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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/25/2010 11:28:19 PM
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sharonjef2007
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What if the process is wrong though?
I'm not saying it is....just curious because I had never heard of an interview before and, being I was a recruiter for so long, have trouble putting the interview to gain membership in a church deal hard to take.
If it is wrong, why should a christian just take it or move along? If we are supposed to show sin to individuals, why not to a congregation?
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 12:33:58 AM
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gralan
Posts: 2308
Joined: 1/29/2010
From: RV in Texas
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Eutychus,
tsk tsk. You forgot to mention that baptism has to be with a like-minded Church, as well as meaning immersion. The Baptists got their moniker because they didn't baptise infants.
Pretty much the only like-minded churches Southern Baptists recognize are other Baptist churches. The pastor Steve Long interviewing me that first time into SBC, stated that this was pretty much the case.
Oh, yes. And many folks should probably read their charter to their churches. If it comes time to split, many a SBC church has a clause that if even one member wishes to remain, everyone else has to leave the church to that one.
Perhaps not all do, but being open about particulars like this was something I found made me think more clearly about issues before I made the step to join Sierra Vista Baptist Church, and then again Manor Baptist Church when we moved to Texas, and then First Baptist Church of Canyon Lake when we moved into the Hill Country.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Eutychus
Interviews are normally with the Pastor and the candidate.
Candidates are asked to tell about their conversion experience. We do not accept someone for membership if they do not profess to have been saved.
We ask if they have been baptized, something every believer should have done. Like it or not, Baptist churches expect the baptism to have been by immersion and after conversion. That's what makes us Baptists.
We also ask a few questions about their church backgrounds. If they have come from a group like Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses, a more in-depth discussion about their conversion may be in order.
That's about it. They, in turn, have the opportunity to ask the Pastor about our beliefs and practices. We also offer classes for new members to cover those in more detail.
_____________________________
suffering servant, gralan,
BTh student TGSAT
//TrinityTheology.org/
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The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever...
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 6:29:56 AM
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DaveW
Posts: 4035
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: MD suburbs of Washington DC
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sharonjef2007
What if the process is wrong though?
I'm not saying it is....just curious because I had never heard of an interview before and, being I was a recruiter for so long, have trouble putting the interview to gain membership in a church deal hard to take.
If it is wrong, why should a christian just take it or move along? If we are supposed to show sin to individuals, why not to a congregation? Why would you not want to have an interview?
I understand most people who go to a congregation are just "shacking up" rather than being a commited member. We really don't want that. Joining a congregation should be more like getting married than just living together.
_____________________________
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 6:34:47 AM
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gcsjr
Posts: 536
Joined: 11/23/2008
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quote:
I personally find the idea of going to an interview, the same way I would go for a job interview, distasteful and opening the church up to becoming a clique.
I really think that you're mischaracterizing the interview. It's nothing at all like a job interview (at least based on the comments of everyone in this thread and at any church I've ever been involved with - and I've done dozens of these interviews). I would also challenge your "clique" comment, as most churches that have membership interviews do it to help insure that the "members" of their particular part of the body of Christ are actually members of the body of Christ, and not just someone who thinks it's a good idea to join a church for some social reason.
First of all, you have to understand that there are churches that will allow ANYONE to become a member, regardless of whether they are actual Christians or believe what the church and the Bible teach (in some cases they do it because they get money from their denomination based on the number of members, in other cases they feel the same way you do, that anyone who wants to be a member should be able to become a member).
On the other hand, many churches think it would actually be a good idea to take the time to find out what the people who join the church believe, make sure they understand what is expected of members, and make sure they actually have a connection to the body, before they become members. Ultimately, the members are the people who make decisions for the congregation (i.e. get to vote on key matters), and who are called upon to serve as leaders in the congregation. Do you really think it would be a good idea to allow non-christians to nominate elders, vote on who to hire as a pastor, or make decisions about the financial future of a congregation? (all things that members are expected to do in churches with congregational polity).
In our church (and the other churches I've worked at or been involved with) the requirements for membership are very clear. Anyone who participates in the membership class, understands what is expected of membership, and can clearly articulate saving faith in Christ, can become a member. We use the interview to give them a chance to share their testimony, and ask any questions they have about the responsibilities of membership. That's all. I don't see how that make the church any more of a clique than the body of Christ as a whole (which also requires saving faith in Christ to join).
Nobody who meets the criteria is rejected (although I have done "interviews" with people who clearly haven't accepted Christ as their Savior and have had to encourage them to reconsider their desire to become a member until the meet that particular - rather important - requirement of membership).
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 8:38:17 AM
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drmark
Posts: 5764
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quote:
If it is wrong, why should a christian just take it or move along? If we are supposed to show sin to individuals, why not to a congregation? Please provide chapter and verse that indicates local church membership or discussing such with leaders is "sin".
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 9:34:48 AM
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sharonjef2007
Posts: 3349
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I guess my hangup here is a bit naieve on my part. I can't imagine someone wanting to join a church without being saved, without knowing people in the congregation, without already learning what this church is all about and without knowing the pastor....allowing those people to know you as well.
I just picture a pastor or elder of some sort having a set of questions, and therefore set of anticipated answers that the membership candidate needs to answer "correctly." Is it scored? What happens if one area of my theology is not 100% what the churches is? What happens if I use the wrong word or say the wrong thing? Do you get a "thanks but no thanks" letter in the mail. "Try again next year if you like but you didn't make the cut this time."
I fully admit I probably have the wrong picture in my head. And yet, I still don't think I'd do one to join a congretgation. I'd probably find another church as soon as I found out an interview or even "interviews" were required. I suppose that is why there are lots of different kinds of churches out there, eh?
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 9:38:43 AM
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sharonjef2007
Posts: 3349
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quote:
ORIGINAL: drmark
quote:
If it is wrong, why should a christian just take it or move along? If we are supposed to show sin to individuals, why not to a congregation? Please provide chapter and verse that indicates local church membership or discussing such with leaders is "sin".
I did't say it was sin.  It was more of a general question, not so much about the inteview itself, but any policy or such of a church that is wrong in the eyes of God.
I have seen scripture about discipline and kicking a member off the roster and out of the church if they have unrepentent sin. But I have not seen anything in my own studies about not allowing a person to enter the membership of the congregation in the first place. Some scriptures do talk about being equally yolked and such, but I'm not so sure that in context they are talking about the church.
Of course I could be wrong, and I'm quite sure someone will show me scripture proving my wrongness....
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 9:42:56 AM
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jhuperetes
Posts: 1948
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There are many who will join a congregation just for the benefits of belonging.
For example, many will join to take advantage of child care, schools and sports programs associated with the congregation.
I would not want to be a member of a congregation that does not interview potential members.
Members in my congregation decide the direction of the congregation, where the money is spent, who shepherds us, selects our elders and deacons, and so on.
Would I want a free-for-all? No, I want the body of Christ, through my congregation to decide, as much as humanly possible.
Maybe it is not a perfect solution, but it is the best we have to make sure that members are truly members of the Body.
And, the follow up question to this - are there reviews? Yes, certainly. Unfortunately, sometimes we do have to correct members to the point where they are no longer allowed to take communion or call themselves members  .
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 10:21:55 AM
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sharonjef2007
Posts: 3349
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Only members can take communion?
 Ok, I am done with this conversation for now and going back to my little hole of church membership bliss.
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 11:04:26 AM
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bolt.
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OK - I want you to imagine this scenario:
Group A is a small congreagation, faithful, with some of them getting a bit long in the tooth, but some young families too. They have a reasonable Church builing and land, no mortgage, they pay the bills, love, listen to and pay thier preacher etc.
Group B is a set of friends in a large Church: 5 or 10 families. They have some differences with their pastor and decide as a group to try to stick together and find a new Church home. The difference they have with their pastor are mostly theological. They deeply hold a belief that is 'fringe' to Christianity, such as 'health and wealth gospel'. The sticking point is that the son/nephew of some of them is a missionary in Uraguay, but the pastor would not committ to financing his mission because there was little oversight, and he believes the son/nephew likely to be preaching h&w.
Group B comes to Church A, fills the pews for a few weeks. They like it. The two groups are getting to know and like each other. At the first business meeting, group B comes and all of them express a desire to join the Church. The Church accepts -- no questions asked. Group B then makes a motion to ammend the budget to support their son/nephew at a rate similar to the pay of the pastor (after all, he is a pastor!). Group A protests the wisdom of such a thing, but group B talks about the prosperity of the Lord, and insists they not worry. Besides, group B has the numbers to pass their motion with or without group A's consent.
(Note to self: they also have the numbers to fire the pastor, hire one of their own liking, mortage the building, begin an expansion project and support as many questionable ministries as they feel led to. They can basically plant their own Church in the very builing that was built and bought by group A. And they would probably think they were helping group A and doing the work of God while they did it.)
Perhaps it would have been wiser to have a friendly talk about theology and intentions before allowing them the privilidges of membership in the man-made organization that makes such decisions on behalf of that gathering of Jesus' Church?
_____________________________
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 11:19:07 AM
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bkj1981
Posts: 1787
Joined: 2/14/2010
From: The Great State of Extreme Confusion
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bolt.
OK - I want you to imagine this scenario:
Group A is a small congreagation, faithful, with some of them getting a bit long in the tooth, but some young families too. They have a reasonable Church builing and land, no mortgage, they pay the bills, love, listen to and pay thier preacher etc.
Group B is a set of friends in a large Church: 5 or 10 families. They have some differences with their pastor and decide as a group to try to stick together and find a new Church home. The difference they have with their pastor are mostly theological. They deeply hold a belief that is 'fringe' to Christianity, such as 'health and wealth gospel'. The sticking point is that the son/nephew of some of them is a missionary in Uraguay, but the pastor would not committ to financing his mission because there was little oversight, and he believes the son/nephew likely to be preaching h&w.
Group B comes to Church A, fills the pews for a few weeks. They like it. The two groups are getting to know and like each other. At the first business meeting, group B comes and all of them express a desire to join the Church. The Church accepts -- no questions asked. Group B then makes a motion to ammend the budget to support their son/nephew at a rate similar to the pay of the pastor (after all, he is a pastor!). Group A protests the wisdom of such a thing, but group B talks about the prosperity of the Lord, and insists they not worry. Besides, group B has the numbers to pass their motion with or without group A's consent.
(Note to self: they also have the numbers to fire the pastor, hire one of their own liking, mortage the building, begin an expansion project and support as many questionable ministries as they feel led to. They can basically plant their own Church in the very builing that was built and bought by group A. And they would probably think they were helping group A and doing the work of God while they did it.)
Perhaps it would have been wiser to have a friendly talk about theology and intentions before allowing them the privilidges of membership in the man-made organization that makes such decisions on behalf of that gathering of Jesus' Church?
Therein lies, in my opinion, one reason that scripture says that congregations are directed to appoint qualified elders (note the PLURALITY) through prayer and the guidance of the Spirit, to oversee and guide that particular congregation. Notice that scripture never says anything about an entire membership voting on such matters. Those type of decisions are the elder's responsibility. And in the churches I have attended in my short 46 years, if a new elder is being appointed, that person's name is given to the membership, and members may raise objections or voice support concerning the person. But the final decision is up to the existing elders.
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 2:58:50 PM
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GregandJenny
Posts: 480
Joined: 2/16/2006
From: Near Seattle Washington
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quote:
Therein lies, in my opinion, one reason that scripture says that congregations are directed to appoint qualified elders (note the PLURALITY) through prayer and the guidance of the Spirit, to oversee and guide that particular congregation. Notice that scripture never says anything about an entire membership voting on such matters.
The same scenario would stick, they would just vote in the elders they want. Those elders in turn would do the bidding of those that elected them. I think often times we forget that the church as in congregation, building has other functions, that have to be carefully monitored.
I think the assumption is that ALL people that want to be part of the Body of Christ are saved. Just because you attend a church or even sit on a church board doesn't mean you are saved or a part of the Body of Christ, i believe that's what some of these solutions are trying to prevent. Remember wolves can appear in sheep's clothing.
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 3:10:12 PM
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bolt.
Posts: 2318
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: Canada
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quote:
Therein lies, in my opinion, one reason that scripture says that congregations are directed to appoint qualified elders (note the PLURALITY) through prayer and the guidance of the Spirit, to oversee and guide that particular congregation. Notice that scripture never says anything about an entire membership voting on such matters. Those type of decisions are the elder's responsibility. And in the churches I have attended in my short 46 years, if a new elder is being appointed, that person's name is given to the membership, and members may raise objections or voice support concerning the person. But the final decision is up to the existing elders.
That actually sounds like a sound leadership model... presuming there is some accountability towards the congregation, in case a person of strong personality is accepted as an elder, but begins to misuse the functions of an elder to unfairly dominate others, achieving an unhealthy oligarchy rather than a healthy and trustworthy one.
In what ways might the congregation raise objections after an elder has been appointed? Must they be in sin or disqualified to step down, or is it possible to remove them for less clear-cut reasons? Perhaps an improvement on what you describe might be a renewable-term model, where a less than ideal elder might be diplomatically not renewed or become something of an 'emeritus' elder (if the difficulty is with the decline due to age, rather than any decrease in admiration).
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 3:17:58 PM
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Eutychus
Posts: 9878
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bkj1981
Therein lies, in my opinion, one reason that scripture says that congregations are directed to appoint qualified elders (note the PLURALITY) through prayer and the guidance of the Spirit, to oversee and guide that particular congregation. Notice that scripture never says anything about an entire membership voting on such matters. Those type of decisions are the elder's responsibility. And in the churches I have attended in my short 46 years, if a new elder is being appointed, that person's name is given to the membership, and members may raise objections or voice support concerning the person. But the final decision is up to the existing elders.
Acts 6 seems to be a situation where the Apostles gave guidelines to the congregation and left the process of selection entirely up to the people. The Apostles part was to pray for the men after selection and, then, lay hands on (annoint) them.
IMHO, there are different positions and responsibilities within the congregation, but there are not different classes of believers with greater access to wisdom from the Holy Spirit than others. A special priestly caste was removed after the cross and we are now a kingdom of priests.
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 4:40:15 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 572
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
I would not want to be a member of a congregation that does not interview potential members.
And, while the "interview" (or, if you don't like that word, you can replace it with "conversation") you have with the minister to join the church....it's just as much as an opportunity for them to get to know YOU, as it is for YOU to ask pointed questions....to be sure that the congregation is "right" for you, as well.
And, that is, ironically, how a job interview works. They are making sure that you meet their "criteria" (know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, etc... in this case), and you are asking all the questions making sure you would like to work for that person...within that company (or, in this case, you're making sure that you could REALLY see yourself as an active, contributing member of the church)...
I've been to many "job interviews" where the interview has concluded, and they really wanted me to work for them...but, because of the answers I was given to the questions I was asked, declined and said, "Thanks, but no thanks"....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 4:50:13 PM
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laura...
Posts: 3363
Joined: 3/1/2005
From: NE Ohio
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bolt.
OK - I want you to imagine this scenario:
Group A is a small congreagation, faithful, with some of them getting a bit long in the tooth, but some young families too. They have a reasonable Church builing and land, no mortgage, they pay the bills, love, listen to and pay thier preacher etc.
Group B is a set of friends in a large Church: 5 or 10 families. They have some differences with their pastor and decide as a group to try to stick together and find a new Church home. The difference they have with their pastor are mostly theological. They deeply hold a belief that is 'fringe' to Christianity, such as 'health and wealth gospel'. The sticking point is that the son/nephew of some of them is a missionary in Uraguay, but the pastor would not committ to financing his mission because there was little oversight, and he believes the son/nephew likely to be preaching h&w.
Group B comes to Church A, fills the pews for a few weeks. They like it. The two groups are getting to know and like each other. At the first business meeting, group B comes and all of them express a desire to join the Church. The Church accepts -- no questions asked. Group B then makes a motion to ammend the budget to support their son/nephew at a rate similar to the pay of the pastor (after all, he is a pastor!). Group A protests the wisdom of such a thing, but group B talks about the prosperity of the Lord, and insists they not worry. Besides, group B has the numbers to pass their motion with or without group A's consent.
(Note to self: they also have the numbers to fire the pastor, hire one of their own liking, mortage the building, begin an expansion project and support as many questionable ministries as they feel led to. They can basically plant their own Church in the very builing that was built and bought by group A. And they would probably think they were helping group A and doing the work of God while they did it.)
Perhaps it would have been wiser to have a friendly talk about theology and intentions before allowing them the privilidges of membership in the man-made organization that makes such decisions on behalf of that gathering of Jesus' Church?
We almost had this very situation in the church we previously attended. The church is a small congregation. A very large church nearby experienced a mini-split. A leader was departing and a number of families followed him. They expressed interest in attending our church. Had they come in with open-membership it would have been very easy for them to have taken control of the church, property (mortgage free) and assets. Fired the Pastor and install their leader.
There was a meeting held with our Pastor who informed them that prospective members had to be in regular attendance for a year, attend a membership class and be voted in as members by the elder board. There was a very good chance that the Elder board would not vote them all in as members en mass in order to protect the current congregation from a take-over.
However, any or all of the families were welcome to attend the church to see if they would like to make it their new church home. Interestingly, none of them ever even visited.
Without membership guidelines a small church could easily be raided.
_____________________________
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith... ...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrew 12:3-4
Follow me on Twitter: MrsLalaD
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 8:51:23 PM
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sharonjef2007
Posts: 3349
Status: offline
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Ok... a few points to make here....
1. Anyone can lie. If people are really trying to knock down the doors of churches and join when not saved or with a plan to "take over the world," all they have to do is know the "key words" and they would probably pass any interview. How does that help the body?
2. When you have an interview, you have a set of questions that I am sure are pretty standard. I am also sure that along with the questions are a set of answers that are expected of someone who will be granted membership. I'd like to see and example of BOTH the questions and expected answers.
3. No human can truely know the heart of another person. How can you really KNOW that a person is saved or not?
To me, the church should mirror how God deals with us. There is not some big list of beliefs and conditions that are required to be saved. Just acceptance of the gift of salvation. So why is there a big list for individual churches?
ETA...I'm not commenting on the church discipline thing. I'm sure there is another thread for that and I'm getting heartburn thinking of it.
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 9:23:05 PM
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sharonjef2007
Posts: 3349
Status: offline
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quote:
We almost had this very situation in the church we previously attended. The church is a small congregation. A very large church nearby experienced a mini-split. A leader was departing and a number of families followed him. They expressed interest in attending our church. Had they come in with open-membership it would have been very easy for them to have taken control of the church, property (mortgage free) and assets. Fired the Pastor and install their leader.
See, in the churches I have been a part of, this could not happen. While yes, people could join and cause trouble, they could do the same without being members. Being a part of a main stream denomination, United Methodist, pastors can't just come in and take over.
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/26/2010 9:51:45 PM
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zoebob
Posts: 7123
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: land of limbo
Status: online
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Here is what the membership interview looked like when my daughters and I joined our church. The three of us met together with one of the elders and the youth pastor who while not an elder attends all session meetings, etc.
They started with the girls and then moved on to me. These are some of the type questions they asked. Also, at our church, since children must have met with leadership before they can take communion and the requirements to take communion are the same for membership it's all done at once:
1. Why do you want to join the church?
2. What does it mean to be a Christian?
3. How do you know you are a Christian?
4. Why do you want to take communion?
5. What does communion mean/symbolize?
6. What things are you doing to grow in Christ?
If you seem (especially children) to be using cliche's the ask you what that means.
When my son joined he was a little younger. To get him started talking about communion they said something like this:
"A little boy younger than you said he wanted to take communion. He thought it looked like a yummy snack. How should I answer him?" My son then explained what communion was, why it wasn't just a snack, what it represented, etc.
In addition he talked about what it meant to be saved and how he couldn't do anything to save himself and was helpless without God. I was able to be with him for moral support but he did all the talking.
They also will sometimes get into a little of making sure you understand our denomination's theology (not that you have to agree with it 100%), make sure you understand the responsibilities of membership, etc
Responsibilities: support the church with your prayers, finances, use of your time, etc.
Do you understand we practice loving and faithful discipline.
Not only do members "get" to teach/serve, they are expected to..even children can find ways to serve. My girls work in nursery and jr church. My son will help set up chairs and tables for dinners or greet people at the door.
_____________________________
L-R: DD1, Ellies DS2, DD2, Ellies DS1
L-R: Ellies DD1, Ellies DD2, DS, Ellies DS3
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/27/2010 10:01:50 AM
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gcsjr
Posts: 536
Joined: 11/23/2008
Status: offline
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I'm really surprised that you see to be projecting so many negative things on a membership interview. Do you really think it's a good idea for churches to let everyone become a member of a church regardless of what they believe or how involved they are in the church?
quote:
1. Anyone can lie. If people are really trying to knock down the doors of churches and join when not saved or with a plan to "take over the world," all they have to do is know the "key words" and they would probably pass any interview. How does that help the body?
Just because someone can lie doesn't mean that we shouldn't at least make an effort to understand where they're coming from and what they believe before we allow them to influence the direction of our church. Based on your logic, why would you ever ask anyone a question about anything? Frankly, you'd be surprised at how open and honest most people are in the interview - and at how much most people appreciate the fact that we take the time to really ask them about what's going in their lives, how we can minister to them, and give them an opportunity to ask questions as part of the process.
quote:
2. When you have an interview, you have a set of questions that I am sure are pretty standard. I am also sure that along with the questions are a set of answers that are expected of someone who will be granted membership. I'd like to see and example of BOTH the questions and expected answers.
Our basic outline is:
-What brought you to our church, and what prompted you to want to become a member?
-What can you tell me about your faith journey and the role that your faith in Christ plays in your life?
-What questions do you have about the church?
-How can we help you grow in your walk with Christ?
-Have you given any thought to how you want be involved in ministry?
As I said earlier, it's basically a conversation so we don't have any expected answers other than an expectation that a person will be able to articulate a personal faith in Christ and genuine answers to the other questions above.
quote:
3. No human can truely know the heart of another person. How can you really KNOW that a person is saved or not?
We can't, and don't pretend that we do based on a single meeting with someone, but it sure seems silly not to at least do our best to at least ask some questions to try to understand where they're coming from and how we can help them grow in their faith.
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/27/2010 12:54:06 PM
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sharonjef2007
Posts: 3349
Status: offline
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quote:
I'm really surprised that you see to be projecting so many negative things on a membership interview. Do you really think it's a good idea for churches to let everyone become a member of a church regardless of what they believe or how involved they are in the church?
When you join a church, you make a statement of faith. That should be enough. So yes, I do think it is a good idea for churches to let everyone become members and not make it some special club of decision makers.
God is inclusive of anyone who claims the blood of Christ. Churches should do the same.
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/27/2010 2:21:45 PM
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bolt.
Posts: 2318
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: Canada
Status: offline
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quote:
When you join a church, you make a statement of faith.
Ummm... what would make you think that ^ is a universal practice?
Some Churches do a public statement of faith, others do a conversation with leadership, others do membership classes. Some even do a mandatory waiting period and intentional relationship building.
Some people like conversations better than public speaking. Some people like public speaking better than personal conversations. Some people find classes better than one-on-one. Some people find one-on-one better than classes.
Certainly a 'statement of faith' might well be enough. Other congregations find other methods more conducive to their goals. Why would that bother people so much? Would your Church accept someone who could not or would not make a statement of faith in front of others? What if they made the statement of faith, but were also a wife beating alcoholic? Surely you don't mean 'everyone'.
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RE: Interview for Church Membership - 7/27/2010 2:49:37 PM
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DaveW
Posts: 4035
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: MD suburbs of Washington DC
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GregandJennyquote:
Therein lies, in my opinion, one reason that scripture says that congregations are directed to appoint qualified elders (note the PLURALITY) through prayer and the guidance of the Spirit, to oversee and guide that particular congregation. Notice that scripture never says anything about an entire membership voting on such matters. The same scenario would stick, they would just vote in the elders they want. Those elders in turn would do the bidding of those that elected them. Except elders are supposed to be appointed by whomever is in translocal authority over the congregation.
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