If we were Baptist we would speak from that experience.
Just because a group of organizations continue to do it does not make it OK...
I grew up in a UPC church, my Mom would not miss church. It was never stressed from the pulpit.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
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? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
I really feel sorry for you folks who suffered so badly at the hands of the UPCI. Its just terrible to be so abused.
i am now and always have been UPCI and honestly ive never experienced any of the craziness you folks seem so focused on.
It's out there Ferd.
Please don't trivialize other folks' experiences. Some folks are here to stir the pot, but others are here to bare their souls and just have some place to talk about things others, outside the ranks, don't understand.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
I have to agree I really think the pentecostal churches could use peaching about family and values. I was listening the other day to a preacher on tv and he was talking about what it takes to be a real father and it was very insperational. I think it was a baptist church I was listing to also the church of ladder day saints talk alot of family and spending time with your kids and wife. I remember one time it was a fathers day and I wanted to anounce that my sons baseball team have won the tee ball championship and how proud I was of him so I get up and anounce how happy I was to be a father and how proud of him I was.
Well after I did that I had a dad try to out do me by saying that he was proud because a real dad takes there children to church well that really irritated me and my wife the way it was spoken made it sound like he was better than me just because he goes to church everytime the church doors are open. The pastor always talks about how he does not miss not going hunting or fishing with his son because they were always going to church but I think it good to do things with your kids my wife aways comes home in a hurry on wendsday nights and rushing doing things just to get to church I have to remind her sometimes to slowdown if she does not get to make it to church it will be ok god understands.
Very unfortunate - it's hard for some to see the balance. I mean, you are sitting in church with your kids, so mentioning about the tee ball was perfectly fine.
Praising our kids for normal things should be perfectly acceptable!
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
Please don't trivialize other folks' experiences. Some folks are here to stir the pot, but others are here to bare their souls and just have some place to talk about things others, outside the ranks, don't understand.
I have learned a lot about some churches since being on AFF. And I do know that some bad things have happened. I am glad I never had those experiences. And I am so sorry that any child of God had to go through those things. I do realize that we all can only speak of our own circumstances.
I probably should not have posted on this thread anyway. I in no way want to offend anyone by defending someone else, if you know what I mean.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
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? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
If we were Baptist we would speak from that experience.
Just because a group of organizations continue to do it does not make it OK...
You are right, it shouldn't happen anywhere.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
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? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
O ferd i am not downing the upci i just think they could use less acts 2:38 and more preaching on family values. And when I go to the front and pray holding my son I don't need the preacher telling me that I need to come to church more to set an example for my kids. My kids will know right from wrong regardless if I go to church everytime the doors are open or not. I understand what I need to do to be saved don't need it hear it over and over and over again acts 2:38....take for instance our kids just went to youth camp this past week now why have a youth camp in the Thanksgiven holidays that is time to be spent with your family...not your church family. My kid did not go and probley want go unless they change the time frame and then he probley still will not go because that is time ment to spend with your family.
Control issues is an understatement.
I'm very familiar with two churches (different cities/states) that insist on never missing a service or you're backslid for sure. Nothing wrong with church attendance, but one should have the ability to make personal decisions without condemnation from the pastor and/or saints.
#1 A young married convert was bleeding heavily (female situation) and did not think she'd be able to come to church that evening. She called pastor to tell him and was told she had to be there. Same gal called another time due to horrible weather conditions and she had a long drive ; called pastor and he told her they'd send someone to get her----she couldn't miss -------
(Driving was very dangerous and her husband did not want her to risk it.)
Did I mention her husband was unsaved and saw no need to be a part of this church. This church did not allow any personal commonsense and you were doomed for hell if you missed a service..no exceptions.
Today she still serves God but it's at an AOG church and her whole family attends together.
#2 Every service reiterates attendance. You cannot miss and be saved.
A young girl does very well in school and wishes to continue doing so. If she asks to miss a Wed service due to a school assigment or whatever her father goes ballistic.( christianity at its finest).
Class project> to portray a famous person of your choice. She chose Aimee SimpleMcPherson. The final production took place on a church night.
Her dad would not go....can't miss church.; her mother represented family.
They bought the VHS tape and I viewed it long after the event. She did an absolutely fantastic job, but her dad missed it! To my knowledge he has never even seen the tape. Church comes before family. (again no commonsense allowed)
She's a senior in college and no longer attends a UPC assembly.
Yes, there ARE many churches that use power and control to keep you saved!
Regardless of what state I lived in;commonsense ruled in my decisions!
__________________
"Le sens commun n'est pas si commun."
(Common sense is not so common.)
Voltaire
Common sense is genius dressed in working clothes.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.
William James
I really feel sorry for you folks who suffered so badly at the hands of the UPCI. Its just terrible to be so abused.
i am now and always have been UPCI and honestly ive never experienced any of the craziness you folks seem so focused on.
Maybe its just me... but I'll never understand why people who are no longer UPC feel the need to go on internet forums and tell us the things they think are wrong with the UPC.
__________________ http://endtimeobserver.blogspot.com
Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever.
I think we should post the good and the bad. I'm glad to hear of UPC churches that have their priorities right. We need to hear those stories. But we also need to help those who have been hurt to process the pain and go beyond it.
Re: One of the Biggest Mistakes
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