Why are some x-UPCers so set on bashing the UPC???

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

You are probably saying that because of this quote right?



I know the power of God and the ministry of the Holy Ghost is tremendous and at work in the church, however, when you live in a big city and you have family who live in big cities, and you have friends in big cities all with several surrounding UPC churches you get a pretty good idea of what is keeping these churches from fellowship and unity.

When someone prohibits fellowship and even preaches against their brother's church in another part of the city because they are not up to par in terms of insignificant personal convictions and outward expression of worship, they are not both UNITED pentecostal churches.

It gets me pretty upset in fact when I hear a UPC preacher talking over the pulpit or even in private circles about another UPC church that the church a neighboring suburb is dead because people aren't bouncing off the walls or because that pastor is a little simple minded or nerdy, etc.!!

Carp,

To be honest with you, I said what I said just for a little comic relief.

I haven't followed the thread too closely.

We've been over this stuff so many times over the years that I don't figure you and I have all that much new material to use on one another.

[COOPER]

Coonskinner
This message is hidden because Coonskinner is on your ignore list.

[Jekyll]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

Awesome post. You know what has never ceased to amaze me is the continuity in experiences like this.

I do not know you, I don't know what church, what city or what pastors you have encountered. The amazing fact is that SOOO many unacquainted people could give this exact experience and they are tied together by the same organization.

This is a tremendous example of how and why I believe soooo strongly that above many other things, the UPC/A-church has a reigning culture that enforces, encourages, and even gives credence to some of their doctrines.

The problem? Well, maybe it could be that the disunity could be solved by the church actually admitting to themselves that there is something wrong with their culture but they would have to admit first they even HAVE a religious culture.

You don't think this happens in baptist, AoG, or non denominational orgs??

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by 3rdxCharm

maybe we are .... just trying to understand how some can say one thing but do another.....

Simple --- "they" say one thing and do another just like all the rest of us. It's called being human.

[originalsecretplace]

"toe cleavage"

Good Grief!!!!

[Jekyll]

Originally Posted by COOPER

Heavy stuff man........

We as a church would check out other churches if we were their for a Sectional rally.

I would Check out the holiness of the youth or was the music worldly...etc

Whatch'n out for make-up, trimmed hair.

Or look at the Pastors wifes ring....and then talk about how big that rock was....

I was UPC for 17 years... I know the drill.

Most of the time at Rallies and conferences it was a Fashion show.

I have noticed that Now, UPC women frequent the tanning bed.

Those white UPC women are dark!!:

So....being shallow is the org's fault and/or the preacher's fault...

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

You don't think this happens in baptist, AoG, or non denominational orgs??

You may be absolutely correct... Anyone Anywhere can be guilty of this including ourselves.

What makes it so sad is that this is done for "holiness" sake where real holiness is treating our brothers and sisters as we would treat Christ.

I shudder sometimes over what I and others say or do in the name of "holiness".

I hope and pray God opens our eyes for our own sakes as well as the sakes of those we have in the past and do now reject, neglect and offend because of the beam in our eye.

Maybe instead of hiding behind the "obedience to those who rule over you" excuse we should stand up for what is right -- how I treat my brother and sister shows my love toward God. I can't say I love God and do those things to my bros & Sis in Christ.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

So....being shallow is the org's fault and/or the preacher's fault...

yes. in many cases it is.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

yes. in many cases it is.

It can be if that's what being taught by example over the puplit. But everyone is accountable for their own actions whether in the pew or in the pulpit.

That's why ot so important to find out if what is being taught or if your being led by the right knid of example. We would be able to point a finger and say "it's my pastor's fault".

[Tina]

Originally Posted by COOPER

Coonskinner
This message is hidden because Coonskinner is on your ignore list.

But did you leave the message ignored or open the little box and read it anyway because you just couldn't resist? That's what would always happen to me on NFCF. I'd get kinda irritated at someone's posts-- and put them on ignore. Then after a couple of days I'd be opening those boxes to read their posts anyway... but at least I eventually learned to stop responding to things that got me riled up.