I have never attended a UPC church as a member. I know some wonderful UPC preachers and saints. But I have loved all these years in the church. Never felt under bondage nor deprived. Had my trials and tests as all folks do. But the church has been my sanctuary. The lifestyle is my separation UNTO Him and from this ungodly world.
There is a saying in a church I have preached in on the back wall "When Truth No Longer Means Everything It No Longer Means Anything"
I believe that. ALL my eggs are in one basket.
You can attend a lot of UPCs like that but they won't allow you in leadership positions
A modern day phenomena is the UPC church that appears "liberal" in that it will let attend without hassle people who do not adhere to the dress code. However, as you mentioned, those people are not allowed in leadership positions.
By leadership positions I don't mean just church staff. It usually means they cannot teach SS, sing in the choir, etc, etc
It was best put by a AFF member who is a friend of mine. Years ago he and his wife attended one of these type UPC churches for awhile but at some point could no longer do so. He asked the pastor to lunch and told him that he enjoyed his preaching, etc but that he and his wife were never going to be more than second class citizens there because they did not adhere to the dress code (wife had cut hair, wore makeup, etc) and he did not want to live his life attending a church he could not fully participate in.
__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
Thank you for your kind words. I've been asked about starting something, but I don't think I've got the drive to do that at this point of my life. I did start a work a about 5 years back, just before I left the UPC, but it fell flat, and wore me out. I'm not ready to go through that again. I'd rather minister occasionally when asked, and have time to further my studies at this point in my life. I'm still young (31) and my girls will be adults by the time I'm 40, so I'm not actively looking to start anything anytime in the next 10 years. If God calls me to do so, and really burdens me, I'd be obedient, but it'd have to be the Lord, because I really don't want to do that right now, or anytime in the near future.
Your groups sounds interesting, if I were in your area I'd be interested in visiting.
How much drive does it take to invite some Christians over for dinner, Christian fellowship, informal worship and prayer? This can be just as edifying and fulfilling as "going to church."
__________________
This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through.
Thank you for your kind words. I've been asked about starting something, but I don't think I've got the drive to do that at this point of my life. I did start a work a about 5 years back, just before I left the UPC, but it fell flat, and wore me out. I'm not ready to go through that again. I'd rather minister occasionally when asked, and have time to further my studies at this point in my life. I'm still young (31) and my girls will be adults by the time I'm 40, so I'm not actively looking to start anything anytime in the next 10 years. If God calls me to do so, and really burdens me, I'd be obedient, but it'd have to be the Lord, because I really don't want to do that right now, or anytime in the near future.
Your groups sounds interesting, if I were in your area I'd be interested in visiting.
I will be praying for you brother, because these are difficult decisions which will really impact your children, and I know that is one of the things that worries you most... it was for us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pilgrum
How much drive does it take to invite some Christians over for dinner, Christian fellowship, informal worship and prayer? This can be just as edifying and fulfilling as "going to church."
I do agree with this post. It is the very least we can do, each one of us really, to open up our homes to having a bible study at least, or inviting people over who do not have a relationship with the Lord, and seeing how the Lord begins to work through that relationship. It has been the most wonderful thing we have ever done... and I think Jason, even at this point in your life, this is something that could be done... surely you know someone or a family who is hungry for more of God, and your two families at the very least could get together and share the word of God over a meal? It doesn't have to have a fancy title, or a big investment... . Just keep it simple, and God will bless.
At least your children will hear the one and only plan of salvation.
Justification by faith was good enough for Abraham and Paul, it will be good enough for my children.
__________________
"Resolved: That all men should live to the glory of God. Resolved, secondly: That whether or not anyone else does, I will." ~Jonathan Edwards
"The only man who has the right to say he is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ." ~Dietrich Bonheoffer, The Cost of Discipleship
"Preachers who should be fishing for men are now too often fishing for compliments from men." ~Leonard Ravenhill
A modern day phenomena is the UPC church that appears "liberal" in that it will let attend without hassle people who do not adhere to the dress code. However, as you mentioned, those people are not allowed in leadership positions.
By leadership positions I don't mean just church staff. It usually means they cannot teach SS, sing in the choir, etc, etc
It was best put by a AFF member who is a friend of mine. Years ago he and his wife attended one of these type UPC churches for awhile but at some point could no longer do so. He asked the pastor to lunch and told him that he enjoyed his preaching, etc but that he and his wife were never going to be more than second class citizens there because they did not adhere to the dress code (wife had cut hair, wore makeup, etc) and he did not want to live his life attending a church he could not fully participate in.
And thats why these so called ' liberal' upc churches not so liberal. Same santa claus, different suit. Yes, technically people dont have to obey the dress codes if they are not in ministry. But they are shut out of fellowship, shunned or given the cold shoulder if they dont. Hence why you have many people who simply abide by the dress codes to be accepted. Peer pressure masked under conviction.
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