Well what constitutes "neglecting them"? Does the pastor preach in a church once or several times a week? Is his home door and church door always open if they want to come in? Will he give them spiritual advice if they come in? Are they free to attend any church in the South? Or is he supposed to haunt bars looking for them?
My own father was an alcoholic. He took us to church on sunday and sat outside in the car waiting for us. Was he free to come inside? Absolutely. We make choices
I wonder if the pastor ever asked your Dad why he didn't come in?
AND I wonder if, imagine, someone like me and some of my homies double-teamed your dad into a family intervention, a treatment facility, and then daily AA meetings until he was well enough to see what a sinner he was and finally was ready to open his heart to the Lord ... if that happened would we be dismissed by the pastor because we didn't actually preside over the conversion?
Again, I think pouring concrete is as much about building the house and shingling the roof. I'm learning that for others, the contractors who pay attention only to roofing are justified in saying "Well the house was predestined to fall," if no one lays a good foundation.
Different strokes. For me, I'd rather wait and see the house stand than have a good way of exonerating myself should it fall.