Raging Rhetoric of my Rumored Retreat from the UPC

Well, well, well... Now I'm sure you folks will have a hard time believing this () but I find it somewhere between halfway humorous and obnoxiously ignorant.

I know that people have been chattering like magpies over who is and who isn't leaving the organization. I've heard at least 4 names mentioned that I know for a FACT have NOT turned in their license and aren't quite sure what to do just yet.

Even so, for those prone to indiscriminate embellishments or given to grossly distorted rumors the truth is pretty much unimportant. I find that a sad statement to the condition of many who claim to be 'Pentecostal'.

However, imagine my surprise when one of my SAINTS came to me last night and said, "Pastor, can I ask you a question?" The question? "I heard from Bro. **** (a neiboring Pastor) that you 'threw down' your card at General Conference after some kind of vote and went out of the UPC. It doesn't much matter to me but I'm just wondering...is that true?"

Needless to say, I suspect that there will be an interesting telephone call to this neighboring Pastor. I'm sure he was only talking to my Saint about such matters (matters, by the way, that I do NOT discuss with my Saints) because he was genuinely 'concerned'. (Please, allow me to delude myself so as to not think that someone would actually be unethical... right...)

Then today I get a call from an official across the nation about preaching a District meeting next year and the man said, "I'm not sure what's going to happen when they find out that you already dropped your license. I was with Bro. ******* last night and he told me you said you had dropped your license." Immediately I answered, "So that's the one who's been lying about me, huh?"

It got so quiet that you could have heard a flea burp!

The more this goes on the more ridiculous it gets! Frankly, I think those talking like 'experts' about these good men pertaining to issues they really don't know the truth about are lying at the least and guilty of defamation of character at best.

Everyone has their limits determining the depth of their committment to any particular organization. While I may not be happy about recent events I still believe the UPC has many things going for it that solidify my resolve to stay in for now.

Much like the man who read his own obituary, "The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!"

Come on, people... let's grow up and realize that sensationalism draws a quicker crowd but truth usually reveals it's own heroes in the end.