General Conference

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Isn't GC considered an official religious holiday for the org?

Actually, I believe it is. Kids in school are suppose to get excused absences if they attend.

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Actually, I think it is. Seriously.

Well, I think in the context of getting your kids out of school to attend it, it is. But as far as "celebrating" it like a holiday, well, I have never heard of any one doing that!

[Innocuous]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

Well, I think in the context of getting your kids out of school to attend it, it is. But as far as "celebrating" it like a holiday, well, I have never heard of any one doing that!

We normally celebrate it by doing the shockamoo dance around a bonfire of jean skirts and nylon knee high preacher socks.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Actually, I believe it is. Kids in school are suppose to get excused absences if they attend.

It has been a few years but I remember reading it in the bylaws. "General Conference: Official Religious Holiday"

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by Innocuous

No. I don't think HQ should mandate much of anything. I just think it's cultural thing, having all these conferences. I've never understood it. Why so many? Methinks it's primarily a competition, factional thing; neither of which is good.

Preaching Conferences, Music Conferences, Specialized Conferences... they aren't specific to UPCI brother. UPCI may be guilty for preaching conferences, while the rest of Christendom is guilty for having worship conferences every single week in some city in the US. It's the nature of what we do. Some can't make it for geographic reasons. It also is a fellowship thing. Some churches fellowship together within the UPCI umbrella and host conferences. It's how brethren get together and minister to one another. Nothing wrong with it. It may be tradition, a cultural thing that some detest, but I see nothing wrong with it.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Innocuous

We normally celebrate it by doing the shockamoo dance around a bonfire of jean skirts and nylon knee high preacher socks.

I heard that some went out into the Nevada desert and camped around a giant stage. The climax of the week was what was called "The Burning Poof".

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by deltaguitar

I wonder if big conventions are a thing of the past. It used to be that Oneness folks were so isolated from the rest of the world that they needed these types of events in order to fellowship. I remember loving youth congress and youth conventions because it was a place that I could be a pentecostal and not feel out of place.

Name an organization that doesn't host these type of national meetings. If you hold to the Non-Demon movement, they host plenty themselves. Go to their church websites. Preaching is not just for salvation. It's to keep us moving forward, to grow, etc... I understand the need to reach the world, but neglecting the fellowship of each other is a mistake too. And conferences are a big part of that. I put my vote in to not do away with conferences. I love them. Small groups, large groups, all of them.

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by Innocuous

We normally celebrate it by doing the shockamoo dance around a bonfire of jean skirts and nylon knee high preacher socks.

*laugh track*

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by 2020Vision

Name an organization that doesn't host these type of national meetings. If you hold to the Non-Demon movement, they host plenty themselves. Go to their church websites. Preaching is not just for salvation. It's to keep us moving forward, to grow, etc... I understand the need to reach the world, but neglecting the fellowship of each other is a mistake too. And conferences are a big part of that. I put my vote in to not do away with conferences. I love them. Small groups, large groups, all of them.

I would agree. While I have disagreed with the UPC on many things, I never had a problem with GC.... since every group/organization/professional group has them. We just went to a HUGE one in Vegas for Pharmacy. It is just a way for likeminded people to get together in agreement or to hammer out agreements where they are lacking.... or to learn about some fascinating new drug dispenser technology!

[2020Vision]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I would agree. While I have disagreed with the UPC on many things, I never had a problem with GC.... since every group/organization/professional group has them. We just went to a HUGE one in Vegas for Pharmacy. It is just a way for likeminded people to get together in agreement or to hammer out agreements where they are lacking.... or to learn about some fascinating new drug dispenser technology!

LOL! Funny, Randy. Don't forget the hairbows.

Well, I'm glad others are doing it too. It's a good thing. Or all those with inferiority complexes would feel weird if we were the only ones doing it.