The State of the UPC

Carpenter · #1 02-04-2011, 11:02 PM

Just curious...is there a way that we can really know the truth about the state of the organization? I remember when a presentation was given at the 50th year celebration and the truth was spun to favor one group and isolate another at the time of the merger...so in this regard I've made the estimation that we can't trust the establishment to tell the truth about itself, especially when they use statistics like...raise your hand if you spoke in tongues, yay!! 1000 soul revival and 10,000 added to the church!

What is the current state of the UPC?

MrMasterMind · #2 02-04-2011, 11:14 PM

Current condition?

Maybe 20 years to collapse.

Chateau d'If · #3 02-04-2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMasterMind

Current condition?

Maybe 20 years to collapse.

At best, it's stagnant. Its best years are far gone, and the continued brain drain has taken an incalculable toll.

The best and brightest are leaving in droves.

MrMasterMind · #4 02-05-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chateau d'If

At best, it's stagnant. Its best years are far gone, and the continued brain drain has taken an incalculable toll.

The best and brightest are leaving in droves.

I was thinking more in demographics.

Currently the median age of its ministers is 54.

There are something like less than 400 under the age of 35 and it looks like they make up a good portion of those leaving.

Hence on the present course, 20 years tops.

MrMasterMind · #5 02-05-2011, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMasterMind

I was thinking more in demographics.

Currently the median age of its ministers is 54.

There are something like less than 400 under the age of 35 and it looks like they make up a good portion of those leaving.

Hence on the present course, 20 years tops.

Bump for Hoovie

Hoovie · #6 02-05-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMasterMind

I was thinking more in demographics.

Currently the median age of its ministers is 54.

There are something like less than 400 under the age of 35 and it looks like they make up a good portion of those leaving.

Hence on the present course, 20 years tops.

I understand. This is not good news at all. And if true it's cause for alarm, no doubt.

However, it does not take into account the hundreds of young ministers coming into the organization annually. Naturally, the numbers coming in over the age of 35 would be fewer... Therefore if stagnant, or even slight decline it would still not automatically spell out the demise of the group any time soon.

MrMasterMind · #7 02-05-2011, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I understand. This is not good news at all. And if true it's cause for alarm, no doubt.

However, it does not take into account the hundreds of young ministers coming into the organization annually. Naturally, the numbers coming in over the age of 35 would be fewer... Therefore if stagnant, or even slight decline it would still not automatically spell out the demise of the group any time soon.

it definitely not "hundreds" of young ministers coming in. Even the cons within UPCI agree on that one. I am not anti UPC. Never have been. Once again this is not about doctrine it is about demographics. Let me put it this way only 4% of the ministers in the UPC or 35 or younger. It WILL collapse.

Austin · #8 02-05-2011, 08:37 AM

In 1973 in a full gospel wopship service in a church in Indiana a church who's pastor was one of the original founders of the UPC then, and was kicked out of the church organization because he had the first radio broadcast ministry,which they said the radio was of the devil.
During this service the Lord spoke to me in a split second of time and said," "Beware of the spirit of compromise" At the time this had no meaning no matter how much I searched in God to understand. Today I understand very clearly the meaning of that message. I think the Bible calls it, The great falling away!

Falla39 · #9 02-05-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chateau d'If

At best, it's stagnant. Its best years are far gone, and the continued brain drain has taken an incalculable toll.

The best and brightest are leaving in droves.

This sounds just a bit arrogant to me!

1 Cor. 10:12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Hoovie · #10 02-05-2011, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMasterMind

Current condition?

Maybe 20 years to collapse.

I guess I am a bit more optimistic.

Say the UPC is stagnant currently, as far as numerically within the United States...

There are many or perhaps even most Protestant churches that have actually been stagnant or in decline for over 20 years they are not "collapsing" - at least not yet.