First Pastorate--Need Advice

Welcome to the BB!

You sure started off with a real softball

The church should take a stand against ANY sin, period. I wouldn't agree with your pastor friend in allowing these things to take place in the facility.

 

While I agree with your position. I am not certain I agree with you going to the church members against your pastor. What is your position in the church? What steps were taken before your doing so?

I am not saying for certain I do disagree, but I have questions.

 

I agree with webdog. Take a stand against all sin.

Personally, I wouldn't have events like you speak of except for church members. That should, hopefully, cut out a lot of the problems.

 

Oh, I am sorry I completely misunderstood your post.

I am not a pastor so I am not qualified to answer your question then.

 

Oops, just realized this was in the pastoral forum (I posted on this from "new posts"). I'm not a pastor either, and while I may not be "technically" qualified, I do believe my position is one supported by Scripture

 

That is what I did also.

 

First, let me clarify, my ministry is a web ministry and as such I have always taught that Marriage, scripturally, begins at coupling. You can begin the study of this at Issac going into Rebecka in his mothers tent and marrying her, right there, as they coupled and work from that point.

It is and always has been that if a man or a woman that is lost and unable to reconcile this single point of fact has no business in a Christian Assembly. While the church needs to reach out to these people, allowing them to hold pagan rituals there is not Christian! Some will argue that it is just a Baby Shower but the truth of the matter is, "Does it honor God? Are the principals worshiping God or have they refused His Lordship?" If the answer to both is not yes... the shower needs to be held elsewhere.

 

So what are the approved sins that people can do and still be allowed to use the church?

The way I see it your choice depends upon what you want to use your church for.
Is it a sanctuary? Then outsiders might not be welcome
Is it a community center, then you might welcome outsiders as a witness.
As young couples marry and have children they may choose to attend a church.

We welcome groups to our church but certain have rules of conduct.

Rob

 

Same in our church. There have been members who have done showers for single mothers in their homes, and I don't have a problem with that. What's done is done, and there are still needs to be met.

 

Welcome, SLB. Some things to consider:
Does your church have a written policy on the use of the facilities? If not, the leaders should agree to write one. That way, when questions or complaints arise, it's right there in black and white. Our church has a policy that we do not rent the building out to other groups--period. For baby showers, etc. the building can be used if the person is kin to a church member or is considered part of our church's extended family. For example, my husband let a sister church come use our baptistry since they did not have one.

Also, I don't know how long you've been there, but I think you said this is your first pastorate. It's hard at first, making tough decisions and then dealing with the grumpy, but very vocal, minority who resist all efforts of change. I think the thing to remember is that the church should honor the Lord with use of the facilities, whether that offends people or not.

 

How do you come up with pagan rituals???

 

I agree. We have written procedures for use by church members and written procedures for use by non church members. In our community (a rural farming community) opening our doors has proven to be a great outreach opportunity for us.