to the "left" in their opinion, and they are considered martyrs for the faith.
Folks leave because the UPC has gone a bit too far "right" and they are ostracized and considered backsliders.
Just my humble opinion........
Not meaning to hijack the thread here...but are you the self-appointed spiritual guru I've been hearing so much about?
Not meaning to hijack the thread here...but are you the self-appointed spiritual guru I've been hearing so much about?
One and the same, Sister.
Need advice? I'm your man.
Without my sense of balance and deep wisdom, AFF would crumble around our very ears.
On which weighty matter may I consult with you today?
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
Without my sense of balance and deep wisdom, AFF would crumble around our very ears.
On which weighty matter may I consult with you today?
Wise one, speak the future to us!
What is a 10 year future analysis for the UPCI?
You have the floor.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
*I can confidently state without fear or equivocation, that within the next 10 years the UPC will either grow, shrink, or stay the same.
*It will either become more liberal, more conservative, or will stay the same.
*There will be some who advertise on television, and some who won't.
*There will be some who have television, and some who won't, and some will wear a bag over their head when they walk past the televisions in Best Buy on their way to get a faster internet card.
*There will be some women who cut their hair, some who won't, and some who won't even wash their hair for fear of washing the glory out.
*There will be some men who wear facial hair, and some who won't, and some who take an electric razor to work to shave every 5 minutes, just to be safe, making sure that the evil facial hair doesn't even get a small foothold.
*There will be some churches that grow, some that shrink, and some that stay the same. Some will stay in the organization, some will leave, and others will feel strongly both ways.
*There will most definitely be a new General Superintendent, I think, maybe, possibly, but maybe not.
*There will be liberals and conservatives and moderates and extremists, and sometimes they may not be mutually exclusive.
Now, hopefully, you'll understand now why they call me the guru.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
The why's and wherefore's are inconsequential, my friend. The reason for leaving was the same - new policy violated existing convictions.
The resistance that many of the 1992 "defectors" felt came way before they changed their official stance.
It's the same old song and dance, in my book. A preacher can get up at a General conference, or camp meeting, or any other type of meeting, and preach his personal convictions as far to the right as he cares to, and people will still accept him in the fellowship. However, if a man dares preach a bit to the left, he's blackballed.
I'm not bitter about it, it's just the way it is.
And, I think we're seeing it here as well.
Folks leave because the UPC has gone to the "left" in their opinion, and they are considered martyrs for the faith.
Folks leave because the UPC has gone a bit too far "right" and they are ostracized and considered backsliders.
The why's and wherefore's are inconsequential, my friend. The reason for leaving was the same - new policy violated existing convictions.
The resistance that many of the 1992 "defectors" felt came way before they changed their official stance.
It's the same old song and dance, in my book. A preacher can get up at a General conference, or camp meeting, or any other type of meeting, and preach his personal convictions as far to the right as he cares to, and people will still accept him in the fellowship. However, if a man dares preach a bit to the left, he's blackballed.
I'm not bitter about it, it's just the way it is.
And, I think we're seeing it here as well.
Folks leave because the UPC has gone to the "left" in their opinion, and they are considered martyrs for the faith.
Folks leave because the UPC has gone a bit too far "right" and they are ostracized and considered backsliders.
Just my humble opinion........
Thanks for this post. Too bad I can't make it official.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
Hybrid Mode
