Bombshell- Considering going back to the UPC

[Barb]

Originally Posted by CC1

I don't know that I have ever said "ditto" to a Randy Wayne post but I can this one.

My anecdotal analysis after being in or around old time Pentecost the last 50 years or so is that most old time Pentecostal churches are primarily made up of;

1. Those born into the church and those who marry them.
2. People who come from lives / situation with little or no structure (abandoned by parents, substance abuse issues in the family, etc)

For those who come from secular lives with little or no structure the laundry list of legalism is a refuge for them providing a structure they have not had in their lives and is also a crtuch / measuring stick by which they can measure their position with God.

I also think these folks are more apt to follow a preacher who is preaching extra biblical doctrines and practices as they desperately want someone to believe in and put all of their faith in (a human being in addition to Jesus).

In our church there are people from every area of life...doctors, lawyers, politicians, and the like.

Just sayin'...

[Real Realism]

Originally Posted by Barb

In our church there are people from every area of life...doctors, lawyers, politicians, and the like.

Just sayin'...

New converts?

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Real Realism

New converts?

Not sure what profession the new converts are...

[Real Realism]

What I'm curious about is whether or not the doctors, lawyers, and politicians have entered your church as new converts more recently (say within the last < 10 years), or whether or not they were a part of the church 15, 20, or more years ago.

[tv1a]

Name dropping doesn't intimidate me. I have charter status with FCF. Doesn't mean squat. You're the one who gets all emotional, gets a few sympathy posts and the issue is avoided.

No reasonable person with knowledge of the UPCI will agree the organization is a principled group. They won't tell the truth about their numbers. You are not the fastest growing oneness organization if your the members numbers have remained leveled and decreased. Global is the fastest growing organizations.

There is not freedom legalism is substituted for grace.
I guess to some people, bovine excrement tastes like steak.

Originally Posted by Barb

I do NOT hang with chickens!

Perhaps you are playing me and are simply getting the responses you want, but I will play along and say this...

I have been around forums since the FCF days and know where a lot of folks stand on certain issues...Renda, Sherri, CC1 to name a few.

We do not see eye to eye on these points, and probably never will, but they NEVER resort to the posting that you have. I respect them enough to not put them in hell for their views (as I that were my right), and likewise, they don't call me names or tell me I'm in bondage for mine.

It's called respect!

You don't know me from Adam's house cat and probably don't care to, and that is fine. But a little respect goes a way.

As I posted yesterday...why do I bother?

[tv1a]

The UPCI "mega" churches have seen serious declines. Some show roughly 30% or more in attrition. Many UPCI churches can't keep most of their people more than 18 - 24 months.

Originally Posted by Real Realism

What I'm curious about is whether or not the doctors, lawyers, and politicians have entered your church as new converts more recently (say within the last < 10 years), or whether or not they were a part of the church 15, 20, or more years ago.

[houston]

Tv1a has been channeling my energy...

[tv1a]

Judging by some of the responses, I believe people may have struggled through literature classes in high school. For a group of people who can make people believe the Bible says some crazy stuff, they should appreciate the clarity of their positions. You can tell the people who get it and those who don't.

Originally Posted by houston

Tv1a has been channeling my energy...

[tv1a]

My original point before the dramas took over was the UPCI crafted an image of intolerance, exclusion, and suppression. If you identify with the UPCI, be prepared to carry the baggage of bondage that comes with it. It sucks, but that's what you chose.

[tv1a]

Upci defenders are probably the first people to scream and shout amen whe the preachers trashes people who leave the mother ship. Everyone who leaves lost thee standards, going to hell because they cut their hair.

Those people have the nerve not to take what thu dish out. It would be funny if it weren't true.