A sex offender wants to come to church?

Question

In Reno, there is a convicted child sex offender who has honestly put himself in front of a church. He wants to attend and possibly become a member of this church.
How do you, as a Christian, show the love of Christ and still protect your children?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070304/ap_on_re_us/church_sex_offender;_ylt=AsKHwANxnZzELlEQ2u4GSHs7Xs8F

Ladies and Gentleman, this is not my church. This is a question brought up by an article.
Please quit lecturing me.

Answer 1

If the church isn't there for him, who *should* it be there for?

Do you want him tending the nursery or teaching Sunday school? No. No responsible church, no responsible pastor, no responsible elder board should allow him into such a position.

But as Jesus said, those who are well have no need of a doctor, and this guy needs a doctor just as much as anyone else ... it's just that most of the other people who come before the church aren't legally obligated to disclose their sins.

Answer 2

Jesus is the Great Physician. He came to seek & save the lost. I would say that a convicted sex offender is DEFINATELY lost. As Christians we are to be forgiving, but we are also to be wise, so I would think that he must publicly repent & he should have limited & surpervised contact with children IF ANY. This is not an unforgiveable sin in God's eyes. We must hate the sin & love the sinner. I also believe the church should offer him counseling & encourage him to take advantage of it.

Answer 3

If he does abide by the rules set down (read the article), it should be fine for him to attend church. I'm sure he's well aware that people are frightened and disturbed by his past; and he probably understands why certain precautions must be in place in order for him to attend. If he is ostracized now, without any type of support group in place, there's even more chance that he'll fall back into old ways and re-offend. I think he should be given a chance, under extremely watchful eyes.

Answer 4

As a non-christian I can honestly say he should be dead right now. There would be no issue here at all.

I think the Christian doctrine requires them to admit him, does it not? Something about 'forgiveness' and all that.

I must wonder, why would anyone in that church feel the need to protect their children from someone who is attending that church, regardless of their past? Does that not show a lack of faith in their own faith? Or is there a concern he is lying about wanting to honestly be 'saved'?

Here's an idea - Don't let him babysit for you or work in the Sunday School classes. That should about do it, shouldn't it?

~Morg~

Answer 5

If they are complying with the conditions of their release, are not in any position of authority, and are supervised at all times, it is unproductive to deny them the opportunity to sincerely repent. That they would ask the church as a whole, exposing themselves to vilificaton, rather than just attending without disclosing their past, is a good sign.

Answer 6

I think that everything has been done correctly. It sounds like the church has taken the appropriate steps to protect its congregation, and the person wanting to attend has been honest and straight forward and is willing to accept the churches terms. I say, let him in. It sounds like he wants to move on with his life and become a better person.

Answer 7

Let him come, and keep an eye on your children. Not letting him become a member of your church could lead to more children being abused. I bet more of a threat than if you allow him and be vigilant about your children.

Answer 8

Do you honestly think that he is going to molest your child AT CHURCH?

Who comes to the healer? The healthy or the wounded/sick?

Forgiveness isnt easy, but isnt that the whole point of Christianity?

Tell him to go to my church if you arent comfortable! We have people that just got out of jail, homless, bikers, and other messed up people who just want a relationship with Christ

www.westmoorechurch.com =]

Answer 9

did not the Hitler choose each and all of the Jews registered initially? Yeah, it starts that way, yet once you be conscious human behaviour over historic past. type distinction by using prejudice leads to an rather grotesque scene for the excellent human inhabitants. We learn historic past to avert those very issues going on back, yet no the place interior the Bible does it say oppression and segregation isn't authorized in God's eyes. permitting a pastor to indicate that persons who do not decide on his way of existence could desire to be registered like criminals. as quickly as back, it somewhat is the reason i think of faith is risky. Atheists are not making plans to sign up anybody, and sophistication distinctive them in line with their own ethical code. we'd like weapons such because of fact the Bible to be disarmed. I in simple terms responded yet another Bible pusher's question wherein he condone's massacring by potential of drowning. it somewhat is traumatic. i'm not even generalizing here, i'm calling the religions risky. not all of us who follows. Suicide bombers weren't continuously risky. as quickly as they have been confident there replaced right into a god, it wasn't going to be difficult to persuade them to combat for it.

Answer 10

Not all sex offenders are bad BTW. I met a not-too-bright 18 year-old dishwasher who was busted with an underaged (unbeknownst to him) prostitute (a mall rat who wanted more $$ for shopping). He is now a registered sex offender.