You Might Be in the Wrong Church If...

[Thousand Hills]

All I am saying is that using the terms "altar" and "sanctuary" is misleading. Where is any of that encouraged in the Bible?

Its not biblical, nothing holy about a building, no matter its grandeur or simplicity, a building is supposed to be just a tool for the spreading of the gospel and gathering of the saints.

 

[Thousand Hills]

I cannot speak to this. My church's practice is to leave a name on the roll until there is some reason to remove it. Some people actually leave the church with no intention of joining another church. Some people join another church without ever requesting their letter, meaning they basically have two church memberships.

What is the process to join your particular church? Unless you joined churches of different denominations and wanted to "cover your bases", I just don't understand the reasoning behind having dual memberships.

What I meant by that was, if the person is still local, and they've been invited back, but they persist in their sins, whatever they may be. Once all steps have been taken, we initiate a process called "Withdrawing Fellowship" from someone. I'm in my 30s and I've seen this done once. But it remains an option, if needed. This is a last resort option.

Has the process ever been started and someone ended up being restored to fellowship?

I don't know where they are, nor do I make it my job to know. Our church roll is just a book. We're not beholden to it. We don't publish the numbers every Sunday. It's really just a church directory. We also don't have a full-time staff or anything like that. We're not afraid of "hurt[ing] their feelings."

Whats the point then of joining a church if there is no accountability, my name number and address is in the yellow pages, what more is needed?

 

[matt wade]

I don't know where they are, nor do I make it my job to know.

Does anyone in your church make it their job to know? A local church should be like a family. If one of your (blood) family members went missing, wouldn't you make it your job to know where they were?

 

[PreachTony]

What is the process to join your particular church? Unless you joined churches of different denominations and wanted to "cover your bases", I just don't understand the reasoning behind having dual memberships.

My church requires one of two things to join, 1) a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or 2) a letter of church membership from a sister church of the same faith and order. If a person comes under the first heading, then they enter as a candidate for baptism, which is usually performed fairly quickly, though sometimes a couple weeks will go by, depending on the time of year. Like I said, small church. Anyone coming under the second heading can enter under the 'watch care' of the church until their letter is received from the church they are departing.

As to the issue of dual membership, there are some people who simply don't attend often enough to understand how certain things work. If they move away, they may join a church and not realize that they should've moved their letter.

Has the process ever been started and someone ended up being restored to fellowship?

I'm sure it has, TH, but never that I've been involved with. As I said, I've only seen it done once. The person from whom fellowship was withdrawn eventually moved out of state. We don't currently have anyone in such standing that they need fellowship withdrawn from them, thank the Lord.

Whats the point then of joining a church if there is no accountability, my name number and address is in the yellow pages, what more is needed?

I'm not sure what you mean by there being "no accountability." Our church roll is not exactly a public record, meaning it isn't on display in the church. We don't publish the numbers from the church roll, either. I suppose saying it acts as a sort of church directory was a misstatement on my part. It was certainly not intended to cause any confusion.

Does anyone in your church make it their job to know? A local church should be like a family. If one of your (blood) family members went missing, wouldn't you make it your job to know where they were?

The deacon board is the group that most often undertakes such a task, as they oversee the church roll and they look after the health of church, concerning prayers and sympathies. Even then, you can't always find someone. We know, as a church, where most of the people are. Some of the people who have left might be going to another church. Until they call for their letter, we're not going to remove them from the church roll. Several have moved out of state. Again, until they call for a letter, their name remains on the roll. I know that's probably not the best answer, but we've never been in a situation like the one you describe, so I can't honestly answer your scenario.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

...if after 40 years in one community they finally have a 15 minute meeting after services to discuss a reach out ministry to the town but then never do anything...it dies on the vine. :BangHead:

 

[TCassidy]

What is the process to join your particular church? Unless you joined churches of different denominations and wanted to "cover your bases", I just don't understand the reasoning behind having dual memberships.

I can't speak for anyone else, but in order to become a member of the church I pastored for over 26 years:

Any person may become a member of this Church upon recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons and by majority consent of the Church present at any meeting. Applicants may unite upon one of the following bases:

a. A public confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, after baptism by immersion . . . and after withdrawal from the membership of all other churches, unless dual membership has been approved by the Pastor and Deacons.

b. A satisfactory statement of Salvation, if previously baptized by immersion in a church of like faith and practice, and after withdrawal from the membership of all other churches, unless dual membership has been approved by the Pastor and Deacons.

c. Upon receipt of a Letter of Transfer of Membership from a church of like faith and practice stating the member is in good standing.

Section 4. Dismissal of Members: Members may be dismissed from this church by a letter of recommendation from this church to unite with another church of like faith and practice.

Section 5. Members:

a. Any member withdrawing from the fellowship of this Church for a period of six (6) months, without sufficient cause, will automatically be dismissed from the membership roll. Sufficient cause is described as; serious debilitating illness requiring hospitalization or in-home nursing care, unavoidable absence from the city (such as required military service or attendance at college or trade school), or other circumstances that are approved by the Pastor and Deacons.

b. Any member who joins another church automatically withdraws from the membership of this church unless such dual membership has been approved by the Pastor and Deacons.

Section 6. Request for Erasure of Name: When a member requests his or her name be erased from the church roll and they are not under discipline, the Pastor and Deacons shall investigate and if they are satisfied that said member cannot be reclaimed they shall present to the church a determination that the name be erased from the membership roll. The church may immediately act upon such determination.

I think 5a may give you some insight why a person would hold dual membership. Military service. College attendance. We also allowed missionaries sent from our church to remain members while at the same time pastoring, and thus being a member of, a mission church on the field.

 

[Yeshua1]

You might be familiar with Jeff Foxworthy's hilarious comedy routine, "you might be a redneck if..."

Well here I submit some warning signs that I believe indicate you are in the wrong church. I'm not going to list the basics like virgin birth, inspiration of Scripture, the literal resurrection, etc. since I think it is obvious. I invite you to add to the list.

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Any church that refrains from using the phrase "the blood of Jesus" because they don't want to offend people.

Any church that uses the phrase "disease of the soul", "moral failings", or "mistakes", instead of sin, or sinners.

Any church that doesn't preach repentance, or use the word repent.

Any church that doesn't preach on the second coming.

Any church that uses a euphemism for Hell instead of calling it Hell.

Any church that says the mode of baptism isn't important. (Hey, I'm a Baptist!)

Any church that never has an invitation or altar call. Or won't even do, "heads bowed and eyes closed, slip your hand up if you want prayer."

Any church that shies away from the phrase "born again" or "saved".

Any church that uses books and study guides instead of the Bible for sermons, instruction, or discussions.

Any church that says "there are people that God has saved that haven't heard the gospel yet."

Any church that has a musical, play, concert, movie, or drama at Christmas and/or Easter instead of a sermon. (Note I said instead)

Any church that does not display the cross.

Any church that has an abundance of American flags on display.

Any church that has multiple appeals for money (in addition to the regular offering, they also have the mission fund, the bus ministry fund, the parsonage fund, the new building fund, the Christian school fund, etc.)

Any church that insists you must be a member of their church or you can't take communion with them.

Any church that allows fornication or homosexuality by its members and/or doesn't condemn this activity.

I think that's a good start. Anyone else have some items?

Any church that states that it does not matter if jesus rose from the dead, its his ideals that count
Any church that staes that God will save all persons in the end
Any church that states that we do not need the bible, as the pastor has revelations straight from God!