11 week orientation

[preacher4truth]

Shouldn't that be the first question, to give a testimony to their salvation?

I'd hope something along those lines, yes.

 

[Van]

How many weeks would it take to teach all the instructions and commands of Christ.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Well, apostatize in the sense of leaving solid truth for error, not in a salvational sense. Some claim to have been Cals and have gone into fallacious error and if you look closely their understanding of Reformed theology is nothing short of a caricature/straw man of what it truly is. I recall making a thread on irresistible grace, one who claimed to be an ex-Calvinist fought against it, thinking he was fighting what IG means, but all he did was erect a straw man and attack it. Thus, no, an 'ex-Cal' who doesn't represent the truth of the teaching, misrepresents it, is not showing a true past adherence to Calvinism by any means.

Here is the link. The last page shows that the objective of my thread was in fact accomplished, and especially the last reply.

As far as how long the classes take, I have no problem with it because you're going to be in church anyhow, so I would go and try to gain a better understanding of theology. I don't know about the having to join first part though. And who knows, perhaps you'll gain an hearing there.

well its a modern Non denominational evangelical church not a baptist church & so I wouldnt be interested. I go for the duty of being in a church.....besides there are doctrinal issues I disagree with. So I would not wish to go to their orientation, Its not my belief system ....similar when I went to a Lutheran & a Dutch reformed Church. I went there out of obedience, nothing more.

 

[Herald]

How many weeks?

Normally it is six weeks.

 

[salzer mtn]

Some may be aware of the fact that Arthur W. Pink and his wife quit going to church long before his death. He considered the churches of that day apostate. He still held bible reading and prayer in his home for him and his wife and he was also a Sabbath keeper. He would not let his wife cook on Sunday. You will not find this information in most of his books but he wrote letters to his close friends over the years discussing with them the scriptures and personal matters. I have a sovereign grace pastor friend that has some of these letters in book form and I read it.

 

[Herald]

Some may be aware of the fact that Arthur W. Pink and his wife quit going to church long before his death. He considered the churches of that day apostate. He still held bible reading and prayer in his home for him and his wife and he was also a Sabbath keeper. He would not let his wife cook on Sunday. You will not find this information in most of his books but he wrote letters to his close friends over the years discussing with them the scriptures and personal matters. I have a sovereign grace pastor friend that has some of these letters in book form and I read it.

I generally like Pink's writings, but I found his departure from the body of Christ to be troubling. The framers of the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith wrote:

26.3 The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan; nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.
( 1 Corinthians 5; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 18:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12; Matthew 16:18; Psalms 72:17; Psalm 102:28; Revelation 12:17 )

No church is perfect. Even the best of churches will contain "mixture and error". But that is where the body of Christ comes together as a family for worship.

 

[preacher4truth]

I have a sovereign grace pastor friend that has some of these letters in book form and I read it.

Are these letters in book form available for purchase?

Nevermind, I found them online.

 

[preachinjesus]

We provide a 1 week (or 1 Sunday) connections seminar that is for new people and those who desire to become covenant members.

Our class is required for covenant members and it goes through who we are and why we are a church. It is a staff led class that seeks to help connect with new people.

As for the OP's class...I can't imagine what takes 11 weeks to do. We couldn't get folks to do two or three weeks much less 11. I guess you find out who's really committed.

These kinds of classes are important (I'd say essential) to a growing church. Especially when you're looking at being able to find great fits and cast vision to new people. It isn't about brainwashing (though you gotta wonder about an 11 week class) but about connection.

 

[Amy.G]

This church Im going to now wants me to join & then go to an 11 Week Orientation Class......

I dunno....I think they're trying to sneak Sunday School in on ya! :laugh::laugh:

Couldn't resist! Love ya! :love2:

 

[Jerome]

Bingo.

theassimilationofnewmembers.pdf

p. 29

"For a traditional church, with a strong Sunday school, it would be wise to treat the new members class, Discovering Membership 101, as a recurring class taught every three months during the Sunday school hour. . . .It could also prove to be a good motivator to help the new member build the habit of attending Sunday school."

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Bingo.

theassimilationofnewmembers.pdf

p. 29

"For a traditional church, with a strong Sunday school, it would be wise to treat the new members class, Discovering Membership 101, as a recurring class taught every three months during the Sunday school hour. . . .It could also prove to be a good motivator to help the new member build the habit of attending Sunday school."

Which I frankly consider modern church brain washing. Now its evident. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

We provide a 1 week (or 1 Sunday) connections seminar that is for new people and those who desire to become covenant members.

Our class is required for covenant members and it goes through who we are and why we are a church. It is a staff led class that seeks to help connect with new people.

As for the OP's class...I can't imagine what takes 11 weeks to do. We couldn't get folks to do two or three weeks much less 11. I guess you find out who's really committed.

These kinds of classes are important (I'd say essential) to a growing church. Especially when you're looking at being able to find great fits and cast vision to new people. It isn't about brainwashing (though you gotta wonder about an 11 week class) but about connection.

But if these people are all born agains, would it not be easy to assemble them for the work of Christ in the kingdom? I think too often, churches in the race for headcounts bring into the fold very carnal people with the agenda to raise them up to become something they are just not and 11 week indoctrineation classes prove that out.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

It seems strange to me also since it is not Biblical. Notice Acts 2:41-47:

41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

They added 3000 that day. Verses 42 and after go on to say they learned and were taught after joining.

I would not walk away from that church, I would run.

Denominations like Catholic, some Presbyterian, and others have indoctrination, communicants class, memorizing bylaws and covenants and the like. Anyone who is considering joining a local church should already have fully investigated it. I do not mean just doctrine, but the personality of the church, its cliques, power structures, etc.

It seems to me local churches requiring this before joining are not acting as New Testament churches.

I totally agree...thanks

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

well its a modern Non denominational evangelical church not a baptist church & so I wouldnt be interested. I go for the duty of being in a church.....besides there are doctrinal issues I disagree with. So I would not wish to go to their orientation, Its not my belief system ....similar when I went to a Lutheran & a Dutch reformed Church. I went there out of obedience, nothing more.

What are the consequences of not joining, and/or taking the class? Are they going to bar you at the door from attending?

If it is a discipleship class, I wouldn't think it at all unusual. Is it? And if not, what exactly is going to be taught? Have you asked?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What are the consequences of not joining, and/or taking the class? Are they going to bar you at the door from attending?

If it is a discipleship class, I wouldn't think it at all unusual. Is it? And if not, what exactly is going to be taught? Have you asked?

Ive already determined that I'm not joining them so I did not even ask.

 

[Salty]

Looks like brain washing to me.

You are WRONG!
I attended the class on a voluntee basis - I could have left at any time - I was NOT requried to join the church.

I wanted to know what the church believed, and how it operated.

And NO, you are not required to complete the classes to attend the church.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

You are WRONG!
I attended the class on a voluntee basis - I could have left at any time - I was NOT requried to join the church.

I wanted to know what the church believed, and how it operated.

And NO, you are not required to complete the classes to attend the church.

Any time you are sitting for 11 to 13 weeks your going to get their story...well what if you don't agree with it?

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Any time you are sitting for 11 to 13 weeks your going to get their story...well what if you don't agree with it?

Say thank you very much, but this church isn't for me. Sorry.

 

[Salty]

Say thank you very much, but this church isn't for me. Sorry.

Wow - what a great reason to attend their class!!!

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Wow - what a great reason to attend their class!!!

I didn't say that's what you should do. I just said, in response to EW&F, that if you find you don't agree with the message, that's your only option. I'd think you'd know before the class as to whether or not that might be the outcome, though.