Left the UPC...Now Back Again

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

The UPCI isn't doctrinally perfect-- but neither is any church or organization that I know of. I chose to return because I value the moving of the Holy Ghost in the services I attend, and in my life when I am not in church.

Is there any church that has everything right?

Is there any church that you agree with 100%?

There are differences in beliefs, but nothing that I would consider to be Heaven or Hell issues.

For those who would attempt to write off the moving of the Holy Spirit on people as they praise and worship the Lord as merely emotionalism, you don't know what you're talking about.

There is great value in the worship of Our Lord. Worship is more than emotion, but it is not void of emotion and more true worship is done outside of the church than inside. Still, that doesn't mean there is no or little value in the fiery worship settings of a church whose members pray consistently and live a holy life.


Those fiery services are not fiery because everyone is faking or because the music is causing people to do things. Those services are fiery because many of those people are living a holy life and are praying.

Ever been in a prayer room or prayer service where you walk in and can feel the Holy Ghost?

I understand where you're coming from JD. Makes sense to me.

[houston]

Did they not pray and live holy at the AG? How do you know?

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Ever thought that might have some connection with their doctrine?



I've been to too many UPC and even independent 'Oneness Pentecostal' services where the Spirit got quenched. No desire to go back. I've seen the Spirit move far more powerfully in non-institutional settings where God didn't 'get in the way of the program'.

Quite honestly, I do not miss UPC services, because every single UPC I have been to in the last 20 years has been sadly disappointing. I have been to services in UPC churches from Texas to Tennessee to Oklahoma to Washington state. I have been to ALJC and independent churches as well.

Every time was disappointing. Every time was a faint echo of what I remember when I first came into the truth. Every time was also a faint echo of what I have experienced in meetings with saints outside of the institutional, traditional 'pentecostal' church. To be perfectly honest, I am about 95% convinced that the modern 'pentecostal movement' has lost revival. We are fast becoming Oneness 'united methodists'.

But then again it's probably just me.

WOW.

[MawMaw]

There be critics on a few pews of every church in the world.

Fake or Genuine. Man or Woman may think they know the
heart, but, we know that only God knows for sure.

I have learned along the way to stop being so critical
and just serve Jesus the best way that I can.

Some say Revival is no more. That is not true.

God will revive any soul who hungers and longs to
be revived.

[Abiding Now]

Originally Posted by Abiding Now

All of this "platform standards" talk reminds of a pastor that I used to see on FCF or maybe around here, that SUPPOSEDLY had a woman song leader that wore a halter top while leading the singing.

Now there's a "platform standard".

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

That wasn't a true story.

Well, it sure seemed "true", when I was reading it.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I chose to return because I value the moving of the Holy Ghost in the services I attend, and in my life when I am not in church.
. . .
For those who would attempt to write off the moving of the Holy Spirit on people as they praise and worship the Lord as merely emotionalism, you don't know what you're talking about.

There is great value in the worship of Our Lord. Worship is more than emotion, but it is not void of emotion and more true worship is done outside of the church than inside. Still, that doesn't mean there is no or little value in the fiery worship settings of a church whose members pray consistently and live a holy life.

Those fiery services are not fiery because everyone is faking or because the music is causing people to do things. Those services are fiery because many of those people are living a holy life and are praying.

Ever been in a prayer room or prayer service where you walk in and can feel the Holy Ghost?

Amen Amen

[renee819]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

If you are running a church like a business, then a platform standard by all means is the way to go. If one wants to climb up the church social ladder, then one must conform to all the platform standards, and hope you can either marry into the "pastor family", possess musical or preaching talent or simply have lots of money to get your position on the stage.

Churches as a whole have become a source of revenue for the pastors, with the bottom line being the fact that the church today is run like a business.

I can only imagine the scene in most churches today if Jesus were to show up like he did 2000 years ago... there would likely be a big ruckus with most of the "moneychangers" sitting on the platform... being thrown out the door.

As long as churches are run as a business, with the money and power being the driving core of their existence, then none of these things will change. The spirit of the moneychangers whose tables Jesus upset, are still with us today in most churches, and that includes other denominations too... not just Pentecostals.

There should be no big "I" or little "U" in church, after all, it is the mercy and grace of Jesus that has been extended to all of us. Some of us may possess one talent, five or ten, but regardless of how many "talents" we may be blessed to possess... in the eyes of Jesus, we are all bought by His blood, and therefore we all sinners, bought by His mercy and grace.

I agree with all of the above,




Jesus said it best,

Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

It seems that most ministers of any Denomination, expects to be waited on, and don't dare challenge their authority. Although Jesus said, “Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you:”