The UPC is a dying movement!

[Pastor Keith]

Throughout Church History, all movements have periods of waning, the remedy is to renew. One thing for sure you can't live on past Glory.

[committed]

Originally Posted by deadeye

The Nattering Nabobs of Negativism ( as Spiro Agnew once said) have been predicting (with barely disguised glee) the soon demise of the UPC for years....and hoping desparately that it comes about. Why?...because it would justify thier own bitterness and the vitriol that oozes from them every time the subject comes up.

But for some reason in spite of thier predictions, the UPC just keeps truckin' and even getting bigger, dealing with challenges, and working them out.....struggling as is everyone with the economy and still sending Foriegn Missionaries, building Home Missions churches, and still licensing men (and a few ladies) both old and young.

AND still preaching Truth, and separation...which torques the NNON's (see 1st line of post) to no end......

True! While the UPCI has some who are strict with no mercy, love (or common sense), there are those who hold to 'standards' because it is Biblical. It's difficult for me to understand what God saves us from - if we look like the world, act like the world and do the things the people in the world do.
I have been in the services, and watched some online, of those who have been set 'free' from the 'bondage' of standards. It's sad because there an absence of the real anointing of God. There is no depth in the worship - it seems to be just a surface relationship.
While I realize that we are living in a 'new day', but the scripture says to seek for the 'old paths where is the good way...." God is the same and His Word never changes.

[Theophil]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

Throughout Church History, all movements have periods of waning, the remedy is to renew. One thing for sure you can't live on past Glory.

Originally Posted by deadeye

The Nattering Nabobs of Negativism ( as Spiro Agnew once said) have been predicting (with barely disguised glee) the soon demise of the UPC for years....and hoping desparately that it comes about. Why?...because it would justify thier own bitterness and the vitriol that oozes from them every time the subject comes up.

But for some reason in spite of thier predictions, the UPC just keeps truckin' and even getting bigger, dealing with challenges, and working them out.....struggling as is everyone with the economy and still sending Foriegn Missionaries, building Home Missions churches, and still licensing men (and a few ladies) both old and young.

AND still preaching Truth, and separation...which torques the NNON's (see 1st line of post) to no end......

I was a licensed minister when Keneth Phillips and Mark Hanby left the UPCI. I had a friend that attended Mark Hanby's church and he told me (30+ years ago) that the UPC was dying. Bro. Keith McCann is, I believe, correct in his assessment that there is a need for renewal . I believe change must and will take place. The message of Acts 2:38. Jesus Name baptism, and the Oneness of God will never die. The traditions of men will. So whatever is not of God will change or pass away. When you say the "UPCI will die" you need to take care that you don't intend to throw out the baby with the bath water. Precious truths as were mentioned above are held by many outside of the UPCI, independents, ALJC, etc. Are all these going to die?

[Austin]

The thing here Iam not getting, Are people dependant on their church organization to get them to heaven or are they dependant on their personal relationship with Jesus?
Paul says, Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. So what if eveyone else decides to jump off the bridge, Im not.
I can really discern the hurt and fear on this forum over this subject matter, Listen, keep your eyes on Jesus and His word in your heart and don't put your trust in man. Men will fail you because the truth is, the children of God LOVE. And they think others love them like they love others, but, the real truth is, they don't. They are human and have mixed feelings and concerns in a secular sense. You know I learned a long time ago. I belong to Jesus and His voice am I going to hear. I've learned to trust in Him whether there is a church organization or not, whether Iam in the desert all alone, or on the sea of life, whether in the fire of tribulation, or cast into the valley of despair. For as Dave said, Where shall I go to hide from the eyes of Him.
Our Lord is greater than any man, organization, church, groups of people, governments, religions, rulers,devils,or any other thing. Put His armor on, the same armor Jesus wore, and you will never fret over tomarrow. ( If you guys and girls don't buy this tape, I might but it myself!)

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by Theophil

I was a licensed minister when Keneth Phillips and Mark Hanby left the UPCI. I had a friend that attended Mark Hanby's church and he told me (30+ years ago) that the UPC was dying. Bro. Keith McCann is, I believe, correct in his assessment at there is a need for renewal . I believe change must and will take place. The message of Acts 2:38. Jesus Name baptism, and the Oneness of God will never die. The traditions of men will. So whatever is not of God will change or pass away. When you say the "UPCI will die" you need to take care that you don't intend to throw out the baby with the bath water. Precious truths as were mentioned above are held by many outside of the UPCI, independents, ALJC, etc. Are all these going to die?

I believe there is something about that in Hebrews 6, let us go on!

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by committed

True! While the UPCI has some who are strict with no mercy, love (or common sense), there are those who hold to 'standards' because it is Biblical. It's difficult for me to understand what God saves us from - if we look like the world, act like the world and do the things the people in the world do.
I have been in the services, and watched some online, of those who have been set 'free' from the 'bondage' of standards. It's sad because there an absence of the real anointing of God. There is no depth in the worship - it seems to be just a surface relationship.
While I realize that we are living in a 'new day', but the scripture says to seek for the 'old paths where is the good way...." God is the same and His Word never changes.

Wowsie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My observances has been the same.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Theophil

I was a licensed minister when Keneth Phillips and Mark Hanby left the UPCI. I had a friend that attended Mark Hanby's church and he told me (30+ years ago) that the UPC was dying. Bro. Keith McCann is, I believe, correct in his assessment at there is a need for renewal . I believe change must and will take place. The message of Acts 2:38. Jesus Name baptism, and the Oneness of God will never die. The traditions of men will. So whatever is not of God will change or pass away. When you say the "UPCI will die" you need to take care that you don't intend to throw out the baby with the bath water. Precious truths as were mentioned above are held by many outside of the UPCI, independents, ALJC, etc. Are all these going to die?

And Hanby has been renewed?

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Wowsie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My observances has been the same.

Hi Steve

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

I believe there is something about that in Hebrews 6, let us go on!

Go ON does NOT mean to abandon the foundation but leave the foundation as putting the walls up. You don't jackhammer the foundation to build the building.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

Hi Steve

Hope you are feeling better.