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What is considered faithfulness in order to serve in a church position?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by doodlebug, Jun 17, 2006.

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  1. Being at your church every chance you can except when you are sick or working?

    3 vote(s)
    23.1%
  2. Being at your church every chance, except when sick, working, or vacation time.

    7 vote(s)
    53.8%
  3. Being at your church when it works into your schedule.

    1 vote(s)
    7.7%
  4. It's between me and God and shouldn't be a factor.

    2 vote(s)
    15.4%
  1. doodlebug

    doodlebug New Member

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    The bible says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
    So, what do you consider faithfulness when it comes to church attendance? (this would be in order to hold a position such as teacher, deacon, secretary, etc.)
     
  2. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    I voted for #1, but I also would say that would apply to positions which hold real leadership in the church. I think we have to give some room to people to serve before they are at this point in their walk.

    I think faithfulness would include finding a church to go to where they are when they are on vacation.
     
  3. NateT

    NateT Member

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    I didn't vote because I didn't like any of the options.

    I don't know that it needs to be everytime the doors are open, and #s 3&4 seemed to be worded in a way that would get someone assaulted for answering. "Fitting into my schedule" might as well mean "when I feel like it." And "It's between me & God" is one of the biggest copouts used in evangelical circles today.

    I think establishing some sort of rule like this is dangerous. We're not given any indication of church attendance in the Bible for leadership, other than the verse that says we're not to forsake the assembling. However, I think that is a pattern. That is, don't stop the practice of assembling. If someone hasn't been in 2 or 3 months, they've more than likely "forsook the assembling" if someone misses a week or two here and there, I don't think it qualifies as forsaking.
     
  4. gekko

    gekko New Member

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    well... i didnt agree with the first 4... uh. 3. so i picked the last one. which i dont fully agree with either - nonetheless. i voted. :)

    i go to church every sunday morning and evening. i attend wednesday night bible study. and occasionaly the business meeting.

    im also starting up an "evangelism team" so to say. at the church.
    ---

    i dont believe in pushing a new christian to a nearby church. nor do i agree with pushing them to your church.

    bible says they'll desire the sincere milk of the word if they are true. and therefore will long after fellowship. period.
    ---

    what is considered faithfulness in order to serve in a church position?

    hmm... faithfulness to whom? the church or to God?
     
  5. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    None of the choices were to my liking.

    I think I should be at church unless something more important than church attendance is in question.

    For instance:
    -I could be at church 7 days a week. That would hurt my family...which is a higher priority than church. (Not higher than God...higher than church).
    -I missed most of VBS this week. One day due to recovering from a 105-hour work week (youth camp/mission trip). That's called care of self and soul. Three days were at home caring for a sick kid (family).
    -I try to take one weekend away per year for solitude, Bible study, prayer, reflection, etc. I don't mind a bit missing one Sunday for that.
    Should someone be copping out consistenly of church functions (especially corporate worship and Bible study)...there's a cause for concern. But I've also been in churches where legalistic attendance-watching was the sledgehammer used to beat up the church folk.
     
  6. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    I voted for 2, but reluctantly. If a church has many ministries a faithful person does not need to be there every night of the week to be considered faithful.

    I believe they should attend a worship service, some type of discipleship class, be it SS, or Wed. Bible study, or small group, and then they should be responsible to the ministry they are called to.

    I also don't believe the pastor has to attend everything the church does.
    He can not get work done that way... if he pastors an active church.
     
  7. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

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    I didn't vote as I look at it the opposite way, when members don't come like normal I give them a couple of calls then I go by the house. Not to inquire or to call their attandance to question, but to make myself available to them in case they want to speak privately.

    I once had an 83 year old mother in our Church who quit coming because the deacons removed the organ from the sanctuary. To their defence it was never used and was taking up space the youth wanted to use for a electric keyboard.

    Needless to say, even though the mother went home to be with the LORD a few years ago the organ is still in the sanctuary.
     
  8. PrimePower7

    PrimePower7 New Member

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    Unrealistic "faithfulness"

    What many churches call "faithfulness" is clearly unattainable in most cases. As a matter of fact, the pastor is not even faithful in many cases if we use the word "faithful".

    Let's consider the word "faithful". If my wife asks me, "Honey, have you been faithful to me?" It is not honest to say "yes" if I have been unfaithful one time.

    Moreover, churches, with their clubs, multi-aged, multifaceted ministries make it endlessly tiring to be "faithful". I would find out what THEY mean by "faithful", and then tell them to find another word to use if THEY don't mean being at everything all the time.

    I voted number 2
     
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