Ask The Pastor

August 30, 2004

> Let's see...where should I begin? 
> 
> I am 22 years old and the daughter of a Pentecostal pastor. I have 
> been raised in this religion all of my life.

Hi Autumn Springs,

As you may know I was formerly a UPC pastor and fulltime evangelist. It is always my pleasure to communicate with someone of my former religious persuasion. Quite a few UPC folk write to me personally.

> Well, about three years ago, God has been dealing with me about my 
> church's teachings. I've been reading the Word and studying the 
> scriptures, and I have discovered that a lot of things they (my 
> parents) are teaching are contradicting what Jesus and his apostles 
> taught the early church.

You are discovering the very things that I also discovered. As much as I love my Pentecostal kinsmen, I remain deeply disturbed over their misrepresentation of the gospel truths. So, believe me, I know exactly where you are, as does my wife who is the daughter of a UPC pastor, now deceased.

I am quite familiar with the three steps of false teaching that you laid out. (1) You must repent. (This one I do agree with.) (2) You must drop everything that's not like God. (I agree with this one also.) (3) You must participate in a "tarrying" service. In this service, you chant the name of Jesus over and over again until you speak in tongues.

The doctrine of having to speak in tongues to be saved was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back for me.

> My point is that they believe that if you don't speak in tongues, 
> then you don't have the Holy Ghost, and therefore cannot enter 
> heaven.

The doctrine of having to speak in tongues to be saved is pure UPC Pentecostalism. This is one reason the UPC is often classified as a cult. This kind of teaching was never taught by the early Christians, nor can it be found in the Scriptures themselves.

> From my understanding, in order to be saved and spirit filled, you 
> must confess your sins, truly believe in your heart that Jesus died 
> for our trangressions, and vow that you will live as holy as you 
> possibly can and dedicate your life to Him.

As for making a vow to live as holy as you possibly can, this really isn't a requirement for salvation, but it would be the natural feelings of our heart. The apostle lays out the spiritual procedure for a person becoming saved. He says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Rom10:9,10)

> Now back to the UPC teachings, once you are saved, you must wear 
> dresses, must NOT wear any make up or jewelry, and must NOT attend 
> sporting events.

All this comes under Pentecostal standards. They are not sound Biblical teaching. But it is these kinds of teachings that become cumbersome to many Pentecostals.

> They talk about former members who have left their church to the 
> current church members and discourage them from having any contact 
> with them.

This is standard mode of operation for the UPC. They have good cause to have concern. No one can talk to a Pentecostal like a Pentecostal who has had their own eyes opened to the truths of the gospel. Its really about control. The UPC is losing people at a rapid rate. It is going to increase in the days ahead.

> They don't allow their members to visit other churches and don't 
> fellowship with other churches themselves. They tell people who they 
> should marry, what their occupations should be, and if a church 
> member is going out of town for a family vacation, they must first 
> get my parents' approval.

You are pretty much nailing things down. This shows cause in that the UPC manifests cultish tendencies. This kind of control is normal for cult groups.

> They talk about other local preachers in their sermons and tell the 
> church that they are false prophets. And any church that has a large 
> congregation, they tell the people that the only reason the other 
> churches are so large is that the Spirit of God is not in that place 
> and they aren't preaching like they really should.

Very true. It isn't simply a localized problem. This kind of control and lambasting other Christians presents throughout the UPC organization.

> Well, I prayed to God and asked Him should I leave this church? I 
> feel like if I stay there, I would just be helping to further 
> confuse innocent people.

Chances are you will leave in due time. The Lord has a way of bringing things together according to His own will and purposes.

> Now, I feel like God gives his children three different answers. 
> These answers are as follows: yes, no, or wait.

Good enough.

> I feel that God is telling me yes I should leave the church, but I 
> should wait to do it until the time is right, and now just isn't the 
> right time.

Continue with what is happening in your heart. The Lord speaks a heart language. You will know the right moment.

> I so much desire spiritual freedom, and my current church just is 
> not providing me with that. I feel like I cannot fully grow in God 
> when my pastor is continually beating me down.

Fear and intimidation are the norm for UPC pulpits. The preachers themselves know little about true spiritual freedom in Christ.

> Now, I have never disrespected my parents in any way. I have always 
> obeyed their rules and regulations whether they were necessary or 
> not. But I just feel like it is time to stand up for what is right.

You may be surprised at how your parents respond to your concern. Parents love their children very deeply and are generally open to hearing from them. As for your part, ask the Lord for the proper moment, and then choose your words carefully. The Lord will help you with this.

> Now, here's my question. Is their any website that you know of for 
> former Pentecostal people? I would like to talk to them to see how 
> they got themselves out of that situation, but still did it in a way 
> that they would not displease God or disrespect their former 
> leaders.

Glad you asked. Yes, there are a number of web sites and email forums that you can subscribe to that are made up of former UPC folk. The first place I recommend you check out is called Spiritual Abuse. It is owned by a friend of mine, an ex-UPC minister. Her name is Lois Gibson. Go to:

http://www.spiritualabuse.org/

Then I would encourage you to subscribe to an educational forum that I serve as host on. Lois is also a member of this group. A great part of our membership is made up of former UPC folk. Go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations/ (Be sure to fill out the questionnaire.)

Feel free to correspond with me further. If there is anything I can do to help you, it will be my pleasure.

Blessings,

Buddy
Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask the Pastor

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

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