Christian Challenge International

"Ask the Pastor"

We frequently receive questions in email from people about doctrine, practice, etc. From time to time we will post the questions and the answers here on the web page. If you'd like to submit a question, simply email our pastor at Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org or use the form below.

Wednesday, December 31, 2003

> Dear Pastor Martin,
>
> I just want to thank you for the help that your site has provided to
> me over the past year since I left the UPC. The numerous Q&As,
> sermons and articles have been very enlightening and have spoken to
> many of my lingering doubts and questions.

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for writing. It is always encouraging to hear from someone
who has been blessed through my ministry.

> I was in UPC for 12 years, the last seven of which I've been living
> in Italy, where the UPC is more concerned with distinguishing itself
> from the larger Roman Catholic culture than with showing God's love
> and grace. Having met many, many Roman Catholics who are filled with
> God's love and who clearly accept the redeeming work of Jesus on the
> cross as sufficient for their salvation - and priests who emphasize
> this (in marked contrast to many ideas that all Catholics only think
> that saying a Hail Mary and going to communion will get them to
> heaven)

This is wonderful to hear. Actually we are in a new epoch for the
church. Many of the denominational walls are crumbling. Folk are
beginning to discover that the answer has never been in religion
itself. The answer is found in one place, in the Lord Jesus.

> I was happy to read your statements about the church being filled
> with people, not denominations.

Great. The true church as never been an institution, whether
Catholic or Protestant, or whatever. Jesus said that His kingdom was not of
this world.

> Molte grazie,

And many thanks to you for writing.

Elizabeth, this is something else you may wish to do. Our ministry
has an educational web site made up of Christians from across the
board. It is a good place for fellowship and for getting questions answered.
Of the nearly 150 members, the larger part are from a UPC
background. If interested you can subscribe at the following site. (Be sure to
complete the questionnaire.)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations/

If I can help you in the future just let me know.

The Lord bless you,

Buddy

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org

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What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (e.g.: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!