Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

How often did you guys celebrate communion in the church you pastored?

More than once a year?

Absolutely, yes.

In the last church we pastored, communion was served once a month.

Other churches we pastored it varied but definitely more than once a year. I think that in a couple churches we tried for every 3 months.

I have to say that I thought once a month would create a situation where communion would become a "hohum" event, but it wasn't like that at all. Every communion service was special and relevant and meaningful.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Absolutely, yes.

In the last church we pastored, communion was served once a month.

Other churches we pastored it varied but definitely more than once a year. I think that in a couple churches we tried for every 3 months.

I have to say that I thought once a month would create a situation where communion would become a "hohum" event, but it wasn't like that at all. Every communion service was special and relevant and meaningful.

Amazing.

I have never heard of a OP church doing that.


Cool.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Amazing.

I have never heard of a OP church doing that.


Cool.

When I was COOLJC we had communion the first Sunday night of every month.

[Maple Leaf]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Amazing.

I have never heard of a OP church doing that.


Cool.

Interesting.

The UPC church I grew up in had communion once a month.

Our local church (OP) celebrates communion once a month.

I sometimes wonder if that is often enough.

To be completely honest, every Sunday wouldn't offend me.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Amazing.

I have never heard of a OP church doing that.


Cool.

My Dad's church took communion once a month, PP.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Blubayou

Very few announced revivial services and when they are held they are much shorter.
Wednesday night services are not well attended.
Just a couple I could think of -

This is true. Plus they used to announce revival in the surrounding churches.

Originally Posted by Pastor G

I think there are a lot less oatmeal boxes going on top of a womans head.

Thank goodness!

I also think there is a lot less judgmentalism going on, though there is still too much... I think there is a lot less presonal preferences being preached, though there is still too much...

I agree!

Originally Posted by IAintMovin

I have noticed that a lot of people look older..............hummmmmmm............somewhere in the neighborhood of about 30 years older............

But not all.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I've seen younger leadership come in and bypass or cancel prayer meetings - ladies prayer meetings, before church services, etc.

This is very sad.

Originally Posted by Felicity

Changes in the UPC over the past 30 years.....

Younger pastors who love pulpit ministry but aren't so interested in interacting with and caring for the people they're supposed to be shepherding.

This is very telling I think of the called and sent and those that went.

Originally Posted by StMark

Esther, i didn't get thru the entire Thread so there may be some repeats. here is my list of changes I have taken notices of.



1) Watch night is dying - fewer churches are having it

True

2) Sunday nights are dying - fewer churches are having it

True. Attendance is way down. Too many working in the family.

3) wednesday nights are dying - fewer & fewer people are attending

True

4) Revivals are dying- fewer churches have them and if they do, they are very short

Again, True. In fact, I wonder who the Evangelist are making it. We have very few evangelist come to our church. I wonder if the attendance in the churches would increase, IF revivals were more prevelant again?

5) Door knocking it use to be huge- It's a goner

True, but how many people would open their doors? Crime is a serious issue today compared to 30 years ago.

6) People are more transient - they change churches more- not as loyal

More to choose from compared to 30 years ago.

7) Pastoral styles have changed - Years ago, pastors ruled with a rod of Iron. I see a lot less of that now

I think that is still an issue in various places.

8)Fellowship meetings are dying- It use to be huge. It's been replaced with mini conferences


9)General Conference- more laity use to go and was more connected to the UPC. many of our members no little about UPC today


10) Bible schools are dying - amny wont agree with this but it's true anyways

Actually I was going to say more ministers have gone to Bible College than 30 years ago. But I agree the numbers do seem to be dropping OR either there are more to choose from.

11)Less young people are going into the ministry - more are going to secular college

They know they need an education to make money if and when their ministry needs additional support.

12) Hammond organs are not as common - they are still Big in the Black church but dying in the UPC

We still have one. Yet, I see standard pianos are now gone replaced by keyboards.

13)more ministers are leaving the minsitry - I don't know all the reasons for this but it is true

I don't know about this. could be true.

Originally Posted by MrsMcD

No more song books.

TRUE. Singing on the walls. *(Song called that)

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On View Post
I've seen younger leadership come in and bypass or cancel prayer meetings - ladies prayer meetings, before church services, etc.

Originally Posted by Esther

This is very sad.

The saddest one I know!

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

The saddest one I know!

No prayer, no revival!

[StillStanding]

1. Digital Pianos are used in place of a REAL piano! It's a crying shame!

2. Re-arrange services for Super Bowl Sunday.

3. Praise singers instead of single song leader.

4. Better PA systems!

5. Fewer "testimony" part of services.

6. Youth Service night where all the adults attended also!

7. Fewer youth interested in ministry.

[Pastor G]

I think there are a lot less oatmeal boxes going on top of a womans head.

I also think there is a lot less judgmentalism going on, though there is still too much... I think there is a lot less presonal preferences being preached, though there is still too much...