What does this statement mean for ex-Upcers?

[rgcraig]

PO's gonna be mad at us for hijacking her thread.

[SoCaliUPC]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

PO's gonna be mad at us for hijacking her thread.

She just has to accept it. Part of the culture around here. Hey...we are talking about a STATEMENT (the hair-do) of an ex-UPCer. Correction...we are on topic. LOL!

[TalkLady]

Originally Posted by CC1

I have addressed this in the past.

I have said that I believe if you take the same size PCI exUPC type church and a UPC church the UPC church will have a greater number of sold out, dedicated people in it.

That is very natural since the bar is so high to become a part of a UPC congregation. You must conform to all of the legalism, rules, restrictions, etc.

exUPC /PCI type churches have a much different approach to church and discipling people. People are accepted and are part of the church regardless of what point they are at in their walk with God. There are many opportunities for discipleship and many avail themselves of them while some others may not even for extended periods of time. Most of these churches have minimums of classes one must take before operating in a leadership role (choir, teaching,etc).

Is he "ferver" and "dedication" of a church of 1,000 UPCer's greater than that of the same size exUPC PCI type church, you bet!! Would I trade my church for that, NO!!!

Because the ends do not justify the means. I realize that my church is made up of a lot of people at a lot of different places in their journey with Christ.

It is also made up of a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds. Some are more comfortable with demonstrative worship than others.

I for one don't believe that most of the demonstrative worship in old time Pentecost is neccessary or even beneficial. In my opinion most of it is tradition, emotion, etc.

I have seen as many lives truly changed at my church that some consider "dead" as I saw in old time Pentecost with all of the whoopin and hollarin going on.

You can shout your hair down and spin the helicopter till you drop and still be a devil. I have witnessed it first hand. Having a crowd scream "amen" every two seconds and waving their arms around may make the preacher feel better but I don't think that is what God is really looking for. A person can be just as serious and sincere with God without the theatrics.

Bottom line is that I would rather go to a church of 4,000 that is embracing people at all stages of a walk with Christ than a church of 1,000 sold out people bound to their religous culture through forced legalism and psychological conditioning.

I couldn't have said it better myself, CC1.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by CC1

It is funny you say this because just last night I had been playing with my hair for several hours while working or watching TV without thinking about it.

When I went to brush my teeth last night before going to bed I looked in the mirror and started laughing. I turned to my wife and said "look, I've got Jeannie Tenny's hairdo!".

Jeannie is a sweetheart but I can't imagine looking in the mirror and thinking "This looks good!". I think it is a medical condition. Same one Donald Trump has.

O.K. and for several hours. lol

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by SoCaliUPC

She just has to accept it. Part of the culture around here. Hey...we are talking about a STATEMENT (the hair-do) of an ex-UPCer. Correction...we are on topic. LOL!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

PO's gonna be mad at us for hijacking her thread.

And I was surprised because?

[nathan_slatter]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I read this on another thread and although the author wasn't the first one to make this statement, I've always wondered what can be meant by this?

I'm not picking on the original author of this statement, either. I've just heard it one to many times and wanted others comments on the context. Why leave when you say you miss all of this?

You miss:

• The fellowship
• The Worship
• The Preaching
• The Passion
• The sold-outness

But, none of that was good enough to stay?

I just don't get it. That' the only reason I stay. People are generally a pain in the tail feathers for the most part - I mean even at the Post Office. I don't see how leaving helps.

I miss none of it. Granted, I miss participating in the music of it all but that's just because I was always part of a group of good musicians. Nowadays, I don't have time to go looking for a band to play with, nor the time to spend on practice, etc...

[Felicity]

You can't miss what you never left. Hello! LOL.