Apostolic Revival

[Sister Alvear]

Oh, Crakjak...you forgot the alvearites...ha...

[Sister Alvear]

think of all those organizations we could start...

[Bro-Larry]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Oh, Crakjak...you forgot the alvearites...ha...

Have you ever wondered where in the world he came up with that username?

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Oh, Crakjak...you forgot the alvearites...ha...

That was Bro. Larry, sister, he's getting old it just slipped his mind! LOL

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Bro-Larry

Have you ever wondered where in the world he came up with that username?

You crack'em and we'll jack'em! lol

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Jason

I am new to this board, so please pardon me if you all have discussed this before.

I am at a total loss why we apostolics tend to be divisive and reclusive as a movement. What could we do and how could we affect to world, if we had a real apostolic fellowship? Instead of putting UPC missionaries basically in competition with ALJC missionaries and PAW missionaries, we could plan better, say this city has a missionary or two, so why not put the next missionary in the next city. Imagine the influence of our churches if we had 2 or 3 large churches in a major city, instead of 40 churches of 20 people.

Yet of course, we can't fellowship with the next church, well because they have tv's, or our sleeves are longer than theirs. And we cant come together in unity, because someone would have to be an associate/asst pastor, instead of senior pastor. And God forbid if anyone give up thier place as superintendent or other posistions.

So we pine away, one split after another. We as a movement are surviving, but not thriving. And why? Has the power of God left? No. But we have decided who is God's church and who isn't.

I have never been to or even heard of a service, meeting, conference or campmeeting that was put together for the purpose of apostolics coming together for woship and unity.

I live in texas, and can testify it would be amazing if any of these things happened here. (On an unrelated thought, when did camp meeting become a social fashion party?) Can you imagine a conference that was UPC, ALJC, PAW, AWCF, and independents. It would have to be held in a stadium, certainly wouldn't be in Lufkin. Or even an area where 3 small churches pulled together to make 1 fairly strong and noticable church?

Yet from what I can gather, everyone is worried about what this person/group believes about holiness, modesty, tithing, sabbath, etc.

I say (perhaps in ignorance) that we should concentrate on the common denominator, that is our fundamental apostolic doctrine o the oneness of God, baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. for by One Spirit we are all baptized into One Body.

bump

[CAD/JPY]

I personally believe that that the key to every city... you know the one we all pray for? The HUGE revival, the incredible move of God that takes place! We'll I believe that comes in a package.... a package that is made up of many churches.

Therefore, the conservative pastor will need the liberal pastor and vice versa... because they each have a portion of "the Key". But until they get together IN UNITY the pieces of the key can't form... and their city remains locked up.

Why don't they get together? Some of it is pride, worried about what others will think of you if you fellowship. Some of it is fear. If your a conservative pastor, how do you answer the questions from your young people after they have "hung out" or "dated" some of the young people from the liberal church??

"Uh Pastor, I thought we couldn't go to movies? The other church does... and we all get together for big Apostolic meetings." "Uh Pastor, I was just told you go to hell because I cut my hair... thats what the girls from the other youth group said... Pastor, am I going to hell?"

There is a lot of issues that arise during fellowship. Imagine, seeing your "liberal" pastor having a heart to heart discussion with your music minister prior to the big Apostolic meeting. Smiling, nodding, etc. Now, what if you the conservative pastor know that your music minister doesn't necessarily believe things as conservative as you, but just does it out of respect... How would you feel about the current conversation with the "more liberal" pastor? What conclusions would be natural to jump to? What fears?

Okay, now that you see some of the issues that result.... Here is the only way they get dealt with. Those pastors need to work HARD on keeping personal relationships going, so that they will trust each other. Be honorable! Show each other respect and integrity! Call your neighboring pastor if one of his saints show up to visit on Sunday... and ask him what is going on, does he know? Make a point of connecting every week!

It sounds easy, but it really isn't. Then throw in the mix of different holiness standards, pastoral styles, upbringing, etc. and you can see why that key doesn't often get put together. So this is why you don't see some very logical things take place in our apostolic movement....

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by CAD/JPY

I personally believe that that the key to every city... you know the one we all pray for? The HUGE revival, the incredible move of God that takes place! We'll I believe that comes in a package.... a package that is made up of many churches.

Therefore, the conservative pastor will need the liberal pastor and vice versa... because they each have a portion of "the Key". But until they get together IN UNITY the pieces of the key can't form... and their city remains locked up.
Why don't they get together? Some of it is pride, worried about what others will think of you if you fellowship. Some of it is fear. If your a conservative pastor, how do you answer the questions from your young people after they have "hung out" or "dated" some of the young people from the liberal church??

"Uh Pastor, I thought we couldn't go to movies? The other church does... and we all get together for big Apostolic meetings." "Uh Pastor, I was just told you go to hell because I cut my hair... thats what the girls from the other youth group said... Pastor, am I going to hell?"

There is a lot of issues that arise during fellowship. Imagine, seeing your "liberal" pastor having a heart to heart discussion with your music minister prior to the big Apostolic meeting. Smiling, nodding, etc. Now, what if you the conservative pastor know that your music minister doesn't necessarily believe things as conservative as you, but just does it out of respect... How would you feel about the current conversation with the "more liberal" pastor? What conclusions would be natural to jump to? What fears?

Okay, now that you see some of the issues that result.... Here is the only way they get dealt with. Those pastors need to work HARD on keeping personal relationships going, so that they will trust each other. Be honorable! Show each other respect and integrity! Call your neighboring pastor if one of his saints show up to visit on Sunday... and ask him what is going on, does he know? Make a point of connecting every week!

It sounds easy, but it really isn't. Then throw in the mix of different holiness standards, pastoral styles, upbringing, etc. and you can see why that key doesn't often get put together. So this is why you don't see some very logical things take place in our apostolic movement....

good post, I think the problem is we really need to go strictly by the Bible and not by personal convictions, remebering Christ didn't come and die a horrible death just to find a reason to condemn someone to hell over a sleeve length or any number of ridulous things that we have in the past put on people who did or would have come to Christ, only for them to be gone as quickly as they came.