Church members who have not been attending

[JohnDeereFan]

I guess we are a bit different because there are virtually no, and even less ex Catholics around here. I do not know a Catholic in this town who is younger than 60.

When I lived in Philadelphia/South Jersey, Philadelphia, which was almost completely Catholic, the Catholic Church was shuttering churches and schools left and right because people were leaving the Catholic Church.

I don't know what the clergy situation is now, but I remember they were begging young Catholic men to become priests because there was such a lack.

Years later, after we founded our church in Maryland, one of the churches we had a close relationship with actually got a letter from the local Catholic parish begging them to stop evangelizing Catholics because so many were leaving. The pastor of that church has the letter framed and hanging in his office, as well he should.

 

[Reynolds]

Go post on OnlineBaptist and tell them you're a Calvinist. There will be no "getting along". I'm just glad they don't have my home address.

I am not a Calvinist. I am not an Armenian either, but I am definitely not five point.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

I am not a Calvinist.

Well, nobody's perfect.

 

[Reynolds]

Well, nobody's perfect.

Glad to know that. I do not consider Calvinism/Armenianism to be "a hill to die on." I enjoy discussing it though.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Glad to know that. I do not consider Calvinism/Armenianism to be "a hill to die on." I enjoy discussing it though.

They sure do on OnlineBaptist. I was told that I'm not even a Christian because I believe that God initiates salvation.

 

[David Kent]

They sure do on OnlineBaptist. I was told that I'm not even a Christian because I believe that God initiates salvation.

Iknow that on OB I am considered a false teacher even when I quote scripture.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Iknow that on OB I am considered a false teacher even when I quote scripture.

I expected disagreement, which I'm fine with, as long as you're respectful about it, but I wasn't prepared for the outright hostility.

 

[Mr. Davis]

RB on the other thread stated: "I never said we should 'simply remove' - please don't misrepresent my words in that way! I said we should remove - I don't think there is anything simple about doing it, but I think it is vital for the health of the local church."

Now, IMHO - I would not totally take a person off a membership list - thus an inactive list - which means no voting rights, or holding positions.

Now, suppose a person has non-attendance for three months - do we "simply" drop them off the rolls - or do we attempt to bring them back into the fold; if they do not come back in a short period- how often do we seek reconciliation with them.

Discussion to continue......

The pastor of our Church (a very small one) does not contact those who leave, i.e., to bring them back. He says that they will just have to come back on their own. Jesus went after the lost sheep Isn't this the appropriate thing to do?

BTW, it may have already been mentioned, but it bears repeating: Christians that leave (and don't find another Church home) are "easy pickins" for cults, like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormon's etc.

 

[Salty]

The pastor of our Church (a very small one) does not contact those who leave, i.e., to bring them back. He says that they will just have to come back on their own. Jesus went after the lost sheep Isn't this the appropriate thing to do?

BTW, it may have already been mentioned, but it bears repeating: Christians that leave (and don't find another Church home) are "easy pickins" for cults, like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormon's etc.

What does he say about the parable you mentioned?

 

[Mr. Davis]

What does he say about the parable you mentioned?

I haven't asked him. He is very busy "tending the flock" that has stayed (roughly 15 people). Also, he works two jobs: one for the school district, the other, the Church. He works in the Preschool after getting off from the school district and teaches two midweek Bible classes along with preparing sermons.

Where we live the cost of living is very high. The Church can't afford to pay him, but figures that no one else will come and accept a lower salary. We have gone into serious debt, paying his back salary and other past expenses. I was advised by at least seven mature brothers of other Churches that big debt is not the way to go.

Apparently, he is "too busy" to seek out the lost sheep.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The pastor of our Church (a very small one) does not contact those who leave, i.e., to bring them back. He says that they will just have to come back on their own. Jesus went after the lost sheep Isn't this the appropriate thing to do?

BTW, it may have already been mentioned, but it bears repeating: Christians that leave (and don't find another Church home) are "easy pickins" for cults, like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormon's etc.

Yes...if they are un- regenerated they will. Especially Catholics because they have no understanding of regeneration and discipleship.....they view any gathering place as a church.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I haven't asked him. He is very busy "tending the flock" that has stayed (roughly 15 people). Also, he works two jobs: one for the school district, the other, the Church. He works in the Preschool after getting off from the school district and teaches two midweek Bible classes along with preparing sermons.

Where we live the cost of living is very high. The Church can't afford to pay him, but figures that no one else will come and accept a lower salary. We have gone into serious debt, paying his back salary and other past expenses. I was advised by at least seven mature brothers of other Churches that big debt is not the way to go.

Apparently, he is "too busy" to seek out the lost sheep.

Praise God for a Pastor like that...they are few and far between. Is their no Dea on or Elder that could help in discipleship?

 

[evangelist6589]

Reformed Baptist stated in another thread (post # 8) " there are churches with memberships in that massively out number their regular attendance - that isn't right, that is a schism in the body (all those in nonattandence should be removed from the membership).

So lets talk about that - How long should pass before a church dismisses a member - or should they be put on an inactive list.
How about a military member who does a three year tour of duty overseas - what status should he be.

How many visits should be made before action is taken?
Suppose a member joins a cult - say a Mormon church - what action should be taken?

Open for discussion.

Why are they not attending on a regular basis? Perhaps they have a legit reason or perhaps they are false converts who prayed the prayer but never submitted to the lordship of Christ.

 

[evangelist6589]

You haven't addressed my concern with you way you have misused my words!

Furthermore you have gone on to make a whole new thread out of a statement you taken of context and pejoratively misrepresented. I don't think this behavior is acceptable!

Salty has lots of...never mind.

 

[evangelist6589]

One reason I would want an inactive list - is that I want that person to be remembered by the church and to continue praying for them to come back to the Lord.

But maybe they had a false conversion and will not come back because they were never born again?

 

[Mr. Davis]

Yes...if they are un- regenerated they will. Especially Catholics because they have no understanding of regeneration and discipleship.....they view any gathering place as a church.

Even the regenerate may leave! They are still saved if they get confused and join a cult.

Why are you judging the Catholics? Some of them have a personal relationship with Christ. See the programs on the EWTN (Catholic) TV network. They teach their version of regeneration and discipleship. You'd be surprised how much they emphasize evangelism! (Few Protestants take Christ's call seriously). The Catholics aren't perfect, but no Church can claim to have a corner on absolute truth.The first Christians met anywhere they could, especially during times of persecution.

How is your relationship with Christ?

 

[Mr. Davis]

Praise God for a Pastor like that...they are few and far between. Is their no Dea on or Elder that could help in discipleship?

Well, his doctrine may be correct, but visitors leave too--no retention, no growth, and no way to repay the debt! There is only 1 Deacon and no Elders; again we have an attendance of 15 including members. The Pastor does many things, and we are all grateful for that, but his attitude toward Church finances will close the Church in the end.

 

[Salty]

But maybe they had a false conversion and will not come back because they were never born again?

Very possible (and that is the typical "Baptist" answer) -but as Christians leaders - we need to minister to them.
Putting them on the inactive list will revoke their voting privileges - as well as prevent them from leadership and teaching positions.

Maybe someone would like to discuss, how in their church, a large number of members ( who have not attended in months or years - ) come back to vote on a hot issue.

 

[tyndale1946]

Well, his doctrine may be correct, but visitors leave too--no retention, no growth, and no way to repay the debt! There is only 1 Deacon and no Elders; again we have an attendance of 15 including members. The Pastor does many things, and we are all grateful for that, but his attitude toward Church finances will close the Church in the end.

I read all your replies relating to the OP and want to add... this it is the Christian responsibility of us all and not only the Pastor and Deacons to check on why a certain member is not attending church... Before removing a member from the books, don't assume anything until you get the full story... Or as the TV program Mr. Ed said: Go right to the source and ask the horse... An then allow the whole church involvement in the action of dismissal... Now I need to address post #75 I do not believe removing a member from the church books effects their Eternal Salvation in any way... If they were converted and baptized can you unbaptized the baptized?... Remember the names of God's saved children are written with Jesus Christ's sinless blood in the Lambs book of life... You may remove them from the church books but you can NEVER remove them from this book... Brother Glen

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

 

[Reynolds]

But maybe they had a false conversion and will not come back because they were never born again?

Or maybe some of the religious, pious, acting people in the church offended them and they need to be reached out to and ministered to.
I was at a Christian concert last night and one of the group leaders from a church had me so mad I almost went back to the old me for a minute. She and her group came in late, could not see seat numbers because it was dark, and stood in front of us for 15 minutes try,g to make people move who the lady thought were in wrong seats. Ushers finally worked that out. Then she sat down in front of us huffing and puffing and acting like a jerk. Then she turned around all offended acting and said "he ,referring to my three year old, kicked my chair." He really didn't, he just bumped it while he was moving. A little later she flung her head around and said "He just hit me." He brushed into her roll of fat that was hanging overy the back of her chair. I said "Woman, turn around and leave me alone. You got a problem, go get an usher. Keep your fat in your chair instead of hanging out the back in my space and it won't get hit." She acted like miss Pitty Pat on Gone with the wind, but she left us alone. Two of the women with her ran into us at intermission and were laughing hysterically. One said "she's had that coming for a long time."

My point is, that happens in church. People get offended. People not coming should be followed up on, not tossed off rolls.