So you signed the AS ....

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

If you question ... it's bashing ... ???

We need to really define bashing ...

Not all UPCI officials consider questioning an abominable act. (bashing) There are many who are willing to discuss things without repercussion. The problem is in knowing who these trustworthy men are. All it takes is 1 or 2 to make the life of a minister miserable for asking too many sincere and honest questions. To balance it out, there also those who ask incessant questions and who are always trying to tear down instead of sincerely seeking answers.

However, since I have been out of the UPC, I cannot tell you how many contacts I have had with folks in the UPC who are fearful of dialogue for fear of being ostracized. Some have even been at HQ. Too many are labelled compromisers for simply asking about an observation, inconsistency etc.

The AS didn't need to make things inquisitorial...it was already that way.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Not all UPCI officials consider questioning an abominable act. (bashing) There are many who are willing to discuss things without repercussion. The problem is in knowing who these trustworthy men are. All it takes is 1 or 2 to make the life of a minister miserable for asking too many sincere and honest questions. To balance it out, there also those who ask incessant questions and who are always trying to tear down instead of sincerely seeking answers.

However, since I have been out of the UPC, I cannot tell you how many contacts I have had with folks in the UPC who are fearful of dialogue for fear of being ostracized. Some have even been at HQ. Too many are labelled compromisers for simply asking about an observation, inconsistency etc.

The AS didn't need to make things inquisitorial...it was already that way.

Not in the district where I come from. Of course that was on account of good secure solid balanced leadership!

[Old Paths]

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For the record NO ONE has ever forced me to sign the AS.

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[rrford]

Originally Posted by Old Paths

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For the record NO ONE has ever forced me to sign the AS.

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Me either.

[Felicity]

Me neither.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Old Paths

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For the record NO ONE has ever forced me to sign the AS.

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I believe that. However, I do personally know more than one UPCI minister who has been directly told by "high" office holders that they should just sign the AS and not worry about anything, regardless of any misgivings they had or differences of opinion. This is first hand knowledge and not 3rd or 4th etc.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by Old Paths

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For the record NO ONE has ever forced me to sign the AS.

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I know one Pastor, who stated he was sending in a signature stamp, so they can sign it for him and save the postage.

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Not all UPCI officials consider questioning an abominable act. (bashing) There are many who are willing to discuss things without repercussion. The problem is in knowing who these trustworthy men are. All it takes is 1 or 2 to make the life of a minister miserable for asking too many sincere and honest questions. To balance it out, there also those who ask incessant questions and who are always trying to tear down instead of sincerely seeking answers.

However, since I have been out of the UPC, I cannot tell you how many contacts I have had with folks in the UPC who are fearful of dialogue for fear of being ostracized. Some have even been at HQ. Too many are labelled compromisers for simply asking about an observation, inconsistency etc.

The AS didn't need to make things inquisitorial...it was already that way.

"For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts." - Malachi 2:7

"...ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth." - I John 2:20-21

"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." - I Corinthians 4:1

Sounds as if God considers those exercising the office as "under-shepherds of the flock" to be well versed in their knowledge of biblical precepts, and fully capable of responding properly to the most demanding and persistent of inquirers, wouldn't you agree?

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I believe that. However, I do personally know more than one UPCI minister who has been directly told by "high" office holders that they should just sign the AS and not worry about anything, regardless of any misgivings they had or differences of opinion. This is first hand knowledge and not 3rd or 4th etc.

Well Resolution #6 DID start in Ohio also.......

[Old Paths]

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For the record NO "high" office holders have ever told me that I should just sign the AS and not worry about anything, regardless of any misgivings or differences of opinion.

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