YOUTH MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

Personally, I think if they are old enough to become members, they are old enough to vote.

Each church should decide for itself.

 

My children are members of my family, but they don't get an equal say in family decisions. They are children, after all, and do not possess the wisdom and maturity to make mature decisions. Although my oldest is twelve, and as he grows I will involve him in discussing such important decisions in order to train him, he still will not have an equal say. Similarly, I do not think that children/teens should have an equal say with adults in the church family. Does this mean I see "two classes of members", as Doc put it? Absolutely, if what one means by that is that I see an impotrtant distinction between youths and adults.

Pastork

 

At the church I'm a member of all members are entitled to vote, regardless of age. Except in a couple of issues covered by the trust deeds of the church you need to be at least 18 yo, these relate to buying property and calling a pastor.

I would support ALL members being entitled to vote, if we belive God guides and directs our meetings why would we prohibit some of His children voting?

Also, why is the concern with physical age rather than spiritual maturity? Surely a knowlege of God is the greater thing.

Regards
Bob

 

Thinkng back ... when I was about 15/16 and a fairly new church member .. One of the deacons used to go through the meeting agenda with a group of us young members the Sunday before the meeting, explaining what was going on and what was the aim of the different parts. Kind of teaching us to be useful and informed members

Regards
Bob

 

I think age does matter because of the maturity. In our church it is a matter we ask the parents to discuss with the kids. If the parents feel that the kid is capable of making an intelligent vote then they can allow it, but if the parents feel the child is not ready for the job, the child abstains.

 

Amen, Bro. Bob! I think you raised some very good points. If we can't expect the young ones to know about issues within the church, how can we expect them to know about the requirements of a church member?

People raise these hypotheticals about what could happen in a "church run by the kids."

Think about this; how many times is a young person joined into the church and then, after their teenage years, turns away from the church. It sounds to me like the church should not let young ones join based on the fact that they might leave later.

Of course, I don't feel this way, but why expect them to be spiritually mature if we can't expect them to be emotionally mature?

God Bless. Bro. James

 

My children are members of my family, but they don't get an equal say in family decisions.

Yes, but your children did not have a choice in becoming a member of your family. All I'm saying is that if a person is mature enough to become a member, then he is mature enough to exercise his rights as a member.

 

Ok I agree with Jeanne and not just cause I'm married to her.

More often than not a child would follow the lead of their parent. That would in effect give a large family more votes than a smaller one. i.e. a family consisting of two parents, and 5 kids would have 7 votes, while a childless couple would have two. It should be one person one vote,and the people voting should have the maturity and intelligence to understand the issues and the consequences of their votes.

Bill

 

Who would you rather have voting?

An immature 10-16 year old with a heart for God

Or a mature person who is hiding their sins of a pedophile, a liar, or a thief.

All those happened at my old church.

Let no one look down on you because you are young but take up arms and smack the old people around until they realize that "Hey wait a minute they're Christians too"

To the man whose church cancelled the Gymnasium building program - shame on your church!

Wouldnt the fundraising be up to God? Is it His money or yours? You'd be surprised at either a) how long the building would take and perhaps how the youth could have helped b) How God could have used that building to start a revival

I will never deny a member a right to vote - despite their age if the church body admitted them as a member

And for that family example go slap yerself - you dont democratically elect children into your family!

 

Acutally I would rather neither voted. I wouldn't want the child to vote because they do not understand the consequencs of their vote. Lets say they vote to double the salary of the church secretary. That is a nice thing to do, but do they really have any idea if the church can afford to do this? The church still needs to meet its other obligations, and may not be able to becuase of that vote. That is not likely to happen, but it is possible. It's rather obivious why you would't want a pedophile, a liar, or a thief to vote. That is why you have to be 18 to vote in the United States, and conviced felons lose their right to vote.

You are absoultly right they the young can be Christians too, but they are to honor their parents and the last time I checked smacking someone around was not a way to honor them.

Brother you shouldn't be passing judgment. Neither you nor I know the whole story. We don't know if there was a fund rasing plan in place or not.

You're right I didn't democratically elect my children, they are a gift from God. He has simply placed them in my care. I thank God every day for the priviledge of raising my children. The point of my post was that children would simply follow the lead of their parents when it came to voting, and just because I have more children in my family dosn't mean I should have more votes.

Sularis I think you need to look at what you wrote and make some apologies.

1. To everyone on the BB for suggesting it is right to smack the old people around. That is one of the most un-christian attitudes I have ever heard.

2. To Loren B for passing judgment on his church when you don't know the details.

3. To me for telling me to go slap myself.

You are certianly entitled to your opinion, just as I am, however you do not need to pass judgment or attack others to express that opinion.

While I disagree with what some others have said on the subject of youth members, I have not taken offense at their opinion. I have however taken offense at they way you presented yours.

Bill

 

Proverbs 22:6
'Train up a child in the way he should go:and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
This covers alot of territory .Moral conduct,spirtital growth, finacal instruction, etc. A child does not have all the knowledge and life experience to fall back on to make a logical judgement while voting on some of the issuses that come up at church. While the bible doesn't say they can't vote and I wouldn't look down or tell another church they shouldn't . I don't believe they should.
Real example: Are church was voting on to whether put new carpet in or not. The vote went to doing it. The next Sunday they asked for so many people to give a one time donation of $100 and so on. My 7 year olds hand shot up.Ready to give $100. Then he asked if it was okay.Which it was . In his mind God wants new carpet, he'll have new carpet. He had no idea if we had it but he was WILLING to give it.But no idea of the consequence of his action.
...when the bible gave instruction to who was to be in charge it was given to the elders not the novice (1 Tim 1-7). The older woman were to instruct the young.
Also I wouldn't slap anyone for a differnce of view. We are instructed to pray for the brethern and teach the baby christians, and build up the brethern NO WHERE do I see permission to use malice,wrath,anger,clamour,or evil speaking but I do see were we are Forbiden to use such tools as I just mentioned. Eph. 4:31-32.
Jeanne

[ January 23, 2003, 06:28 PM: Message edited by: Living by Faith ]

 

To Bill - the family example - I apologize - to the church no - they made them members - then they took away their right to vote - making them second class citizens

Every christian should have a voice - member or not - God can speak through anyone - and when you restrict the votes you restrict the power of God

I've seen too many things happen to people who have done such a thing.

Ive seen churches increase requirements to vote - hold surprise meetings in the middle of the week - reduce percentages needed to pass something when they had lost members - All to make sure certain members didnt vote, and certain things passed

The liar, pedophile, and thief got the vote btw, and those youth have never set foot in a church since - and i remember the one of them used to be a leader in the youth group encouraging Bible studies and activities. Well at least the immature person didnt get a vote to lengthen a summer Bible program that they did most of the work on. It got halved; and they lost all their workers. Perhaps the immature people got tired of being abused, by mature people!

May I never be that "mature"

 

Sularis apology accepted.

You position seems to be that if someone has been accepted into membership then they have a vote. I can partially agree with this, however I guess it's how you define member. In our church my son is considered a member because my wife and I are members. That does not mean he has a right to vote. Would you set any minimum age for membership? How do you define being a member? The disagreement may just be in who is considered a member.

A change to the bylaws would be required to change voting requirements. If that is done according to the rules then the church is not out of line to do that. If a church is purposely trying to put one over on the membership then I would be looking for another church.

Do you honestly think the youth should smack the old people around? If so then you are looking to abuse the old people just as you say the youth have been abused.

Bill

 

Hmmm. I have to balance this between the way I was treated as a youth, and life now.

I didn't attend business meetings as a child, nor was I a church member. I did attend business meetings as a youth (some) but only as an older youth.

We were allowed to vote. I remember voting on interim pastors and pastors, too. But they were taken to the floor appropriately.

I think if done right (explained properly), I think at minimum that older youth should be allowed to vote. Well. Actually, I don't have a problem with all members voting. I am more concerned about what is taken to the floor to vote on.

 

In First Timothy it talks about the younger members respecting the older members. Treating them as mothers and fathers. I agree with that, and I'm 14. But maybe I do because to me they are like mothers and fathers. I mean one lady I call mom, and that's just was she is to me. I call my preacher "grandpa." No, I don't believe I'm disrespecting them by calling them that. They see me as their "child" and are protective of me.
I got saved when I was 11. Two weeks later I was baptized, and joined the church. Though I was taught Bible from the time I could talk, since I'd been saved for such a short period of time, I had a lot to learn [I STILL DO!} so no, that wouldn't have been good for me to vote then. Do I vote now? Not on financial things. I wouldn't if we were looking for a pastor. Now if they wanted to call a liberal man to the pulpit, and fight tooth and nail. I don't want my church to lose it's convictions, and it's stand. But the people in my church calling a liberal preacher would most likely only happen when pigs grew wings and flew. And some things I just don't think a woman should vote on. I'm sorry if some don't agree with that, but that's just how I see things.
The only thing I ever vote on is weither or not to allow someone to be a member.
The only thing I really have a say in is my sunday school group. They "elected" me president of the class, but I never do anything without the teacher, and pastor's ok. Even if they said I didn't have to have their permission, I would still do it. I want to make sure whatever I do is something that others see as wise, and alright.
I have so much to learn, and I expect that if the Lord tarries, and I live to be an old woman, I supose I will still say that.
You know I think the thing about voting ought to be about maturity. Are the people voting Biblicaly sound? Do they understand what the session is about? I've met 12 year olds with more spiritual discernment that some 50 yearolds. That just means some people just havn't allowed GOd to have control of their life, or that they are just a more carnal Christian. It awful sad to see that though.
Anyways, that's my 2 cents worth.
~Abby

 

Your son is not a member until
1) he is saved
2) baptized
3) applies for it
4) is able to give defense of the hope he has

Once anyone can do that - then one is a member of the church local with responsibility to disciple someone or serve in a ministry

Then that person should get a vote not matter their age.

DO I believe the youth should smack the older people - I honestly think it wouldnt hurt - i go from liberal church church to liberal church that claim to be conservative - Im a small c, and I constantly see youth ignored, or just plain pushed out of the church - I even know one church within 5 minutes walk of me that has not an attendee under the age of 50 - I even know of other churches I cant even remember the number with an hours or so that i hopped when I was looking for a new church where grey was the only hair colour (natural)

Ive walked 3 hours along a dirt road in almost 90 degree heat just to find a church to worship at - I think I can honestly say Ive been at more churches - worshipped in more styles - then most people her on this board not all - just most - and that almost consistently in every church, youth are limited in what they are allowed to contribute - and that when it comes to decisions concerning them - they arent consulted.

I believe a famous quote goes - Give me a 100 youth on fire for God and I will lead a mission that will shake the very gates of Hell

Its not 100 old people - not 100 mature people - its 100 YOUTH - but all too often people stand up and say they are too young to understand anything

Sure they may not understand the futures market - but the wisdom of God is foolishness to man - and who among mankind understands foolishness better then children.