Quote:
Originally Posted by strait shooter
I pastor a church....and to be honest with you our building is not a public venue that is up for rent or use by the community. We dont rent it out or let folks use it for weddings, services, funerals, or anything for that matter. It is for church use and church use only. The only weddings, funerals or whatever that are allowed there are of folks that are members.
I am sorry if folks dont like that but it is too bad. I learned a long time ago that if you let it be used for all kinds of things, all kinds of things will go on in it. It is not a funeral home, a wedding chapel, or a rental hall.....it is an Apostolic, Pentecostal Oneness church and that is what it is going to be used for.
Now as far as the situation that was mentioned here, since I dont know all the facts....and there are always other sides to a story...I am not willing to pass judgment on this mans humanity or his pastoring.
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What about the possibility of ministering to the family members and friends of a "non-member" in their time of loss? What a great excuse to gather a bunch of non-believers in one place and teach them about Jesus and his sacrifice. It can be done in a tasteful way, without completely co-opting the funeral service.
My current church is "Apostolic Pentecostal Oneness", and we have funerals for anyone loosely associated with the church who's family desires it. Our ministers see it as an opportunity to show love, compassion, and Jesus to the hurting of this world.
What's more important? Keeping your building full of "holy" people? Or making it a venue for the lost to find Jesus? Hmm....
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