My answers:
How long have you been a Christian?
Over 10 years.
Did you try to attend all services at your last Church?
Yes; Sunday Morning, Sunday Evening, Wednesday Evening, Tuesday Visitation. If the door opened, I was there.
***clarification - we only hold Sunday morning services regularly, so if the door was open, then I was there. (We also have an annual weekend meeting, and I am at that as well.)
Did you tithe 10% of your income on a regular basis?
No
***Don't believe in tithing.
Did you teach Sunday School?
No
***Don't believe in having Sunday School, which my church doesn't have anyway.
Did you visit shut-ins?
No
***Small church; no shut-ins other than my 82 year old grandmother, whom I see daily, but she still goes to church about twice a month anyway.
Were you in the choir?
No
***Don't believe in having choirs, which my church doesn't have anyway.
Did you work in Vacation Bible School?
No
***My church does not hold a Vacation Bible anything as we do not wish to promote and/or sponsor extra-biblical things. I do, however, go to a Singing School every year which is founded on biblical principles, though not sponsored by any church, at which I have been head of security for the past 5 years.
How many people did you personally lead to Christ last year?
0
***Christ doesn't need my help to call his sheep.
Do you ever sin anymore?
Of course
***Paul said he was chief of sinners. I bet he and I would be in a close race for that title.
Can you quote from memory 3 or more verses from the Bible?
Yes
***I don't know anyone, Christian or not, who can't even quote 3 bible verses. I think people would be surprised by the number of verses that they actually can quote.
Have you been Baptized?
Yes
***October 19, 1991
Was Paul a disciple?
Yes
***As stated above, we are all disciples, but was he an apostle? I believe that answer is "yes" as well. He even says as much.
Who do you think should have authority in the church?
All of the above
***Elders and Deacons and so-called "lay-members" all have a certain level of authority. Though, the final authority on all matters affecting the church lies with the church as a whole.
How should women dress in the church?
Modestly, but dresses or pants.
***If a lady wants to wear ladies pants, then she should wear ladies pants. I would not go, however, for a lady to wear blue jeans and a tank top. Modesty is the major key. Anything else depends on what you can afford without appearing gawdy.
Do you ever, ever drink? Even a toast a New Years?
Yes - I'll have one drink once in awhile.
*** At least twice a year when Communion roles around. It's been about 2 weeks since my last glass of wine. I need to buy some.
Do you ever gamble? Even just to buy a raffle ticket?
Yes - I buy raffle tickets or lottery tickets sometimes.
*** Haven't bought a lottery ticket in quite a while due to finances. I don't spend what I can't afford to lose. That should be the reasoning for anyone spending their money, whether on a lottery ticket or a new house.
How many times did you miss Sunday morning services last year?
About 5
***Actually, probably closer to 10. I go out of town pretty frequently, by most standards. I do, however, almost always attend a PB church somewhere, even when out of town, unless I am sick in the bed.
Do you/ have you teach/taught RA's or GA's?
No
*** I picked "no" because I don't know what this question means.
Do you believe baptism is a requirement of Salvation?
No
*** Not in my Bible.
Do you believe once saved always saved?
Yes
*** Now that is in my Bible.
Have you ever been divorced?
No
***Never even been married.
How many people have you had sex with in your life?
0
***Again, never even been married. Of course, that doesn't answer the question nowadays.
Do you associate with non-Christians?
Only at work because I have to.
***I chose this only because I don't believe anyone has the ability to say if someone is saved or not. If the last option was "I have friends that aren't church-goers" or something to that effect, then I'd have to say that at least half of my family fits that bill, along with some friends. I don't associate with anyone because I have to, I do it because I want to.
Do you do a Bible reading every night?
No
***I wish I could say otherwise, but I just many times make excuses to myself about why I don't "need" to read tonight.
Do you pray every day?
Yes
I can say a definite "yes" for this one. There is always someone, somewhere in need of our prayers.
Speaking of which, I lost a cousin yesterday from a massive heart attack. He was a healthy, vibrant 57 year old man with much life ahead to look forward to, including his first grandson due next month. Please pray for all of our family. He and my mother were very close.
He showed no signs of disease and only had pains for a few minutes before passing away.
Let that be a warning for everyone to be checked, even if no signs of heart disease are detectable to us.
I will not be on the board tomorrow or Saturday because I will be at the funeral.
God bless you all.
Bro. James
