tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9901815.post5080106063519412199..comments2023-06-04T14:47:02.324+01:00Comments on a sideways glance: Yet more on membershipsimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13470335172330595542noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9901815.post-88889535419506841522007-06-26T23:59:00.000+01:002007-06-26T23:59:00.000+01:00It is a total nonsense that BBC (and other baptist...It is a total nonsense that BBC (and other baptist churches) have this peculiar view regarding membership and the process of joining and belonging. It has a negative feel because there is a risk of rejection.<BR/><BR/>I think it is right that we have a process to interview and begin or continue the discipleship process in baptism classes. Where it all falls down is in the perception of the "report" to the church meeting.<BR/><BR/>We entrust the job of interviewing to someone and ask them to present a recommendation. Then there is a vote. I have not known a "no" vote in 20 years but the process feels wrong. This conviction has been growing since we first started the conversation about belonging and membership.<BR/><BR/>It seems to me that having entrusted someone to interview in the first place the emphasis needs to be that we trust their judgment under God's guidance. Any report to the church meeting should be that the individual has been interviewed and accepted. If there has to be any kind of vote then it needs to be an indication of a commitment to pray.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9901815.post-56733864015379678142007-06-12T15:52:00.000+01:002007-06-12T15:52:00.000+01:00Instead of having "rules" on "membership" should w...Instead of having "rules" on "membership" should we instead be looking at "Biblical commands" on "discipleship" and then we can talk in terms of how many disciples we have attending our local fellowships?<BR/><BR/>After all Jesus said go make disciples - not members. And discipling is a life long process rather than a one off act.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com