BYE BYE kansas Preacher ! ! ! !

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Felicity, are you still at Conference? I was hoping to cross paths with you this week!

Yes, we're still here and will be 'till the end!

I/We would LOVE to meet you! It would be an honour and a privilege for me if you would be willing -- or interested.

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

However, he's the one that said he would leave.

Yes, but I think Steadfast was pointing out that KP should be given deference to change his mind and say, I paraphrase "maybe I can hang around a bit more..."

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Yes, we're still here and will be 'till the end!

I/We would LOVE to meet you! It would be an honour and a privilege for me if you would be willing -- or interested.

I think he's already expressed he'd like your paths to cross.....oloroid

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by J-Roc

Yes, but I think Steadfast was pointing out that KP should be given deference to change his mind and say, I paraphrase "maybe I can hang around a bit more..."

I didn't see that in his post at all - he was explaining why Neck shouldn't show him the door.

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I didn't see that in his post at all - he was explaining why Neck shouldn't show him the door.

Yeah, he said it:

Steadfast:

"Men like that should have a right to (a) stand where their convictions mandate it and (b) walk on from days like today with the liberty to say, "Maybe I can try to hang on a little longer.' "

[Kansas Preacher]

Wow! I'm impressed. NINE WHOLE PAGES on a thread started about me.

For those who "hope" I will leave, you will get your wish.

Thad, I NEVER said, "as soon as it passes." I only stated that I WILL leave. That is my intention. I have been telling that the easiest way to leave is to let your dues lapse. It requires no action on the part of the District Board. It is just automatic. My plan has been to let that process work. My dues are paid through the end of the year. That would mean I won't be dropping out until the first of the year.

I have been reconsidering, however. I have been watching the UPCI drift towards liberalism for many years. (I prayed through in a United Pentecostal Church more than 35 years ago, and have been licensed/ordained for more than 25 of those years.) It has grieved me, but I have been unable to stop it. Yesterday, with the passage of Resolution 4, something in me died. This whole process has been, for me, like watching a loved one with a terminal disease. Even though you know it's coming, you still don't cherish the fact that they finally passed away. The problem for me now is, if I wait until my dues lapse, I won't be able to "bury" this loved one for three more months. In other words, there will be no "closure" for me until I am out of the organization.

I have wept genuine tears. I have been heartbroken. I do not rejoice that I am leaving (although others evidently ARE rejoicing over that fact). Nevertheless, it is something I feel I MUST do.

For those who are interested, I posted the following on another forum. I will "cut and paste" for the benefit of those who "hope" I leave.

Leaving the United Pentecostal Church after being a part (as either a saint in a local assembly, or a licensed minister) for more than 35 years is not an easy thing for me. It is not something I have longed for, desired, hoped for, or wanted. I have watched this drift and grieved.

I was a new convert when the Hanby/Phillips issue was raging. I wrote a letter to Mark Hanby (I was only 14) telling me how it broke my heart (literally) to learn he was advertising on TV. I told him of the double standard that it created. I was DEEPLY hurt by his decision. If the United Pentecostal Church had voted to accept television advertising in the 1970's, I would never have sought license in the first place. Now that it has reversed its stand, I do not feel I can remain a member.

I will not leave with a bad spirit. I will not leave with a rotten attitude. I will not go out "bashing" the UPC. I want to retain the fond memories I have. The UPC has been GOOD to me in MANY ways. I have served in positions from the sectional level to the national level (as a member of the General Board). I want to remember it for the good it has done. I will not criticize those who remain in. (In fact, I have counseled young men NOT to jump because others are.)

I see it like this: If I leave now, I can do so with a right spirit and attitude. If I wait, I may grow bitter. That's a chance I am not willing to take.

[triumphant1]

Originally Posted by Kansas Preacher

Wow! I'm impressed. NINE WHOLE PAGES on a thread started about me.

For those who "hope" I will leave, you will get your wish.

Thad, I NEVER said, "as soon as it passes." I only stated that I WILL leave. That is my intention. I have been telling that the easiest way to leave is to let your dues lapse. It requires no action on the part of the District Board. It is just automatic. My plan has been to let that process work. My dues are paid through the end of the year. That would mean I won't be dropping out until the first of the year.

I have been reconsidering, however. I have been watching the UPCI drift towards liberalism for many years. (I prayed through in a United Pentecostal Church more than 35 years ago, and have been licensed/ordained for more than 25 of those years.) It has grieved me, but I have been unable to stop it. Yesterday, with the passage of Resolution 4, something in me died. This whole process has been, for me, like watching a loved one with a terminal disease. Even though you know it's coming, you still don't cherish the fact that they finally passed away. The problem for me now is, if I wait until my dues lapse, I won't be able to "bury" this loved one for three more months. In other words, there will be no "closure" for me until I am out of the organization.

I have wept genuine tears. I have been heartbroken. I do not rejoice that I am leaving (although others evidently ARE rejoicing over that fact). Nevertheless, it is something I feel I MUST do.

For those who are interested, I posted the following on another forum. I will "cut and paste" for the benefit of those who "hope" I leave.


I will not leave with a bad spirit. I will not leave with a rotten attitude. I will not go out "bashing" the UPC. I want to retain the fond memories I have. The UPC has been GOOD to me in MANY ways. I have served in positions from the sectional level to the national level (as a member of the General Board). I want to remember it for the good it has done. I will not criticize those who remain in. (In fact, I have counseled young men NOT to jump because others are.)

I see it like this: If I leave now, I can do so with a right spirit and attitude. If I wait, I may grow bitter. That's a chance I am not willing to take.

KP, what about your church folks...how do they feel about no longer being UPC or have you not approached that yet?

[Kansas Preacher]

Originally Posted by triumphant1

KP, what about your church folks...how do they feel about no longer being UPC or have you not approached that yet?

The church I pastor was started by a UPC preacher 25 years ago. He stayed three years. He was succeed by a man who was raised independent. He had joined the UPC before taking the church, but instilled no sense of loyalty to the organization in the people. I've been here 11 1/2 years now. The people don't care if I'm in the UPC or not.

[rgcraig]

I really wonder if God is that upset about the passing of this resolution?

Has the move of His Spirit stopped flowing in the services since this was passed?

I would think if it was such a terrible thing, his heart would be grieved and he'd remove his annointing on the ministers still preaching and no one would be feeling his beautiful spirit in the services.

[Dora]

So...Felicity,

Are you and your husband really getting back in the UPC...as in getting re-licensed with the UPC???

If so, will your church be like Dan Rigdon's Church, or like Life Tabernacle in Houston or like Nate Wilson's church in California or follow Vaughn Morton's style of pastoring?

Do tell!!!