Winter 2008 Newsletter
Thoughts by Sue Peterson
Warsaw, Indiana
Instead of Judging
Instead of pointing out peoples problems - point them to The Lord. Don't tell them what their problems are - Tell them about God. Don't tell people how to change - God will tell them all they need to know - much better than you can. Instead of judging people give them encouragement to find the Lord. Accept people as they are. Don't "preach" to them about their sins; preach to them about the love of Jesus. Jesus loves everyone. It's up to Him. He's the One who decides what is "wrong" with each person. He will tell each person what it is they need to change. Jesus said to love thy brother - not to point out his faults. How can we know what is in Jesus' heart? How can we know how He wants another person to change? Just because we think someone is doing wrong doesn't give us the right to try to change that person. The only way we can “change" anyone is to tell them that Jesus loves them the way they are. Just get them to Jesus, He will do the rest.
Devotional consideration
From December 9
Book: Starting Your Day Right
By: Joyce Meyer
Recommended by Donathan Everron
Pierceton, Indiana
Enjoy a New Beginning
But there is forgiveness with You [just what man needs], that You may be reverently feared and worshiped.
PSALM 130:4
People sometimes tell me, “I did something wrong, and I just don’t know if God can ever forgive me of it.” Even when we have made serious mistakes, there is always a place of forgiveness and a new beginning in Christ. When we have a new beginning with Christ, we don’t have to mourn over the past. We just have to repent and go on. We don’t need to repent again and again.
If you know the character of God, you know He will forgive any sin, no matter how terrible, because to Him sin is sin. Remember, God can make miracles out of mistakes. If you need forgiveness today, simply confess to the Lord what you have done, and enjoy your new beginning (see 1 John 1:9). It begins at the moment of forgiveness.
Common Tradition
"Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things you do." (Mark 7:13)
“Common Tradition” is a cancer that eats away at greed-ridden societies, Eastern and Western alike. Many other kinds of traditions would be fine if it were not for Common Tradition. Common Tradition is the ideal of ease that cushions the blow of heavy responsibility; it is the way our lives are lived when we exclude those who need us; it is what we depend on for security when our resources are becoming bogus and waning; it is our ideal of common good when societies and cultures are dramatically changing; it is the motivation of stubborn strength when life is built around strongholds that we know are going to fall from unstable lifestyles; it is the grip that binds us from developing and preparing generations to live sustainable, enjoyable, faith-based living; and it is the plague that makes us believe that some are rich, and strive to be the same while we drive ourselves deeper and deeper into useless debt.
Tradition is unavoidable; it is quite good in some situations. For example, it is good that families can appreciate getting together each year solely because “that’s what we do.” It is good that business practices of various vicinities traditionally call for buyers and sellers to compensate for specific charges for property trading hands. It doesn’t even hurt to have day(s) off each week set aside to join in worship or gather with friends for social activities. These are all beneficial traditions that help keep people active, social, and engaged. They enrich our lives, give us outlets to express ourselves, and build relationships that can usually be depended on when we need each other. These are not common, but chosen traditions that we participate in as long as they succeed in challenging us to live and grow.
Common Traditions are those that we tend to keep to satisfy needs that erode our lives, make us dependant on strangers who take advantage of us, shift personal responsibilities away from ourselves, and deteriorate our abilities to survive independently over generations. During Moses Old Testament Biblical times slavery became an acceptable way of life; Moses was challenged regularly by multitudes who wanted to return to slavery. It was in Jesus New Testament time that people chose to follow legalistic laws over grace and mercy. So they joined together to torture and kill the one man of God who was changing society away from stoning people to death for their own inabilities to follow the Old Testament Law.
Today, Common Tradition is stranger than ever as they are peppered throughout societies and cultures worldwide. Just like in Jesus day, people want standards of living that force average people to lie and live lies who normally would not. Just like in Jonah’s time, people are forced to avoid their true calling and meaning in life by unpopular causes. Just like in Cain and Abel’s time, most are prevented from living with peace and satisfaction by those who can not be satisfied. And as it was in the days of Noah, when popularity in numbers was more important to the overwhelming majority, Noah and his family were ridiculed the entire time they could have been enjoying God’s plan for their lives.
Everything that Jesus taught and acted against was steeped in and compounded by Common Traditions. More recent movements to stop slavery bring equality, and balance civil rights for all who are supporting their governments and societies have been no less violent. People have tried to conserve Common Traditions regardless of who or how badly people are hurting. Millions of people hold on to income privileges and legal exploitation at the cost of economic and social responsibility. These things haven’t changed since recorded history began.
We can be released from Common Tradition by the grace and mercy of God. We have a choice to be humble through the saving grace of Jesus Christ or become humbled by the force that social and economic failure of Common Tradition brings. The story has been repeated by dis-powered nations throughout history. And we, today, can stop the cycle in our own lives by humbling ourselves with faith in Christ for ALL people. It’s time to stop adding to people’s pain that Jesus so desperately humbled himself be an example so that we could live and do the same.
John 15
12 This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that a they lay down their life for their friends.
Unidiversal Charismatic Christian Faith & Diversity Evangelism (UCF)
U n i f i e d U n i v e r s a l D i v e r s i t y
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2008 is looking GREAT!
Are you on the road to a great year too?
This page was last updated on: December 9, 2009
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2008 is sure to be a great year of faith in Christ for ALL people. Not just Unidiversal Ministries, but many ministries are growing with the same vision. God has been steadily increasing His move forward across this land and around the world. Such a unity of spirit could not have happened in so many separate ministries and individual hearts without the unifying Spirit of Christ leading the way.
10:30 AM on Sunday, July 6th is the time and date set for the first public baptism of Unidiversal Ministries. Much more information and a pre-registration form is coming. Our hope of local fellowship is beginning to show signs of coming together. Get more information and let us know of your interest here. Diversified hearts are ripe and ready for faith-based community everywhere.
It's true and you'll see it if you're paying attention. God is on the move with a groundswell of revival that, like pre-beginnings of past revivals, has been resisted by legalistic traditionalists in almost every denomination. Praise the Lord! Martin Luther probably couldn't have imagined what is going on now, but he would probably be as thrilled by the faith exploding among those excluded, rejected, and condemned by the so-called "faithful". True faithfulness is to follow God's Will out of boxes and walls and show the love of Christ with humility, acceptance, and affirmation for "whosoever will" claim heart-felt faith in Him.
No matter how discouraging past legalism and the promotion of faith-by-works has been, those who can leave the pain of it all behind by the grace and mercy of God are set and ready for the greatest revival in world history. Even unaware traditionalists ministers are speaking faith for diversity without realizing the extent of their words. Have you heard a minister speak positively about reaching out to all types of people for Christ, or opening up to loving others who are not like themselves? These are words of Unidiversal revival faith; and if you haven't heard anything like this, then open your eyes and ears to find where the Spirit of God is working.
Robbie Ousley
UCF Founder, Pastor,
& Diversity Evangelist
New Resources on
www.UNIDIVERSAL.com
since the last newsletter
The Unidiversal Website has multiplied in size over the last year with several new resources being added. Unidiversal resources are being utilized for enjoying Christian median free online, sharing faith with others throughout the Internet, and increasingly for helping locate churches with faith in Christ for ALL people.
click underlined links below for more information
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GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDED ! ! !
Would you want a GLBT person removed from participation in church leadership?
What are some other reasons you would want a person removed from church leadership?
Watch Mark Lowry's fantastic comedy routines and music on stage. What a funny guy with filled with faith for ALL people.
A long time coming, interaction, sharing and discussion are now available at Unidiversal.com In time we hope this service will grow to provide more special opportunities for Bible and social studies and discussions.
How was your Holiday Season?
How has your life been unpredictable?
UCF honors those who promote the cause of Christ by helping stretch social boundaries with Christian faith for all people because in the underlying basis of beliefs Unidiversal Christian Faith can be found revealing God out of the box
Recent Unidiversal Honorees
Peggy CampoloTammy Faye BakkerJay BakkerLulu RomanTony CampoloPastor Dale Jarrett & BCFPastor Randy McCain & ODCCMedia Video and Audio
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SPAM Update
Thanks to each person who let me know if spam email has been received from any Unidiversal.com address. Even minimal spam emails cause a need for extensive damage control because of the loss of care and communication they can cause. I have seen and been affected by what spam and security breaches can do to corporations I have worked for. With billions of dollars invested in customers and security, they can lose as much by one crack in their armor. So, from the get-go I have made every effort to keep this ministry and it’s contact information secure. The recent occurrence of four Unidiversal contacts receiving a few spam emails was very minimal. Thanks and Praise to God!
Problem: Everyone who reported it to your email service did the right thing. The biggest problem with reporting spam is that many people have their email service settings to automatically block the initiating email address. Hence, some who are interested in faith in Christ for all people end up losing out on the great information and opportunities provided by ministries like this one.
Resolution: Just in case a breach ever occurs I keep a secure database of all contact information, this goes for my personal contacts as well as for Unidiversal Ministries. Just like the mega-corporations I have worked for over the years, every contact is valued and I wouldn’t want to inadvertently lose anyone to vicious attack by someone who does not agree with ministries like Unidiversal.
Please be assured that every effort is being made to minimize these kinds of issues. Your prayer and effort to assist in these matters is appreciated very much.
Featured Articles
note: some links on this page open in a separate window
follow-up article adding new Gallup polls report
Bible Contradicts Jesus
I Dream of a Church
satanic Strongholds
S i n c e J u l y F i r s t N i n e t e e n H u n d r e d N i n e t y S e v e n
Knock at the Door
by UCF Pastor Robbie Ousley
The pastor from a church just outside of town stopped by my house the other day as he was knocking on doors to invite potential newcomers to visit his church. He was personable enough to engage in conversation and the longer we talked the more insecure his own words seemed to make him.
I enjoy talking with anyone who is willing to reach outside their own circle to try to be a witness of faith. You can usually start off assuming that they love people because they are willing to step outside their walls to invite others in. Going door to door has gotten a bad rap over the years as it has been abused by some to try to force unsuspecting residents to participate in church (among other things). For that reason I don’t know that I would use door-to-door practices, but it’s alright for those who choose to do so. I tried it about 20 years ago without much success, probably because I’m not one to pressure people.
To unfamiliar ears, the pastor’s words may very well have been really inviting. There was motivation in his voice and his practiced witness rolled off the tongue like water over the edge of Niagara. I could tell that his stress level rose when he became comfortable enough to ask if I know I would go to heave if I die today. It’s obvious that he preaches earnestly to promote his congregation to ask others this question and forcefully directs the question to the congregation often, if not every service. I told him that I believe I would go to heaven if I died right now, purposefully not elaborating to see if the follow up question would come in the usual order of “witness training”.
Sure enough, the next words out of his mouth were; “How do you know that you would go to heaven when you die?” Making sure I wasn’t sounding stressed, threatened, or defensive I said, “By the blood of Jesus covering, and that’s all. Nothing else could save me.” As expected, my answer didn’t leave him anywhere to go with the salvation issue. As a good witness is suppose to do, the pastor went on trying to find other reasons I should visit his church. At that point it was not about bringing people to God, it was about getting me into his church; and that’s alright too.
If church is worth supporting and dedicating time and effort to, then it is worth inviting others to. Pastor told me the details of his church services and handed me a small pamphlet so I didn’t have to depend on memory (good thing). He asked if I attend church anywhere and tickled the denomination question a little bit. I responded very openly in kind concerning what churches I had grown up in and how relative they are to my beliefs now; while returning the favor by giving him my ministry card and inviting his church to be registered on Unidiversal.com. It was easy to see a bit of reverse witness stress so I tried to make him comfortable with it by letting him know that the purpose of registration is to help promote people’s interest in coming to his church by asking un-required questions that go beyond a brief, generic listing.
He was alright with my invitation even though we knew we aren’t from the same divisions of churches (him Baptist, me undenominational). I have to hand it to the guy, my invitation would have caused most to find a way to excuse themselves and get out of there fast to avoid cross-indoctrination. But he carried the conversation on and I’m glad about that. I believe my responsive witness was best served through patience and kindness and was reciprocated by the same. I wouldn’t have stayed engaged if the patience and kindness were not prevalent in our conversation; as I have seen many lose their demeanor when witness became reversed.
The pastor went on to share some of his churches beliefs; proudly highlighting “no women preachers” and that they would not have “anything resembling rock music” in his independent fundamental, solely Bible based church. It’s almost like a hunting trap in a forest of legalism, the Old Testament catch-22 of “Thou Shalt Not” laws. Just like I was taught in church growing up, if I couldn’t struggle with something that I was not to do then the purpose for the church, and my purpose for being there, is in question. If I am to be “saved and sanctified” then whatever might be popular in other churches or in secular culture must be driven out of my life and social circles. It’s such an antisocial perspective of the Bible with a twist that makes it “seem right to man” (Proverbs 14). It’s almost as if life doesn’t have purpose without these struggles.
Proverbs 14:
12 There is a way which seems right to a person, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that pleasure is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart [unconvinced in understanding] shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself [limited to his own understanding].
15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent person looks well to his going [closely where s/he is going].
16 A wise person fears [has reservations], and departs from evil: but the fool rages [on and on], and is confident.
No less friendly and no more frayed for the wear, I asked the pastor if there are any electrical instruments at all in his church. There are plenty of churches that don’t use any electrical equipment other than sound systems and some don’t use those either. Of course his church has an electric organ; electric guitar(s) and a keyboard are acceptable. He was kind enough to stay and continue the discussion after this minor challenge to probe his extended ideas of faith.
“We don’t speak in tongues, that’s not Bible,” he said trying to probe my ideas of Christian faith more. That’s quite a blunt statement to make when you don’t really know how a listener believes about such a topic. At this point the pastor was making assumptions about my beliefs based on vague previous answers to his questions. He went on to give scripture references for his point to which I did not counter. I don’t have any Biblical reason to confirm or deny his belief about tongues. Compared to reconciliation to God, such subjects are minor. My goal as a witness of faith in Jesus Christ for all people is to major on the majors and minor on the minors. To me, that means any implication that anything other than Christ’s action having saved us is contradictory to His good news (the gospel of free and clear blood-bought redemption).
This topic of tongues, as well as many other topics, is used as vices and strongholds in a majority of Christian circles. There is a thin line between believing something and riding the line to use it as a test of faith and fellowship. What a great disservice denominations, faith-based organizations, and even Christians in secular education have done to the cause of Christ by highlighting the minors of the Bible as tests of faith and fellowship. Yes, I believe in tongues in an array of ways. The same Christian Bible as used by those who do not believe in tongues describes them. But I can serve God among a mixture of those who do and do not speak in tongues without a test of fellowship better than with anyone who requires such pro or con beliefs to participate or be excluded.
Of course, all of this didn’t come up in our “door-to-door” talk. It would have been more than inappropriate. But somehow such a brief encounter feels like it leaves both of us feeling sort of empty. It’s like it didn’t bring us any closer together with our shared faith in Christ. I had never met this pastor before (that I know of) which is sort of rare for me in my hometown area. With prayerful thought I do recognize something that was accomplished though. Not so surprisingly, when there is some kind of amount of authentic faith shared between believers, no matter how different some beliefs might be, there is evidence of the Fruit of God’s Spirit. Patience and the kindness that comes through the Fruit of the Spirit were most prevalent between us (Galatians 5).
Galatians 5:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
I can relate to this visitor’s ideals and line-walking witness because I grew up around them; even if it was in a different denomination. But I can relate to the kinder part of how he handled his part of the conversation better, because that’s how my dad’s faith in Christ taught me to be. It’s also why I am inclusive and affirming of all people who have interest in faith in Christ. And this kind of faith-based consideration for ALL people is a form of what I call Unidiversal Christian Faith.
continued >
< continued from
I asked the pastor how many people attend his church. 120 to 130 and it has been growing since he became pastor a few years ago. What a wonderful thing to have fellowship and corporate worship with a group of fellow believers. How awesome it is to rejoice in the “assembling of ourselves” as the Bible teaches. I remember overzealous preachers when I was a kid saying; “We’re not about popularity, if we have to be popular to grow then we’ll stay where we are.” That statement was made most often in small churches, and usually in a fire-and-brimstone sermon to make sure the church stayed small and unpopular. All of the great small churches I grew up in have gone through huge changes and still remain as they were with most of the same families attending today. I love them dearly to this day and wouldn’t hinder their faith in any way. However, the world needs a savior and the population has multiplied here as much as anywhere. For any church to remain with the size and familiarity as it was 40 years ago is a sign of losing the majority of the growth in the attending families and pretty much leaving the un-reached as they are. Knocking on doors isn’t going to help that: it’s an internal problem. Jesus, the disciples, and early churches brought in multitudes by thousands. Whoever is not doing the “greater things than these” Jesus spoke of is rightfully questioned as to why not.
“Verily, verily, I say to you, anyone who believes in me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall they do; because I go to my Father. (John 14:12)
Jesus gave us gifts, fruit, and His life and is watching to see if we are faithful to multiply that investment.
The pastor hasn’t registered with www.unidiversal.com yet. I’m guessing the semi-detailed questions may be too much information to share publicly. There just isn’t much use in letting people know if they will be welcome in a church or not before they get there to support and struggle through all the legalistic gibberish. (sorry, I just couldn’t resist). But above all, may God bless that church and may God’s Will be done to bring about open hearts to ALL people; if the will of congregants doesn’t stop Him.
FOLLOW UP TO 2007 UCF ANNIVERSARY NEWSLETTER
"I Dream of a Church"
by UCF Pastor Robbie Ousley
GALLUP POLL:
A December 24th article reporting results of historic polls about those who claim Christian faith and church attendance further confirms my “I Dream of a Church’ article in the 2007 Anniversary edition of the Unidiversal Newsletter. Is Christian Faith growing with all of the mega-churches? Or does it just appear to be growing on the surface with a lot of empty space inside like a hot-air balloon?
Generally speaking; 8 in 10 Americans identify with a religion, say that religion is at least fairly important in their daily lives, say they attend church at least “seldom”, and identify with a Christian religion. Most believe religion is losing influence, not growing, and not giving realistic answers. However, only 56% say that religion is “very” important to them. What a confirmation to the obvious circumstances facing Christianity today
We tend to look at the 9 who identify as Christian out of every 10 people who believe religion is important. But what about those who are not in the 32% group that believe religion is increasing in influence? Why are they not convinced that faith is important? Could it be
continued >
that the church has lost at least some of its grip on reality? Just as my original article points out, the church is not keeping up with population growth by a long-shot.
About every 80 years each generation has had to fight a huge, and usually bloody, battle over whether Jesus loves, accepts, saves, and fully includes another category of people; who the average elite have dehumanized to a lower class of outcasts. Just like throughout history, most recently it was the emancipation of slaves and women’s suffrage. Numerous churches promoted both sides of each effort to change the views of society.
Now, the most divisive issue Christian churches have joined other religions in is that of respectable GLBT people. Multitudes of GLBT people have paid equal dues to society and sacrificed for great faith in the cause of Christ, while being denied the benefits of the churches and governments they are extremely committed to and support. Yes, it is that big of an issue and promises to grow until resolution. It is just like previous causes in which the Spirit of God steadily moved. God has clearly proven that He has no limits when it comes to furthering His reach to rejected, outcast, and dehumanized people. The cost has already been very great and bloody. How much farther will “religious” people go to continue limiting Christ’s sacrifice for ALL people?
| IDENTIFY AS CHRISTIAN | 1940s | 1948 | 2007 |
| Identify w/Christian religion | 91% | 82% | |
| Protestant | 69% | 51% | |
| Other Christian | 5% | ||
| Roman Catholic | 22% | 23% | |
| Other Christian faith | 3% | ||
| No religious identity | very small percentage | 11% | |
| No response | 2% | ||
| 9/10 identify as Christian if any religion at all | |||
| CHURCH & RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE | 1937 | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1999 | 2002 forward | |
| Claim Church Membership | 73% | 70% | 70% | 70% | <70% | 70% | 63% - 65% | |
| 2007 | Weekly + | Less than weekly | Acclaimed Christians Attend Church | |||||
| Attend Church | 33% | + | 12% | = | 44% | |||
| 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 2007 | |||||
| Consider Religion Important | 70% | 70% | 50% | 56% | ||||
| 1957 | 2001 | 2003 | 2007 | |||||
| Believe religion is increasing influence | 69% | 71% | 30% | 32% | ||||
