tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256479334636075659.post5671906026036302690..comments2023-09-29T08:31:40.794-07:00Comments on Being a Christian Today: Dealing With Sin In The ChurchDonald Fishgrabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11977970195032209188noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256479334636075659.post-23456347081691874122014-07-17T09:00:20.968-07:002014-07-17T09:00:20.968-07:00I have seen the saem thing happen over and over, a...I have seen the saem thing happen over and over, and numerous people have been turned away just as your friend was, even when no wrong was done. Many times. even when the person had done wrong and the pastor adn elders were allowed to put the person out of the church without the rest of the church's involvement, there is a sense that the pastor was out to get the, rather than a recognition that they were doing wrong.Donald Fishgrabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11977970195032209188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256479334636075659.post-44777428892652500182014-07-16T12:49:57.168-07:002014-07-16T12:49:57.168-07:00Great post, Donald! Our pastor taught on this topi...Great post, Donald! Our pastor taught on this topic just last week. Unfortunately, rather than follow the Biblical procedure, the first response is often to gossip with others about the alleged offense, when often the "offender" does not even realize that his words or actions were perceived wrongly. By the time he finds out, irreparable damage has been done. And, as you say, having the pastor and his representatives confront the person should happen only if needed when the preceding Biblical steps have failed. A friend of mine who attended another church was shocked by a surprise visit from her pastor and two elders who criticized her because the car of her male friend was parked at her house for a weekend. He was visiting from out of town and was a friend not only of hers, but of her two teen sons, and all of them spent time together visiting local attractions. At night, he slept alone in the guest room. She was so hurt at the suggestion of any impropriety that she and her boys not only left that church, but began avoiding churches altogether. It is true that one should abstain even from the appearance of evil, but this was clearly not the Scriptural way to handle this situation.<br />God bless,<br />Laurie Laurie Colletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10676088158113572565noreply@blogger.com