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"Most human beings are not able to stand the message of the shaking of foundations. They reject and attack the prophetic minds, not because they really disagree with them, but because they sense the truth of their words and cannot receive it." Paul Tillich
Last edited by Admin; 02-26-2008 at 01:14 PM.
Reason: Remove offensive remarks
General Conferences today are smaller than they were 30 years ago.
To me, that's the surest sign of growth stagnation in a movement that apparently still sticks its head in the sand with this "fastest growing church in the world" bunk.
General Conferences today are smaller than they were 30 years ago.
To me, that's the surest sign of growth stagnation in a movement that apparently still sticks its head in the sand with this "fastest growing church in the world" bunk.
I would have to disagree Tim.
The UPC has far more graduate students, professionals, and business owners than it did 30 years ago.
With the shifting paradigm comes greater responsibility and time commitment. It is fair to say GC is not the same can't-miss must-see event it once was , but I don't see that it reflects the denomination's numbers.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
The UPC has far more graduate students, professionals, and business owners than it did 30 years ago.
With the shifting paradigm comes greater responsibility and time commitment. It is fair to say GC is not the same can't-miss must-see event it once was , but I don't see that it reflects the denomination's numbers.
I don't disagree necessarily with the bolded.
However, that's just rationalization to say that is the sole reason GCs are smaller 30 years later for what is supposed to be "the fastest growing church in the world."
Travel, lodging etc. also cost a lot more but that by itself is not the sole reason a denomination is having General Conferences in buildings smaller than what they were 30 years ago.
How long have you been out of the UPC Dan? Our church pastors do govern their own. They have the right to teach on things as they see fit.
(They have for as long as I've been around UPC.. and I've been around since I was four)
Have you read the Articles of Faith or the manual lately?
One possible explanation of the lower attendance at General Conferences is that over the years there are more larger churches and that has changed the need for fellowship.
When I was a teenager Campmeetings and General Conference were THE places for social contact within the UPC. Those are the places you went to find a girlfriend, wife, etc and make yourself feel better about being part of a small religous sect. For a few days you were around a whole lot of people just like yourself!
Have you read the Articles of Faith or the manual lately?
Not in about five years, but I know they haven't changed much since then.
That said... almost all of our churches are autonomous as stated before... and it's left up to each individual pastor how often they teach on things.
There are no police who go around to the churches under cover to see if they are teaching on outward things every 5th Sunday.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
One possible explanation of the lower attendance at General Conferences is that over the years there are more larger churches and that has changed the need for fellowship.
When I was a teenager Campmeetings and General Conference were THE places for social contact within the UPC. Those are the places you went to find a girlfriend, wife, etc and make yourself feel better about being part of a small religous sect. For a few days you were around a whole lot of people just like yourself!
I agree...when I was at CLC we always had special speakers, singers, and there was always something going on so to go to a conf. just wasn't something that we really needed to do.I went to more dist. functions when I was in a smaller church....
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