UPC Driving the Women Away?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

I think when a modern 20 to 40 year old women visits one of our churches that displays our laws on the backs ( and heads) of our women they see a legalistic or even cultic society and often do not return for another visit.

OK, then a disproportionate number of older females are in our pews??

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

OK, then a disproportionate number of older females are in our pews??

yes, and mainly 2nd and 3rd generation OP's We are missing "new" women.

Women who would be in love with Jesus, but can't see the forrest for the trees.

Our standards are a stubling block we throw in front of peopel trying to find there way to Jesus.

[Margies3]

I think three things:

1) I don't think this is JUST a UPC thing. I think that if you look in most churches today, you will find a disproportionate amount of women vs. men. Not all, but most

2) I know this won't be a popular opinion and I may take some flak for saying it. But I really do think that in SOME cases, there are pastors who are very bold leaders. Sometimes very charismatic individuals. Sometimes just tyrants. Either way, it is unfortunately, too easy for people, especially women, to be sucked in under the leadership of just such an individual. It's almost as if they come, check things out and before they know it, they are mired in quicksand and can't figure out how to think for themselves so they can make their own choices. Sadly, for some women, it is very easy to intimidate them. Just tell them, "You have to follow me because that's what the Bible says and you sure don't want to go to Hell." and they will follow you to the ends of the earth.

3) The other reason I have known women to stay at a church is because they are so infatuated with the pastor they couldn't consider leaving. He dresses nice, combs his hair nice, smells nice, leads by making them feel like they are indispensible........... Who would want to leave that?

Now please don't think that I am saying that ALL women who go to a UPC church fall into any of these categories. NOT AT ALL!!! I believe there are also women who are very sincere in their love for the Lord and their walk with Him. And they truly believe that living the lifestyle called for in the UPC is what it takes to please the Lord. And that is their highest desire in life. Those women I honor. They are following their own convictions and walking their own walk with the Lord.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

yes, and mainly 2nd and 3rd generation OP's We are missing "new" women.

Women who would be in love with Jesus, but can't see the forrest for the trees.

Our standards are a stubling block we throw in front of peopel trying to find there way to Jesus.

I hear this, but again, what about the numbers? It would stand to reason if there were many older widows tweaking the outcome... but I would dare say in every age group women outnumber the men.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Margies3

I think three things:

1) I don't think this is JUST a UPC thing. I think that if you look in most churches today, you will find a disproportionate amount of women vs. men. Not all, but most

2) I know this won't be a popular opinion and I may take some flak for saying it. But I really do think that in SOME cases, there are pastors who are very bold leaders. Sometimes very charismatic individuals. Sometimes just tyrants. Either way, it is unfortunately, too easy for people, especially women, to be sucked in under the leadership of just such an individual. It's almost as if they come, check things out and before they know it, they are mired in quicksand and can't figure out how to think for themselves so they can make their own choices. Sadly, for some women, it is very easy to intimidate them. Just tell them, "You have to follow me because that's what the Bible says and you sure don't want to go to Hell." and they will follow you to the ends of the earth.

3) The other reason I have known women to stay at a church is because they are so infatuated with the pastor they couldn't consider leaving. He dresses nice, combs his hair nice, smells nice, leads by making them feel like they are indispensible........... Who would want to leave that?

Now please don't think that I am saying that ALL women who go to a UPC church fall into any of these categories. NOT AT ALL!!! I believe there are also women who are very sincere in their love for the Lord and their walk with Him. And they truly believe that living the lifestyle called for in the UPC is what it takes to please the Lord. And that is their highest desire in life. Those women I honor. They are following their own convictions and walking their own walk with the Lord.

After reading this, My wife will never go to church without me again..

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Margies3

I think three things:

1) I don't think this is JUST a UPC thing. I think that if you look in most churches today, you will find a disproportionate amount of women vs. men. Not all, but most

2) I know this won't be a popular opinion and I may take some flak for saying it. But I really do think that in SOME cases, there are pastors who are very bold leaders. Sometimes very charismatic individuals. Sometimes just tyrants. Either way, it is unfortunately, too easy for people, especially women, to be sucked in under the leadership of just such an individual. It's almost as if they come, check things out and before they know it, they are mired in quicksand and can't figure out how to think for themselves so they can make their own choices. Sadly, for some women, it is very easy to intimidate them. Just tell them, "You have to follow me because that's what the Bible says and you sure don't want to go to Hell." and they will follow you to the ends of the earth.

3) The other reason I have known women to stay at a church is because they are so infatuated with the pastor they couldn't consider leaving. He dresses nice, combs his hair nice, smells nice, leads by making them feel like they are indispensible........... Who would want to leave that?

Now please don't think that I am saying that ALL women who go to a UPC church fall into any of these categories. NOT AT ALL!!! I believe there are also women who are very sincere in their love for the Lord and their walk with Him. And they truly believe that living the lifestyle called for in the UPC is what it takes to please the Lord. And that is their highest desire in life. Those women I honor. They are following their own convictions and walking their own walk with the Lord.

But the UPC is repelling them by the droves...

It matters little which category they fall in... the fact that there are more women than men disproves the myth, right?

Shouldn't we be exploring how and why we are turning men off?

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by scotty

After reading this, My wife will never go to church without me again..

LOL, Scotty!!

[LadyRev]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

On another note... the UPC has more female licensed ministers than the Southern Baptists with their 16,000,000 US constituents...

I don't think all Southern Baptists allow and/or license women ministers.

[RandyWayne]

Things that repel some will attract others, and vise versa.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by LadyRev

I don't think all Southern Baptists allow and/or license women ministers.

...sounds like the Southern Baptists are repelling women then...