Yes! That's an excellent sermon.

Yes, that's true. And many of the pastors will try to pretend their various (sometimes conflicting) rules and standards are directly from God. #authorofconfusion?

I totally agree, she did a great job! ❤️ It's not easy sorting through beliefs with so much fear build into them.

If they did, I suspect they spent a long time studying the hair passage before they left and were already convinced it was ok. Unless one is walking away from faith altogether, it's a well thought out event, especially if they have uncut hair. Back when I left (20 yrs ago) I was already cutting my hair. My parents never subscribed to the "uncut" interpretation of 1 Cor 11, but just that I had "long" hair, and never as a matter of salvation. So, as a teen, I always cut/trimmed my long hair, even while I was UPC. Back then, in the Canadian Atlantic District, I don't remember "uncut" being such an issue across the board (officially). But, maybe I was just blissfully unaware.

The question I have is, are they cutting because of rebellion to the Standards or the Scriptures. The point being is this hair doctrine is incorrectly taught. They teach this doctrine only from the KJV any other translation will not agree with their teachings

I agree that their hair teaching is incorrect and unprecedented in Christianity. I guess personal motives can be questioned when it comes to why any of us do anything. I've found that male motives rarely get questioned in these circles. It could be because men run the show. Why are certain men striving for leadership/ministry? Why do they wear designer suits and drive luxury vehicles? Why do they make friends with the people they do (running after wealthy/important people)? Why do they tithe/give/volunteer the way they do? What can we deduce about their character from this analysis of everything they do? So many things can be self-serving. but I have not observed instantly questioning motives as a common approach to the male existence in these religious environments. Often, when a woman does anything to her appearance... Is she after someone else's husband? Is she an instant whore now that she wears tinted lipgloss or an heirloom locket? Is she too vain? Trying to be noticed? Is she trying to be like "the world"? Is she being rebellious...? It often feels like female faith, character, and integrity are quickly questioned. The seemed animosity toward women is so unfortunate. When it comes to motives, the only ones I will ever really know are my own, and that's enough to keep me busy. I do think many women who change their appearance are simply tired of feeling older/odd and want to enjoy finding their personal style. We all want to look our best. Normal. It doesn't make sense to do something restrictive that's not required in scripture. Some women are tired of being used as the visual "holiness billboard" of their church (based solely on the preferences of their pastor) without any consideration as to the quality of life cost of those restrictions. The head of thick, long, uncut hair is a prime example. The care, weight, and potential health issues (headache and back/neck/scalp) are not considered. It lacks compassion. Female restrictions are common in many extreme fringes of religion (not just Christianity). Many UPC parents require things of their teens (especially daughters) that they themselves never had to deal with in middle and high school. I went to public school as a UPC teen. My parents did not. Neither of them was a believer until adulthood. I know they didn't understand what it was like for me. I had no problem living for God and had personal and sincere faith. I was all out for Jesus! But, when it came to the UPC look, I hated it. I wanted to dress normally in an appropriate and modest way. I am thankful they allowed me to trim my hair. But, a slight leniency with my clothing ended up making me a target and got me spiritually abused by my pastor...so this is a bigger problem. Not every girl weathers those storms with their faith intact.

@@mikeeagan1307 Are the Other Translations Really Correct???

I did and yes I wanted to since I was a little girl. I didn’t believe any of the standards were anything but man-made rules.

Thank you! Aubrynn is a very wise young woman. I'm so proud of her for her courage in sharing and her insight.

Isn't it awful that the UPC made this thinking so common...not wanting to raise girls in the movement? It is sad.

It's funny that you think I'm the hateful one from watching this video calling CGC to repentance for decades of covering up the sexual abuse of young women and minors in their church at the hands of their adult male saints. It tells me everything I need to know about you, and that's before getting into your sin-leveling and excusing men for sexual abuse because they are "visual." For the record, the amount of lying, sneaking, and grooming that goes into a grown man abusing a minor is not "falling:" It is strategic, patient, and predatory. Any leader who covers up sexual abuse in ANY church is reprehensible. They should step down! They are unfit and unsafe to lead!!! As far as false reporting goes (the defense all predator sympathizers make), all crimes have false reports. The stats for false reporting of sexual abuse is 2%-10%. False reporting is horrible, we agree on that. This is why we have a legal system in place. But it doesn't negate the 90%-98% of cases of legitimate abuse. It also doesn't factor in the 63% of sexual assaults that are never reported to police. Only 12% of child sexual abuse is reported. That's sobering. Sit with that for a few minutes. This is a problem! You need to educate yourself before coming into my comments section and looking so foolish. Obviously, it's not "near every Oneness" committing sexual assault/abuse or even covering it up. This is a widespread problem everywhere. The Oneness church is no exception. I care about and want to see Oneness women and children safe. There are many within the movement who agree with me, and some are taking steps to hold abusers accountable. God will deal with me, as he will everyone...including abusers and those who cover for them. Do you realize how many abuse survivors walk away from faith because of how they were treated by their church/pastor when it came out? It's heartbreaking. Jesus had something to say about that. Matt 18:6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in me-to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2012-03/Publications_NSVRC_Overview_False-Reporting.pdf www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications_nsvrc_factsheet_media-packet_statistics-about-sexual-violence_0.pdf rainn.org/statistics/perpetrators-sexual-violence

I have heard plenty of teaching on these topics. I sat through Raymond Woodward's "Because We Are His" study on the dress standards, I have listened to and read what numerous UPCI ministers have had to say on these topics, including David K Bernard, and am not convinced in any way that the Bible teaches that women must wear dresses only. But, if you think you have a verse that teaches that, feel free to share it here.

@@ResponsibleFaith ok, so i have a question. Are you saying that there is no where in the New Testament, in any book, or scripture that speaks of a “dress” ? Is that your position?

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch 🥹 Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I hate that there are victims who are afraid or ashamed to share their experiences 😭 I also hope that they will find courage and one day be able to speak out. It definitely is another step in the healing journey to share and let others know they aren't alone. My only goal is to help others and let them know they aren't alone! Even if one person watches this and finds comfort in knowing there are others like then out there, I have done what I set out to do. Your words have been so kind and from such a genuine place. Thank you for taking the time to respond, it truly means so much to me. Katie

No!! I agree. We also had to sign a contract to be apart of any ministry on the platform. It's mind boggling.

The message Deanna stitched in is very much believed amongst the UPCI. Standards are very similar in these movements.

@katieroyer2612 Just the ones that I've been to say the woman's hair is her Glory. I never once heard any use the specific vernacular "power". My hair was one of the first things that I was convicted of, and at the time my hair barely touched my shirt collar. I've had a military style haircut ever since then.

Deanna is amazing in giving space for stories to be shared! I am so thankful you found TRUE salvation in Christ! 😭

The UPCI/WPF need a revival of love. Desperately. Without it, they have nothing. I hear too many clanging gongs and tinkling symbols from pulpits who need to calm their emotions down and get a baptism of the love of God.

@@ResponsibleFaith yes we do need a revival of love just don't forget about the Holy Ghost

​@@CalebHenson-n9p.... Revival is not mentioned in the New testament

Are you interested in also seeing “revival” in other churches. If not, can you explain why? If so, what would that even look like? How would the average person on the street even comprehend what you are saying?

I’m also Latino who grew up in the Hispanic UPCI. I started attending in my pre-teens. Race and ethnicity sometimes plays a role in adhering the rules in the UPCI. They are very extreme when it comes to adhering the rules. I’ve been to a few American UPCI churches and they pretty much have settled down a bit on the rules. They are still strict, but they aren’t forced to abide by the rules. I’ve seen women in those churches I have visited wear pants wearing earrings and makeup. and a few men having beards. Except those who minister the church still have to dress modestly. Whereas the Hispanic UPCI churches in most of them, if women wear pants, nail polish, earrings and makeup, and they are seen in those, those who minister will be forced to sit in front of the pulpit hearing the preacher exalt on those standards on how men and women should dress, live etc. I used to play the guitar on the platform, however, because I grew a goatee, I was no longer allowed to play the instrument any longer. I might leave that church soon. It’s too much.

The standards are definitely heavy for the women in so many organizations like holiness/upci/wpf/aljc - I too, hope they can move away from the large emphasis on the outward appearance.

@@peyifte6311 the rules and standards are heavy. The fact you can no longer participate and contribute to worship because you grew facial hair is the perfect example of the extreme legalism rampant within these movements.