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Featured “Freeloading” Christians

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by Revmitchell, Aug 28, 2013.

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  1. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    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.

    http://www.larknews.com/archives/574
     
    #1 Revmitchell, Aug 28, 2013
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Couldn't that be addressed from the pulpit using Scripture? I believe it can. I don't think that there is a biblical mandate to become a member, tithe and volunteer but I do think that we can address some of the life of the church in the messages and encourage our members to not only be a part of the church body in membership, volunteer at the church as they are able and to give generously, but to also encourage them to be a part of their community in ministry and bring the gospel to all those around them. I don't quite think that the way the church went about this was the right way to do it.
     
    #2 annsni, Aug 28, 2013
  3. Steadfast Fred

    Steadfast Fred Active Member

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    I read that article some time last week.

    Sadly, the Clark's were coerced into obeying the man-made doctrine of tithing ten per cent of their finances to Faith Community.

    Jesus Christ abolished the tithe in the first century, yet so many pastors lie to their flocks, telling them God requires the tithe.
     
    #3 Steadfast Fred, Aug 28, 2013
  4. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    What ever you believe about the tithe does not add up to pastor "lying" about it. What is just as important is controlling out rhetoric over things we disagree about rather than jumping to extreme rhetoric like this.
     
    #4 Revmitchell, Aug 28, 2013
  5. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    Ya'll do realize that this site is a parody. This event never actually happened. You all have been larked!
     
    #5 sag38, Aug 28, 2013
  6. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    So why would you want to belong to a church that lies to you and serves you Dunning notices.....just another modern church absurdity! :BangHead:
     
    #6 Earth Wind and Fire, Aug 28, 2013
  7. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Never heard of it before.
     
    #7 Revmitchell, Aug 28, 2013
  8. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    #8 sag38, Aug 28, 2013
  9. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    #9 Revmitchell, Aug 28, 2013
  10. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    #10 sag38, Aug 28, 2013
  11. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I have had a pastor that suggested to the congregation that if they are not going to be involved in the work of Christ (either within the confines of the physical church or outside its walls) that he would prefer for them not to take up a seat that can be utilized by others who will. Perhaps there is an issue with church “members” who are actually church spectators.

    BTW, I like the “LarkPremium” section of Lark News.com.
     
    #11 JonC, Aug 28, 2013
  12. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    If you like that then check out the horoscope part. lol
     
    #12 sag38, Aug 28, 2013
  13. Steadfast Fred

    Steadfast Fred Active Member

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    #13 Steadfast Fred, Aug 28, 2013
  14. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    :laugh::thumbs::thumbs: Glad Rev posted this link. Has been a bright spot in an otherwise dull day.
     
    #14 JonC, Aug 28, 2013
  15. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    The name, "Lark" kind of gives it away as a parody ... maybe even a bit of satire.

    Interesting website. Thanks SAG
     
    #15 Crabtownboy, Aug 28, 2013
  16. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    #16 JonC, Aug 28, 2013
  17. thisnumbersdisconnected

    thisnumbersdisconnected New Member

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    All of which would make a good debate if the story were real. But never mind ...
     
    #17 thisnumbersdisconnected, Aug 28, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2013
  18. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    We don't ask them to stop attending. We just initiate church discipline proceedings in absentia and remove them from the roles.
     
    #18 JohnDeereFan, Aug 28, 2013
  19. Steadfast Fred

    Steadfast Fred Active Member

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    [​IMG]

    This mega-Church pastor sent out letters on the Church letterhead. And yes, it is a legit Church and legit letterhead.
     
    #19 Steadfast Fred, Aug 28, 2013
  20. Steadfast Fred

    Steadfast Fred Active Member

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    The story is real according to the Bible.
    I'm sorry you don't believe the Bible.
     
    #20 Steadfast Fred, Aug 28, 2013
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