Non-Traditional Oneness Pentecostal Standards

[Hoovie]

Some have taken exception to the inference that the more liberal among us are labeled as "being without standards" or "non standards churches".

I too think this is a misrepresentation of many - who don't keep all the traditional conservative Christian disciplines, but are in fact, holding to a more conservative standard than the mainstream denominational churches.

So this thread will be your sounding board. Tell us why and how you are differentiating from the mainstream denominations and what standards might be observed in your church that are absent (or lacking) in others.

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Some have taken exception to the inference that the more liberal among us are labeled as "being without standards" or "non standards churches".

I too think this is a misrepresentation of many - who don't keep all the traditional conservative Christian disciplines, but are in fact, holding to a more conservative standard than the mainstream denominational churches.

So this thread will be your sounding board. Tell us why and how you are differentiating from the mainstream denominations and what standards might be observed in your church that are absent (or lacking) in others.

Do you really wanna open that can of worms???

[James Griffin]

Good thought Steve.

Also perhaps a discussion on new and better terminology we as a community can use.

Even among those that follow 'traditional holiness' to call something a 'standard' by definition means its not essential to salvation.

And definitely NOT trying to rehash any old standards type debate. Without going into specifics what would be better terminology IF you believe something to be necessary to salvation?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

Do you really wanna open that can of worms???

Absolutely. This should be a good discussion and one that has not been explored much.

This thread is not about the UPC or other conservative "standard" keeping groups.

[James Griffin]

And I too am weary of our lingo saying this church or that church is "without" standards.

Most churches represented here have what mainstream churches would call very high standards or codes of conduct they expect.

For example, our church holds to a "platform standard" as far as dress etc. which it does not hold to be necessary to salvation.

[Barb]

I will never forget the day on FCF when I said to someone that I believed in "outward holiness," as if to say that she didn't.

She very sweetly said, "But Barb, I believe in outward holiness, too."

She was telling me without telling me off that not 'looking like me' in every area didn't mean she didn't have any values as far as dress...

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

Good thought Steve.

Also perhaps a discussion on new and better terminology we as a community can use.

Even among those that follow 'traditional holiness' to call something a 'standard' by definition means its not essential to salvation.

And definitely NOT trying to rehash any old standards type debate. Without into specifics what would be better terminology IF you believe something to be necessary to salvation?

As to the bolded part... that should come from those in that mindset. They would be a very small minority here on AFF.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

And I too am weary of our lingo saying this church or that church is "without" standards.

Most churches represented here have what mainstream churches would call very high standards or codes of conduct they expect.

For example, our church holds to a "platform standard" as far as dress etc. which it does not hold to be necessary to salvation.

As does our UPC church.

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

As to the bolded part... that should come from those in that mindset. They would be a very small minority here on AFF.

True Steve,

But don't the majority here allow themselves to fall victim to using the same terminology?

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Barb

I will never forget the day on FCF when I said to someone that I believed in "outward holiness," as if to say that she didn't.

She very sweetly said, "But Barb, I believe in outward holiness, too."

She was telling me without telling me off that not 'looking like me' in every area didn't mean she didn't have any values as far as dress...

True Barb,

Guess that's the point, there is a difference between not having a traditional holiness look and not having "any" standards of dress?