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Ask The Pastor
August 29, 2004
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Question:
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Dear Brother Buddy,
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I just came across your sight. I am in transition-slowly leaving
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the UPC. Also, some of my friends, and family find the same thing
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happening to them. It is causing alot of anxiety because of 25
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years of thinking that way, not to mention, the fear of being
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deceived. I truly would rather die right now, and be saved, than be
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misled down the road.
Hi (Name withheld),
You are one of a number of UPC folk who have been communicating with me. I am
glad to help when I can. The feelings you have expressed are common to most all
UPC congregants who are wanting to get things in proper order. I walked the
trail many years back.
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I have done an indepth study concerning "holiness standrards"
over
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the last few months, and found that most of them are customs that
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have been put on people.
For many the issue of standards is the first step in discovering that certain
UPC doctrines are not true to the gospel.
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Please don't misunderstand, I don't believe in "throwing the baby
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out with the bath water", but I believe HIS WORD teaches a higher
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level of Holiness.
I agree with you. There is much in my UPC background that I will always
cherish. A strong sense of holiness (not necessarily UPC standards) is at the
top of the list.
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I have read Linda Hopper's book, "False Holiness Standards"
twice
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and wept over it in prayer. I have also contacted her personally.
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She has been very gracious to contact me in return. I have also
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found a couple of excellent articles-Jason Young's article, and I
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believe a Bro. Hamm concerning women's hair.
I've heard of Linda's book but haven't read it.
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I have been a teacher for years, and a mentor to many and I have
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been told I will lose my credibility by changing outward standards,
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or be a stumling block, not by leaders, (they aren't aware of the
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transition that is ongoing), but by some of my friends. However, the
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interesting thing is my family and some of my friends are going
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through the same transition.
(Name withheld), it isn't simply your family and friends who are going
through the same transition, it is happening throughout the UPC organization.
They have lost and are losing a lot of members, including not a few ministers.
(I've had considerable communication from UPC ministers over the months.)
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I am still attending a UPC, I love my Pastor and his wife dearly,
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and it almost more than I can bear to think of telling them where I
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am spiritually. Fear of disappointing them, and other saints whom I
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love so much. I feel I have not been released yet, so I continue to
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pray, study, and fast for The LORD'S direction. I have also been
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told by leaders in the past that I am a very influential person, so
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I would be accused of misleading many.
I understand where you are. And I understand the love for your pastor and his
wife. When I left the evangelist field in the early 70s, having had my eyes
opened to a number of UPC misteachings, I went through the same thing. When it
is time for you to make any changes you will know it.
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I might also mention that I have had a call to the people of Israel
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for many years and it is becoming more clear as the fullness of the
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Gentiles take place and the Restoration of Israel comes about.
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There is so much more to know learn.
I've been to Israel. You may be interested in subscribing to an email
(membership only) forum provided by our ministry. Many of our members are former
UPC folk. There is a Christian missionary from Israel in membership. If
interested you can subscribe at this site: (Be sure to complete the
questionnaire.)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations/
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Bro. Buddy, do you have any suggestions as what I should do at this
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time, do I just continue to wait on The LORD and make the change, or
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go to my precious Pastor and tell him I no longer believe "the
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standards" are a part of salvation?
Wish I could give you some firm counsel on that issue. It is really more of a
judgment call. But until you receive a clear release from Him in the matter, I
wouldn't worry about saying anything. One thing I might add is that the Holy
Spirit has a way of bringing things together at the right moment and the result
may surprise you.
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Thank you and may God bless you for any advice you can give me. I
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appreciate your counsel and your prayers, this is especially
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difficult for my precious sister. You may list my letter
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anonymously.
You are welcome for any help that I may have provided. Let me know how things
are going. As a suggestion you may wish to review some studies that I've
provided on the Acts of the Apostles. You will find them at:
http://www.christianchallenge.org/hebraic-
foundations/Acts/index.html (Use the full address.)
May the Lord bless you,
Buddy
Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask
the Pastor
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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
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