The Future of the Oneness Pentecostal Movement

[ALVIN]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Could it be since America is more materialistic that many young men are more career minded than kingdom minded? An ambitious intelligent young man can apply his skills and be financially secure in a few years. While preaching might seem like the lottery to some????? Years ago thc church was mostly blue-collar so a guy financially could do as well or better preaching but not so today in most cases. AND earthly minded folks have produced earthly minded children whereas the past generations were kingdom minded and produced kingdom minded children. Just a thought. Not many folks see "denying yourself-taking up the cross and following me very attractive."

Materialism is definitely a part of the equation.

It's harder to be poor in the pulpit when the pew is prospering.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Originally Posted by Sam

Scott,
That sounds like you respect your pastor's authority and also that you have a pastor who is not controlling. Does he recommend you to other pastors and suggest they invite you to come preach for them? I'm not prying, just wondering how your relationship as a preacher is with your pastor.

When I was going to a UPC church in the nineteen fifties and sixties, I was asked to preach at times in our local church, both to fill in for the pastor, and also in youth meetings. I did preach at some non-UPC churches but it was not with the pastor's approval. When I was going to the ALJC church in the nineteen sixties and seventies, again I filled in for the pastor at times and also preached at youth meetings. I was sectional youth leader in that organization and preached for some other churches and that was OK with my pastor. A couple of weekends he sent me to preach at a UPC church in a neighboring state which needed a pastor. He also sent a UPC preacher who attended our church to preach at that church and he became pastor there. Also, one member of our church started a church in another area of our city and that was OK with our pastor. The church he started later became UPC. Our pastor was very open with fellowshipping other churches regardless of organization. He was a good man and respected in and out of the ALJC.

Bro.Sam my pastor doesn't feel one has to be UPCI to be saved.
He preaches men like His cousin who is independent.
Yes me and my pastor get along and yes we have some difference of opinion in some issues ,but I don't try to cause division in the church.
He doesn't talk to other men as far as suggesting them to invite me to their church.
But he doesn't mind me preaching out whenever I get a chance.
And too if a door ever opened up for me to Pastor ,he won't have a probelm with it.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by LaGirl

ONE OF THESE GOT IN OUR POOL TODAY!!!!

I ate some of those today at a nearby Pappadeux Restaurant.
I had the crawfish platter which had fried crawfish, dirty rice, and etouffee. Also had fried alligator for an appetizer and some chocolate oreo mousse pie for dessert. I brought home enough of the entree for dinner tomorrow night. My oldest son gave me a couple of Papadeux gift cards for Father's Day.

I thought of Eld. Epley when we (my wife and I) went there today. I know he likes that place. I've extended him an invitation to let me know some time when he gets over this way and we'll see if our schedules will allow us to get together for lunch or dinner there. I'll treat. It would be an honor to buy dinner for that pastor. I'll even wear long pants instead of shorts and socks and shoes instead of sandals but I will wear a short sleeve colored shirt. Eld. Epley, the offer is still open.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

...
Oh, and Jim Jones started 10 miles from where I live. The Trinitarian Pentecostal church he was a part of prior to his drifting off the deep end in commune-ville still is in existence. I worked with a lady who was a part of this church, and the one JJ started in Ukiah, CA.

Wasn't he from Indiana and pastored a church in Indianapolis?
I thought he was Oneness. Didn't he baptize in Jesus' name?
I remember when he used to come down here to the Cincinnati area in the nineteen fifties to a church called Wings of Deliverance (or something like that) in an area called Elmwood in the Greater Cincinnati area. Eddie Wilson was the pastor and he was considered "Latter Rain" by folks in our UPC church.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Could it be since America is more materialistic that many young men are more career minded than kingdom minded? An ambitious intelligent young man can apply his skills and be financially secure in a few years. While preaching might seem like the lottery to some????? Years ago thc church was mostly blue-collar so a guy financially could do as well or better preaching but not so today in most cases. AND earthly minded folks have produced earthly minded children whereas the past generations were kingdom minded and produced kingdom minded children. Just a thought. Not many folks see "denying yourself-taking up the cross and following me very attractive."

Years ago, we spent many hours planning all sort of outdoor activities at Youth Camp. Only trouble was 20 or 30 of them would rather drape across couch cushions or each other in the lounge all afternoon. After a period of frustration, my wife sat on one couch, and I sat in a chair with them. We kept them separated by gender, and to them we were hip and cool. Not that all youth are lazy, but they have different ideas now.

Used to be a man could support his family with a job. Now it takes 2 1/2 jobs to support a family. I don't have a problem with a man wanting a vocation, but sometimes churches DONT pay enough to feed a family. As Shamgar1 mentioned, there are men like Brett Prince waiting for a chance, but needing also to keep cheerios on the table.

My Father-in-law was a Master Electrician. Now disabled, he enjoys his pension. Easier to start a work from scratch if you have some finances built up or have a vocation to supplement a work.

I don't know we need to discuss with every disgruntled tithe withholder here, but offerings are way down from what they used to be..... PG&E will hike commercial Electricity here next year, but no one will likely put in 50% more....

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by ALVIN

Materialism is definitely a part of the equation.

It's harder to be poor in the pulpit when the pew is prospering.

On this and the above post I posted I agree.

Many a young man wants 40 saints and $1500 a week guaranteed. Instead of 4 family members and what he can believe God for.

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

Why not share it?

Because I don't feel like it.

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

If you are not going to share it, why mention it?

What does it matter to you? Feel free to ignore my posts... just as you ignore my pm's.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

On this and the above post I posted I agree.

Many a young man wants 40 saints and $1500 a week guaranteed. Instead of 4 family members and what he can believe God for.

Very true. We have been raised and are raising a spoiled generation.

But, sometimes I think it goes further than that, for some. They look at the work ahead and, somehow, IMO, it seems like an institutional work. I mean, that they look around and see the treadmill and they don't want to walk it.

I look around at meetings and I see people being trained to respond to how something is said and not what is said.

I see them waiting to be told when to stand up, when to clap, etc. It's as though there is no freedom of expression allowed, so therefore, it pours into the personal life. No challenges ahead, so it seems. Who wants to reach for the brass ring?

[Elihu]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Very true. We have been raised and are raising a spoiled generation.

But, sometimes I think it goes further than that, for some. They look at the work ahead and, somehow, IMO, it seems like an institutional work. I mean, that they look around and see the treadmill and they don't want to walk it.

I look around at meetings and I see people being trained to respond to how something is said and not what is said.

I see them waiting to be told when to stand up, when to clap, etc. It's as though there is no freedom of expression allowed, so therefore, it pours into the personal life. No challenges ahead, so it seems. Who wants to reach for the brass ring?

This has the ring of Truth.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by Ronzo

Because I don't feel like it.


What does it matter to you? Feel free to ignore my posts... just as you ignore my pm's.

I would have enjoyed hearing your insight, but don't want to burden you.