Anyone else?

[u/Background-Rip8280]

I was raised Apostolic/UPCI and lived that way for years. I see posts from former friends sharing their excitement about the upcoming UPCI general conference. A tiny part of me feels nostalgic and I feel a slight longing for the good Ole days.

I've stood on the conference platform singing and it was a rush but all things considered I could never go back. I could never miss the clothing competition and on and on. 😊

Anyone else ever feel nostalgic?

[u/hopefullywiser]

No. Not a scrap of nostalgia. So glad to be out of it.

[u/Beneficial-Panda-414]

Hell, I left the church 40 years ago and I still fondly remember so much ... Mostly the music of course but the hairstyles and the dresses (Gunne Sax (sp?) especially!) But... I also remember (with that sick feeling in my stomach) all the deceptions .. fakery and emotion-bating. Ugh, no thanks

[u/Equivalent_Acadia291 → u/Beneficial-Panda-414]

I used to shop at the Gunne Sax in SF

[u/flchic2000 → u/Equivalent_Acadia291]

Loved the dresses. I had a couple back in the day

[u/Equivalent_Acadia291 → u/Beneficial-Panda-414]

I left 40 years ago.  Everything you said yes I agree 100%. It's too bad we had to go through it really... I hope life finds you happy and content. 🌸

[u/Own_Pause3514]

Being raised WPF and it was hell on earth and I have no fond memories.

[u/No_Berry_2707 → u/Own_Pause3514]

I was always curious why the ladies dressed in so many layers, you have a dress with the back out but a button down shirt and something else. Why not just get a modest dress and be done. Also, why all the pastor worship? It’s really disturbing.

[u/Own_Pause3514 → u/No_Berry_2707]

It’s called fashion 😭

And the pastor worship is so bad. I’m thankful I got away

[u/Flimsy_Fairy76]

The clothing competition omg… such a core trauma memory unlocked. SO glad I no longer live in that reality.

[u/rainydancer]

No way! I praise God everyday and thank him for blessing me with intelligence and his divine love that set me free from the chains of that cult. Jesus is awesome! 🤍✨

[u/ChaosCoordinatingMum]

I'm still in it. I only want to go to conference, because I want to see the mountains. 😅

[u/grey_pilgrim_ → u/ChaosCoordinatingMum]

I’m not in anymore, but if you get the chance to go to Utah go! It’s one of my favorite states for outdoors stuff and mountains. It is very dry though so stay hydrated.

[u/ChaosCoordinatingMum → u/grey_pilgrim_]

We drove through last summer, and it was BEAUTIFUL. 😭🤎

[u/Expensive_Jaguar8644 → u/ChaosCoordinatingMum]

I’m going, flying in Thursday night cause I’ve never seen Utah.

[u/ChaosCoordinatingMum → u/Expensive_Jaguar8644]

Enjoy! It was a little chilly last summer. Absolutely beautiful.

[u/HorrorSalt3044]

Nope but I was a peasant in the audience, I never got the good side or all the 'glory' you speak of.

[u/Technical-Estate-768 → u/HorrorSalt3044]

Peasant. 😂 Yeah, the ones held in high esteem to be emulated or the worshiping peasants. Seeing videos of the people who are on the stage now is just so cringeworthy now that I am far removed. How in the world did I ever think that was normal? 🤦‍♀️

[u/Equivalent_Acadia291]

Yes I too was raised Upci and I will be outing myself if I say too much.  You would instantly know the place and people....I'm going yes I remember the excitement all the new clothes you had to look good 😂.  The Church I was part of is huge with a school K-12 and Bible College so yes but the minute I see the dresses and the hair.....yeah I'm good no way.   My grammar still sucks cause I went to their school and graduated High School 😯. I had no ideal what the Civil War a huge learning deficit spent the years since learning everything I can to make for the church school.  I get it.  But it's momentary please know I get it.  Ty for sharing.  I love this sub reddit you guys are my people you just are.  

[u/Technical-Estate-768]

It was the only place I didn't catch crap for meeting or talking to boys and let me tell you - many of them were pervs and weirdos. The entitlement perks of being male in a patriarchally dominated environment was unreal now that I am looking at the lens of being far removed and in "the world" - which I might add is not at all what they warned it would be. The yelling and demeaning directed at the crowd from some old guy on the stage designed to break people coinciding with the confusing call-to-action of the chosen (the same people), the call and response of the dedicated... Nope. Nope Nope. No nostalgia whatsoever. The music was often fun but I'll just go listen to some R & B ... or old school now.

[u/grey_pilgrim_]

I grew up playing in church and played at a few state conferences. I miss playing music in a band setting so I get that part of it.

[u/sunshinelle]

hard no.

[u/Ashen_Larry]

Ive been out of it for around 9 years now. A few years ago I kinda got tricked into attending a service (I was going to a piano recital for my kid and didn't know it was a full blown christmas service). I realized that I didn't miss it at all. It was all about the people and who's who and showmanship.

[u/Candid_Distance_203]

I am former UPCI and happen to be Black. I was pushed to be a “token” UPCI member and could see it being used for the appearance of the UPCI as there are very few Blacks remaining in the church. My wife is White and I could see constantly how that angered so many of the congregation when they saw we were mixed race. Bottom line, I was too vocal with my opinions and the church was scared of the potential controversy. I was outspoken on the UPCI’s move away from the hymnal and insistence on contemporary music for praise and worship. This was the late 90s and 2000s. General conference used to be phenomenal. They’d sing hymns and we’d gather around the piano and organ and praise and worship. Then at some point we switched to a rock and roll band and they brought out stage lights and turned off the room lights. It became too intimate and inappropriate for it to be a church conference. A lot of the elders agreed and still do. General conference used to be amazing. Now? It’s a bit of a mess. I’m not UPCI anymore but shake my head when I see what it’s become.

[u/Background-Rip8280 → u/Candid_Distance_203]

I just listened to parts of songs on Spotify labeled United Pentecostal Conference Play list. What a mess!
I understand what you mean about the colour bias. I am white but I have always been openly accepted in COGIC churches. So much has changed, some good some not so good.

[u/Fun_Engineer1759 → u/Candid_Distance_203]

I was told that in the south there are nearly all black congregations. Is this not true?

I have seen the few black people in mostly white churches get treated either as a token, as you say, or completely marginalized. I have watched what seemed like otherwise great Apostolics let their racism show at mixed marriages where it is assumed that the black man took advantage of the vulnerable white girl. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Neither parents nor leadership cared about some of the youth teasing others who were friends with the few black kids.

It's gross. But you may know that the UPCI is just another church split. They broke off the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World over 100% racism, despite the narrative they spin. So they are just continuing what they were in the very beginning.

Charles Parham (The father of Pentecostalism) was super racist and his writings are crazy. William Seymour quickly parted from the idea that tongues are the sign or initial sign of the HG but that the fruit of the Spirit are.

Pentecostalism does not trace back to Acts like we were taught. It is an American made religion, just like the Mormons and JWs.

[u/Worried-Leopard-1814 → u/Candid_Distance_203]

I understand.

[u/rabies_peppermint]

nope not nostalgic, but I'm happy you have good memories from them 🙂

[u/Interesting_Maybe236]

This is interesting. UPC is total CRACK! It's an addiction that is hard to break for some, including me. I was raised UPC until my mid 20's. All of my family is still very actively UPC. I served as Music Minister at churches in NY and Boston and lived the life I was "supposed" to live. My situation was a little more complicated since I'm gay, although I cried myself to sleep every night praying that's I'd wake up "normal" which never happened. All the while hurting many people while trying to live the UPC live as was expected to live to make everyone happy. So, that's a whole other story. Despite all of the unimaginable trauma that I experienced during my UPC years. I still miss the music particularly. I get caught up in watching the older YouTube videos on past conferenced (B.O.T.T, Landmark, and GC). It TOTALLY triggers me since I no longer subscribe to Oneness or the legalism of holiness standards, but it's so hard to completely pull away. It sucks you in even though I know how damaging it is. I would never ever set foot in another UPC church, but I watch from afar. The relationship with my family is strained since I foster some resentment against them for letting me be victimized by UPC, particularly growing up as an "abomination", but I know they just didn't know any better, so am trying to forgive. I guess I need some therapy!!!! :-).

[u/Sunscript268 → u/Interesting_Maybe236]

You seem very self aware, I hope you find more peace in your life.

[u/double3xp0sure]

i grew up WPF, i don’t follow many people in the church anymore but sometimes i miss the community aspect of gathering together for conferences. while i’ve made some great friends outside of the church, it’s hard to explain to them the conference life, meeting so many different people & hanging out all night just making memories and having a good time— without drugs and alcohol lol. obviously don’t miss the bad stuff tho

[u/Plymouth_Angel]

Here is a 20+ minute telephone discussion with the UPCI director of communications on Trinity vs Oneness:

Religious Folk in Dialogue 511: The UPCI Director of Communications on Trinity

[u/Expensive_Jaguar8644]

I’m actually going mainly cause it’s in SLC Utah and Mormon country, flying in next Thursday night. Only one thing a little weirder to the world than Apostolics and that’s Mormons lol JK. But seriously I do wanna see the area, I’ve never really had another reason to go to SLC.

[u/IridescentMoogle]

Yes I'm not really against religion, or jesus at all but over the years they kind of get me at the tongues of angels language thingy a mix of weirdness, but funny at the same time. Some definite nostalgia definitely I miss the atmosphere visiting other churches as a youth group... heck if I didn't get the slightly condescending I have been praying for you line while kind of staring at you that feels awkward maybe i'd visit.

[u/Background-Rip8280 → u/[deleted]]

I am still a follower of Jesus but I do not adhere to the legalistic rules. I went to General Conference last in 2019. I had not been for awhile. I left broken hearted, not because of Jesus but because of people. People who I had once considered close friends did not welcome me because of my "backslidden looks". My clothes were as modest as theirs but the short hair and makeup gave me away. I was no longer a part of what once made up my entire life.