This is the route that our pastor takes the kids. The boys had to sit
through HOURS of membership classes full of HUGE words to be baptized.
Brian and I weren't happy, but this is where God has us. Not sure what I
think, but I think I better understand why our pastor is cautious.
By the way, I think the law requires you to be 18 to vote. At least here in
MN and in NC where I grew up.
On Tue, Aug 28, 2018 at 2:34 PM Pamela Smith <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
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.
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On Tue, Aug 28, 2018 at 1:49 PM, James Brabson
<thebrabsonfamily@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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
<https://www.9marks.org/article/a-strategy-for-delaying-the-baptism-of-young-children/>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.
Kristi
Kristi Jeanne Colas
11 rue Henri Dunant
95410 Groslay, France
