This is one of the BIGGEST questions both current members and ex-members have asked and pondered about. And to my knowledge this topic has not been discussed in full detail on a post.
Before I continue and answer this mind-boggling question I want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with your faith or the environment.
There are 2 main reasons why UBF can't get new students (sheep)
1. Shepherds are not practically informative. When a shepherd fishes for a sheep that sheep has this one thought "What is this bible study (and the group) about? & Is it worth my time?"
The information that the shepherd provides is very superficial at best. They tell the student (sheep) only 4 things: The bible study is one-to-one, it is Christian, the church's name, and that it's non-denomination.
Even this little information is not accurate. (I'll talk about that in a future post).
Students (especially nowadays) don't want superficial information. They want to know what the study & group is all about. In other words they want to know the details and the inner workings of the church operation. The problem is that UBF members don't break down step by step in detail how UBF functions, the structure, and the like. In fact most UBF members don't even know the inner workings of the church let alone how to explain it.
With technology particularly internet information about UBF, what it is, how it operations is easily. Not to mention the negativity that comes along with it.
So when a student ask good questions in regards to UBF whether it be what they read online or their own curiosity the shepherd becomes tongue-tied and can't answer. Here is an example:
Student: Is UBF a cult?
Shepherd: No
Student: How so?
Shepherd: We (UBF) are not like Jehovah Witnesses or Mormons
Student: Those are examples of cults but what is a cult exactly? In other words what are characteristic traits of a cult and how UBF doesn't fall into any of those traits?
Shepherd: (angrily) It's NOT a CULT!!!
Student: But you are not answering my question.
Shepherd: ...... (This sheep is too rebellious)
As you can see in this scenario the student asks the shepherd to define what a cult is and list the traits of one. But the shepherd is unable to answer the question. For in other for the shepherd to answer the question they would have to conduct their own research and deconstruct how the UBF church operates. In doing so they would see the "cracks in the mirror" and everything they were taught and believed in UBF would fall apart.
Here is a list of characteristic traits of a cult: http://cultresearch.org/help/characteristics-associated-with-cults/ Show this link to your shepherd or UBF "missionary" and see if can demonstrate in detail how the UBF church doesn't fall into none of the traits listed (in other words show how UBF has NEVER had any of those traits) instead of changing the subject or getting defensive
Students when they are invited to join a group, organization, and the like they want to see if the leadership and leaders know what they are doing, can break down in detail the operations of what the group/organization is doing in explicit detail, and if the leaders can respond to all kinds of feedback and criticism (particularly constructive criticism) with undisputed evidence, counterarguments, and the like while being able to see both sides of the story.
If the shepherd let alone the UBF "missionary" can't do this then the student won't participate let alone join UBF because in the students' mid "The shepherd/missionary/leader doesn't know what they are doing and how to deal with any problem or opposition in a healthy manner in addition to having no chill when questions and opposition come about."
In the shepherds' mind the student is being rebellious because the student is asking good & critical questions. But 99.9% of the time that's not the case. Rather the student is expressing their desire for knowledge, wisdom, and to be prepared for what is to come. Just because some asks alot of questions let alone all kinds of questions doesn't mean that they are being rebellious. In fact Jesus asked alot of questions in his youth (Luke 2: 46-47).
UBF's understanding of faith is one of its biggest drawbacks. Their understanding of faith is that in order to have faith in God the student has to believe and trust EVERYTHING the UBF shepherds/UBF "missionary" says and does WITHOUT question. If they don't then the student doesn't have faith in God. This is a limited way of viewing faith in God. The bible proves this is not the case (1st Corinthians 12 & 14)
Part 2 coming soon...