Friday, October 15, 2010

#200-The Sneak-A-Preach

Editor's note: Post recommendation and naming credited to Aaron J. Hall

Imaginary Monologue from the Dude who is totally going to try stealing the show by sneaking a preach at tonights youth rally


You may have seen me reading my Bible on the platform just before service began. Yes, I was reading Psalms specifically. But it wasn't for any kind of personal devotion or to hype myself up...No it was for something march larger in scale. Something that all may enjoy. You see, I was looking for a good, solid, powerful verse about praising or something. I was memorizing a verse, which is not the easiest thing in the world since I was not a Bible Quizzer, nor have a been part of a Sunday School contest that awarded points for memorizing a verse in years. The memorization would be key to the preach, I planned on sneaking in the service.

Some should say I should be content as a worship leader for tonight's service. But everyone knows that to be labeled as a worship leader alone as a ministry comes with many negative stereotypes. Mainly that worship leaders are an overly-emotional bunch who don't have the mental capacity to do anything more productive than to quote a few verses, a chorus, and a bridge to a song that was made famous on an Israel Houghton CD. Sure, worship leaders, and musicians in general are talented in their craft, and they dress amazing, but there is much more to us than what meets the eye. And don't think for one moment that I signed up as a music leader simply to evade the obligations of praying at the altar. That's only a quarter of it.

The reality is I'm really a good preacher. You should hear the sermons I recite in the shower. Epic is a good word for them. And all those years of being a worship leader and the limiting stereotypes that the role entails, I have decided to branch out, and use my worship leading as a launch pad to reveal to you my greater call. The call, to be a profound preacher. It's not too dissimilar to an big-time actor trying his hand at forming a band.

So it's here tonight, at the youth rally that I plan on showing you and the rest of the audience that I am not some pretty face who shrills the notes quite well after a verse. There is also a girl I have a crush on who I want to fall in love with me here tonight five pews back. Sneaking a preach is a solid tool to birth butterflies in her stomach when she thinks about me. Plus the big name evangelist who is here tonight,  if I do a good enough job, I am hoping he may take me on the rode with him to kind of open the show. A John the Baptist sort who paves the way. And then if I am good enough, which I will be, I can use my role as a "sneak-a-preach-preacher" to become a full-time evangelist. Through me you get the best of both worlds: Musical splendor, and a preacher aficionado. Killing two birds with one stone. A singer-sermon writer.

Everyone knows that if a preach is to be sneaked, it must happen between songs. If the song is to be slow, the preach must be sneaked on the first quiet notes leading up to the first verse. Here, the mini-preach must be in a sincere tone that aims at a preparation of the slowness which is to come. It hushes the crowd if you will. These "sneak-a-preaches" become especially critical when a fast song has just been played and the slow song is about to come on. Thus the "sneak-a-preach" is administered solely for reasons of transition between the fast-paced Holy rolling music to the "close your eyes and think about God enough that you may end up crying" slow song. Thus, if one wants to be noticed in their sneaking, the introduction to the slow song is not where such recognition is to found because the role assumed "setting of the tone for the next song" is more functional and necessary. In such a sense, the introductory "sneak a preach" to a slow song is not really a "sneak-a-preach" at all in terms of definition. There is nothing spontaneous about the mini-preach begun at the beginning of a slow song. Thus my sneaking tonight will be not be resolved in such amateur expectancy.

Now to properly "Sneak-A-Preach," it must be done at the conclusion of a fast-paced, cymbal-crashing worship song. Here, not only is having a flawless delivery important, but of equal importance is the timing at which the preached is to be sneaked. This is where most "sneak-a-preach" preachers get it wrong. Where most error is they launch into their prepared sneak-a-preach right after the completion of a fast song when everyone's in the throes of worship wrapped up into their own God moment. Thus when the timing is wrong and launched into too soon, the "sneak a preach" is a distraction to the worship and not a facilitator of the worship. On the hurried "sneak a preach" people are called out of the worship (which is usually loud as it is), and forced to open their eyes to see this rambunctious kid trying to scream over them spouting God-knows-what complete with a mention of a cliche verse from Acts about what everyone is doing is what the Prophet Joel spoke with daughters dreaming dreams. In such ill-timing, the "sneak-a-preach" is oppositional to the rest of the congregation.

But worry not listener, as I know my place and where the preach must be sneaked but at the same time listened to in approval. For I will place my preach at about 90 seconds after the conclusion of the song wherein the worship will still be flowing, but it will now be coming down to a tolerable level wherein, when I launch into my premeditated spiel (which must come across as completely spontaneous and unplanned. I can't stress this enough), it will not be done at a confrontational volume to the rest of the worship but rather will augment the worship by speaking at an acceptable volume just above the buzz and with such authority that I will be seeking the perpetuation of the worship that will carry the momentum of the worship right into the next song. You will know my preach has been properly "sneaked" with the many head-nods, arms raises, and head-nods that will surely follow my mini-sermon. You will be awed.

27 comments:

  1. Before I say anything else, let me preface it by saying I truly appreciate most of what I have read here on this blog, and I don't think you're a heretic. That being stated, this one didn't sit particularly well with me.

    I've been leading worship for about five years now. And yes, often it works out that I will get stuff to say in accordance with the songs... Generally, it comes through my response to what we're singing about. And yes, often there are scriptures that come to mind, but no, I usually read them earlier that week as part of my daily devotions, and are not pre-meditated "sneak-a-preaches". As I worship, the words come to minister specifically to our congregation. Kinda like when Elisha called the musician when some of the kings had come to ask him for advice (2 Kings 3:15-17)... He said, "Bring me a musician." Once the musician started going, he started prophesying. For me to operate in those gifts, it flows more naturally when music is going. That probably has a lot to do with how I'm wired. Now I'm not saying I'm right up there with good ol' Elisha, but I do believe God works that way through worship leaders fairly often.

    But good gracious, if this is really what you feel is going on during praise and worship, I can understand why you're having so much difficulty participating.

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  2. The views expressed in this blog post, and every other post are in no way a universal reflection of everyone who considers themselves Apostolic. Nowhere does the blog claim to represent such a wide diversity of people, and any similarities between people portrayed on the blog and those of real people are purely coincidental. Thusly, no where should the portrayal of one fictional person be taken as a representative of every person who feels called to invoke a word or verse while leading worship.

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  3. Joel I think you oculd have incorporated the Post Sermon-Sermon in with this.

    For those of you who don't know what that is I'll explain.
    The post sermon sermon usually occurs at a rally, convention, camp, or following a guest speaker. In order the give a PSS the PSS giver must possess some degree of authority within the convocation to be able to deliver the PSS. Random people have been witnessed giving the PSS but on most occasions authority is involved. The motives of the PSS giver seem to be simply to reinforce their position as superior in the hierarchy.
    example: Within the past few years in a midwestern district there was a changing of the guard. A new guy took the old guys place. At the following convocation there were several nights of preaching. Each night, after the preaching, in order to establish himself as supreme leader the new guy would give altar call about 5 minutes, then promptly take the mic, preach for 10 minutes after a sermon from someone else had already been given, and end the service. Thus establishing his position of power.
    Basically the PSS is the result of ego. The giver either NEEDS to be seen in the pulpit, or he believes that the sermon isn't finished, and only he has what needs to be said, because he's more in tune with God.

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  4. AH hahahaha! Nice followup Glen!

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  5. Funny and true. I have known guys to sneak-a-preach so long while taking up offering at a conference, they got their own DVD! Offering time is notorious for sneak-a-preachers, especially at conferences in hopes of making next years conference list or the DVD set.

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  6. Joel: I fully understand pretty much everything here is satire. But just so you know, I shut down while leading worship today for fear of being like the fictional character described here. Thank you for that, Captain Snarkypants.

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  7. Judging motives is tricky business. That's why Jesus doesn't want us doing that. It gets too easy to get very cynical.

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  8. And, yeah, glen, preaching an addendum to someone else's sermon is a bit rude. Maybe we should just have open mic altar call and let everyone else who had a good thought inspired by a good message share those, too.

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  9. Open mic alter call. Ha. Hahahaha. Awesome.

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  10. @ AaronTerrazas - I was at that service where the preacher collecting the offering got his own DVD!! It was in 2009 and the "sermon" lasted 46 minutes and 32 seconds (I have the Conference DVD collection) LOL

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  11. My favorite aspect of "sneak-a-preach" is when someone repeats another line of someone else's sneak preach. Let me explain. Gospel artists Kirk Franklin, Israel, and Curt Carr are professional sneak preachers. I have been to a number of services where a song that was performed by one of the aforementioned artists was being performed. What do you know but the song leader abruptly breaks the song and launches in to a "sneak-a-preach" that is remarkably similar to what one of the artists said on their record. If you are going to sneak a preach, the least you can do is be original. Personally, I think song and worship leaders should.....sing.

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  12. Brittany - Be careful with what you read here. Their motives are to trash and bash everything his organization does and believes in. I can only liken Joel's claim of satire in his blog to that of the Davinci code at the beginning of the book where it states that it's fiction. But the influence is so negative that you get sucked in to his negativity - Thankfully I am not one of them because they are so wishy washy in their faith and such a negative witness. As you stated on here that you "Shut Down".

    Then you get Glen who bashes the Post Sermon Sermon who just did the exact same thing he was bashing about only in Blog form. We could call it the Post Blog Blog....Way to go Glen. Way to go Glen!

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  13. Anonymous, I think if Joel here was "trashing and bashing" he wouldn't be an apostolic anymore, but he obviously still is. Yes, sarcasm is sometimes negative, but the point of sarcasm is that it's not always what you truly feel, but just representing the true comedy in the way people act to get a laugh. Not all people can understand the true art of sarcasm.
    With that said, it's also important that you don't go too far with sarcasm. I'm not a devout follower of this blog but I've checked it a couple times and it's never offended me, but then again, I'm not easily offended.

    Brittany, As for "shutting up" because of what someone said about worship leaders.... that is no one's fault but your own. If your motives are true to speak out of the moving of the spirit then you have nothing to worry about. I, too, am a worship leader, I understand that pressure. This post is putting it into the context that the person is doing it for self-recognition. If you're not doing that then you have no reason to be afraid.

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  14. Shame on those who are full of the "spirit" and not showing the love of Christ. But just as much shame on those who would take a tool like the internet and exploit those who are that way at the expense of the countless number of Apostolics who are not. You do a diservice Joel. :(

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  15. I've attempted to refrain from defending myself and the blog to trolls like the most recent anonymous commenter, for several reasons. The first being because I've gone through a bit of a personal renaissance over the past few months. Comments and people like that used to send me so far off the edge that I would retaliate with such angst and animosity that I ceased to be taken seriously in my opinions and belief's. (See the metrosexual blog comments for example)

    The bottom line is that Joel and I are not what this person paints us to be, but the problem is that people with such a painfully myopic world view will never be able to understand satire, dark comedy or any other method used here on the blog.

    Joel is not a bitter ex apostolic with the intent of ripping the UPC to shreds or start some sort of revolution. He's intelligent enough to know he's one guy with a blog, and the UPC is old and big and if they want to do something then they'll do it. He isn't trying to derail anything.
    He simply tries to raise awareness of counter points and get the few people who read this blog to do a little introspection and study on their own. That's it.

    There's not some underhanded, veiled conspiracy to splinter the UPC.

    Here's where we are. We both grew up Apostolic Pentecostal. And we weren't the best kids, but we were good ones with good intentions. And because of our good intentions we believed a lot of stuff without studying it out, bought into a lot of cultural nuances that we later discovered to be dangerous. We don't want people to leave their churches, rebel against their pastors or cause any sort of contention because it's not biblical.

    We just see the danger in esteeming people so high that every word and action that comes from them is infallible. We don't even care if you don't believe one word, idea or theory presented here on the blog, as long as it causes you to pick up your bible with an open mind and see for yourself what it says.

    Any authority, ANY, that gets too big or too powerful to be questioned, to operate within the parameters of logic and sensibility is dangerous. We've seen that in government, we've seen it on Wall Street, we've seen it in religions and denominations of the world, and yes, we're seeing it in our movement. And it scares the snot out of us.

    I don't know if Joel will be cool with me saying this, but if he isn't then he can delete.

    People like Stoneking scare us. This is a man who has been called out by HIS leadership (Daniel Segraves, David Bernard, TF Tenney, among others), yet continues not only to preach what they've told him is false, but pray for the death of anyone who disagrees. (See video on most recent blog) He's telling KIDS, impressionable young KIDS to HIT anyone who tells them it isn't right. He's OK'ing violence. He's praying for the death of one minister in particular who is vocally against the HMH message.

    But we're supposed to be ok with this, give it a free pass, cower in the corner because "Well, he's a man of God."

    I'm sorry but that's a crock. What separates that from radical Islam who tout signs that say "Destroy those who slander Islam"? They think they're right too. They think they have a mandate too.
    It's insanity.

    So that's my little rant.

    PS:
    Sermons aren't open for comments, blogs are. And Joel and I often discuss the Post Sermon Sermon. Your call out = epic fail.

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  16. sorry, second most recent anonymous commenter

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  17. Glen, You are so delusional to think that people are not truly seeing what this blog is all about. This is simply an Anti UPC (Apostolic) blog. Plain and simple. This blog bashes the way things are done in the UPC. With in the writing of the last few post especially the one where Joel comes out of the closet sort of speak regarding NAYC.

    Then I read your comments somewhere on here where you said Joel prays so much and he reads so much and he is so spiritual that he appeared at the transfiguration....I almost think that you... "ARE" Joel (lloyd the loyalist) or you guys are upset that the UPC has an anti "Gay lifestyle" policy and that you guys can't be UPC and openly gay.

    This is not Satire. This is not comedy. Even when a Pastor/ man of God spoke to him about the content that he writes on here he still continues to do it and blogs about his conversation???? Where is the submission to his elders and spiritual authority.

    No we have Worship leaders being affected in a negative way and can't flow in the spirit fully because of his oh so satirical jesturing and then only to have his "Blog Affirmation Guy" to add to it and give him a "Good Game" and shout Amen.

    It's funny that there is content on here stating anti NAYC and he preached this and didn't preach that and I need to go to Africa and help people. How is that suppose to happen when he can't write anything uplifting on this blog. Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. This is where Glen kicks in and says HUH HUH This is a blog he isn't speaking huh yuk.

    Gentlemen it blows my mind that you guys consider yourselves apostolic or religious in anyway. You complain about standards and such...I can't go to the movies...Boo Hoo. I can't do this and I can't do that....Come on.

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  18. Regarding Bro. Stoneking: (First Video) haha THAT WAS AWESOME! I am glad that you guys put that up there because he is preaching against exactly what you guys are doing. You guys are luring people out of the UPC with your words. You are using your word to be a stumbling block as was confirmed by Brittany.....Wolf in sheep’s clothing you are. And if you took offense to what he said "Get off your high horse and grow up" He was talking to young people about people like you (Who apparently have seen greater truths) that if anyone tries to talk you out of this or try to pull you out of this double up your fist and smack them in the mouth. Satire boys. Watch the video again you can even see an older lady clap her hands and start laughing...

    Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
    Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
    Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
    Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

    Second Video - Glen you gave me at the end of your comments an Epic Fail. Well you guys just joined me. There is nothing wrong with the second video at all. Not even a little bit. You are upset at it because of the Emergent comments. and guess what....HE'S RIGHT! I think you need to take that to your lava prayer lamp on your emergent web site and pray about it. This is nonsense. How could you guys be so brain washed to think that what you are doing is all good. I'm Free, I am enlightened now let me go to the movies....????

    Don't worry guys. You will have your reward. But consider this: Joel is a talented writer he really is. But he can use his talents for God and not against his Church or the denomination that God placed him into...


    Satire - a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.

    Thanks for the Scorn boys, derision and thank you for the ridicule...AKA Satire.

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  19. I'm not going to dignify any of that with a rebuttle. It was just too insane. We're gay now? I'm so confused.

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  20. I have known Joel a very long time and if he allows this post to stay up I would like to clarify a few things about this blog.
    1st of all I can confirm that he is not, as the anonymous poster claims, gay.
    The 2nd problem that I have is when anonymous says. “Where is the submission to his elders and spiritual authority?” The pastor who came to him was not his pastor or spiritual authority. I know for a fact that Joel has submitted to his pastor and his spiritual authorities but why when someone who is not over him suggests something he should be bound to follow. His pastor and his instructors in Bible College have not asked him to stop this blog.
    The last problem I have is with him saying. “This is simply an Anti UPC (Apostolic) blog. Plain and simple. This blog bashes the way things are done in the UPC.” I can say that this is not the meaning of this blog. The problem that Joel and many of our Youth and Twentysomethings have are when they have questions the answer that is given to them is “because I said so” or “because that is the way we have always done it.” They are asking for scripture to follow it up. They are searching biblically and spiritually for the answers to the questions that they have. They also are talking about experiences and observations that they have. Do I agree with all of Joel’s posts? No, but do I think he is doing it with malice or with a rebellious spirit again I say no. Believe me; I have seen Joel with a rebellious spirit. He is seeking answers from his peers and he is being a voice for his peers saying it is ok to question what you do not understand. We cannot treat people as mindless sycophants and expect them to accept this. When dealing with a generation who are a product of the information age you need more than this response. As a parent of 3 children, when my response to them is “Because I told you so” they are more likely to not accept the answer but if I explain why, they accept and obey. When people understand what they believe they hold these believes much closer to their hearts. The problem is this puts more of a burden on us older generations to know why we believe what we believe. The easy answers just don’t do it. When this generation gets answers such as, “We do not want to offend the older generations who have gone before.” They ask is this biblical? Why berate them for wondering why it is ok to offend their generation. This generation is also a generation who has been brought up with the statement, “It is not about rules it is about relationship.” I can tell you Joel does have a relationship with God and most of the people on this blog do as well. If they did not they would not be able to reference and bare their souls as much as they do and one of the biggest “rules” about this blog is that if you disagree please bring scripture. This shows that they are in the bible and seeking their meaning and this blog is pushing them to find answers to these questions. The point of this is if you have a relationship with God and God is not convicting you about something and there is no biblical basis for it, why we do it. If their actions are driving them to a closer relationship with God, why is it wrong? What they do have correct, is being Apostolic and in love with God does not necessarily mean they are in love with Church because Church is not God. It is a place where believers congregate together to learn more about God and is run by humans. Pointing out hypocrisies and attitudes that they have seen are not wrong and they do not claim it is everyone. This blog is a place to push themselves and others to make biblical sense.

    I am sorry Joel to respond but this offended even me. Please feel free to delete if I am out of line.

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  21. I have known Joel a very long time and if he allows this post to stay up I would like to clarify a few things about this blog.
    1st of all I can confirm that he is not, as the anonymous poster claims, gay.
    The 2nd problem that I have is when anonymous says. “Where is the submission to his elders and spiritual authority?” The pastor who came to him was not his pastor or spiritual authority. I know for a fact that Joel has submitted to his pastor and his spiritual authorities but why when someone who is not over him suggests something he should be bound to follow. His pastor and his instructors in Bible College have not asked him to stop this blog.
    cont...

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  22. The last problem I have is with him saying. “This is simply an Anti UPC (Apostolic) blog. Plain and simple. This blog bashes the way things are done in the UPC.” I can say that this is not the meaning of this blog. The problem that Joel and many of our Youth and Twentysomethings have are when they have questions the answer that is given to them is “because I said so” or “because that is the way we have always done it.” They are asking for scripture to follow it up. They are searching biblically and spiritually for the answers to the questions that they have. They also are talking about experiences and observations that they have. Do I agree with all of Joel’s posts? No, but do I think he is doing it with malice or with a rebellious spirit again I say no. Believe me; I have seen Joel with a rebellious spirit. He is seeking answers from his peers and he is being a voice for his peers saying it is ok to question what you do not understand. We cannot treat people as mindless sycophants and expect them to accept this. When dealing with a generation who are a product of the information age you need more than this response. As a parent of 3 children, when my response to them is “Because I told you so” they are more likely to not accept the answer but if I explain why, they accept and obey. When people understand what they believe they hold these believes much closer to their hearts. The problem is this puts more of a burden on us older generations to know why we believe what we believe. The easy answers just don’t do it. When this generation gets answers such as, “We do not want to offend the older generations who have gone before.” They ask is this biblical? Why berate them for wondering why it is ok to offend their generation. This generation is also a generation who has been brought up with the statement, “It is not about rules it is about relationship.” I can tell you Joel does have a relationship with God and most of the people on this blog do as well. If they did not they would not be able to reference and bare their souls as much as they do and one of the biggest “rules” about this blog is that if you disagree please bring scripture. This shows that they are in the bible and seeking their meaning and this blog is pushing them to find answers to these questions. The point of this is if you have a relationship with God and God is not convicting you about something and there is no biblical basis for it, why we do it. If their actions are driving them to a closer relationship with God, why is it wrong? What they do have correct, is being Apostolic and in love with God does not necessarily mean they are in love with Church because Church is not God. It is a place where believers congregate together to learn more about God and is run by humans. Pointing out hypocrisies and attitudes that they have seen are not wrong and they do not claim it is everyone. This blog is a place to push themselves and others to make biblical sense.

    I am sorry Joel to respond but this offended even me. Please feel free to delete if I am out of line.

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  23. The last problem I have is with him saying. “This is simply an Anti UPC (Apostolic) blog. Plain and simple. This blog bashes the way things are done in the UPC.” I can say that this is not the meaning of this blog. The problem that Joel and many of our Youth and Twentysomethings have are when they have questions the answer that is given to them is “because I said so” or “because that is the way we have always done it.” They are asking for scripture to follow it up. They are searching biblically and spiritually for the answers to the questions that they have. They also are talking about experiences and observations that they have. Do I agree with all of Joel’s posts? No, but do I think he is doing it with malice or with a rebellious spirit again I say no. Believe me; I have seen Joel with a rebellious spirit. He is seeking answers from his peers and he is being a voice for his peers saying it is ok to question what you do not understand. We cannot treat people as mindless sycophants and expect them to accept this. When dealing with a generation who are a product of the information age you need more than this response. As a parent of 3 children, when my response to them is “Because I told you so” they are more likely to not accept the answer but if I explain why, they accept and obey.

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  24. When people understand what they believe they hold these believes much closer to their hearts. The problem is this puts more of a burden on us older generations to know why we believe what we believe. The easy answers just don’t do it. When this generation gets answers such as, “We do not want to offend the older generations who have gone before.” They ask is this biblical? Why berate them for wondering why it is ok to offend their generation. This generation is also a generation who has been brought up with the statement, “It is not about rules it is about relationship.” I can tell you Joel does have a relationship with God and most of the people on this blog do as well. If they did not they would not be able to reference and bare their souls as much as they do and one of the biggest “rules” about this blog is that if you disagree please bring scripture. This shows that they are in the bible and seeking their meaning and this blog is pushing them to find answers to these questions. The point of this is if you have a relationship with God and God is not convicting you about something and there is no biblical basis for it, why we do it. If their actions are driving them to a closer relationship with God, why is it wrong? What they do have correct, is being Apostolic and in love with God does not necessarily mean they are in love with Church because Church is not God. It is a place where believers congregate together to learn more about God and is run by humans. Pointing out hypocrisies and attitudes that they have seen are not wrong and they do not claim it is everyone. This blog is a place to push themselves and others to make biblical sense.

    I am sorry Joel to respond but this offended even me. Please feel free to delete if I am out of line.

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  25. Andrew hit the nail on the head with his comment. People (dare I say not only young people) need to feel safe enough to ask questions, because it's essential to growing in faith. Besides, watching movies doesn't mean you don't hunger for spiritual truth.

    One good thing that's come out of me reading this blog though, is I now know it's OK to expect my home church to make me feel safe enough to question. The same thing I get from this online freedom, I aspire to bring into my day-to-day experiences. I used to think I'd scare people away or be labelled a heretic if I asked them some of the questions I have.

    But last week, at the mid-week Bible study at my church, with my heart pounding and mouth dry, I actually let it be known how I struggled with certain verses being used to teach oneness. I love the Bible, but I also know it's not fragile, I can't break it with my picking and prodding and questioning. And I'm starting to think church is the same way, been around too long and withstood too much stuff to be damaged by a few questions. Also, I think when Paul urges us to grow in unity as well as spiritual maturity, he's talking about stuff like this. About trying to meet each other's needs and putting up with each other.

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  26. Ishta I have to say, I LOVE the statement you made "The bible is not fragile".
    I think a contributor to the larger problem we see in the movement is that we treat our doctrines as fragile. Don't question this, don't break down that..it will fall apart. When I discuss issues that concern me with my parents and some peers a lot of times they give a simpleton response that "Everyone I've ever seen question that winds up charismatic" or something to that effect.
    To me that says, if their doctrine is so fragile that it falls apart at the slightest prod, then something is wrong. The Word can handle questions, it can handle examination, and if what you're following is truly the word then it will become clearer, not more confusing.
    I've stated many times on here, but I was told by my former pastor "not to read anything that wasn't by a oneness pentecostal author."
    Why? If we have the truth and everyone else doesn't then shouldn't my 'revelations' be stronger than there semantics?

    And also, so often we have conversations like these on this blog, and they're productive and uplifting, as Ishta displayed, and out of nowhere some crazed person comes in hurling insults at Joel and I, claiming they know the true intentions of the blog, that we're just trying to tear down the UPC, etc etc.
    We haven't been to a UPC function in a long while. I quit going. I couldn't tell you who the "in fashion" preachers are this season. I don't know what convention is when anymore. I'm so far removed from it. I used to care, A LOT. But now I just care about me, and connecting with people like me, that have checked out of the facade, and the social network of it all and just want to be real, live life, serve God and be happy.
    If we were trying to cause some sort of destruction we'd still be at the stuff, in protest. We'd be there, sitting around restaurant tables, picking apart the service, pointing fingers and laying blame. Yes, we were guilty of that at one point, but NOT NOW! You won't catch us at Master Rally, HYC or camp. We don't stream music fest online or download the videos of these things. When we hear about things it's word of mouth. It's because people know Joel writes a blog about stuff and they email him. It's not because we're out looking for it.

    I promise you; we have much much bigger things in our lives to worry about than the UPC. We know the only way to change it would be from the inside, and we've seen that tried and fail. We're not interested in splintering it, splitting it, destroying or depleting it. So please, stop with the asinine allegations that we have some secret mission to destroy the organization. Thanks.

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