Why are SOME UPCers so set on defending it at any cost?

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

My real thought are the connections....

If they are pastors and have to leave their congregation where will they go?

If they have a small church will they be able to substain and survive?

If they evangelize who do they call?

It is out of fear of the unknown that many feel the need to connect.

The men who have left started relationships before they broke away...

Just my thoughts.....

There is the notion within the UPCI culture that if anyone leaves the UPCI that will be the end of ministry for them. While that may be true for some, my personal experience is that more doors have opened to me since leaving the UPC than did while I was in it. What I appreciate about these new open doors is that the opportunities are based upon your ministry, not upon the card you have in your wallet, or how well placed you are within an organization.

Within every organization you inevitably end up with a "good ole boys" network. Many youger men find it rather overwhelming trying to get accepted into the network. One of the growing problems within the UPC is that the younger generation is not into "branding" like previous generations have been. They don't feel as committed to the UPC brand.

The present bruhaha certainly won't help deal with this challenge. Young men tend to become disillusioned when they see older men they have respected engaged in spiritual mud wrestling bouts. Everyone involved gets dirty and the younger generation is often left with the daunting task of cleaning up the mess left behind, and a weakened organization.

Time has certainly proven one thing for sure. The AS has certainly left the UPCI a weaker, not stronger organization. I don't not say this to bash the UPCI. It's just an observation from someone outside looking in.

[Monkeyman]

hmmmm...well I have my sad stories to tell too but I have more good than bad.

I guess I defend it because it has done more for me than I have for it.

It gave me a chance to do what I love when others thought I shouldn't have the opportunity.
It has brought to me some of my closest friends.
It taught me to achieve and accomplish more in my craft/ministry.
It has given me the BEST pastors.
It is the place where a few times in my life I felt the actual Hand of God pick me back up.
I found my main (umm, only?) squeeze here.
It feels like home.

I'll take it warts and all, not saying I'm here forever, just that I appreciate all it has done for me and my family.

[COOPER]

"a chip on your shoulder"
A person who has "a chip on his shoulder" is angry because of some thing that happened in the past. Example: "He lost his game this morning, and now he has a chip on his shoulder." It is easy for a person to get in a fight when he has a chip on his shoulder, because he is already angry about something else. Example: "Watch out for that guy, he's got a chip on his shoulder." To start a fight, men used to put chips of wood on their shoulder and challenge others to "try to knock it off". Example: "What's bothering that guy?" Reply: "Nothing. He's just got a chip on the shoulder." Example: "Tom had a tough time growing up, so he's got a bit of a chip on his shoulder." You can use the definite article ("the") which sounds more general ("a chip on the shoulder"), but more often people use the personal pronoun ("his", "her", "their") to say that that specific person has "a chip on his (her, their) shoulder."

There you have it.
UPC has a hard time through the Past and present and many folks express there negativity often, therefore they [UPC] "broad brushing now", have a chip on the shoulder.

Post anything that reveals a problem and you will most assuredly get the Chip flippers on your back.

And it Goes both ways,

The UPC throws chips at the ex-UPC and the ex-UPC throw them back.

I have had my shoulders laden with lots of chips.

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

* Why are some folks so set on defending the org at any cost even if means being wrong? Why do they feel they must be vanguards of a man-made institution?
* Why can't some step back and examine issues without trepidation or fear that they may deemed blasphemous?
* Why do some beat the drum of a man made org and forget there is a larger Body?


Don't they have anything better to do with their time?
I mean didn't Paul and Peter get into it ?
Weren't there issues of contention? See Acts 15.

Just curious....

Because they believe in it whole heartedly...

[Brother Price]

Why is it that those who attack the UPC have a bad attitude when they do so? Makes me think...

[Ron]

There is a difference in leaving the UPCI & leaving the Apostolic Doctrine.

What is more important to ask is "why they left" and "with what attitude?"

JMHO

[Just a Shepherd]

I am a UPC licensed minister for over 10 years and will likely leave this year. It is not that anything has been done to offend me but rather I am running out of reasons to stay...

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

I am a UPC licensed minister for over 10 years and will likely leave this year. It is not that anything has been done to offend me but rather I am running out of reasons to stay...

The best advice would to line up with a few friends who are in the ministry. DO your best not to speak badly about men who have not left.

Because some of those men may stop by to preach for you etc.

After the blaze their trail as well.

Blessings to you as you go forward.

Nathan Eckstadt

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

The best advice would to line up with a few friends who are in the ministry. DO your best not to speak badly about men who have not left.

Because some of those men may stop by to preach for you etc.

After the blaze their trail as well.

Blessings to you as you go forward.

Nathan Eckstadt

I won't speak bad about anyone in or out. It's not my thing - I really don't have much interest in the organization, it's future direction, leadership, etc...

I am too busy shepherding this local flock and trying to spread the gospel here. It takes all my energy and time.

I will keep supporting the missionaries though, I believe in them and their calling.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

I won't speak bad about anyone in or out. It's not my thing - I really don't have much interest in the organization, it's future direction, leadership, etc...

I am too busy shepherding this local flock and trying to spread the gospel here. It takes all my energy and time.

I will keep supporting the missionaries though, I believe in them and their calling.

That is a great way of looking at it and going about it.... No matter what you might still have friends within the UPCI.

God Bless.........

Nathan Eckstadt