Another "member" thread

The answer is that it is up to your local church to decide. My own feeling is that an occasional visit to another church is not a problem, but if it becomes a persistant situation that interferes with local church duties, it has crossed the line, whatever their ministry is, which includes several of your questions. Yes, I would send them a bulletin.

The bottom line is that each of your questions is answered by your local church.

 

As long as they continue to send their tithes and offerings - they are acting like singing evangelists, so they should know what's going on in the home church. This is no different than those of us who serve on Sunday morning having a Sunday School Class that keeps us informed and invites us to fellowship with them.

Instead of mailing the bulletin - it could be transmitted electronically via email. It was probably laid out on word or publisher. OR it could be mailed once a month.

The teaching/Deacon thing gets a little tricker though doesn't it? Depends on how the leadership roles are set up. I wouldn't expect to fulfill a leadership position in a Sunday school class that in which I'm a service member because I'm not there on a regular basis. Could substitute teaching work? Can they make Deacon's meetings? Is there a requirement for number of meetings made?

Like Saturn said - depends on what the local body says . . . I'm just throwing stuff out.

 

are you sure this is hypothetical, seems awfully detailed.

yes, they attend and tithe at their church, because they go out of their four walls to minister to others does not mean they aren't active, they seem quite active to me, in ministry.

they are members aren't they. What if they lived on the mission field, and still tithed and attended when they were in the country their church was? Should the church so easily turn it's back on it's members? If so I wouldn't want to be a member there.

I agree. What has this 'hypothetical' church decided?

 

Saturneptune is right, each church should decide how to handle this.

Now, let me tell you how to handle it, from both ends. First, the trio should go to the pastor and church leaders to tell them what they would like to do, and ask to go as music evangelists under the auspices of the church. They will go as representatives of the church (as did Paul and Silas from Antioch), be accountable to the church, and report to the church. The trio sees this as a ministry, and seeks the church's blessing.

The pastor and leaders will likely quickly give their approval under those circumstances and so will the church. If the trio acts independently of the church, then you have to deal with the questions raised in the OP.

I'm always leery of Lone Ranger ministries.

 

I think if they are supporting and attending their home church when not ministering at other churches, their home church should support them just as they do the other church ministries.

If they have the gift of teaching then that gift should be used whenever possible. As for as being a elder or trustee that might be difficult if they can not be there for their home church (but I know of no one who can do all and be all things to a church).

If the church deacons are NT type deacons then they are servants and by being musical evangelist (sent by the church) they are serving. Of course this would only apply if they could fulfill the qualifications of the office of deacon.

I would be proud to have someone like that as members of my church and would keep them informed in anyway I could and support them in prayer.

 

Then why is there even a question or a thread??

Ed

 

As Jeff Foxworthy says, here's your sign.

 

This thread was interesting to me and I'm glad you started it, Spinach. I've personally seen this scenario happen in a church we once attended. It was not good. The singing group was "independent" and needed accounability. They ended up singing at other churches but not getting fed spiritually. It ended very badly and was a bad testimony to the community.

 

If you haven't already noticed, there are a few here who will simply refuse to NOT participate in a thread they deem "useless", but will even go so far as to chastise you for starting the thread.

Sorry, but that's just the way it is here! After a while you'll learn to just ignore these nay-sayers.

 

I thought it was interesting too - which was why I replied.

Thanks. :thumbs:

 

I never said any such thing.

 

Bill Engvall

 

I stand corrected. Guess I dont watch enough of Blue Collar Comedy.