I can certainly understand allowing anyone to join that wants to but...what about when they turn out to be total hypocrites? Even then I can understand trying to guide them onto the right path and giving them every benefit of the doubt,but...what about when they don't respond at all? I can understand not wanting to boot their hypocrite butt to the curb but...where do you draw the line? Or does anything go as long as you tithe? Do you offer them any alternatives or altematems? Or do you go merrily about your business and allow your church to be polluted in this way?
2007-10-14 16:03:49 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Standing in smug judgment over the behavior of others isn't how my church has taught me to deal with people. Let others live their lives as they wish. I should concentrate upon my own behavior and spiritual development, and leave others to work on theirs. The church is not "polluted" by the presence of sinners. The church is a place for sinners, which all human beings are. How can one sinner presume to judge another?
2007-10-14 16:14:49 · answer #1 · answered by solarius 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The only perfect church is an empty one--- everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Is the hypocrite one by intention? Is the hypocrite a professed believer in Christ or an "attender"? If the individual is a professed believer, then someone close to the individual or who has authority over that person needs to confront the issue in a loving manner.
I have only once seen a professed believer asked to leave the church, and that was after many efforts to address the issue failed. Christians are called to accountability, but we are also to love the sinner and hate the sin. This does not indicate condemnation of a person, but it does address sin.
Integrity is a challenge all Christians face at some point if they are honest, and if one is willing to work toward changing behaviors and/or attitudes then that individual should be welcomed into the church family to seek repentance not shunned for their failures.
2007-10-14 16:20:07 · answer #2 · answered by detailgirl 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hypocrites are bad news for churches. They are the very reason I stopped going when I was 13, I was these other kids acting the perfect angel in church and then cursing, getting "f**ked up" on friday night, being promiscuous, even the youth minister's daughter. It made me sick so I stopped going. And I'm sure that happens a lot. But there's nothing to be done, everyone must be welcome. I just wish there had been someone I could have talked to about it without worrying that I would get someone in trouble.
2007-10-14 16:10:25 · answer #3 · answered by wolfdancer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus addressed this very question in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). The weed known as a tare, in its early growth stage, looked just like wheat. It was impossible to tell the two apart, and so it was best to let them grow to maturity, rather than mistakenly uproot the wheat. At harvest, it will be apparent which are wheat and which are tares. At that time, the Judge will determine the destiny of each.
2007-10-14 16:15:44 · answer #4 · answered by reap100 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not "our Church", it is GOD'S Church and what I do about "them" is to try not to be one of "them" by judging others without knowing the whole story. I am responsible only for the way I conduct myself and not for the way another should chose to conduct him/her self. GOD is the ONE who matters here. If I am focused on worshiping HIM and learning more about HIM how can I even know what someone else is doing? GOD sees and HE will bring correction when needed. [ if I knew that GOD wanted me to speak to someone concerning their walk with HIM whether or not it was real or bearing fruit, then I would but only as The Lord leads.
2007-10-14 16:12:58 · answer #5 · answered by maozSFCU 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Conflicts should be resolved one on one if possible. Then if not, an additional church member should be brought in to help, and if the person still refuses to repent the issue needs to be brought before the entire church.
2007-10-14 16:10:02 · answer #6 · answered by The GMC 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since we're all hypocrites to one degree or another, I guess I'll have to worship with them just like I have to shop, work and live next door to them.
If you're talking about blatant rebellion, then we should talk loving Church Discipline. We are commanded to confront an erring brother and gently restore them.
2007-10-14 16:10:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I just thank the Lord for bringing the oppurtunities to church for us. Maybe in seeing they might believe & be converted. Besides I'd rather see them in church so they have the oppurtunity to hear the word of God. God says My word will never return to Me Void. Amen!! What Would Jesus Do WWJD than DWJW Do What Jesus Would! Amen!!!!!!!
2007-10-14 16:10:51 · answer #8 · answered by GREGORIOUSITY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmmm... I seem to remember a certain Gospel verse that says "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".
If you were never sure what this one was all about let me explain: It means that only God should judge the fate of someone's soul.
By the way, it's not your church, it's God's church...
2007-10-14 16:47:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
You cant change anyone, they will first have to see that they need a change in thier lives, and then they will have to pray to GOd to help them change.
The only thing you can do is pray for them.
All I know is people dont go to church perfect, I would rather a person to show up there with their problems, at least they know who to run to. but like we all know, no one is perfect.
2007-10-14 16:07:15 · answer #10 · answered by Nikki 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋