questions

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My answers to these questions:

>Have you recently (in the past 5 years) noticed a growth or a decrease of
>members in the UPC church?

In the past year, there as been a 51% increase in Sunday morning
attendance at Apostolic Life Church.  The statistic for 5 year growth
is infinite (attendance was zero) or N/A, depending on how you
want to look at it ;-)

>There is a book out by a UPC pastor from Sandusky, Ohio called "Neo
>Phariseeism", that deals with the inner problems of the UPC church and
>problems with their dress and holiness standards, have you heard of it? If
>so, have you read it? If so, have you noticed a decrease in members since it
>has been published and read?

I've heard of it, haven't read it, don't think there's been any impact
on attendance/membership.  People more than likely already have their
minds made up before reading the book.

Is this student attempting to suggest the UPC is *shrinking*???  There's
been a pretty much steady increase in membership of from 10-15% annually
for several years now.

>Do you think that the people of the UPC church are separated too much from
>the "world"?

Nope.

>Are you actively involved in church meetings and services? or like I was,
>are you expected to go to church and feel you have to participate in order
>to be accepted by the congregation?

Ahhh, that "everyone expects me to go" spectre.  This person didn't know
Jesus, she just had religion.  Being "actively involved in church meetings
and services" also is not knowing God -- it's just religion.

That said, I know Jesus, and I go to church because I enjoy hearing the
Word, being in communal worship with other saints, and I enjoy the
fellowship of those with like precious faith.  I don't give a care
whether I'm "accepted by the congregation" -- it truly doesn't matter
to me.  (That said, I *believe* most everyone likes me since I'm such
a nice guy ;-)

I feel sorry for this person that she was so bound with the chains of
religion that she was unable to meet the Savior personally.

>Were you raised in the UPC church? if not, when did you or your parents join?
>Do you have the holy ghost and/or been baptized? if so, when?

I was essentially an atheist before becoming convinced of the nature
and person of Jesus Christ.  I was filled with the Holy Ghost in May
of 1989 and was water baptized in the name of Jesus shortly afterwards.
My parents are not Christian; I was not raised in any kind of church.

>Do you honestly believe that the UPC church is the only church that has the
>true "Gospel", and that no other church (religion) is the right way?

There is certainly one Church, and that is the Church that has the name
of Christ on it -- i.e. his baptism.  The UPC does not claim exclusivity
of salvation.  And religion doesn't save, Jesus does.

Richard Masoner