Open Letter to the General Board of the UPCI

[tv1a]

Swallowing a gnat and straining a camel. Me thinks people forgot Paul's comments when he reminded the church he didn't come with hot air, dressed to the hilt, but he came with the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.

I can't wait for the day when underwear is legislated.

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

a. There does not appear to be much of distinction between those who sit in the pew and those who stand on the platform.
I would think that you would not want a distinction. Do you want those in leadership to stick out like a sore thumb or something?


b. Pastors often depart from traditional “church dress” to a casual look of open collar, un-tucked shirt, sport coat and jeans.
Why would this be a problem? Is there really a dress code for the type of clothes a minister should wear when he gets up to preach or teach? AND does anyone really care?

c. Pastors prefer sitting in a chair or behind a table. Generally there is no physical pulpit visible.
Does anyone care if a pulpit is visible or not?


If this is the kind of things they have to worry about they should really thank God and be happy. There are bigger and more pressing problems in the world then this.

[commonsense]

Just what we need, more legislation!

I thought the UPCI was an organization for the ministry. I hope this stays in committee!

[Sam]

tv1a said:
"I can't wait for the day when underwear is legislated."

-------------------

Well, in some cases it is.

Which youth camp was it where they went through the girls' luggage to check out their underwear and to make sure they weren't wearing anything too sexy or worldly?

And how many preachers have preached about wearing thongs (the underwear, not the flipflop footwear)?

[tv1a]

You have put God in such a tiny box, it's a wonder He can breathe.
The Bible not only calls this type of thinking witchcraft, but the Bible says fools believe this way. Galatians 3:1

Originally Posted by Paul Harvey

Brethren:

As you, of course, know ministers, every two years, must affirm 2 of 23 Articles of Faith. Among them is the Fundamental Doctrine which includes a unity clause that reads:



With this context, and based on the recent reports by a sub-committee appointed by General Superintendent Haney called the Committee of Inquiry on the Emerging Church in which various dangers and recommendations were made by sitting members of the General Board and published by a General Board Member certain pertinent questions have arisen:

1. If ,the Committee has identified some of these items as dangers and linked them with fellow ministers in the fellowship, such as:

a. There does not appear to be much of distinction between those who sit in the pew and those who stand on the platform.

b. Pastors often depart from traditional “church dress” to a casual look of open collar, un-tucked shirt, sport coat and jeans.

c. Pastors prefer sitting in a chair or behind a table. Generally there is no physical pulpit visible.

d. Emerging Church leaders typically believe full salvation occurs at repentance. Those who fully embrace Emerging Church philosophy would readily agree that although the Blood is applied at repentance, water and spirit baptism are good and could and should be experienced if the individual is open and receptive.

While recommending that the Articles of Faith be taught and understood now, not only ministers but their churches too -

Where do the the Articles of Faith speak against these dangers?
If they do not, when will the Articles of Faith address things such as church layout, "authoritative" dress code for platform ministry, and the when and how of the New Birth?

Some of these items seem to fall under the personal interpretations that General Superintendent Nathaniel Urshan said would not be challenged or imposed upon after the institution of the Affirmation Statement.



However, the same committee has recommended that "District boards may wish to directly address individual pastors who are adrift to carefully reconsider their position."

It may be construed by some in the fellowship that these conclusions are very much contending for one's "different views to the disunity of the body", therefore, a careful and prayerful re-examination of these views and suggested actions may be in order.

God Bless and Good Day.

[Sam]

quote:
"Pastors prefer sitting in a chair or behind a table. Generally there is no physical pulpit visible."



Isn't that what Jesus did when He spoke at the synagogue in Nazareth?
Read Luke 4:16-21. Jesus read the Scripture from Isaiah 61, then sat down to speak/teach. It was customary for teachers or Rabbis to sit while teaching and for their students or disciples or hearers to sit at their feet.

[tv1a]

Do you think someone was smoking crack when they came up with that rule?

Originally Posted by Sam

tv1a said:
"I can't wait for the day when underwear is legislated."

-------------------

Well, in some cases it is.

Which youth camp was it where they went through the girls' luggage to check out their underwear and to make sure they weren't wearing anything too sexy or worldly?

And how many preachers have preached about wearing thongs (the underwear, not the flipflop footwear)?

[tv1a]

Sound familiar? Sounds like a cherished organization? History repeats itsself.

The name Pharisee in its Hebrew form means separatists, or the separated ones. They were also known as chasidim, which means loyal to God, or loved of God - extremely ironic in view of the fact that by His time, they made themselves the most bitter, and deadly, opponents of Jesus Christ and His message.

They saw His miracles, they heard His Words, but instead of receiving it with joy, they did all that they could to stop Him - eventually to the point of getting Him killed because He truthfully claimed to be the Son of God.

Source: http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/pharisee.htm

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by tv1a

Swallowing a gnat and straining a camel. Me thinks people forgot Paul's comments when he reminded the church he didn't come with hot air, dressed to the hilt, but he came with the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.

I can't wait for the day when underwear is legislated.

I am sure it is in some ranks. look at the mormons they wear 'special' undergarments to go into their temple.

[TJJJ]

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

I am sure it is in some ranks. look at the mormons they wear 'special' undergarments to go into their temple.

A little off the subject, Paul Harvey and all the UPCI stuff,

But while I lived in Utah I saw a bumper sticker that said...

"If you think Utah's liquor laws are funny you ought to see their underwear!"

[DAII]

Paul, you've nailed it!