What would your church do?

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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#1
#1
A couple comes to your service. they seem like very nice people who are very interested in finding out what the church has to offer. You welcome them with open arms.

In getting to know them you find out.

1. They do not Know God
2. They are not saved

also, you find a very troubling thing (according to the law) they are not married, but have been living together for 6 months.

so,, what would your church do??
 
S

SparkleEyes

Senior Member
#2
Mar 23, 2013
771
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#2
Thank them for coming and how glad we are that they chose to visit, make sure they feel welcome to come back to learn more about the love of Jesus, tell them that a pastor is always available to talk with them if they are interested, tell them there are classes they can take to lean more about Christianity and God, especially one called Faith Foundations.

My church tells us from the platform that living together is NOT what God wants for us. If living together came up in a discussion with a pastor, I know the pastor would inform them of that and highly suggest that if they are serious about Christianity and learning to live for God, they should immediately find separate living arrangements. I don't think that kind of directive would come up in a discussion with a congregant while socializing unless they had developed somewhat of a relationship.

I am guessing the reason you asked this question is that some Christian churches don't want unbelievers. :cool:
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#3
#3
I just wanted to see what people would say. So much talk about law here lately, wanted to put practical application to all the talk. I see not many people want to respond..
 
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OBADIAH777

Banned
#4
Jul 18, 2013
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#4
if they are living together then they are married. the seal of marriage is copulation. the ceremony and razzmataz is optional man made stuff. according to the bible, sex is marriage. >>> ' and he knew her and they became husband and wife'
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#5
#5
OBADIAH777 said:
if they are living together then they are married. the seal of marriage is copulation. the ceremony and razzmataz is optional man made stuff. according to the bible, sex is marriage. >>> ' and he knew her and they became husband and wife'
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problem is, he was divorced two years ago. and she was in a abusive relationship with her former live in BF thus, even if you could use this excuse. According to the law. they are still in sin.
 
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OBADIAH777

Banned
#6
Jul 18, 2013
318
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#6
eternally-gratefull said:
problem is, he was divorced two years ago. and she was in a abusive relationship with her former live in BF thus, even if you could use this excuse. According to the law. they are still in sin.
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well thats a totally different case then. but having said all that why is it the business of your church to tell them how to live their llives ? sooner or later the closer they come to God they would realize the error of their ways. it is your duty as the church to bring them closer to God and then let God take care of the rest. you cant go around dictating to people how to live. thats not a church. thats a gestapo camp or a cult :D
 
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Bryancampbell

Guest
#7
#7
eternally-gratefull said:
A couple comes to your service. they seem like very nice people who are very interested in finding out what the church has to offer. You welcome them with open arms.

In getting to know them you find out.

1. They do not Know God
2. They are not saved

also, you find a very troubling thing (according to the law) they are not married, but have been living together for 6 months.

so,, what would your church do??
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Welcome them, show them the godly love that we ought to show everyone, even the unbeliever. Pray for them. Then by the Lord's timing, by influence of the Lord, and His teaching, wait for their conviction to come and lean more on fearing the Lord for much more understanding of how to live for a greater life that we preach, when they search for Him.
 
Agricola

Agricola

Senior Member
#8
Dec 10, 2012
2,638
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#8
What NOn Christians get up to is up to them. If they taking an interest then we would welcome them with open arms and encourage them to get to know Christ and make that leap of faith. Then of course we can advise them their life style is wrong and it would be best they would be married asap. Christians should not give the appearance of living in sin.
 
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nathan3

Guest
#9
#9
My church lets them stay and learn God's word. There are no 2nd class people there.

The only thing that can get some one kicked out the church is if they are being distruptive
 
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richie_2uk

Guest
#10
#10
Well who are we to judge? welcome them in to the church. and express to them, if they want to talk about themselves, then great, learn to listen. People wont go in a church unless they are wondering, or seeking, but sometimes they don't like to show, but they are. if they have a bad past, then, are we any different? God loves us when we were sinners, and loves us the same when we are saved.
 
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loveme1

Senior Member
#11
Oct 30, 2011
8,083
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#11
What is done in the darkness.... does not nullify the sharing of light.
 
shrimp

shrimp

Senior Member
#12
Aug 28, 2011
1,188
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#12
this is oddly specific. i think the church would share Jesus with them and pray for them and encourage them to come back, for starters.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#13
#13
Thanks for some answers. I am waiting on our friends who have been teaching law to show up. I am trying to make a point. And want to discuss further.. Not sure why they are afraid to respond.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#14
#14
shrimp said:
this is oddly specific. i think the church would share Jesus with them and pray for them and encourage them to come back, for starters.
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Yes it is, I am trying to make a point..
 
C

cfultz3

Guest
#15
#15
eternally-gratefull said:
A couple comes to your service. they seem like very nice people who are very interested in finding out what the church has to offer. You welcome them with open arms.

In getting to know them you find out.

1. They do not Know God
2. They are not saved

also, you find a very troubling thing (according to the law) they are not married, but have been living together for 6 months.

so,, what would your church do??
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What if a year passes and nothing changes?
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#16
#16
cfultz3 said:
What if a year passes and nothing changes?
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lets not go there yet. lets go to the origional question first.. i do want to get to that though :)
 
iamsoandso

iamsoandso

Senior Member
#17
Oct 6, 2011
7,860
1,566
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#17
OBADIAH777 said:
if they are living together then they are married. the seal of marriage is copulation. the ceremony and razzmataz is optional man made stuff. according to the bible, sex is marriage. >>> ' and he knew her and they became husband and wife'
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this is not biblical,,,joseph had not known mary,(matt.1;18-25) he had not yet known her,verse 18,,,but was going to put her away privily verse 19. ,,,he took unto himself his "wife",verse 24,,,,and did not know her,verse 25(untill she had brought forth her first born son),,,,,,,but she was his wife before that,,,
 
WomanLovesTX

WomanLovesTX

Senior Member
#19
Jan 1, 2010
1,390
38
0
#19
eternally-gratefull said:
Thanks for some answers. I am waiting on our friends who have been teaching law to show up. I am trying to make a point. And want to discuss further.. Not sure why they are afraid to respond.
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Friend, God teaches law. He advocates the law as good and righteous. So I being a follower who believes God's commandments are still good to obey, I would show love and kindness and share with them God's commandments and of Jesus grace and mercy. I would tell them no one is without sin and no one is perfect except Jesus, the son of God. I would share Christ love for us and how He says through the Word hoe we can love Him back by sharing the Ten commandments. The first 4 how to love God and the following 6 how to love others and how to not love yourself. I would share my personal testimony if they are interested. I would pray for them and ask our heavenly Father to open their hearts and their understanding of who He is and of His wonderful and precious gift Jesus Christ and bless their reading of His Word.
 
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xXTamXx

Guest
#20
#20
My church would welcome them regardless of whatever and as we get to know them, invite them to various church events and offer them bible study. Praying for them personally would also be biggie but not discussing them with other. Their past is their past and we have no right to judge them but only to introduce them to Christ
 
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