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Officating a funeral

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Nov 26, 2010.

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  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I just read in the obits where there will be a funeral at a CMA church, however a Catholic priest will officiate. Would you as a pastor permit or as a member want a Catholic to officiate at a funeral in your church?
     
  2. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    They have let me speak at their funerals, so I guess. It just might be that they needed a bigger building/ space to conduct the funeral.
     
  3. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    No, for the same reasons I wouldn't want a muslim officiating anything at my church.
     
  4. Crucified in Christ

    Crucified in Christ New Member

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    Nope! Couldn't allow someone to stand in the pulpit if I believe they preach heresy even if they are not preaching it during the service (although funerals are often a place of poor theology).
     
  5. Old Union Brother

    Old Union Brother New Member

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    Nope,Couldn't allow it. If you allow the false doctrine that they preach to be allowed in the pulpit I'm not sure you are fit to pastor a church. In 2 John:
    1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son

    1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

    1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
     
  6. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    It would not be allowed in our church. If they want to use our church, either our pastors or pastors of like belief could officiate. If they want a Catholic priest to officiate, the Catholic church is much larger than our facility or the funeral home allows services to be held there.
     
  7. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

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    You're equating a muslim with a catholic?!?

    Unbelievable.
     
  8. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    Why not? They are two false world religions both preaching a false message, both messages sending people to hell. The end result is the same. An unsaved person is an unsaved person no matter what his background is.
     
  9. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

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    Again. Wow. Can't say "catholic" without an ensuing uproar, can you?
     
  10. Crucified in Christ

    Crucified in Christ New Member

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    I confused by your uproar. What is your problem with what he is saying? Are you arguing that catholicism presents no soteriological concerns? In what regard do you see these as different than the ones presented by Islam?
     
  11. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    First off, every Catholic funeral has the Eucharist. We have very opposing views of Communion between Baptists and Catholics, do we not? So would you allow someone who teaches something so different to come to officiate at your church - and to carry on that practice that we disagree on?
     
  12. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I attended a Catholic once and among other things, the priest assured us that Mrs McAnney was in Heaven because she was baptized.

    No, I would permit such heresy to be stated from my pulpit.
     
  13. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    So then by the reasoning of some, you can't officiate a funeral at a funeral home, they allow Catholic services there after all, I bet they even stand behind the pulpit! Am I getting the line of thinking right?
     
  14. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    A funeral home is a place of funerals. A church is a place for church. I don't believe a funeral home has a statement of faith or doctrine but a church certainly should. My husband will happily officiate at a funeral anywhere but for OUR church? Nope - you must stand with us in similar faith and practice or else you are welcome to be in the seats with the guests.
     
  15. Old Union Brother

    Old Union Brother New Member

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    Total agreement and very well said :thumbs::thumbs:
     
  16. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    Believe it. I'm equating muslims with catholics.
     
  17. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Salty what exactly is the problem with this? This is not about attending a church service. Since when is a building holy or unholy or made either because someone is in it? I have known of times when another religion wants a larger place to conduct a funeral or wedding and some Christian church has one and are asked if it could be used. I see no problem with it. I would charge them just like I would any outsider and there would be certain things they could not do (animal sacrifices :tongue3:) just like anyone who rents a hall. Also this could be a good time to get to know them and witness to them while renting the place to them.
    I wonder how many Baptist churches allow the Masons to come in and do their funerals? The masons promote false religion so why not a Catholic, a Jew, or even a Muslim? I see not problem. Unless someone can show scriptural reason for denying them I would say let them in and require them to pay a just price.
     
    #17 freeatlast, Nov 27, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 27, 2010
  18. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    We could also let them come in and play BINGO, but I don't think that would fly either. :rolleyes:
     
  19. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    There are some Baptist churches that do this, but I believe gambling of any kind is a form of coveting. However a funeral is a special time as is weddings and it becomes a great time to witness to those who rent the building and yes there should be restrictions. Again unless there is some biblical reason I see no problem with it. Now I say that, but I can see where there would be a problem if the church was weak in faith and did not understand its liberties. In that case I would be against it to keep from offending a weaker brothers faith.
     
  20. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    You are right. There are some Baptist churches that will rent their facilities out for various reasons and purposes. We simply just are not one of them. We would only allow those of like faith and order to use our church, and that generally has been the policy of the churches that I have been connected with. As you say there are others with a more liberal outlook than ours.

    Ultimately it is up to the church and the pastor to make that type of decision since each Baptist church, by nature, is independent and wholly autonomous.
     
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