contacting a visitor's former pastor?

I don't want to hijack the thread about vetting someone.

I freely admit I see two sides to this contacting a former pastor thing.

Obviously if I were to ask to transfer my letter to a new church, they will be in contact with my old church. That would be the time for the pastor at the old church to raise red flags. I mean, maybe I was treasurer and stole money. Or was a child molester. Can't have that just swept under the rug.

But on the other hand, I have seen some pretty heavy handed and vindictive folks trash someone's reputation. They could be leaving the old church just because they realize they disagree with its theology. Or have a personality conflict. Or loathe something being done in the service. (Yes, music, drama, poor preaching, etc would fit here.)

They could be really good Christians and excellent church members just sensing God is leading them in the move. That doesn't make them bad or troublemaking or divisive. Of course, some preachers will consider anyone who disagrees with them about anything as "divisive."

I will admit if I were just visiting and had not asked for membership and you called the pastor where I am a member to check up on me, and I found out, I wouldn't be a visitor at your church again. It smacks of attempts to control and blacklist to me. (But then again, I'm not in conflict or in trouble at church.)

I would guess this would have to be a rare thing, and handled carefully, and only when someone applies for membership, has a bad reputation in the community, or is being divisive while visiting a new church. I'm not much on the idea a church can keep you a member if you have notified them you resign, either.

Your thoughts?

 

I agree there are the "professional trouble makers." And if I felt led to move to a different church, of course there would be a time of visiting different churches and seeing where God was leading me. During that time, I'd sure hate a visit or two to merit a call to my pastor to check up on me. Who knows, the visiting might make me sure God WASN'T leading me to leave.

And yep, should I ask to transfer membership, I would sure as shooting expect that if I were not in good standing at my old church, they would let my new one know.

I guess I just figure that, assuming I am in good standing and behaving myself at my church, should I feel that voluntary association needs to be ended, that would be my prerogative.

But then, like I say, I've seen instances where the church went in a new direction, some faithful folks did not feel they could in good conscience go that way, and started the search for a new church home. No divisiveness or rancor or gossiping or fussing. Just quietly leaving. And seen them told they could not leave until they were on board with that new direction. Otherwise they would be guilty of sin by leaving "not in peace" with the original church.

I guess I just see church as a voluntary association, not something where once you join you have forfeited the right to withdraw at your discretion.