UPC General Conference updates

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Brother Mike, the "book of Acts" church didn't emerge from the trinity church. It's the original.

I'm just not familiar with the term "emerging church". But the book of Revelation does say to "come out of her my people.......". Maybe we're still in the process of coming out.....

Good points, Sarah.

However, the church of 2008 is so far removed from the Book of Acts church, in my opinion, that we need to "emerge" from the secular view of what church should be, back "into" the book of Acts model.

The early church reached the entire continent of Asia with the gospel in the space of 2 1/2 years, without the aid of telephones, cars, internet, DVDs, etc.

How are we coming along with that in 2008? Not so good, I think.

We've become more enamored with buildings, and programs that feed the ego of our own members than we are with reaching souls.

As Vesta Mangun says, we continue to preach to the same few people week after week, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to even keep THEM happy.

Our songs are tailored to keep our members happy, the temprerature in the sanctuary is set to keep people happy, and the list goes on.

Show me anywhere in the Book of Acts where people came to the same building week after week and waited for the sinners to come to them? I'm not against church, but I AM against the same people just coming back to the same building three times a week, and waiting for the sinner to stroll in, when the Bible clearly says they "WENT INTO ALL THE WORLD".

I love the UPC, but I daresay our commitment to going into the world and reaching the lost has become somewhat overshadowed by "being separate" from the world. We may be separate in our dress, but not necessarily in the way we have church.


That's my two cents!

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Good points, Sarah.

However, the church of 2008 is so far removed from the Book of Acts church, in my opinion, that we need to "emerge" from the secular view of what church should be, back "into" the book of Acts model.

The early church reached the entire continent of Asia with the gospel in the space of 2 1/2 years, without the aid of telephones, cars, internet, DVDs, etc.

How are we coming along with that in 2008? Not so good, I think.

We've become more enamored with buildings, and programs that feed the ego of our own members than we are with reaching souls.

As Vesta Mangun says, we continue to preach to the same few people week after week, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to even keep THEM happy.

Our songs are tailored to keep our members happy, the temprerature in the sanctuary is set to keep people happy, and the list goes on.

Show me anywhere in the Book of Acts where people came to the same building week after week and waited for the sinners to come to them? I'm not against church, but I AM against the same people just coming back to the same building three times a week, and waiting for the sinner to stroll in, when the Bible clearly says they "WENT INTO ALL THE WORLD".

I love the UPC, but I daresay our commitment to going into the world and reaching the lost has become somewhat overshadowed by "being separate" from the world. We may be separate in our dress, but not necessarily in the way we have church.


That's my two cents!

I agree 100% with what you are saying, & only part with the part in bold.

I don't think it is a total separation issue as it is a love of comfort.

I read a book recently where the author compares the North American Church with Laodicea, it is rich & increased with goods & yet it is naked & poor.

Jesus commended two Churches in the book of Revelation, Smyrna the persecuted Church, and Philadelphia the faithful Church.
Both were not Mega Churches, not wealthy at all.

Compare that to Laodicia a rich and seemingly prosperous Church, that God called to repentance.

We need to be a soul wining Church for sure, myself included!

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Ron

I agree 100% with what you are saying, & only part with the part in bold.

I don't think it is a total separation issue as it is a love of comfort.

I read a book recently where the author compares the North American Church with Laodicea, it is rich & increased with goods & yet it is naked & poor.

Jesus commended two Churches in the book of Revelation, Smyrna the persecuted Church, and Philadelphia the faithful Church.
Both were not Mega Churches, not wealthy at all.

Compare that to Laodicia a rich and seemingly prosperous Church, that God called to repentance.

We need to be a soul wining Church for sure, myself included!

Good points, Ron, and I would agree. I definitely think the "comfort level" is a HUGE part of our inactivity in 2008.

But, also comfort is tied to separation in some cases. Only speaking from personal experience here, but people who are living by a certain code get very comfortable with that code, and they become content with the fact that they have fulfilled their obligation and "paid their dues" for the Lord by being separate - not realizing that reaching the lost is our main mission.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Good points, Ron, and I would agree. I definitely think the "comfort level" is a HUGE part of our inactivity in 2008.

But, also comfort is tied to separation in some cases. Only speaking from personal experience here, but people who are living by a certain code get very comfortable with that code, and they become content with the fact that they have fulfilled their obligation and "paid their dues" for the Lord by being separate - not realizing that reaching the lost is our main mission.

Good Point!

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Good points, Sarah.

However, the church of 2008 is so far removed from the Book of Acts church, in my opinion, that we need to "emerge" from the secular view of what church should be, back "into" the book of Acts model.

The early church reached the entire continent of Asia with the gospel in the space of 2 1/2 years, without the aid of telephones, cars, internet, DVDs, etc.

How are we coming along with that in 2008? Not so good, I think.

We've become more enamored with buildings, and programs that feed the ego of our own members than we are with reaching souls.

As Vesta Mangun says, we continue to preach to the same few people week after week, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to even keep THEM happy.

Our songs are tailored to keep our members happy, the temprerature in the sanctuary is set to keep people happy, and the list goes on.

Show me anywhere in the Book of Acts where people came to the same building week after week and waited for the sinners to come to them? I'm not against church, but I AM against the same people just coming back to the same building three times a week, and waiting for the sinner to stroll in, when the Bible clearly says they "WENT INTO ALL THE WORLD".

I love the UPC, but I daresay our commitment to going into the world and reaching the lost has become somewhat overshadowed by "being separate" from the world. We may be separate in our dress, but not necessarily in the way we have church.


That's my two cents!

Have you been talking to my pastor Michael? Preach it my brother.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Good points, Sarah.

However, the church of 2008 is so far removed from the Book of Acts church, in my opinion, that we need to "emerge" from the secular view of what church should be, back "into" the book of Acts model.

The early church reached the entire continent of Asia with the gospel in the space of 2 1/2 years, without the aid of telephones, cars, internet, DVDs, etc.

How are we coming along with that in 2008? Not so good, I think.

We've become more enamored with buildings, and programs that feed the ego of our own members than we are with reaching souls.

As Vesta Mangun says, we continue to preach to the same few people week after week, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to even keep THEM happy.

Our songs are tailored to keep our members happy, the temprerature in the sanctuary is set to keep people happy, and the list goes on.

Show me anywhere in the Book of Acts where people came to the same building week after week and waited for the sinners to come to them? I'm not against church, but I AM against the same people just coming back to the same building three times a week, and waiting for the sinner to stroll in, when the Bible clearly says they "WENT INTO ALL THE WORLD".

I love the UPC, but I daresay our commitment to going into the world and reaching the lost has become somewhat overshadowed by "being separate" from the world. We may be separate in our dress, but not necessarily in the way we have church.


That's my two cents!

You said quite a bit more than 2 cents worth!