J. R. Ryley
General Conference UPCI
Why don't they get some new speakers at the UPCI General Conference? Most every one that spoke has done so several times. Now don't misunderstand me, I enjoyed hearing all who spoke and they were all wonderful men whom I greatly respect. However, we do have other great speakers in UPCI who have never spoke at General Conference. To be asked is an honor and they should have that opportunity.
Michael R.
IBC Perspectives
Great magazine! I commend your staff and Bro. Mooney for doing a great job. Keep up the good work! You have the best magazine in Apostolic Pentecost.
C. T. L.
TV is Sin!
I wasn't raised in church. I got in church about a year ago. When I go to youth functions all the young people talk about is the latest movie or TV program. My pastor teaches against watching TV or Hollywood movies. I agree with him. What's on TV is 99% garbage. My pastor said MOST churches used to preach against it a few years ago. What's going on? Why are we letting up on what's so obvious to even the Baptists anymore? I don't see God when I turn on a TV or watch most Hollywood movies!!
Debbie Kohn
Web Site
Just a quick 'thank you!' for this web site! I really enjoy it and wanted to let you know. I love the magazine and am looking forward to seeing the back issue articles when you get them loaded into the database. Keep up the good work!
Gordon
Because of the times
This meeting has richly blessed my life, im greatful for it. but, i noticed every year we seem to see the same preachers. I feel that alot of preachers who are annointed and gifted never get the opportunity to preach in these avenues. In pentecost it seems we get hung up on our favorites to much. What must change to see other men of GOD used in these meetings?
Mary Kay Aamon
Thank God For My Pastor!
I just want to sound off about my pastor! Bro. Carter is one of the kindest, nicest, and most caring person in the world. He helped my family when we were in desperate need out of his own pocket. He prays, preaches, counsels, and gives of himself 24/7. Thank God for wonderful pastors like this! And Sis. Carter too! I feel so blessed!
Linda
Longing For Old Time Pentecost
My heart aches for the Apostolic Church of my youth. I received the Holy Ghost as a teenager many years ago. It was during a revival that lasted 13 weeks. We had church every night except Monday night -- and sometimes had prayer meeting on Monday night too! Now, it's been years since we've had a revial that lasted over 3-4 days. People are just too busy and do not seem as committed as they once were! What's wrong with us?
Mike Nabben
Great Book!
I just read a great book I want to recommend. My pastor encouraged me to read it. It's 'The Greatest Salesman In The World' by Og Mandino. It was written a number of years ago but it's really a neat book. You can find it at many book stores and most used book stores. It changed my whole outlook on witnessing.
Shannon Dahl
Altar Calls & General Conf
I've absolutely loved the Crusade services held on the Sunday nights of General Conference. What I don't like is the processing of someone who recieves the baptism of the Holy Ghost. As soon as they start speaking in tongues they are whisked away to get their name and other statistics recorded. When I received the Holy Ghost I danced and danced and worshipped and praised God. I was reborn, fully filled...today's candidate doesn't get that opportunity to get grounded in the Spirit. I believe this is one of the major reasons why we have a problem keeping those 'babies'.
Bernard
Diversity
The trademark of the UPCI is "The Whole Gospel To The Whole World." We are committed to reaching every race but every time I attend a conference or read magazines from the UPCI all I see is one race. If we represent the whole world then our preachers should represent the whole world. I am sure there are different ministers who are just as anointed as the norm preachers. I think we would be able to reach into different groups of people if they could see some diversity in the organization that is preaching "The Whole Gospel To The Whole World."
E. L. Rollins
AIS Resource CD
I recently subscribed to the Apostolic Information Service and my third AIS CD just arrived. Excellent! If you have not seen this wonderful resource from AIS you need to. This, plus the AIS Database web site, are as good as you will find anywhere. My hat is off to their development team. Keep up the good work!
TJ
Unity
It is a sad to see saints and leaders in local districts separating themselves from other leaders & saints over grievances. We are to be separate from the world not from those of like precious faith. The world will know us not because we pray, fast, know scriptures inside and out or even for doing great things in Jesus name. They will know we are HIS disciples because of our LOVE one towards another. There is no greater love then a man lay down his life for a friend. Let's do some dying out to ourselves & allow Jesus to live & reign supreme. Only then will the love of Jesus be shed abroad in our hearts. Only then will a hurt and dying world know that we are HIS disciples.
Troubled
Adornment
I have noticed broaches more and more on our beautiful Pentecostal Ladies. Do we now consider an item bought in the jewelry section and clearly used to adorn ourselves acceptable to the Lord, when the word clearly states a women is not to adorn herself? Sadly it appears we now feel it ok to make excuses for the lusts of the flesh. Our objective should never be to attract attention to ourselves but to the God who dwells within us. Not to what we have in this life but to what is to be abstained in eternity. Not a show of vanity but a show of character. The Character of a meek and humble spirit.
D. H. Wood
TV Advertising
At General Conference this last time they considered the subject of TV advertising. I am strongly against this for one simple reason: research will show that churches that ARE advertising and have their services on TV, very few of their members came in from this method of evangelism. It costs LOTS of money and brings in very little result. We also lose our ability to preach against something when we are using it ourselves. Should hypocritical to me. I am interested in others opinions if you care to respond.
Richard King
Goal Setting
I have been reading the Perspective's magazine for about a year. Bro. Mooney and his staff have certainly done a tremenous job creating this valuable resource. The articles on "Goal Setting" this month were so on target! I've been preaching and teaching this for several years now and know it is essential making "Spiritual Progression." (Jude 20,21.) Working four decades in the church I've seen many Pentecostal's set around waiting for God to "dump it in their laps." The truth is for the most part our success and growth in life comes through persistance and a willingness to continue building on the faith God has given us. Setting goals and following a divinely inspired plan is certainly better than "flying by the seat of our pants." Once again great job!
Pam
Carrying our Bible
I am so amazed at how many people do not bring their Bible to church. I look around sometimes and wonder why people don't carry them to church as much as they used to. I grew up in a home where my parents taught me to love the word with all my heart. I love to hear preaching because it has helped me through so many hard times in my life. The songs are wonderful and the choir is great, but I love to hear the word. I heard my daughter telling someone the other day that our Bible should be as important as our cell phone. I am so glad that she made this comment because it made me see how important our Bible should be to us.
Tom Fenzil
I am SO Thankful
I just have to type this somewhere: THANK GOD FOR THIS TRUTH! THANK YOU GOD for the HOLY GHOST! God is sooooo good! Living for God and walking this highway of holiness is the greatest thing that has every happened to me! God is so very good!
Maria Garcia
Modesty
I belong to an Apostolic church and I am amazed at how wordly our young people and even some of the women have become. I was taught to dress modestly. But when did short skirts and pants become ok at church? I don't know it is very sad indeed.
evensocomeLordJesus
Responding on TV-ads
With TV being so expensive do we really think many will advertise on it (statistically speaking)? With television reception becoming streamlined into the internet communications do we think the actual nostalgic "set" is really our main enemy? Analog is now being replaced by digital reception and the ultimate goal is to have all communications over the internet--so, is holding on to the "no TV" really relevant? Unless, of course, we were also going to say "no Internet" websites, advertising or usage. Was the Internet ever voted on? Which will be a better witness of Jesus to the world? 1) God's truth preached over television airwaves with local churches being advertised or 2) a splitting of the UPCI? hmmmm...Can't God put His word where He wants to? He knows it won't return void!!
evensocomeLordJesus
Responding to Modesty
Your oberservations are valid. I wonder this nowadays...Why are women in the church allowed to wear less covering than men? We all know which gender is more visually attracted. Why are our policies saying..."covering the knee when sitting or standing" for women only? What if the men wore as "little" as the women? Can we imagine (in all fairness) men being allowed to wear low necklines, knickers, no socks and flip-flops? When did this leniency for women begin? No matter what the season, Brethren, God's holiness is visible in the covering. There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus so why should one gender be required/encouraged to cover less? "What is good for the goose is good for the gander", I say. Has God changed in some way? Please, reply to help me understand or let me know if you agree.
evensocomeLordJesus
TV Advertising
Okay, now advertising on television is voted in for UPCI and now the WPF exists. There is one major concern that keeps coming up. Many people think that with the permission to advertise church people will begin to purchase televisions to have in their homes. I don't see this being the intent, nor the outcome. Many are taking that and banking on it saying that in a couple of years many UPCI Saints and Pastors will own televisions. Why is it so obvious to some that no one will need to buy a TV. Because of the computer's internet capabilities with podcasts, webcasts, etc. everyone can view even the television ads on the internet via, say, Youtube, Godtube, etc. The technology is swarming with capabilities that surpass television. Those with sincere hearts choosing to be on television are taking this step because there is an unsaved generation that still depends on tv for their main source of information. It is most certain that you can be ON TV without owning one. It is also felt that anyone who would go purchase a tv (or watch ungodly things on the internet) would do this with or without a policy against tv ownership. Holiness is a matter of the heart! Having our own hearts purged, let us Go TEACH the gospel anywhere and everywhere, THEN the Lord will come!!
Paul V.
Forward Magazine
Interesting observation. The last issue of the Forward (UPCI Ministers magazine) left out the 'no longer affiliated' section at the back. Hmmmm, wonder why they did that? Are they afraid of how many have left UPCI for WPF?
Paul R.
TV Advertising
So, we passed a resolution to allow TV advertising. Now I want to see some results from someone that is doing it. Anyone out there know of any UPCI church that is doing this with any success? Or did we just pass a resolution and lose 1-200 churches for no reason at all? Where's the great revival of souls from this wonderful new evangelism method?
Gabriel
Holiness and Evangelism
It's my opportunity to share my opinion and at the same time my very own conviction regarding these particular issues in our United Pentecostal Church International nowadays. First, Holiness and Evangelism are both demanded by the Lord to His church. Let me say this first: compromise should not be the motive of anyone of us. As we grow together, a better understanding of each convictions should be recognized. We all avoids both fanaticism and legalism. I am so intrigued with ministers and saints trying to say that they can't fight the organization so all they have to do is to leave. Are we enemies? How can we be "United Pentecostals" if we pursue each own way out? Please takec a look with this: Both holiness and evangelism are demanded by the Lord to us. In pursuing holiness, TV is not an issue in itself. TV advertisement is a wrong thing in the issue of holiness. YET, in dealing with this sinful generation seated in front of televisions within their homes, we should be positive because it falls in the matter of evangelism. TV is not wrong in itself if we talk about it simply as a monitor. However, its contents are evil and I preach strongly against TV. Yet, holiness is a personal consecration before the Lord. Does owning TV makes a saint a sinner? What's the difference between TVs, your cellphones, your computers? If a saint really live a holy life (for a legalistic person), he must disown cellphones and computers. Let me remind you, Holiness is a personal choice motivated by love not with law, because imposing laws will just allow men to break it. Holy living is a matter of the heart. You can live holy even though you are not dictated by anyone. The word and Spirit of God are the agents that sanctifies us. Your pastor can't even make you holy. Television is listed in our articles of faith yet it not really obeyed at all. We only became slaves of our own ignorance. we create laws that can not be observed even by our leaders. My pastor is a district official yet has a large TV set in their house. Now what's that? Hypocrisy, right?! Ok, evangelism is in another case. The Lord has commissioned His church to go, teach, baptize, and teach. Now apostle Paul said also that, by all means we save some. As the world became more progressive and modern than we ever know, and satan knowing this, also advanced his techniques in winning souls into his lost kingdom. Why don't we also advance our technique in evangelism? The devil cannot copy our holiness so he uses our fanaticism (principles) to defeat us also. I preach holiness very strongly, yet we should not missed the souls that must be harvest before the Lord return. My word is this, we should use television ONLY for soulwinning yet despise its other use except for evangelistic purposes because of holiness. However, we should not just focus on TV. We must continue to use other ways in order for the Gospel and warning of the coming tribulation be spread all over the world. Leaving the organization is not a holy act. It's rebellion. UPCI, why don't we lower down our own supposed 'godly' pride in order for the edification of the Church and also for the salvation of the lost. We must preach holiness and our beloved standards in matters of life sanctity, adornment, and morality, yet, let us advance our methods of evangelism for the harvest.
evensocomeLordJesus
Clothing of a Harlot??
Question: What is the attire of a harlot?
In studying the Proverbs verses warning men to keep away from the "strange woman", there is the description of this woman being clothed in the attire of a harlot. Exactly what does this mean in this day and time? I find it hard to pinpoint this topic (to teach to our children)without possibly sounding critical of some attire in our churches. It "used to be" pretty obvious what that attire was, but now........???
stirling
television
on the subject of television I just don't see what benefit could possibly come from the church endorsing the use of this medium. Let me put it in the from of a question "what possible spiritual blessing can be obtianed from watching something that is as worldly as Television." The lst time I looked our body and soul was the temple of God not the things of the World.
C. A. Belk
T.V. and Shut Ins
So many are so worried about T.V. being a stumbling block. However, I wonder how many Shut Ins ( the elder, ill etc) are actually visited.(James 1:27) I have been disabled for sometime and there have been services I was unable to attend. I have done my devotiona at home and also, watched church services on T.V. that were uplifting, spirit filled, programs. If we as spirit filled, tongue talking holiness people are not reaching the Shut Ins perhaps we need to reevaluate "What it is we are doing?" Complaining about T.V. because there is evil would be like staying out of church due to the hipocrit. Evil is everywhere. We have choices to make on T.V. as well as the internet, and where we attend church. If you do not take your responsibilities to the sick, widowed, and fatherless....do not point the finger to those who chose to be uplifted by programs rather than waiting for the body to do their part. Get the mote out of your own eye.
C A Belk
Holiness
So many get overwhelmed judging what is holy. I have been a pentecostal for 35 yrs. I was 21 when I received the Holy Ghost. I was in a free trinitarian church. God led me to a UPC church within weeks. Did any of you know that the women had bangs in the 50's? Look at some old pictures in the books they published. As humans we evolve. What I did as a teen was a bit different from what my children did. Both grew out of behaviors that were youthful. It seems that older persons want to tear the youth down, without having patience for them to grow. And in fact, need to grow themselves. Holiness is within. It will reflect on the outside when it has developed. What is true holiness? Eph 4:24-32 Our attitudes, actions, speech, etc. reflect holiness.
We are each at a different level of holiness and need to be very careful that we do not detour someone from this development because we feel we have become perfect in Christ. Take heed lest thou fall.
V CS
Affirmation
Out of concern, what is the line to take when you KNOW someone is participating in things that they "affirm" they will not? Ethics violations are more common than the leadership realizes or recognizes.
There are countless men who own televisions, who freely watch it, who have videos that are not educational, (BTW disney is NOT educational)
Men who take busloads of their congregations to professional sporting events.
Jesus is my Father
sad with some apostolic's
I'm very sad that most apostolics now days are allowing televisions in there homes and advertising it. God can lead people to the house of God they don't need to see anything on the television. I don't see anything good coming out of this. i think pastors are wasting there money and i'd like to see how many people come in through there advertisement. i knew of one pastor that had spent over one million on a television ministry and said he was going to reach the whole world with the acts 2:38 message a few yrs later when he was asked how many souls came in through the television ministry his answer was 0. I think its a big compromise and completely the wrong choice for a pastor to allow a television in the homes and advertise on it. There is still nothing like that old time preaching and there is still nothing like that deep conviction that we get from God and the man of god that stands up and says No to the world and to TV and worldly entertainment! We need to guard our hearts like never before and how can we if we own a television with all the junk on it. why would we even want it in our home and what does the television even glorify?! I don't see God being happy with it. so why should we be ok with it?! what else is going to be allowed?! they have already compromised on so much what is next?!
tina
Articles of Faith
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS: I thought ministers abstained from this as the Holiness section of Articles of Faith mentions this. but yet on facebook ministers are putting pictures of themselves at the games online?
TELEVISION: UPCI: Ministers do HAVE televisions in their home, it is increasing, my mother who is a backslidder called recently to inform me, my former pastor now has one. Is there no recourse?
HOME Missions: Why would a district allow someone, (an former board member) to apply for Home Missions status, in a small town of less than 5,000 people with another UPCI minister there, and amid objections to surrounding pastors?
