But when I am; I LOVE it!
Posted on 08/29/2013 11:06:02 AM PDT by Gamecock
WINSTON-SALEM — Julie and Bob Clark were stunned to receive a letter from their church in July asking them to “participate in the life of the church” — or worship elsewhere.
“They basically called us freeloaders,” says Julie.
“We were freeloaders,” says Bob.
In a trend that may signal rough times for wallflower Christians, bellwether mega-church Faith Community of Winston-Salem has asked “non-participating members” to stop attending.
“No more Mr. Nice Church,” says the executive pastor, newly hired from Cingular Wireless. “Bigger is not always better. Providing free services indefinitely to complacent Christians is not our mission.”
“Freeloading” Christians were straining the church’s nursery and facility resources and harming the church’s ability to reach the lost, says the pastor.
“When your bottom line is saving souls, you get impatient with people who interfere with that goal,” he says.
Faith Community sent polite but firm letters to families who attend church services and “freebie events” but never volunteer, never tithe and do not belong to a small group or other ministry. The church estimates that of its 8,000 regular attendees, only half have volunteered in the past 3 years, and a third have never given to the church.
“Before now, we made people feel comfortable and welcome, and tried to coax them to give a little something in return,” says a staff member. “That’s changed. We’re done being the community nanny.”
Surprisingly, the move to dis-invite people has drawn positive response from men in the community who like the idea of an in-your-face church.
“I thought, ‘A church that doesn’t allow wussies — that rocks,’” says Bob Clark, who admires the church more since they told him to get lost.
He and Julie are now tithing and volunteering. “We’ve taken our place in church life,” he says.
But when I am; I LOVE it!
Someone needs a HUG!
And while the kids where there, they learned about Jesus - RIGHT?
Where’s the downside?
How’d he get out of the well?
Maybe you should have taught the kids how their parents were going to hell for stealing from God.
Did you see anything about being barred from worship? Or fellowship?
It is evident that you do not understand the concept of guidelines and the honour system.
May G-d bless you and yours
BTW, comparing the mormon cult to a Christian church is a defining apples to oranges strawman.
***A church of that size with that many activities needs People to staff the events***
Churches of any size need help.
That’s a church? Looks like a strip mall to me.
I do too.
Oooooooo...I just got a letter from the pastor asking me why I haven’t joined yet! Perhaps this is a sign. :O)
““When your bottom line is getting money in the offering plate, you get impatient with people who interfere with that goal,” he says.” -——there fixed it!!!
This is not about helping “lost souls” because it never dawned on this moron that those “wallflowers” are the lost souls
Man this article burns me.
World is full of odd looking churches. For example this Roman Catholic house of worship looks like a hippo:
That has got to be about the ugliest building I’ve ever seen, much less church.
You know what, though? Those kids know what’s going on.
And they will not appreciate it when they are adults. And so many people wonder why grown adults dump their invalid parents in nursing homes and never visit them. It’s what they were raised with. Just returning the favor.
In the meantime, these children will hear the gospel and maybe become saved. And that’s what’s important. The parents may think they’re pulling one over on others, but in the end, they will be accomplishing good they never intended in their selfishness.
It is?
Hmmph.
I guess I'll have to stick with the Holy Observer for hard hitting Christian news like this: Techno-Tithe: Church Implants Microchips in Members' Right Hands
That.
I will when FR is working again!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.