What would you do in this situation?

There's alot of good ideas. I'd hate to tell someone they are not welcome to our church, but if the problems are that out of control, something has to be done.

 

She wasn't a member of the previous pastors church.

 

The key is found in scripture where the man of God has the responsibility to take his "stick" and shoo away the fowls of the air that lodge under the branches of a fruitful tree.

I mean, if you don't mind the fowls leaving their excrement on your fruitful branches just let them roost awhile!

That is precisely why I said to bring all the related parties together and settle their differences. Once they are all face to face something could be finally settled, else they will continue in ungodliness and be unprofitable due to the unlearned questions about each individual.

If the woman has this "history" and it is confirmed in my office by two or three witnesses, she will be qwelcomed to attend, just if she starts the same thing in here, she will be stood up and openly rebuked!

Now, if she is of a willingness to know that might be the future and she can "behave", not only would she receive Bible preaching, but she also would see how other Chriostians can stand firm and unmoveable yet love each other as the world knows not this brotherly love.

I am not willing to let her come in and start a bunch of junk, but I am as willing as the next person to allow her time to get right with God!

 

Sometimes it could do the new perspective member alot of harm to contact their previous church. I say this due to some pastors having a grudge against that person and then the anger complex they operate from and the bitterness over their leaving.

I do know of one pastor who is known by some as "Billy the Butcher" for the way he's handled people leaving his church.

It is truly a shame for this fellow pastor to have this reputation. I know him personally and he is very abrasive at times, yet I've seen him preach with as much power of God as any other preacher.

I would always be careful about inviting the police into any church affairs, that can only digress into more political and government involvement in the church and would ultimately cause BIG problems for all the church!

 

You can't discipline or stand someone up publically to rebuke them if they aren't members.

 

Yes, I understand

However, this is where we get into this issue of membership.....in my opinion, you are a "member" of Christ's Body when you are born again....this is a situation where, I believe, the modern concept of membership in the local body...that is, signing a piece of paper making you a member, can somewhat backfire, as seen in this case!

I don't see Paul asking the Corinthians whether the man in sin was a "member" or not before the man was biblically disciplined. He was a believer who was sleeping with his father's wife, and as a believer was coming under the local biblical authority...the elders in this case.

Don't get me wrong, Donna, I understand what you are saying, and yes, many American churches do believe you have to have signed a piece of paper before you come under their biblical authority.

Membership is, of course, a topic for another thread...

Regardless of membership, I believe the elders/pastors of the church must protect the sheep.

Your sis in Christ,
Beth

 

Discipline does not require the attendance of the offender to be present at the moment of announcement. There should be an admonition to the church to separate themselves from the unrepentant.

 

I am not so certain they had actual membership in the New Testament churches.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Ann

Ann, yes, I see what you mean, and I agree.

RevMitchell, yes, an announcement should be made so the flock knows to avoid the brother in active sin, with the hope and desire of repentance and reconciliation.

Jim, yes, I don't think that was the case either.