Shortage of Ministers?

[seeker]

Are there a shortage of UPCI ministers in your area?

Do you know of any websites that list the people looking for pastorial positions? {UPCI}

Thanks! seeker

[ddc101]

Pm me the church and city and maybe I can connect you.Lets not discuss it on the forum though.All the big hairy things pop out.lv sis.c

[Belle]

Yes, There Is A Shortage Of Upc Preachers In General. We Have Lost So Many And I Hear We Are Losing Them All The Time. I've Heard That In The Last Few Years The Upci Lost 400 Preachers In The State Of Texas Alone.

[TodayAGiftFrGod]

The western part of VA needs ministers... I've lived there, and trust me they need more ministers and churches in the western part of the state especially.... The harvest is great, but the laborers are few....

[drummerboy_dave]

Last time I looked, it was Jesus Christ, who died for us.

I have NOTHING against the UPC, [was brought up, got baptised, got the Holy Ghost, got married, and many other blessings, in the 13+ years I was in a UPC church] but I know for a fact, that they are not the only preachers who God uses. For some, there are very legitimate reasons to leave the UPC. It's not an easy decision.

The truth be told; God will suceed with or without the UPC, but the UPC can never even survive, without God.

[TodayAGiftFrGod]

Hey Drummerboy,

Good to see you posting again.... You said a mouthful....
That's all I can say.....

[drummerboy_dave]

Hey! Just on my way to 5,000 posts. :tup:

[TodayAGiftFrGod]

Hey! Just on my way to 5,000 posts. :tup:
5,000 or 500?

Keep going, you might reach 500 tonight . . . but I'm not sure about 5,000

[OriginalPraxeas]

When you all say "minister" do you mean licensed? Is that what it takes to reap the harvest?

That's the problem with so many churchs, including the UPCI, we have two classes, the Ministers and the non Ministers, but it's usually the lowely non minister that is bringing the most people to church and getting them saved, but the guy who preached the service that person received the Holy Ghost in gets the most noteriety

I remember Bro Stoneking telling a story he heard about a girl from a certain region of India that was forbidden for any missionary to get to, even Indian ones. A young girl 16 or 17 (young woman perhaps) came out of that region, heard the message, repented, was baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost.

She went back to her home and started 7 other churchs on her own. That's what it is all about.

[BrotherBallard]

Last time I looked, it was Jesus Christ, who died for us.

I have NOTHING against the UPC, [was brought up, got baptised, got the Holy Ghost, got married, and many other blessings, in the 13+ years I was in a UPC church] but I know for a fact, that they are not the only preachers who God uses. For some, there are very legitimate reasons to leave the UPC. It's not an easy decision.

The truth be told; God will suceed with or without the UPC, but the UPC can never even survive, without God.
Dave, I concur with you on this issue!

Seeker there are more than just UPCI preachers, like Dave I've been in some form of UPCI Church in the past for over 20 years.
What about GIB that preach the truth? I have a Bro-in-law that held UPCI license for years, but gave them back for various reasons, he still has the same Church. I'm part of an independent Church and let me say, it's the best Church I've ever been in. One thing that I do not understand about the UPCI, is when there is an established Oneness Church in a town or city, BUT it's not part of the UPCI, the organization will try to get a Church in that town instead of working on unplowed soil? I understand if the town is larger in proportion, that's great lets start new works, but then you have towns like in Louisianna, that have a Church on every street corner. I really don't understand it.

JMHO.

[Jillian]

Dave, I concur with you on this issue!

Seeker there are more than just UPCI preachers, like Dave I've been in some form of UPCI Church in the past for over 20 years.
What about GIB that preach the truth? I have a Bro-in-law that held UPCI license for years, but gave them back for various reasons, he still has the same Church. I'm part of an independent Church and let me say, it's the best Church I've ever been in. One thing that I do not understand about the UPCI, is when there is an established Oneness Church in a town or city, BUT it's not part of the UPCI, the organization will try to get a Church in that town instead of working on unplowed soil? I understand if the town is larger in proportion, that's great lets start new works, but then you have towns like in Louisianna, that have a Church on every street corner. I really don't understand it.

JMHO.

Brother Ballard it is because they do not count them as brothers, At least not around here. I am part of an independant church. There is a UPC church I visit once in a great while, He won't let his people fellowship outside his church. Where is the unity among Gods people?
I say look for an annointed, on fire church: thats is serving the Lord in spirit and in truth, reaching out their doors to the lost... That is what its about.
God bless and I hope you find one seeker.

[ddc101]

Hi Sister Jillian,
I think that attitude has changed over the last few years in the UPCI org.In fact Brother Haney wrote a book and sent it out to all the ministry trying to get them to see that all who are Oneness are brothers and sisters.It may just be a local pastor with a personality disorder.lol.lv sis.c

[Jillian]

Hi Sister Jillian,
I think that attitude has changed over the last few years in the UPCI org.In fact Brother Haney wrote a book and sent it out to all the ministry trying to get them to see that all who are Oneness are brothers and sisters.It may just be a local pastor with a personality disorder.lol.lv sis.c


It's several local pastors with the same disorder. :p

Its good to know that someone is trying to change that view.... :tup:

God Bless and have a great day..

[ddc101]

Well shame on them.Jesus does not see the fellowship card.He sees the blood.lv sis.c

[seeker]

Wow, I guess maybe some got the idea that I am hung up on the UPC!

Actually it doesn't matter to me if the minister has a UPC license, but the local prespitor {sp} said the preacher had to have a UPC license since it is a UPC church. My personal feelings are....God can and does use anyone HE wants, whether they hold a license or not. :tup:

Please keep our little church in prayer as we wait for a new pastor!

Thanks, seeker

[Former PK]

.......

Actually it doesn't matter to me if the minister has a UPC license, but the local prespitor {sp} said the preacher had to have a UPC license since it is a UPC church. My personal feelings are....God can and does use anyone HE wants, whether they hold a license or not. :tup:

Please keep our little church in prayer as we wait for a new pastor!

Thanks, seeker



Seeker and Others,

A bit of background information. There are UPC ministers and UPC churches. And just because it says UPC on the sign doesn't mean it is an "Affiliated" Church.

A local church may elect to "affiliate" or not. Either way, if a church has a UPC minister, they will have all of the fellowship benefits.

There are many reasons for and against affilation with the Organization. The catch is, if a local congregation has received money from the UPC, then they MUST be affiliated. And have a UPC pastor. (Golden Rule - He with the gold, rules!!)

The church I attend is not affiliated, but by local rules, WE require the minister to be UPC. Now we can change the rules if we want.

[BrotherBallard]

Seeker, I think I know what you are asking but so many times people think you have to be UPCI and if not then it doesn't matter.

I tend to disagree with you Sis. Cooper on this issue, maybe it's not as prevelant in your area, but that same mindset is still alive and well today! I know of ethical lines broken by UPCI license carrying ministers (recently), because a neighboring Pastor didn't carry a license. I have family in the UPCI so I'm not knocking the UPCI, but I think the ethics issue needs to be revisited by the ministers throughout their organization. Just because you don't carry a license doesn't mean you don't Pastor or attend a God fearing Church.

*Disclaimer, I'm NOT against the UPCI, but like any organization that is headed up by men there will be flaws, what the UPCI has accomplished over all is tremendous! I don't want this thread to end up being a UPCI bashing thread and if need be I'll delete my posts in this thread to remove any confusion.*

[ddc101]

I want to clarify Bro.Ballard what I said.Brother Haney is working at unity among other brethren.Did you get to read his book?
No one can make anyone change their bad spirit.We are not currently UPC but we fellowship with the UPC in our area and send saints who move or contacts we get in their city to them.On Sundays we help a UPC church and they come in the evening to help us.So I would say that its the ministers being delt with.Or maybe we are just blessed.lv sis.c

[bjc40]

Why is there a shortage of ministers??? :confused:
I did a thread a few weeks ago called "The UPCI Declining".
So is the denomination declining, is there a shortage of church members and/or a shortage of UPCI ministers, or a shortage of both???
It seems in the area in which I live, the county has about 20 or more independent apostolic churches. There are two UPCI churches in the county, there was another in another town, but they withdrew from UPCI membership.
The "trend" seems to be "apostolic independent" here. :spin:
Does anyone have any ideas why the move toward "independent" and why there maybe a shortage of ministers?
Just wondering..........
Brother bjc40

[jhlent]

While I know this was not started as a bash and say how the UPCi snubs all of those poor Independant Churchs.....
But it sure turned that way.

Well PLEASE lets ALL remember it sure goes "3" ways.......

1 -The UPC snubs the indepentants
2 -The Independants snubs the UPC's
3 - The Independants snub the Independants.....

So ...??... just which one is most wrong...??

I have been in all to see it all - Happens every where not just UPCi.
They are the bigest - so naturally they make the bigest target.

Fall in Love with Jesus Christ and the Ministry - and it doesn't matter where you are planted - AND in all reality doesn't matter who snubs you.

[jhlent]

Why is there a shortage of ministers??? :confused:
I did a thread a few weeks ago called "The UPCI Declining".
So is the denomination declining, is there a shortage of church members and/or a shortage of UPCI ministers, or a shortage of both???
It seems in the area in which I live, the county has about 20 or more independent apostolic churches. There are two UPCI churches in the county, there was another in another town, but they withdrew from UPCI membership.
The "trend" seems to be "apostolic independent" here. :spin:
Does anyone have any ideas why the move toward "independent" and why there maybe a shortage of ministers?
Just wondering..........
Brother bjc40

I think it is different every where you go.

Around just the Chicago area - there are mostlikely more UPCi Churches than independant in the whole state of ILL.

And that could mean that the the State of ILL. is a United Pentecostal Loving State....

And..... well that is about the same for Wis. & Minn....

WOW - The UPCi is winning the USA for Jesus.
-----------------------------------------------------
To me the Church MUST meet 1 important rule - -
Is it a Jesus Name - 1 God - Church making it self available to me and those I bring or send there.

[jhlent]

I'm NOT against the UPCI, but like any organization that is headed up by men there will be flaws, what the UPCI has accomplished over all is tremendous! I don't want this thread to end up being a UPCI bashing thread and if need be I'll delete my posts in this thread to remove any confusion.*Men are just that Flesh - and it gets in the way ...;)
No matter if you are an independant of 1 Church - or an Org. of Hundreds...

When it comes down to the core of things - You really will see Men that have reached across the lines to accomplist a common goal.

It just may never have been noted - but it does and has happen.
Very often - more that most will ever know.

Common men with a common goals - has accomplished a TERMENDOUS work....

And to say it again - with the UPCi being one of the largest and most noted - it only seems that they stand alone.

But men in HQ has and will continue to cross the line to help the "CHURCH" reach those in need.

[jdoucet]

I for one also came from an Independent organization that refused to let us fellowship anyone outside of our 10 churches. A lot of times I felt this was so wrong, but always asked myself "who am I to say this is right or wrong when they brought me the truth?". For that reason I never questioned it openly until recently. I just do not see in the scriptures where Jesus wanted us to separate ourselves from Holy Ghost brothers and sisters. I am adamant on my stance against worldliness and sin, but fail to see where God wants a little commune of only a few saints and to have us cut off from everyone unless they attend one of OUR churches.

[Former PK]

.......


Well PLEASE lets ALL remember it sure goes "3" ways.......

1 -The UPC snubs the indepentants
2 -The Independants snubs the UPC's
3 - The Independants snub the Independants.....

So ...??... just which one is most wrong...??

...................

Bro, Lent,

You missed one condition:

4- The UPCs snubs other UPCs.

But you did make the point that we are all human. And therefore prone to shortcomings. Between churches, and within churches, we have strong tendencies to be clanish and have our cliques or felowship groups if you please.

[ddc101]

Which is sad because Paul,Peter,Luke did not belong to anyother organization but that of the Family of God.lv sis.c

[Jillian]

While I know this was not started as a bash and say how the UPCi snubs all of those poor Independant Churchs.....
But it sure turned that way.

Well PLEASE lets ALL remember it sure goes "3" ways.......

1 -The UPC snubs the indepentants
2 -The Independants snubs the UPC's
3 - The Independants snub the Independants.....

So ...??... just which one is most wrong...??

I have been in all to see it all - Happens every where not just UPCi.
They are the bigest - so naturally they make the bigest target.

Fall in Love with Jesus Christ and the Ministry - and it doesn't matter where you are planted - AND in all reality doesn't matter who snubs you.


You are right Brother Lent it is in all the above.....not just upc...

Now to address you're statement "I have been in all to see it all"
Are you church hopping?
:jk: :yeah: :yeah:

God Bless

[Estrada]

They are our brothers and sisters regardless of their ways. If we profess to be oneness and Jesus himself prayed for his people and we all see a weakness in a certain organization then lets hold them up in prayer we all know the scripture and what is says about treating a brother wrongfully so, lets pray for those who wrong others in the "body of Christ" that the Lord would help them see and help them come to the realization that we are one body,one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one name, one God.....lol....Jesus name children of the most high God who sits on one throne....

[Valdezb]

There is a such a need for us to reach the lost. I am afraid that sometimes we get caught up in the Politics and forget the business at hand. We are loosing and souls need Jesus! Seven years ago I started an outreach to inner city teens in Denver. I was rejected by five churches and learned that most "saints" are afraid of the type of people I was working with. Most of the preachers I dealt with had little experience dealing with the problems that come with these kids. Let's see, suicide, killing your own brother, life in prision for killing your school teacher at the age of 14, homeless, drugs, prostitutition, stripping, gangs, using carb cleaner to get so high you almost die, etc., But Jesus called me and I will work for him until He tells me different. I am least qualified according the standards set forth by organizations. But I love God I am baptized in the Name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost. If more people would just let God use them and if more preachers would just let their saints take that step, we may reach the lost! Time is running out, the harvest is ready and the world needs Jesus. My burden to reach the lost is the reason I live! Join with me in prayer that God will send laborers for the harvest is ready!

[Naomi]

Valdezb, You are doing the work of God. Keep on and don't let anyone discourage you.

I don't understand church people that are too "pious" to work with low-life sinners. People who think some sins are worse than others.

Sin is sin. I think a lot of people will be surprised on judgment day who does and does not go to heaven.

I have witnessed first hand who those are that appreciate God the most; It's the prostitute, the drug addict, the whoremonger, the murderer, etc.
Jesus said "To whom much is given, much is required."

Those are mostly the people who bring hungry souls to church, who go over and above board to do what needs to be done in all areas concerning the church.
Keep on and don't let anyone discourage you. God sees what you're doing. He also sees what those churches that won't help you are doing.

He will reward each of you accordingly.

[tufluv]

Which is sad because Paul,Peter,Luke did not belong to anyother organization but that of the Family of God.lv sis.c
Remember though, they were 'groundbreakers' and there were NO other JESUSname org's.. :D

[Revivalist]

I know some independants in our town that think the UPCI is a bunch of backsliders because they wear a watch, Ring and maybe have on half sleeves. They dont bother to look past the outwardness. They immediately write us off as a bunch of compromisers

I think the UPCI takes the worst wrap for everything because they are simply the biggest oneness group that people are familiar with

[christian]

Well I'm GIB and in my part of The World there is a shortage of Apostolic Ministers period.And sadly what few there are won't fellowship together mostly because of org.differences.I'm for All ONE GOD JESUS NAME PEOPLE if we can't work togetether here how can we go to heaven together?

[Jillian]

Well I'm GIB and in my part of The World there is a shortage of Apostolic Ministers period.And sadly what few there are won't fellowship together mostly because of org.differences.I'm for All ONE GOD JESUS NAME PEOPLE if we can't work togetether here how can we go to heaven together?


I love the 14th chapter of Romans, I think it applies to this very thing. Although I know some would say not.

It is not right to let the differences seperate us as they do....One day maybe there will truly be a unity.

God bless.

[bjc40]

I never had any minister/pastor tell me who or who not to fellowship with. :) Currently I attend a UPCI church but fellowship with others who are members of an independent apostolic church, as well as independent apostolic ministers.:banana:
Personally, I would NOT let anyone tell me who and who Not to fellowship with unless they gave valid reasons other than organizational differences.... :spin:
And yall's opinion???
just wondering........
Brother bjc40

[revtonysantucci]

I would say, that the U.P.C. is just kinda like a mark. The mark lets you know where the minister is travelling, like they mark homing pigeons. The problem isn't a shortage of preachers. It's a shortage of Care, and concern for the church. I'm a preacher, who has seen alot of things in just a few short years. I see preachers that won't preach, Preachers not allowed to preach, and a whole lot of Pastors that have to go around and evangelize, because Nobody else can preach to them. People are getting self centered, and will pick their sermon, and the sermon giver. All this time Jesus has been "sat down" by the masses. I've been to places, and even was a member of a u.p.c. church, where we were faithful. I had so many different things to do in that church, that there were times I preached the same thing twice. I'm happy to let you know, that they had built an extra building, because there is lack of room for all the people hungry for God. This has taken place in the poorest state of our union. Louisianna; there are people falling in love with Jesus and have decided to not wait around for someone else to do it. They are going to live for God, and bring in as many people as possible. Pastors, and preachers, and saints need to get it in their mind, to quit the gossip, backbiting, bitter, hateful ways. Their Love is waxing cold. They way of peace is becoming foggy in their lives. They have let material, and position to get in their way. We're supposed to just have church, snd worship, and pray, and love one another, and pay tithes, and love your enemies, and follow all that's in this great book.
There are too many people checking out everyone else's credentials, and references, and forgetting that if their called, they are sent. YES there are preachers disappearing. People are backsliding, because they aren't welcome in the place of safety.
Let God be God, and let him decide, whose preaching. That's the way the church works. That's how we have revival.

[ddc101]

Brother where do you go to church?

[NewJerusalem]

I think the original question was about a website...You can go to Indian Bible College's website and they have ministers that post their inforamation on there. I don't know if that will help you - but it is worth the try.

http://www.apostolic.edu/ibc/

Go under Ministerial Placement.

Love & Prayers,
NewJerusalem

[seeker]

Thanks NewJerusalem! That is exactly what I am looking for. < seeker

[sportster_77]

SO Seeker did you ever find a pastor for the church you belong too?

[seeker]

Hi Sportster_77, welcome to the GNC.

Yes, the church is now blessed with a pastor. He has been with us for about 5 months now. Jesus is doing a work at the church! People are repenting and being filled with the Holy Ghost, being baptized, and back-sliders are returning! Revival is here!

Thank you Jesus! In His time......<seeker

[Estrada]

Amen and the truth of the matter is that it seems to be that the UPC is the fastest growing apostolic organization that they profess to be....Amen the Lord has richly blessed their works inspite of the difficulties they have had to encounter

[pweprez]

I am not, nor have I ever been affiliated with the UPC. However, I am Oneness and did attempt to fellowship with the UPC in Canada on a few occasions. I tend to feel that the general attitude among UPC ministers THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED...please read that and quote it correctly...THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED....have the same attitude and superiority complex that I have found among the larger trinitarian denominations as well.

I have preached wherever God led me....Oneness....Independent...even Trinitarian....and without realizing it I even went to cover for another Brother in a Branham church where they received the Word the Lord had given them!

Anyways, I worked for several years for/with one of the better known Independent 'Oneness' ministers, and actually walked into my post with him as a Trinitarian before hearing and obeying the truth! What I am trying to say is....I am not condoning 'crossing the line' by any means...but I have noticed that the 'if you aren't one of us we don't really want to fellowship with you...but God bless you anyway' attitude is very strong in the North among Oneness brethren period.

I went to Honduras as a Oneness minister, and was invited for a convention that it ends up was a district conference for one of the largest U.S. based Trinitarian denominations. We were guests there...but once the word got out there were 'a couple of those Jesus Only preachers' at the convention...one 'brother' literally pulled his hand away from mine and held it like I had the plague. We were ignored from that point on and were not even recognized as Ministers! We sat through one service...and that was about it. There was no anointing..and certainly no stability in the service.

I hosted a city-wide School of Ministry for one week in a mid-sized Canadian city. My crowds had decreased since news of my 'persuasion' had gotten out...but many recognized that I was there to preach the Gospel and God was blessing. I had a few select preachers in the city that I knew who I had invited to participate in the services in a teaching capacity, and one of the preachers was a young UPC minister. All I required for the ministers to preach, (as I knew and trusted them) was that they PRAY and ask the Lord what to bring to the people. All was fine, until the day of the service when the UPC minister called and said he would not show up unless I let him 'show up and set these people straight and let me preach Acts 2:38 to them!' I asked him the question..'did God place that on your heart'. He replied, 'I don't need God to place it on my heart - this is what I want to preach on and if you don't let me preach this I am not coming'.

Problem: 1) The man gave a commitment...which is his WORD...which meant breaking it made him a liar. 2) I asked him on 2 more occasions, 'Did the Lord place this on your heart' - to which he would not reply but rather said HE wanted to preach it and I should know that (Acts 2:38) is the most important thing. 3) He forbade his congregation from attending the meetings.

I had preached in this mans church, and to my knowledge he was the ONLY Oneness pastor in his city at that point - and to have the opportunity to introduce his ministry and church to those who did not realize he existed was a great groundbreaking opportunity. He had told me on more that one occasion that the UPC were the ONLY people who had the truth..which I felt was sad because there were some sweet people in his congregation who felt otherwise yet they were discouraged from fellowshipping with anyone else...

He called me a couple of weeks afterwards and asked me to attend a UPC convention in Toronto. I went. I was escorted to the front of the church upon my arrival, and was welcomed and graciously received as a ministerial guest. When it came near the end of the service and the altar call was obviously to be the next part of the service however ...my pastor friend leaned over to the minister next to him - and whispered something to him. He relayed the message to the speaker, who was allowing the choir to sing just prior to the altar call. As the assistant minister relayed whatever message was given to him...the Pastor looked right over at me, and nodded back to the assistant.

The next thing that happened makes me laugh to this day...but made me feel as lonely as I have ever felt sitting there on that platform..

As the altar began to fill up a few moments later, the minister said, while staring right at me and emphasizing the word ONLY....'Would all United Pentecostal ministers please began to minister to the people here around this altar....that's all United Pentecostal ministers ONLY please.

The platform cleared....probably 75 ministers all made their way down to minister to the people...and me the only one sitting there on the platform ... LOL

Honestly, I had held high the message of The Truth and went and pioneered and ministered where many would not go....and here I was being let known that I was an outsider. My pastor 'friend' assured me afterwards that he only did that as he knew he would be pulled 'on the carpet' if he had brought an 'outsider' to the meeting and not told the District Overseer.

Needless to say - I have never been back to a UPC church since.

Needless to say...I have been ostracized by Trinitarians for being a Oneness, and I have been ostracized by Oneness for (I suppose) not being 'one of them' - even though I am...sort of...well....you know!????

[RevDooley]

I am glad that none of the UPCI churches with which I have fellowshipped feels this way.
I am currently working with an ALJC minister to get some of their ministers to preach for me. We are considering planning on some revival services together as well.
There may very well be the attitude of "if you're not with us, then..." I guess I just haven't been exposed to it so maybe the changes have already reached at least a small segment of the org.
There is an inter-denom apostolic conference that meets each year in Tenn. It is awesome and many org and ind speak to the benefit of all. So, there would seem to be more than a small group who is trying to bring things to a sense of unity.

[RaptureReady]

Thats great Rev Dooley but since most of us arent in change and the Psastor of a church there isnt much we can do to fellowship other churches. Id like to hear some indpendants and ALJC preachers too. Anyone got any good preaching tapes of others rather than just UPCI?

[Bro K.Rippy]

Rapture ready go to www.cacstarks.net (http://www.cacstarks.net) and click online preaching or go to http://www.goodpreaching.com/media/index.php?q=f&f=/Preaching and plenty of preaching there from independants and upc.

[pdavis]

There are over 130 apostolic one God Jesus name organizations in the US alone. The ALJC for example is very much like the UPC but was never a part of the UPC. It is a strong organization both in the oneness Acts 2:38 doctrine, plus in holiness. There is also the IAF, AWCF, and many others. A list of some of them are on www.apostolicforum.com

There always needs to be more preachers, but more ministers need to work properly in the local church as well. Read my book, Restoring the Five Fold Ministry.

[ddc101]

I am not, nor have I ever been affiliated with the UPC. However, I am Oneness and did attempt to fellowship with the UPC in Canada on a few occasions. I tend to feel that the general attitude among UPC ministers THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED...please read that and quote it correctly...THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED....have the same attitude and superiority complex that I have found among the larger trinitarian denominations as well.

I have preached wherever God led me....Oneness....Independent...even Trinitarian....and without realizing it I even went to cover for another Brother in a Branham church where they received the Word the Lord had given them!

Anyways, I worked for several years for/with one of the better known Independent 'Oneness' ministers, and actually walked into my post with him as a Trinitarian before hearing and obeying the truth! What I am trying to say is....I am not condoning 'crossing the line' by any means...but I have noticed that the 'if you aren't one of us we don't really want to fellowship with you...but God bless you anyway' attitude is very strong in the North among Oneness brethren period.

I went to Honduras as a Oneness minister, and was invited for a convention that it ends up was a district conference for one of the largest U.S. based Trinitarian denominations. We were guests there...but once the word got out there were 'a couple of those Jesus Only preachers' at the convention...one 'brother' literally pulled his hand away from mine and held it like I had the plague. We were ignored from that point on and were not even recognized as Ministers! We sat through one service...and that was about it. There was no anointing..and certainly no stability in the service.

I hosted a city-wide School of Ministry for one week in a mid-sized Canadian city. My crowds had decreased since news of my 'persuasion' had gotten out...but many recognized that I was there to preach the Gospel and God was blessing. I had a few select preachers in the city that I knew who I had invited to participate in the services in a teaching capacity, and one of the preachers was a young UPC minister. All I required for the ministers to preach, (as I knew and trusted them) was that they PRAY and ask the Lord what to bring to the people. All was fine, until the day of the service when the UPC minister called and said he would not show up unless I let him 'show up and set these people straight and let me preach Acts 2:38 to them!' I asked him the question..'did God place that on your heart'. He replied, 'I don't need God to place it on my heart - this is what I want to preach on and if you don't let me preach this I am not coming'.

Problem: 1) The man gave a commitment...which is his WORD...which meant breaking it made him a liar. 2) I asked him on 2 more occasions, 'Did the Lord place this on your heart' - to which he would not reply but rather said HE wanted to preach it and I should know that (Acts 2:38) is the most important thing. 3) He forbade his congregation from attending the meetings.

I had preached in this mans church, and to my knowledge he was the ONLY Oneness pastor in his city at that point - and to have the opportunity to introduce his ministry and church to those who did not realize he existed was a great groundbreaking opportunity. He had told me on more that one occasion that the UPC were the ONLY people who had the truth..which I felt was sad because there were some sweet people in his congregation who felt otherwise yet they were discouraged from fellowshipping with anyone else...

He called me a couple of weeks afterwards and asked me to attend a UPC convention in Toronto. I went. I was escorted to the front of the church upon my arrival, and was welcomed and graciously received as a ministerial guest. When it came near the end of the service and the altar call was obviously to be the next part of the service however ...my pastor friend leaned over to the minister next to him - and whispered something to him. He relayed the message to the speaker, who was allowing the choir to sing just prior to the altar call. As the assistant minister relayed whatever message was given to him...the Pastor looked right over at me, and nodded back to the assistant.

The next thing that happened makes me laugh to this day...but made me feel as lonely as I have ever felt sitting there on that platform..

As the altar began to fill up a few moments later, the minister said, while staring right at me and emphasizing the word ONLY....'Would all United Pentecostal ministers please began to minister to the people here around this altar....that's all United Pentecostal ministers ONLY please.

The platform cleared....probably 75 ministers all made their way down to minister to the people...and me the only one sitting there on the platform ... LOL

Honestly, I had held high the message of The Truth and went and pioneered and ministered where many would not go....and here I was being let known that I was an outsider. My pastor 'friend' assured me afterwards that he only did that as he knew he would be pulled 'on the carpet' if he had brought an 'outsider' to the meeting and not told the District Overseer.

Needless to say - I have never been back to a UPC church since.

Needless to say...I have been ostracized by Trinitarians for being a Oneness, and I have been ostracized by Oneness for (I suppose) not being 'one of them' - even though I am...sort of...well....you know!????

Dear Brethren,
Don't be discouraged it has happened to many.People let their flesh get in the way of the Holy Ghost.Both my husband and myself prefer to remain neutral as far as what organization a brother belongs to.We are infact Church of Jesus Christ but before that were UPC.It just so happened that the Lord moved us to an area that the church was not UPC and we decided to work with that pastor and bring in a new work.Its funny how people act.Jesus must look daily and wonder why all the division.Thank God you preach the One God Jesus Name Message.lv sis.c