Your experience when you dropped "dress standards"

[bkstokes]

I believe that in the next ten years there will be a drastic change in Oneness Pentecostal churches. As the older generation that dearly love the standards pass on (Lord bless them), then the others will start to live out their unpressured beliefs.

However, there will be some that will not want to let go of the standards, so I belief the next great division among Oneness will not be over doctrine (like it has been before PCI vs PAJC), but over standards. I think this division has been mounting for some time.

[GraceAmazing]

Originally Posted by bkstokes

I believe that in the next ten years there will be a drastic change in Oneness Pentecostal churches. As the older generation that dearly love the standards pass on (Lord bless them), then the others will start to live out their unpressured beliefs.

However, there will be some that will not want to let go of the standards, so I belief the next great division among Oneness will not be over doctrine (like it has been before PCI vs PAJC), but over standards. I think this division has been mounting for some time.

I, for one, wholeheartedly agree with this observation. Although I do think there will be some in this younger generation that will keep walking down the old paths because of traditions.

[ManOfWord]

Well, for me, I began to realize that I was teaching something extra-bibical and have always strived to tell the truth. So, when I could no longer "hold the line" the way it was spelled out in the manual, I stopped signing the AS. The rest is history and MANY posts have been as to the history.

Long story short is that I don't tell men or women how to dress. People know what immorality is. I know I don't have any more and probably less carnal people now than before. I have had ZERO immorality problems associated with it. In fact, the only immorality I have really had to deal with is associated with the internet.

It is extremely freeing being able to preach God's word without having to treat people like little children. I can spend far more time on Christ in our every day lives than on dress standards.

I know some won't and don't agree with that and I can respect it. However, when Christian character is preeminent, you have to worry about a whole lot less than when the outward is predominant. I wouldn't go back for a gazillion $$$$$. Actually, the gazillion $$$$$ has nothing to do with it......I wouldn't go back because I believe that I would be compromising truth.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

For those of you that left "dress standards" please share with us standards keepers just how it came about and what you did.


When and How did it happen?



What was the first thing you did (what standard did you do away with first)??



How did you feel??

Other than wearing short sleeve shirts, I still pretty much dress the way I always have. I don't own even one pair of shorts (not because of conviction. I just don't like wearing them) I still don't wear jewelry (watches included). I've grown a beard, but there were times I'd grow one when I went to the UC church anyway (never have believed it was a sin).

However, one thing I have changed since leaving the UC is to force my wife to comply with the uncut hair, only dress wearing (and that to the floor) nonsense. She never believed all that mess to begin with, and I never should have forced her to dress that way, against her will.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Rico

However, one thing I have changed since leaving the UC is to force my wife to comply with the uncut hair, only dress wearing (and that to the floor) nonsense. She never believed all that mess to begin with, and I never should have forced her to dress that way, against her will.

Wise man!!

[Sept5SavedTeen]

The only change in my standards from my UC days is my sandals... I like wearing sandals, JESUS wore sandals. Black socks in boots are hot and sweaty in the summer. I went to the beach with my sister and a friend (the beach was empty, we went during school hours, but we were all out of school), two weeks ago, and I didn't have sandals with me and I had my black socks and boots, I took them off and went bare footed - it was GREAT! Me and my sister were still dressed UC from the ankles up, it was funny. I wrote "OBEY ACTS 2:38" in the sand, and we took a few pictures that I'll put in my photo album, it was a good day.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

For those of you that left "dress standards" please share with us standards keepers just how it came about and what you did.


When and How did it happen?



What was the first thing you did (what standard did you do away with first)??



How did you feel??

I have friends that did. It started with questions on hair and what 1Cor was saying. They asked preachers and never got a satisfactory answer. At that time they were still standards. One preacher admitted he never really studied it but just always accepted it. From their they began to look into the hair issue and when they came to the conclusion that the text was really too ambiguous to get "uncut hair is a sin" out of that lead to examining other standards and what the bible says. They concluded standards were man made.

They DID however feel that a moderate view was the best and felt we still needed to dress modestly. They were ok with Jewelry but it could not be goudy. Ok with pants but not tight fitting. Cut hair but not short like a guys. (her hair is several inches below her collar)

At first it was kinda scary for them because they no longer had this pat one size fits all system. They wanted to be led by the Lord on these matters and not by a man made system.

They feel now they did the right thing and are doing well. They still believe in Acts 2:38 and Oneness and are NOT 1 Steppers

[Neck]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

For those of you that left "dress standards" please share with us standards keepers just how it came about and what you did.


When and How did it happen?

After 40 plus year growing up and being in a standards for faith environment. We saw just how the standards did nothing for us. Our parents, other church members stated to us over and over again.

Just how the standards caused more division in the church then faith.

So we left for a church where standards are not the focus.

If you want to hold to standards of dress it is your standard.

No one will knock you down for it.



What was the first thing you did (what standard did you do away with first)??

We took things slow, since we had been programmed that everything would send us to hell.



How did you feel??

Once we found out that the Lord moved in our services and we could live a spirit filled life.

We felt manipulated all those years that part of our salvation was preached by keeping standards.

We have nothing less in the Lord today.

We experience a great church life.

My wife has been able to share her faith and get a better response.

That is a fact...

[South of I 90]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

The only change in my standards from my UC days is my sandals... I like wearing sandals, JESUS wore sandals. Black socks in boots are hot and sweaty in the summer. I went to the beach with my sister and a friend (the beach was empty, we went during school hours, but we were all out of school), two weeks ago, and I didn't have sandals with me and I had my black socks and boots, I took them off and went bare footed - it was GREAT! Me and my sister were still dressed UC from the ankles up, it was funny. I wrote "OBEY ACTS 2:38" in the sand, and we took a few pictures that I'll put in my photo album, it was a good day.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

This can't be serious!

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by South of I 90

This can't be serious!

I think he is.