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Struggling Cottage Grove Church Asks Older Members To Go Away (MN)
CBS Minnesoto ^ | 01/22/2020 | CBS Minnesota

Posted on 01/21/2020 12:48:46 PM PST by aimhigh

A struggling Minnesota church is asking its older parishioners to leave in hopes of making it more attractive to young families.

Grove United Methodist Church in the St. Paul suburb of Cottage Grove is closing in June, with plans to relaunch in November. The present members, most of them over 60 years old, will be invited to worship elsewhere, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported. The church is asking that they stay away for two years, then consult the pastor about reapplying.

“I pray for this church, getting through this age-discrimination thing,” William Gackstetter said at church on a recent Sunday as the gray-haired heads around him nodded in agreement. But church officials said the congregation needs a reset and the best way is to appeal to younger people.

(Excerpt) Read more at minnesota.cbslocal.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS: agediscrimination; church; cottagegrove; elderlychristians; methodists; old; stpaul; waronchristians
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To: aimhigh

An idea so stupid it could only come from the Left.


41 posted on 01/21/2020 1:50:56 PM PST by gogeo (The left prides themselves on being tolerant, but they can't even be civil.)
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To: MagUSNRET

They can “reapply” after 2 years?

No way would I even walk into a church that says crap like that!
= = =

So

The end times are at least 2 years away?

And these folks are going to live at least 2 more years?

/holy S (that is S for Sarcasm)


42 posted on 01/21/2020 1:51:52 PM PST by Scrambler Bob (This is not /s. It is just as viable as any MSM 'information', maybe more so!)
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To: aimhigh

The senor citizens need to walk away and take their pledges, offerings and money with them.

The, after 2-3 years and the church closes its doors, the elders can come back, reopen it and hire a retired minister to preach the gospel.


43 posted on 01/21/2020 1:52:39 PM PST by Grampa Dave (Democrats sue Iran over the right to use "Death to America" as their 2020 campaign slogan!)
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To: Scrambler Bob

Hmmm

Better get rid of the verses about listening to the elder men and women.


44 posted on 01/21/2020 1:55:07 PM PST by Scrambler Bob (This is not /s. It is just as viable as any MSM 'information', maybe more so!)
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To: aimhigh
/sarc-on
I've heard the best way to fix an organization that's struggling is to get rid of its staunchest supporters.
/sarc-off
45 posted on 01/21/2020 1:57:55 PM PST by grateful
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To: Albion Wilde

Homosexuality is the sharp tip of Satan’s spear. Where it pieces, great damage follows.

Satan loves homosexuality, and has used it well do divide guilt-avoiding Christians — what loving mommy could censure or disown her faggot son? Nope, drop the Bible, instead, embrace the queer and feel no guilt.

Soon, preaching against sodomy in church will be a hate crime.


46 posted on 01/21/2020 1:58:19 PM PST by polymuser (It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and so few by deceit. Noel Coward)
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To: aimhigh

I really need to write that book “Stupid Christians”
A Church is not a building but a group of believers.
This is only the beginning as the cost of operating many buildings is going to drive many Churches into bankruptcy.


47 posted on 01/21/2020 2:01:36 PM PST by Zathras
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To: aimhigh
Why did this LGBTQ "pastor" get installed in the first place? Was nobody in the congregation minding the store?

In any case, if they can't get this "pastor" removed quickly it is time to turn this "church" over to Satan and let it become an object lesson to the rest of the churches of the ugly results of open sin and apostasy.

Any genuine Christians now here will find a church home elsewhere.

48 posted on 01/21/2020 2:10:24 PM PST by Gritty (Trump Derangement Syndrome is the country fracturing into warring alien tribes - Daniel Greenfield)
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To: aimhigh

“Church”


49 posted on 01/21/2020 2:11:44 PM PST by Persevero (Desmond is not -Amazing- Desmond is -Abused-)
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To: Scrambler Bob

Oh, the UMC has done away with a LOT of verses...


50 posted on 01/21/2020 2:17:52 PM PST by Persevero (Desmond is not -Amazing- Desmond is -Abused-)
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To: aimhigh

Methodist are trying to outdo the Unitarians?


51 posted on 01/21/2020 2:18:49 PM PST by Leep (Everyday is Trump Day!)
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To: aimhigh; Gamecock; SaveFerris

They should schedule a late meeting. These old guys, they’re up at 4 a.m.; by two-thirty they’re wiped.


52 posted on 01/21/2020 2:24:21 PM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: BlessedBeGod

‘Speechless.’

so were many good Catholics back in the mid sixties when Church liturgists decided to void their worship service so as to be more relevant to a shaky generation...there is nothing remarkable at all about this story, standard operating procedure...


53 posted on 01/21/2020 2:24:53 PM PST by IrishBrigade
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To: aimhigh
"United Methodist Church."

That's why...

54 posted on 01/21/2020 2:25:29 PM PST by unread (A REPUBLIC..! if you can keep it....)
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To: Fido969
They want to kick the conservatives out.

But, very importantly, they want to KEEP the building, endowment, and other assets which the conservative older members contributed over decades.

Christians who want to keep their church need to remember this: a church with assets attracts leftist thieves.

If you want to keep your church, keep it poor. Have the building be mortgaged, and have it be the case that the church needs your weekly donations. Have the pastor never forget that if the people who pay the bills walk away, then he will be out on the street.

55 posted on 01/21/2020 2:28:44 PM PST by PapaBear3625 ("Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." -- Voltaire)
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To: PGR88
"What kind of bizarre thinking led to this conclusion??"

Satan is very wise and clever...

56 posted on 01/21/2020 2:29:17 PM PST by unread (A REPUBLIC..! if you can keep it....)
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To: toast
I guess you missed this:

The present members, most of them over 60 years old, will be invited to worship elsewhere, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported. The church is asking that they stay away for two years, then consult the pastor about reapplying.

Flat out told them to stay away for 2 years!!!

57 posted on 01/21/2020 2:31:44 PM PST by 2nd amendment mama (Self Defense is a Basic Human Right!)
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To: aimhigh

The older members are the ones who tithe, religiously.

This church will die.


58 posted on 01/21/2020 2:37:00 PM PST by skinndogNN
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To: aimhigh

WHy don’t they fire that tool of a preacher?


59 posted on 01/21/2020 2:42:27 PM PST by DesertRhino (Dog is man's best friend, and moslems hate dogs. Add that up. ....)
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To: DouglasKC
I understand the need to attract younger people but wow

“young” families and youth who are actual Christians are looking for a community of believers. They know community comes with all ages and especially that elder members are the foundation and long-term wisdom of a congregation.

This article is an insult and stereotype to young people, as much as it is an insult to the elderly.

But its actually all a lie - its propaganda to cover and disguise the fact that some leftist or LGBTQ pastor wants the conservatives OUT.

60 posted on 01/21/2020 2:45:46 PM PST by PGR88
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