Non-Traditional Oneness Pentecostal Standards

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

True Steve,

But don't the majority here allow themselves to fall victim to using the same terminology?

Yes they do. I prefer the use of "Christian Disciplines".

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Yes they do. I prefer the use of "Christian Disciplines".

That's probably a step in right direction. Personally I would think more prayer, fasting, Bible study and the like than personal appearance with the word "discipline"

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

That's probably a step in right direction. Personally I would think more prayer, fasting, Bible study and the like than personal appearance with the word "discipline"

I perfer the word "Devotions to God" or "Personal Consecrations" similar to a biblical vow, its a way to offering something to God for one reason or another. To devote something to God in the Old Testament sense means to give over to Him, usually permanently.

It can have a negative connotation too, in Joshua they devoted whole cities full of pagans to God.. at the end of a sword But most Christian saints wouldn't read that far into the word.

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by erikwebster

I perfer the word "Devotions to God" or "Personal Consecrations" similar to a biblical vow, its a way to offering something to God for one reason or another. To devote something to God in the Old Testament sense means to give over to Him, usually permanently.

It can have a negative connotation too, in Joshua they devoted whole cities full of pagans to God.. at the end of a sword But most Christian saints wouldn't read that far into the word.

I kinda like Consecrations-

Hoping we can discover sometime that does not carry a connotation of "sacrifice".

Others will no doubt disagree, but my worldview is that our conduct should be actions we believe will draw us closer to Christ, the Holy One who is the perfect embodiment of "holiness", and as a bride dresses to please the groom does not consider it "sacrfice" nor should or conduct to please our Redeemer.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by erikwebster

I perfer the word "Devotions to God" or "Personal Consecrations" similar to a biblical vow, its a way to offering something to God for one reason or another. To devote something to God in the Old Testament sense means to give over to Him, usually permanently.

It can have a negative connotation too, in Joshua they devoted whole cities full of pagans to God.. at the end of a sword But most Christian saints wouldn't read that far into the word.

I like devotions and personal consecrations too.

[Hoovie]

I would like to get more imput on how "non-standards" (yep! I am still using the term!) churches representented here, differentiate from the mainstream denominations.

Do you set a higher "standard" in/with your church?

Are you simply known as a Charisma church, or you set apart and known as a church that is conservative, liberal, socially active or otherwise?

Are church members known to behave and dress to a different standard than none Christians? Different than mainstream denominations?

[Sherri]

Ok, ok, I'll start!

We are considered extremely conservative in this area we live in, except by the traditional OP churches, who think that we are flaming liberals. We ask all people who are in any kind of ministry, i.e., teaching, mentoring, platform, etc., to abstain from all alcohol and nicotine. Trust me, that has been a BIG thing here. Also, they are required to tithe, and cannot belong to any "secret" organizations like the Masons. We have a dress code for the platform or any teachers that says skirts have to be at least to the knees, pants have to be capris or longer, no strappy tops, etc. No jeans on the platform on Sundays, except in "The Edge". Eddie does not let any staff members or other L & T pastors watch R rated movies, swim with the saints, etc. Different requirements for different levels of ministry.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Ok, ok, I'll start!

We are considered extremely conservative in this area we live in, except by the traditional OP churches, who think that we are flaming liberals. We ask all people who are in any kind of ministry, i.e., teaching, mentoring, platform, etc., to abstain from all alcohol and nicotine. Trust me, that has been a BIG thing here. Also, they are required to tithe, and cannot belong to any "secret" organizations like the Masons. We have a dress code for the platform or any teachers that says skirts have to be at least to the knees, pants have to be capris or longer, no strappy tops, etc. No jeans on the platform on Sundays, except in "The Edge". Eddie does not let any staff members or other L & T pastors watch R rated movies, swim with the saints, etc. Different requirements for different levels of ministry.

Sherri, This is exactly what I am looking for in this thread!

I realize you open yourself to some criticism in sharing but this discussion is long overdue in my humble opinion.

PS I think you all are very narrow and it would be tough to be in leadership in your church. LOL! You are aleinating large segments of society.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Sherri, This is exactly what I am looking for in this thread!

I realize you open yourself to some criticism in sharing but this discussion is long overdue in my humble opinion.

PS I think you all are very narrow and it would be tough to be in leadership in your church. LOL! You are aleinating large segments of society.

You know, when we started this church 6-1/2 years ago, we really prayed about the drinking thing, because we had several people tell us that it would never work in a city. We had been in a rural setting for 20 years previously, and it was never an issue there. We really sought God over it here, but we did not feel like it was something we could let up on at all. And, guess what? We had 953 on Easter and are averaging over 700, so evidently people aren't afraid of a few rules. LOL!

By the way, I just listened to a sermon at a huge youth conference in Seattle that Ashley went to as a representative of Teen Mania. The guy was Joel Stockstill out of Baton Rouge. He preached against tattoos, piercings, R rated movies, and all kinds of stuff. And he has over 7,000 in his youth group!!!!

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Ok, ok, I'll start!

We are considered extremely conservative in this area we live in, except by the traditional OP churches, who think that we are flaming liberals. We ask all people who are in any kind of ministry, i.e., teaching, mentoring, platform, etc., to abstain from all alcohol and nicotine. Trust me, that has been a BIG thing here. Also, they are required to tithe, and cannot belong to any "secret" organizations like the Masons. We have a dress code for the platform or any teachers that says skirts have to be at least to the knees, pants have to be capris or longer, no strappy tops, etc. No jeans on the platform on Sundays, except in "The Edge". Eddie does not let any staff members or other L & T pastors watch R rated movies, swim with the saints, etc. Different requirements for different levels of ministry.

Originally Posted by Sherri

[/B]

You know, when we started this church 6-1/2 years ago, we really prayed about the drinking thing, because we had several people tell us that it would never work in a city. We had been in a rural setting for 20 years previously, and it was never an issue there. We really sought God over it here, but we did not feel like it was something we could let up on at all. And, guess what? We had 953 on Easter and are averaging over 700, so evidently people aren't afraid of a few rules. LOL!

By the way, I just listened to a sermon at a huge youth conference in Seattle that Ashley went to as a representative of Teen Mania. The guy was Joel Stockstill out of Baton Rouge. He preached against tattoos, piercings, R rated movies, and all kinds of stuff. And he has over 7,000 in his youth group!!!!

Liberals?! No way...y'all are awesome!!