Hubby served as Pastor of a small, rural church for several years...
You know the kind where there's a Cemetery right behind the church building?
Well, while we were there, it was brought to his attention - in a quarterly Church Meeting - that space was getting limited in the cemetery and "something had to be done about it" or they'd run out of room (especially due to Non-Members being buried there) ...
...And, God forbid, what would happen if one of the "Pillars of the Church" died and there was no place to bury him or her???
After much discussion, it was agreed that a LETTER would be sent to ALL members - Active and Inactive informing them of the dilemma.
The letter stated that "In order to be considered a MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING, which qualified one for a FREE plot in the Church's cemetery, you'd have to either:
A. Be in attendance no fewer than two Sundays a month (which included bringing an Offering)- OR...
B. Send a monetary donation every month (a Tithe was not stipulated), in support
NOW,
For MEMBERS NOT IN GOOD STANDING, you'd have to either:
A. Explain what prevents you from either attending and/or sending an Offering and request a "Special Exception" - OR...
B. Understand that you will be required to Pay a Fee in order to be buried in the cemetery (either in advance or at the time of death)
Some Members were outraged that they were being called out on their lackadaisical attendance and support, while others happily complied (because, while they don't support the Church in any way, they really wanted to be buried "next to Mama").
This was not a Support the Church or Get Out Mandate, but what we felt was a fair solution to a sticky situation.
Were there a few (sick and shut-in) Elderly members who did not attend AND could not afford to send a monthly donation?
Yes, and we made sure their names were at the top of the SPECIAL EXCEPTION List. :hug: