I read through it, and I don't know how much I agree with it. Thinking back to
when the church was observing the Lord's Supper, they are an entire meal. I'm
guessing children who were not believers still ate. It doesn't say they
didn't...Like Renee said, I think we have our cultural lens that we see
through, and it's hard to separate. For our church, baptism, membership, and
Communion are separated. Salvation is necessary for baptism and Communion.
Geoff hasn't turned away anyone for baptism due to age, but the person who is
getting baptized must share a clear testimony with him before going forward. He
has had some wait because of their testimony. No parents have been angry about
that. For membership, although it's not in the Constitution, it is requested
that a person/family attends for at least 6 months before pursuing membership.
It's a way for the church to get to know the people and new people get to know
the church. We do have many opportunities for service for non members, but
voting on church matters and teaching are exclusive member opportunities.
Membership is encouraged in the ten years, but 16 is the minimum age for
voting. Many churches I grew up in had baptism and membership together-once
baptized, you're a member. I like keeping it separate especially for young
people who still want to be baptized, but membership would be meaningless.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Tue, Aug 28, 2018 at 1:49 PM, James Brabson<thebrabsonfamily@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote: _filtered #yiv3831103978 {font-family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4
3 2 4;}
Read the article. Like Renee I wouldn't necessarily agree with him on
everything. I agree with the writer that she
should be a factor. My husband and I don't believe that to take communion you
have to be baptized or be a member of the church. It is not in our
constitution, but if a teen that is younger then 16 asks to be a member he
tells them they are to young. To vote the constitution states you have to be 18.
On August 27, 2018, at 11:31 AM, Renee O'Leske <larsen.renee@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Interesting article. Short, so I was able to read it quickly. :) I am not
sure I agree, but I would need to think about it longer... I wonder when he
determines when children are ready for all 3...
As far as membership responsibilities, I have never really embraced
congregational voting... not sure what I think of it. It seems very American.
I often question a lot of church polity, but I have never studied it out for
myself. I guess I always saw "excommunication"/church discipline as something
the elders carried out, not the other members. Although the members are aware
of the situation...
Okay, I need to stop. Things to do. And I don't have anything good to offer
you all unless I study Scripture more. :)
On Sun, Aug 26, 2018 at 6:23 PM Elizabeth Lovelace
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I think he makes a good case, too.In Argentina, my dad had a membership class
for new members, so he felt kids had to be able to read and write to take the
class and be baptized. Not a scriptural, but something he felt kept really
young kids from being baptized. Also, only members 18 and up could vote on
money matters.
I hadn't thought about all three (baptism, Lord's supper, and membership) being
tied together, nor the responsibilities tied with membership.Liz
On Sun, Aug 26, 2018 at 18:09, K. Jeanne Colas<kristi.colas@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi girls!I just saw this article and it makes a very good case for not
baptizing young children. What do you think?
I grew up in a church that encouraged kids to get baptized and to take the
Lord's supper, but they weren't considered church members until they turned 18.
KristiKristi Jeanne Colas
11 rue Henri Dunant95410 Groslay, France
