Re: Please continue to think -- RSQUBF discussion forum

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Date Posted: 21:19:38 11/26/04 Fri
Author: PECAS
Subject: Re: Please continue to think
In reply to: A Christian Man 's message, "Re: Please continue to think" on 01:38:22 11/26/04 Fri

But I am an objective
>observer, because UBF is not the only church that I
>attend, I also go to Willow Creek on occasion and
>Harvest Bible Chapel as well,

Christian Man,

I have a couple of questions for you.

1. Has your shepherd and other chapter leaders told you that you need to make a decision of faith regarding the ministry that you serve? I grew up attending a good church and was attending this church when I began Bible study. After about two years or so, I was told by my shepherds that I had to make a decision of faith to serve only one church. They stated that UBF was God's mission for my life.

2. What is your status within your chapter? Are you called shepherd? Generally, the most severe abuse comes after people have been annointed as shepherds.

3. Do you attend the UBF Friday testimony sharing and Sunday worship service every week? Do you ever attend Harvest Bible or Willow Creek activities when they fall at the same time as a UBF activity? For example, if Willow Creek has a church conference that you want to attend starting on Friday and ending Sunday night. Would you miss the Friday testimony sharing and Sunday worship service to attend the Willow Creek conference. If you have done this after your first year of activity in UBF, how did your shepherd and other leaders react? After about one year in UBF, my shepherds always discouraged me from attending any activity that coincided with Friday testimony sharing, the Sunday worships service, or a UBF conference.

From my experience, the experiences that UBF members experience is not necessarily related to the numbers of years you have participated, but the amount of commitment you have shown. Those who are annointed as shepherds, those who attend meetings every week, serve in conferences, and those whom shepherds believe are the top sheep all impact what is experienced. Those who are not considered leadership material may spend many years in UBF without any problem personally.

I have a great network
>of Christian friends from all kinds of different
>ministries, and although I see many problems within
>UBF as in any church, I just haven't seen anything
>close to what is charged, and I would think that I
>would have seen or experienced at least something in
>the 5 years that I have been deeply involved. Is it
>possible, just possible that at least some things have
>been blown a little out of proportion? Thankyou and
>May Jesus be with you.

I did not experience physical threats, beatings, excessive pressure to give money, having my marriage arranged, ordered abortions, or UBF leaders fostering alienation from my family. However, my shepherds still expected absolute obedience. They hurt a number of people that came in and out of my local UBF chapter. I was given obedinece training on two separate occasions. When I asked questions and did not tow the UBF party line with absolute obedinence to my shepherds, I was told that I was a proud, self-centered person. How does your shepherd and other leaders in your chapter react to your questions and/pr disagreements with the ministry?

I hope that we may have a good discussion.

In Christ,

PECAS

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Replies:

Re: Please continue to think -- Brother in Christ, 09:10:26 11/29/04 Mon

Re: Please continue to think -- Shane, 10:49:21 11/29/04 Mon