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08-14-2015, 03:42 PM
#211
Senior Member
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.
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08-14-2015, 03:42 PM
#212
Administrator
Originally Posted by
John
I do agree the media will go out of their way to highlight the Christian "meanies" but that particular case aside, I think what is being discussed/debated here is the big picture, not so much that one story. Sadly, I'm sure a lot of people have lost their church home and never made headlines, just got quietly crushed.
Certainly. However, the problem with forum debating is that we are all (yes, me included) guilty of ASSUMPTIONS!!! If a person refuses to sympathize with a story before gathering all of the facts, they are seen or painted as cold-hearted and uncaring about the elderly.
Furthermore, too many assume that "elderly" equals "saint" and "angel". As I have shown some posts back, there are some devilish elderly people and some of them attend a church near you.
Furthermore, some things are driven by prejudice against financial support of a church and issues with church authority. I realize that people have had bad experiences but the fact that their experience continues to color their bias lets me know that they are not able to set aside experience to deal with an issue based on Biblical clarity.
But then again, forums and debate boards would never survive if we all set aside emotions and really thought something our BEFORE responding, would they?
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08-14-2015, 03:44 PM
#213
Senior Member
Originally Posted by
Pentecali
No thanks. I wouldn't be impressed by your money. I'm unimpressed by your attitude towards a 92 yr old
The Pharisees tried to impress with their giving in (Matt 6 ) & John the Baptist called them vipers
And yes, there would be hell to pay if they treated my mother this way and I WONT TAJE THAT BACK
Well you can tell where a mans heart is by where his treasury goes cant you and since you are here beating your chest and tooting your horn about how compassionate you are it would be nice to see if your money went where your keyboard did wouldn't it ?
If you want to believe that I don't have compassion on 92 year old knock yourself out all it says to me is you need to read what I have actually written instead of erecting strawmen to pound against :)
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08-14-2015, 03:47 PM
#214
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Originally Posted by
victoryword
But then again, forums and debate boards would never survive if we all did the above, would they?
Yeah, I guess you would just start a topic and let everyone click an "amen" button. Probably wouldn't be much fun.
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08-14-2015, 03:52 PM
#215
Administrator
Originally Posted by
Nikos
Again, this isn't about the elderly in your church. This about a lawbreaker who breaks the rules.
Originally Posted by
FaithfulOne
So Mrs. King is a 'lawbreaker' now. This is what she's reduced to in your eyes. Wow.
Seriously. Unbelievable.
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08-14-2015, 03:53 PM
#216
Senior Member
Originally Posted by
BAP
Well you can tell where a mans heart is by where his treasury goes cant you and since you are here beating your chest and tooting your horn about how compassionate you are it would be nice to see if your money went where your keyboard did wouldn't it ?
If you want to believe that I don't have compassion on 92 year old knock yourself out all it says to me is you need to read what I have actually written instead of erecting strawmen to pound against :)
I believe in tithing and I pay mine thank you very much and I don't have to prove it to no one.
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08-14-2015, 03:56 PM
#217
Administrator
Originally Posted by
fuego
Seriously. Unbelievable.
Where's your faith dude?
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08-14-2015, 04:03 PM
#218
Senior Member
Originally Posted by
Pentecali
I believe in tithing and I pay mine thank you very much and I don't have to prove it to no one.
Well i would hope you would give others the same grace :)
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08-14-2015, 04:12 PM
#219
Senior Member
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08-14-2015, 04:15 PM
#220
Senior Member
If you say this one more time! I'm not "presuming" anything! I can read. What in the???!!!
I know she's a 92 year old shut in and her Church removed her from the Church roles because of it. What else do I need to know?
This thread is like Alice In Wonderland. Yes, that's mocking, Quest. It sure is.
Originally Posted by
Quest
Awesome testimony...but it proves nothing regarding this story. Why? Because you are 'presuming' this lady's condition and situation. You don't know her personally.
Nor do you know this particular church body or the kingdom work they do or don't do.
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