How do you handle anonymous letter in your church?

I wasn't picking a fight, i just said I had never seen one. i was just surprised that you have sen so many and was wondering why.

why would a secretary open the pastors mail? I don't know sounds like your church and a few others are run differently than ours. our pastor told us in the past people have NO problem charing their concerns with him.

then again our church isn't known for gossip

I have to admit this is a subject i am a bit ignorant on. but i am not ignorant to human behavior and can totally understand why someone would send a letter of concern without signing it

 

Brother Bob please clean out your PM mail box i am not able to respond back to your message

 

Clean

 

Ok, would you please share your Scriptures as to your beleif that there are many good reasons for sending an unsigned letter?

Here is mine for not doing that...

Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you."

And the passage goes on to show what to do if that does not work.

And I could not find "send an unsigned letter" anywhere in the passage?

Maybe Jesus did not understand all the good reasons for sending them?

 

Originally posted by Frenchy:

I didn't say that I had seen any - so wonder no more.

That's what secretary's are for...and everyone that I know of, in my church, thinks our pastor is the greatest. He's been there for 30 years and has proven he can be trusted to give Godly counsel.

Neither is ours. The pastor nipped that in the bud a long time ago.

Usually, in my experience, when a person sends an unsigned letter. They don't want answers and they don't want help with their problems. They don't want to know what God has to say about it.

They just want to make themselves feel better by running someone else down or blaming someone else for their problems. They don't want to stand up and take responsibility for anything OR be accountable to anyone for anything.

Even if I was a shy person (which believe it or not - I'm not ), I might find it easier to write the pastor a letter. But I would certainly sign it because I wouldn't write it in the first place unless I was seeking Godly counsel.

When the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus' garment. His first words were, "Who touched me?" He wanted to KNOW who needed help. He did not heal 'anonymous' people. He looked them square in the eye and talked to them.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psalm 1:1

 

you defently have a very good point there

 

piaair, if you have legitimate concerns about those issues then go to the leadership in person and talk to them about it.

 

I agree... it's much better to talk to the person rather than sending complaint mail! Because I'm the only full-time staff member right now, I get them all... it's too cold in the sanctuary, the music's too loud, we don't like the songs, the pastor needs to preach harder, etc. You know what... get over it. Worship the Lord and leave your complaints at the door. And wear a jacket.

 

I guess all churches are wrong if they do a secret ballot when voting. we have done this at churches many times. so what's the difference there?

 

The difference is that a secret ballot for voting is "everyone" voting at the same time. If you send a letter without signing it, it just shows me that you're either just complaining and don't expect me to respond, or just chicken. If you sign your name, I'll evaluate what you think, probably talk to you about it, and we'll discuss the whys, hows, and other things. Otherwise, it goes into the circular file.

 

Most of you sure have a negative way of looking at an "A" letter. WoW!! Sure hope you don't get one the pressure may be too great.

 

On the contrary, Bro. Bob... no pressure here... especially if it's not signed.

 

Ok, I summit.

 

Frenchy, I would appreciate if you would answer my questions from a previous post about Scriptures ...

secret ballots and unsigned letters are completely different things. You are comparing apples and watermelons.

 

Sorry I never said i was dogmatic about the subject just the oppostite.

I just can see with so many judgemental Christians and legalistic pastors, why someone would send one. too much labeling of christians now in days. i counsel enough hurt christians to see why they would send an anonomous letter, OUT OF FEAR!

It even happens here way to easlily than would be expected

 

A great example of why remaining anonymous is good which i have already mentioned.

check out my thread on "Christian Music Test"
and you will see that several will NOT even read the links to see if what was being said is TRUE all based on the "AUTHOR OF THE WEBSITE". so they are being bias and judgmental with out checking out the facts based ONLY on who the author "IS".

A person who is secure in God and what he believes would NEVER be threatened by a letter or article no matter what it said or who wrote it!!!

That is my point.

 

But, but, but Frenchy! In that thread you expect us to make a judgement on a piece of recorded music based on who the SINGER is, so why shouldn't we judge a website based on who the AUTHOR of the site is?


Sorry, off topic.


Back on topic: 'A' letters should be opened skimmed for content and then tossed or read fully based on the content. Nuttin hard 'bout that, is there?

 

Frenchy, since you refuse to post any Scripture for your beliefs in this area then there is no reason to continue.

 

Not true. I clicked on the link and the music playing on the site was enough to make me realize I didn't want to go there...

I still maintain that writing anonymous letters = a coward.