Progress Demands Change

tevMy name is Teuvo Orjala and I am an evangelist among other things. As an evangelist for the Urantia Book’s Teachings and an active member of the Fellowship, I’m very present to the fact that the next generation of Urantia Book readers sincerely believes in the future of the Fellowship. However, the path is often unclear.

As the demographic that represents the future of the organization, I (and we) experience lacking awareness of our community involvement, our projects, and our vision for the future. We brave the potentially discouraging reality of waning participation in the community of a reader base jaded by a history of infighting and line-drawing. We feel and see the regressive tendency to cling to the ways of the past.

I’ve been trying to understand why this is. How can we move forward quickly and effectively?  How can we see progress that is at pace with the rapidly changing world? How do we reach the next level of collaboration to bring the organizations and individuals who comprise it back together? Should we not be the first to create a true brotherhood of men? Is this not possible?

Then it dawned on me, a vision of what we need to do!  As stewards of this Revelation, students of its teachings, or members of the Fellowship, we need to create NEW, clear goals for the future.  We need to unite around these goals as a community.

Part of this process will involve getting the community back invested in the community. What can we offer them?

First and foremost is that we strive to offer support. The Fellowship now has a youth committee willing to interact with committees, groups, anyone, to engage in discussions of progress.  (If you don’t believe me just shoot us an email and see where it goes!).   We also have expanded the Fellowship’s outreach efforts.   Another fantastic benefit is that there is now $5000 a year available for grants to societies.

Some of you might say “no organization matters in the spiritual progress of the planet” or “the teachings spread one way or the other”. These are fair assertions but let me tell you, as someone who has spent the last two years of my life living out these teachings to the best of my ability, organizations matter!  Without the support of the Fellowship I (and we) would not have been able to accomplish half of what we did.  Hundreds of people would not have been introduced to the book, we would not be in contact with dozens of young people who at this very moment are working and planning for the future of this community,  there would not be an “Introduction to The Urantia Book” video, and more.

To move the Fellowship into the 21st century there must be efficient and wise change. This might seem to some like the next generation is moving too fast or being forceful but we would argue that it is simply the times we find ourselves living in. We have always had computers. We have always had cell phones. We communicate and coordinate in unprecedented ways and speeds which are changing and shaping the world everyday. This is not a better way to do it, it just simply is our way.  For example, imagine living in Alaska and keeping your winter parka on as the seasons change. At what point do we realize the weather is changing and it’s time to take off those constricting layers?

There are no limits anymore. We have the network. We have the resources. We have the Revelation. And we have each other.

There has never been a better time since Jesus visited us to foster and celebrate the spiritual unity that unites us as a human family.

Many will continue to commit their entire life to devoutly serving our Father,  to courageously embodying the teachings of the Urantia Book, and to BEING positive missionary evangelists of the religion of the spirit . The health of our community, its ability to adapt to changing times, and clear and unifying goals will determine how effectively we utilize these efforts for the realization of the kingdom of God on Urantia.


In the past, truth has grown rapidly and expanded freely when the cult has been elastic, the symbolism expansile. Abundant truth and an adjustable cult have favored rapidity of social progression.” 87:7.5

“Regardless of the drawbacks and handicaps, every new revelation of truth has given rise to a new cult, and even the restatement of the religion of Jesus must develop a new and appropriate symbolism. Modern man must find some adequate symbolism for his new and expanding ideas, ideals, and loyalties. This enhanced symbol must arise out of religious living, spiritual experience. And this higher symbolism of a higher civilization must be predicated on the concept of the Fatherhood of God and be pregnant with the mighty ideal of the brotherhood of man.” P966:1, 87:7.6

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10 thoughts on “Progress Demands Change”

  1. Robert Aponte

    Teuvo! U know I love U as my brother & I am very proud of your work & your constant reminders of what we R to do! I, too, ventured on a 40 day spiritual mission last year. This year, it is more in “passing by” that I have been able to be of service to my fellows. As funds grow (if it is meant to be), I plan to embark on another mission. But until the funds manifest themselves, I am content to “be of service” as “I pass by.” & believe me, the chances are numerous! I recently met a man in Starbucks & hopefully he will have his own book to peruse very soon, with the help of Will & Margo Sherwood. As Our Master said, “The harvest is plenty yet the workers are few.” I “count” myself as a worker, albeit, I’m working as I am able. Again, thank U for your words of zeal! Love, peace & kindness!

    1. Robert you are awesome! Your enthusiasm gives me real hope for a long life of always being ready to share truth and love anywhere I go.

  2. Frieda Friendentia

    Hi Teuvo, well said! After your visit I have reflected on our conversations, asking Our Father…what was it about the “herstory” that was so compelling to share? Over time I have come to understand the passion to share the UB with others has always been tempered by the “community” mythology: the beliefs we as a group have taken on that are not in the UB but about the UB. I am reminded this very idea is akin to the gospel about Jesus instead of the gospel of Jesus. It seems the effectiveness of the Spirit of Truth to prepare this generation to receive the Urantia Book is now coming to fruition. Time to go forth sharing the Good News!

  3. Dear Teuvo,

    We will co create win-win situations for everybody as we persistently focus on Love, Light, and the highest good for ALL concerned. This may sound too good to be true, but actually it does not even begin to describe the wonders and joyous things we will be co creating once we accept that the New Earth has been Birthed, and we daily and hourly live out of that KNOWING through our thoughts, words, actions, feelings, and beliefs in which you have just started,in this Greatest Need of The Hour.

    Assure yourself that the eternal plan does include that ability to be sensitive and an oracle to help.

    All souls are on the journey together. The eternal does wish you to succeed. Thus the ability to be sensitive and helpful.

    Embark upon this with openness.

    Allow the clear moments to come through.

    You and others can only benefit from the participation.

    Allow yourself to be who you are.

    A clear shining beacon for all.”

    Blessed are you for your wonderful Job for Christ Michael.

    Thank you for remembering who you are and why you are on Earth at this time. And thank you for your willingness to add to the Light of the world.

    God Bless You,

    Abegunde Julius Taiwo.

  4. Miranda Clendening

    Beautifully put Teuvo 🙂 I look forward to discussing this so much more in he near future. All current readers should be honestly and diligently putting thought into what common goals and values we share and how that shapes what our future looks like. The Urantia book gives many references about this. I will try to find some and post them…for now…you used a part of a very powerful Urantia book paper…I think the rest right after it is just as important as well.

    (966.2) 87:7.7 The old cults were too egocentric; the new must be the outgrowth of applied love. The new cult must, like the old, foster sentiment, satisfy emotion, and promote loyalty; but it must do more: It must facilitate spiritual progress, enhance cosmic meanings, augment moral values, encourage social development, and stimulate a high type of personal religious living. The new cult must provide supreme goals of living which are both temporal and eternal — social and spiritual.

    (966.3) 87:7.8 No cult can endure and contribute to the progress of social civilization and individual spiritual attainment unless it is based on the biologic, sociologic, and religious significance of the home. A surviving cult must symbolize that which is permanent in the presence of unceasing change; it must glorify that which unifies the stream of ever-changing social metamorphosis. It must recognize true meanings, exalt beautiful relations, and glorify the good values of real nobility.

  5. Teuvo, my brother, I don’t know how I’ve missed this post in my regular visits here, but am happy to have *happened* on it. It’s a great post and very encouraging for the likes of us who not only want to see the spread of the FER speed up, but who actively just do that, not waiting for others to take the lead.

    You’re a fine example, Teuvo, in your evangelistic efforts and outreach. And I’m happy to read that you realize that our Fellowship, as an organization, is so important in the role it’s actively fulfulling. Alone we just cannot do it.

    For the likes of you, I will always be rooting. Be of good cheer in all your evangelistic endeavors 🙂

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