O.K. - here is my 2-cents. I will endeavor not to rant, complain, etc., just share my experience. I have been in the UPC for about 16-years. When I first came, alot of things were different than they are now. There did not seem to be much tolerance for anyone seeming to "straddle" the fence. Issues like women in pants, men in shorts, facial hair (On men, naturally!!
, make-up, jewelry, hair cutting, burning, or trimming, etc., etc., were pretty rock solid standards with really no room for dissent.
Over the last ten years things have steadily changed, very gradual, but nevertheless, they have changed and are changing. There seems to be more and more pastors and even districts that have widely different stances on the aforementioned standards of Holiness. There is a very purposeful charge to be relevant, real, and progressive. Obviously this has started many a argument and with the TV resolution in 2007, a new organization. Things absolutely ARE changing, now wheather or not it is a good thing or a bad thing is another thread.
I have noticed, as has already been mentioned, that the up and coming generation does not subscribe to "Do it because I said so", they want scripture, they want to be shown. I know there are some that just want to be disobeidient and rebellious, but there are those who sincerely want to know the "Why". Everything from Salvation, Tithing, and Holiness is being questioned and the way I see it there are two choices:
1. Show them in the Word, teaching sound doctrine
2. Just rant and get frustrated because you don't like being questioned
When I came into the church I adopted alot of the aforementioned things and took the preacher, whomever that was, at their word. If it was preached, I just did it. To my shame, there was not alot of study done by me in the earlier years. I had a tremendous zeal, but very little knowlege, and even less wisdom. Yes, I won some souls, but I fear I pushed more away then I had one, truthfully. I see a generation now, that is not willing to just adopt, they want to be informed. I am speaking in general terms, of course.
With all that said, this is just what I have seen in one organization. I have no knowledge of any other OP organization. I feel that there has over time been too much emphasis on what a Christian should appear to look like, to the point that there is a tendancy to disregard any other Christian that does not look like us, or at least our percieved Christain look. I am all for living above reproach, and for Holiness, but I am not for boarderline cultic behavior where we judge ourselves by ourselves, and seek to devalue another persons walk with God because we have a "Better" revelation of truth.
Tradition can be both binding and destructive when it supercedes the Word of God. What is lacking most times is grace, patience, and love for each other and for people in general. I have said before that those who feel that the "Old Paths" are the only way (And yes I know we need to be in accordance to the Word, I am speaking of the extrabiblical interpretations of "old") will not give an inch, and I fear, neither will those on the opposite side of the spectrum.
The sad thing is, that there is a lost World hanging in the balance, while we fight and argue over the same issues, again and again, there is a soul that is hurting and in need of Jesus. What is our real purpose, to create division over culture and tradition, or win souls by loving them to Jesus?? I speak this mostly to myself, since I feel I am the cheifest among those who argue time and again over these issues.
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