The UPC Rev.'s Thou Shalts and Thou Shalt Not

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Sam

Three thoughts on the "rules" of the UPC Manual

1. Most folks realize they are irrelevant and out of date and just ignore them.

2. They are only used selectively to prosecute people for political reasons.

3. If you are the "right" person like TFT, you can flaunt them and nothing is done about it.

Looks like Sam has summed it up about right.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Sam

Three thoughts on the "rules" of the UPC Manual

1. Most folks realize they are irrelevant and out of date and just ignore them.

2. They are only used selectively to prosecute people for political reasons.

3. If you are the "right" person like TFT, you can flaunt them and nothing is done about it.

Number 1 has been my general experience.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Also I found it interesting that a few years after I left church I visited another UPC church. The pastor was awfully concerned about knowing if we were still members of the other church and visiting his. There must be some rule about that too... which is all a little weird.

Originally Posted by DAII

It was part of proper modicum of yesteryear. Does not fly well with today's generation - that's for sure.

I visited a church one time...and kind of freaked out because of how I was treated. My church at the time met on Sunday afternoon. This church met on Sunday morning. My pastor ministered in this other church. Being curious, I attended the AM service at this church. I had gotten the service times from my pastor, and he never said anything about visiting/not visiting or permission. But, a few ladies in this church decided this wasn't a good thing. "Do you have your pastor's permission to visit?!" And some other choice advice about visiting other churches.

Permission? I did mention my church met Sunday afternoon, right? I was fuming, sputtering, and mad when I walked into my church. My pastor's wife was greeted with "permission? what do they mean permission? permission to visit??? it's not like I skipped church to go visiting!"

Yeah. For some reason, I didn't last too long in the UPC.

[El Predicador]

Ministers cannot accept an invitation to preach by a member of a church without the local pastor's consent.

Ministers are not allowed to hold a meeting in a town with out the local pastor's consent.

No minister can start a church without the written consent of the District Board.

No minister or church pastored by a minister can relocate to a neighborhood where there is another church without written permission of the district board.

Ministers cannot accept an invitation to preach at any church that is “held in question” without getting the consent of the District Superintendent.

Ministers and saints of different congregations cannot interact in volunteer services or religious activities without the saint's pastors approval.

Any minister who resigns a church must sever all connection with that church or any of its members without the new pastor's consent.

Each minister holding a local license is required to pay their annual dues.

Each minister holding a general license is required to pay their annual dues.

Each ordained minister is required to pay their annual dues.

All ministers accepted into the fellowship must pay their dues beginning from the first of the quarter during which they are accepted.

All ministers are to pay their budget fee on at least a quarterly basis in advance.
All ministers have to pay their local district dues.

All ministers have to sign their affirmation statement stating their loyalty to the Fundamental Doctrine and the Holiness Standards every two years.

Ministers over 65 are eligible to become honorary ministers.

Any minister holding or seeking to hold credentials who speaks or writes in opposition to any Articles of Faith shall be called before the District Board.

No minister can be in a secret society except for labor unions.

No minister can mix bathe outside of the immediate family.

Ministers holding local licenses can't perform marriage ceremonies without permission.

Any minister who has been dropped or disfellowshipped shall not be received back for 1 year (not sure I paraphrased this one right, it is kinda confusing)

If a minister withdraws or is dropped from fellowship under questionable conduct, no other minister is allowed to let him preach or participate in any form in services except funerals or weddings.

Any minister who gets in trouble in another district can be tried in that district.

Any minister who commits an offense that affects more than one district may be refered to the General Board.

Any minister committing sins that are a great hindrance to the body shall be “silenced indefinitely” (that sounds kind of ominous!)

Any minister who knows the minister in rule 24 and lets him preach shall be “silenced” until proper restitution is made.

Any minister who used to have a license and has been dropped or withdrawn under question, falling into sin, etc. and seeks reinstatement later must prove himself for 2 years and then get endorsements and stuff.

All ministers not actively engaged in pastoring, evangelizing or teaching has to go to a church pastored by a UPC minister.

All ministers shall affiliate with the district in which they labor and reside.

A minister has to get a certificate of transfer to change districts.

A minister who is a student at a bible school cannot transfer into the district where he or she is going to school.

No video except family pictures and church activities, etc. You must modify all video receivers so that they cannot receive television channels.

_________________________

Remove not the ancient landmarks.