ALJC vs UPCI

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I don't think anyone is criticizing one organization over the other. They are just stating the facts as they are today.

I personally see nothing wrong with having separate organizations and would love to see the organizations unite projects and purposes that bring GLORY to God.

Then comes the question-- who's church will the new converts attend?

The answer-- let the new converts choose.

I believe this takes place on a local level also. I believe there are places they probably do work in co-operation, but I feel that depends on the local area pastors personal attitudes. Matter of fact, there is an ALJC pastor near our church that I treat with the same courtesy I would a Local UPC church. He is a brother in the Lord. I've even preached for him before. There are some bad apples in every bunch, but I have had overall good experience from both.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by amh

Do you think more conservative UPC churches would have trouble letting someone from another organization preach there, regardless of how conservative that someone is?

Depends on what you mean by another org. I feel like most pastors wouldn't want someone with different doctrinal beliefs preaching in their churches. If the doctrines are the same I don't see a problem, but again that is decided on in every individual location.

[good samaritan]

Is there something that you are getting at?

[amh]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Depends on what you mean by another org. I feel like most pastors wouldn't want someone with different doctrinal beliefs preaching in their churches. If the doctrines are the same I don't see a problem, but again that is decided on in every individual location.

I just meant ALJC, PAW, maybe even WPF (not that I think anyone from WPF would ever associate with any UPCer lol).

[good samaritan]

I pastor a small UPC church and I have had a Baptist speak at our church. I was clear about my expectations beforehand. He had an awesome testimony and although we disagreed doctrinally I don't steal on his experiences with God. I prayed that he would get the Holy Ghost days before the event. lol.

[amh]

Would you consider yourself conservative though?

[good samaritan]

I do. I may not be as harsh as some, but we still hold standards that may make us old fogey to some. We present things in love and we are patient with people.

[Servant's <3]

Wait wait wait.... Presenting things in love and being patient is "old fogeyism"?

By that definition the whole UPC is nothing but "old fogeyism".

[good samaritan]

I was referring to standards.

[Servant's <3]

I don't understand why people struggle so mightily against standards. I'm not saying my church is the most strict or conservative... we are in a large city and some of the things people who go to our church do I don't necessarily agree with.

If I had a pastor that had very conservative standards I would make EVERY attempt to abide by them.

That being said, my personal standards exceed my church's standards in some respects.

I hope that all pastors preach standards out of love and prevention instead of tradition.