Church membership

[Earth Wind and Fire]

In that case those involved should invoke Matthew 18.

As for that, I say pray for them one and all......as Christ said in Luke 23:34 " Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing."

 

[Iconoclast]

Did the pediphile watch over the souls of his victims.....did the pervert pastor watch over the souls of the office assistant while look @ her cleveage and under her skirt....did the pastor who labeled a man's daughter as autistic so he could obtain money for his school, was he looking out for their souls? Shall I go on?

You were in all these churches and know this as fact?
So.....
God and the Apostles should have warned us not to assemble at all?
There is no hope, the sky is falling?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

This hypothetical situation is not so hypothetical. It is based on a long-time friend of mine who is living this situation.

A couple moves a few hours away from the church they were members of. The church is too far to attend, so they seek out a new church. After a few weeks visiting churches, they find a church they like and start attending faithfully. In addition to Lord's day worship, they attend Sunday school and mid-week small group. They do everything expected of members, only they are not members. In fact, they refuse to join the church. They are convinced that church membership is an artificial construct. They are members of Christ's church through the new birth. After attending the church for close to three months the pastor and elders meet with them and encouraged them to join the church. The husband gave his reasons for not joining. In response the pastor and elders told them as non-members they would be limited in the type of ministry they could be involved in (i.e. no teaching or working with children). They also could not attend or vote at members meetings.

What say you about this couple's view and the church's response?

You were in all these churches and know this as fact?
So.....
God and the Apostles should have warned us not to assemble at all?
There is no hope, the sky is falling?

wrong again Tony. Suppose you found yourself in a house that was on fire, what would you do? you would get out of the place ASAP. Would that be running away from life or would it be seeking life? A true christian church teaches life.....'I am the Way the Truth and the Life'....YOU SHOULD ALWAYS LOOK TO THAT.