UPCI Haters...

[Cindy]

I am seriously heartbroken whenever I read any of the post that seem to target the UPCI as some evil entity. And not that I don't believe that people within the UPCI, past and present, ever do anything against the body of Christ. Some seem to hold it up as the standard to judge all others, and defend it as if it were THE example to follow. Others seem only to see the failures, and actually I agree with OP, some seem to take pleasure in reporting all the horrible things done by those in the UPCI.

I love a lot of people in the UPCI, and other denominations. I have decided to just pray for all of us not to forget our goals. To hold each other up and spread the Gospel. Go forth, not sit and wait for sinners to come to church.

Mercy there was great, and Grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found Liberty
At Calvary

King James Version (KJV)

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Why do we expect God to be merciful and compassionate toward us, when we are not merciful and compassionate toward others? How do we expect to win people to Christ, if we are kicking them when they're down? Is our sin somehow less than theirs? Oh, I think not.
Be very careful condemning others to hell, that you don't condemn yourself.

Oh, my soul cries out to God.
Psalm 51:10-13

King James Version (KJV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

[Old Paths]

Originally Posted by Cindy

I am seriously heartbroken whenever I read any of the post that seem to target the UPCI as some evil entity. And not that I don't believe that people within the UPCI, past and present, ever do anything against the body of Christ. Some seem to hold it up as the standard to judge all others, and defend it as if it were THE example to follow. Others seem only to see the failures, and actually I agree with OP, some seem to take pleasure in reporting all the horrible things done by those in the UPCI.

I love a lot of people in the UPCI, and other denominations. I have decided to just pray for all of us not to forget our goals. To hold each other up and spread the Gospel. Go forth, not sit and wait for sinners to come to church.

Mercy there was great, and Grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found Liberty
At Calvary

King James Version (KJV)

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Why do we expect God to be merciful and compassionate toward us, when we are not merciful and compassionate toward others? How do we expect to win people to Christ, if we are kicking them when they're down? Is our sin somehow less than theirs? Oh, I think not.

Be very careful condemning others to hell, that you don't condemn yourself.

Oh, my soul cries out to God.
Psalm 51:10-13

King James Version (KJV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Stellar post!

Thank you.

[Praxeas]

Im not a UPCI hater however I am pragmatic about the UPCI as a whole. It is or has been a seriously flawed organization and group of individuals on many levels.

I don't believe pointing out the flaws and wanting to see a practical change in these areas constitutes hate. In fact any attempt to hide these flaws and not address them is in my opinion as wrong as the haters that really do hate the UPCI

[ILG]

What I miss:

Fellowship

Knowing exactly what I believed (at least thinking I did)

People with strong moral values and values that we all agreed upon so a person knew what to expect as far as conduct from another

Being with people who truly love God (most of them do)

Of course, if I went back, I could not have these things, that is why I don't. But there are many good people in the UPC. I had a terrible time there, but there are things I miss about it too.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by ILG

What I miss:

Fellowship

Knowing exactly what I believed (at least thinking I did)

People with strong moral values and values that we all agreed upon so a person knew what to expect as far as conduct from another

Being with people who truly love God (most of them do)

Of course, if I went back, I could not have these things, that is why I don't. But there are many good people in the UPC. I had a terrible time there, but there are things I miss about it too.

I know that feeling.

Hard to explain isn't it?

[returnman]

Originally Posted by ILG

What I miss:

Fellowship

Knowing exactly what I believed (at least thinking I did)

People with strong moral values and values that we all agreed upon so a person knew what to expect as far as conduct from another

Being with people who truly love God (most of them do)

Of course, if I went back, I could not have these things, that is why I don't. But there are many good people in the UPC. I had a terrible time there, but there are things I miss about it too.

This is pretty close to the way I feel. I have very pleasant memorys at camp meetings and fellowship and some great times in the Lord. You can't just go along with doctrines forever that you flat out don't agree. with.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Im not a UPCI hater however I am pragmatic about the UPCI as a whole. It is or has been a seriously flawed organization and group of individuals on many levels.

I don't believe pointing out the flaws and wanting to see a practical change in these areas constitutes hate. In fact any attempt to hide these flaws and not address them is in my opinion as wrong as the haters that really do hate the UPCI

My thinking is the UPC is generally better than most denominations simply on the basis that they have more truth on the Godhead and salvation. All other denominations have the same kinds of issues as UPC.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

My thinking is the UPC is generally better than most denominations simply on the basis that they have more truth on the Godhead and salvation. All other denominations have the same kinds of issues as UPC.

Surely not!!! Reading around here you would think the UPC is the anti-christ.

Should add to that and say "All other "Apostolic" denominations have the same kinds of issues as the UPC".

[Old Paths]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Im not a UPCI hater however I am pragmatic about the UPCI as a whole. It is or has been a seriously flawed organization and group of individuals on many levels.

I don't believe pointing out the flaws and wanting to see a practical change in these areas constitutes hate. In fact any attempt to hide these flaws and not address them is in my opinion as wrong as the haters that really do hate the UPCI

And I would agree with you on the bolded, but is getting on an OPEN forum and slamming the organization's "flaws" to other NON UPCI folks really going to be able accomplish any "practical change"?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Old Paths

And I would agree with you on the bolded, but is getting on an OPEN forum and slamming the organization's "flaws" to other NON UPCI folks really going to be able accomplish any "practical change"?

Discussing them openly and honestly can indeed influence change