Bombshell- Considering going back to the UPC

[RandyWayne]

Quick question:

Do your wife and daughter already look UPC for the most part? Or will you/they acquire the look again, or just when fellow church members are over so as not to create waves?

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Quick question:

Do your wife and daughter already look UPC for the most part? Or will you/they acquire the look again, or just when fellow church members are over so as not to create waves?

Thats a great question, because it could be problematic.

But for the most part they all still have "the look". Really they just dress modestly, normally in skirts (but not always), and have long hair (but not uncut). They were jewelry in morderation, but have no piercings. I don't have any desire for them to change any of that, but we'd be careful not to be needlessly offensive-so they'd make sure not to wear pants and jewelry at church.

Because of this I don't think it'd be a problem. Especially in a moderate UPC church.

PS-I think "the look" can be modernized. I don't at all feel like they look like they fell out of the Victorian era or an LDS cult.

[Dedicated Mind]

infiltrate the upc, lie if you have to about your beliefs (all things to all men) and change the borg from within. it is the only godly thing to do.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

infiltrate the upc, lie if you have to about your beliefs (all things to all men) and change the borg from within. it is the only godly thing to do.

Bro. I have no intention of lying about what I believe. I've been posting on the internet using my real name for years (I just happen to be the only Jason Badejo in the United States and perhaps the world), so its all out there for anyone who wants to know. I've posted on David Bernards facebook page (using my real name) about some of their revisionist history.

Are you concerned that the beliefs of the UPC can't withstand a second look?

What do you say about that, Dedicated Mind, if that is your REAL name?!!!

[KeptByTheWord]

I feel like your post could have been written by my husband and myself. We left the UPC about two years ago and have visited a lot of different churches in that time, as you have. And I was amazed to hear how you were turned off by the Word of Faith/Prosperity doctrine in the ex-UPC churches, as we were. It was sickening actually to visit some of these churches and see the prosperity doctrine in action.

So then we, like you, began going to some of the more Bible-based churches because their teaching at least was for the most part on target... except of course for the teaching of baptism in Jesus name, and Oneness, two doctrines that are so Biblical, and yet most of the church world refuses to acknowledge.

If we could have found a moderate UPC church that taught personal holiness standards without the cut/uncut hair doctrine along with the clothesline stuff, along with being post-trib (which has become important to us as we have studied the Word and saw that as a very important part of the Word), and understanding that giving is a biblical principle instead of tithing... then we would indeed feel like we could be a part of such a group.

Jason, as a minister of the gospel, could it be that God is calling YOU to start a fellowship in your own home that could eventually branch out, and become a more moderate church in your area? I understand your girls need fellowship... and that is our concern too about our teenage children, but God knows how to supply all our needs. He has done it for us.

This is what the Lord has done for us. We have house church in our home with two other families who believe in the oneness, Jesus baptism, and infilling of the Holy Ghost with personal holiness standards led by the husband of the home (and we have a new family visiting whom we are teaching salvation to having never heard this message before! So exciting!)

We get together to worship the Lord, fellowship, and share. Our children are able to share their thoughts and questions in the fellowship, and it has been a huge time of growth for us all. Sundays are the best day of the week for us, as we meet to eat a meal together (potluck) and then gather in our living room and sing worship songs, which include praise, clapping, worship, and a time or two, there has been liberty to dance unto the Lord... it has been a beautiful thing... and most of all... it is a Biblical concept that Acts embraces... and it works!

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to visit more about this. Again, I feel like I could've written your post! But the Lord is faithful to lead and guide us!!!

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I feel like your post could have been written by my husband and myself. We left the UPC about two years ago and have visited a lot of different churches in that time, as you have. And I was amazed to hear how you were turned off by the Word of Faith/Prosperity doctrine in the ex-UPC churches, as we were. It was sickening actually to visit some of these churches and see the prosperity doctrine in action.

So then we, like you, began going to some of the more Bible-based churches because their teaching at least was for the most part on target... except of course for the teaching of baptism in Jesus name, and Oneness, two doctrines that are so Biblical, and yet most of the church world refuses to acknowledge.

If we could have found a moderate UPC church that taught personal holiness standards without the cut/uncut hair doctrine along with the clothesline stuff, along with being post-trib (which has become important to us as we have studied the Word and saw that as a very important part of the Word), and understanding that giving is a biblical principle instead of tithing... then we would indeed feel like we could be a part of such a group.

Jason, as a minister of the gospel, could it be that God is calling YOU to start a fellowship in your own home that could eventually branch out, and become a more moderate church in your area? I understand your girls need fellowship... and that is our concern too about our teenage children, but God knows how to supply all our needs. He has done it for us.

This is what the Lord has done for us. We have house church in our home with two other families who believe in the oneness, Jesus baptism, and infilling of the Holy Ghost with personal holiness standards led by the husband of the home (and we have a new family visiting whom we are teaching salvation to having never heard this message before! So exciting!)

We get together to worship the Lord, fellowship, and share. Our children are able to share their thoughts and questions in the fellowship, and it has been a huge time of growth for us all. Sundays are the best day of the week for us, as we meet to eat a meal together (potluck) and then gather in our living room and sing worship songs, which include praise, clapping, worship, and a time or two, there has been liberty to dance unto the Lord... it has been a beautiful thing... and most of all... it is a Biblical concept that Acts embraces... and it works!

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to visit more about this. Again, I feel like I could've written your post! But the Lord is faithful to lead and guide us!!!

Thank you for your kind words. I've been asked about starting something, but I don't think I've got the drive to do that at this point of my life. I did start a work a about 5 years back, just before I left the UPC, but it fell flat, and wore me out. I'm not ready to go through that again. I'd rather minister occasionally when asked, and have time to further my studies at this point in my life. I'm still young (31) and my girls will be adults by the time I'm 40, so I'm not actively looking to start anything anytime in the next 10 years. If God calls me to do so, and really burdens me, I'd be obedient, but it'd have to be the Lord, because I really don't want to do that right now, or anytime in the near future.

Your groups sounds interesting, if I were in your area I'd be interested in visiting.

[Pilgrum]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

Thank you for your kind words. I've been asked about starting something, but I don't think I've got the drive to do that at this point of my life. I did start a work a about 5 years back, just before I left the UPC, but it fell flat, and wore me out. I'm not ready to go through that again. I'd rather minister occasionally when asked, and have time to further my studies at this point in my life. I'm still young (31) and my girls will be adults by the time I'm 40, so I'm not actively looking to start anything anytime in the next 10 years. If God calls me to do so, and really burdens me, I'd be obedient, but it'd have to be the Lord, because I really don't want to do that right now, or anytime in the near future.

Your groups sounds interesting, if I were in your area I'd be interested in visiting.

How much drive does it take to invite some Christians over for dinner, Christian fellowship, informal worship and prayer? This can be just as edifying and fulfilling as "going to church."

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

Thank you for your kind words. I've been asked about starting something, but I don't think I've got the drive to do that at this point of my life. I did start a work a about 5 years back, just before I left the UPC, but it fell flat, and wore me out. I'm not ready to go through that again. I'd rather minister occasionally when asked, and have time to further my studies at this point in my life. I'm still young (31) and my girls will be adults by the time I'm 40, so I'm not actively looking to start anything anytime in the next 10 years. If God calls me to do so, and really burdens me, I'd be obedient, but it'd have to be the Lord, because I really don't want to do that right now, or anytime in the near future.

Your groups sounds interesting, if I were in your area I'd be interested in visiting.

I will be praying for you brother, because these are difficult decisions which will really impact your children, and I know that is one of the things that worries you most... it was for us.

Originally Posted by Pilgrum

How much drive does it take to invite some Christians over for dinner, Christian fellowship, informal worship and prayer? This can be just as edifying and fulfilling as "going to church."

I do agree with this post. It is the very least we can do, each one of us really, to open up our homes to having a bible study at least, or inviting people over who do not have a relationship with the Lord, and seeing how the Lord begins to work through that relationship. It has been the most wonderful thing we have ever done... and I think Jason, even at this point in your life, this is something that could be done... surely you know someone or a family who is hungry for more of God, and your two families at the very least could get together and share the word of God over a meal? It doesn't have to have a fancy title, or a big investment... . Just keep it simple, and God will bless.

[Steve Epley]

At least your children will hear the one and only plan of salvation.

[FlamingZword]

All churches change over time
you will be surprised at the original teachings and culture of some of the liberal churches of today.

I predict just looking at church history that the UPC will start changing within 20 years,
the new generation of young pentecostals will force the change.