Should standards be an issue when witnessing?

[deltaguitar]

Really, if I was UPC what I would do is never mention standards to a new convert. I would tell them that they are saved by faith and that all God wants is for them to be a part of the body of Christ.

Then when they are really connected to the church and love being a part of the family I would ask them if they wanted to be a part of ministry. You know something like a solo in the choir or maybe teach Sunday school. When they become excited about being able to help out I would "reluctantly" give them a booklet of "platform" guidelines.

They would either conform and become a sold out UPCer or they would leave and never come back. They might actually conform for a few years until they realized they couldn't live that way. They would probably backslide and give up on God completely until the local Baptist church showed them the love of Christ and accepted them for who they are. Of course by then they have a wrecked life and have completely destroyed all the potential they had to be a good witness for God.



Yep, this is how I would do it, if I had to teach standards. I thank God everyday that he has delivered me from that.