Should standards be an issue when witnessing?

[SavedLou]

I'm curious to see how people might feel about this. I've been talking to a coworker about stuff for a while and she has visited and enjoys the UPC church in her town (my church and her home are over an hour away so her visiting with me isn't an option for her). She is very hungry but she is hesitant about standards and i've just told her not to worry about all of that for now. I'm afraid the pastor of the church she visits might try to make it an issue b/c they are VERY conservative. It's a tough situation. Anyone ever had visitors "run away" b/c of this?

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by SavedLou

I'm curious to see how people might feel about this. I've been talking to a coworker about stuff for a while and she has visited and enjoys the UPC church in her town (my church and her home are over an hour away so her visiting with me isn't an option for her). She is very hungry but she is hesitant about standards and i've just told her not to worry about all of that for now. I'm afraid the pastor of the church she visits might try to make it an issue b/c they are VERY conservative. It's a tough situation. Anyone ever had visitors "run away" b/c of this?

It's easy to say to someone that they shouldn't worry about standards. But, when they see that that majority of the church is dressed differently than they are, and when they see that EVERYONE in leadership, or on the platform is dressed a certain way, it's hard for them NOT to think about standards.

However, having said that, if a person is hungry for more, and they feel what they want to feel, they'll usually stick around.

I'm a bit more liberal than others on this forum, but I do NOT think a church should lower their standards just for the sake of getting more members.

Conversely, I do not think a visitor should let the "standards" drive them away.

Now, I do know of situations where the emphasis on standards, especially for the sake of the visitors, has caused them to seek another assembly.

[Tina]

From the church I attended in the past, yes... people were run off because of standards being pushed.

The church I am currently attending.... No, I don't know of a single person that has left because of standards being pushed on them. The pastor says you invite them to church, Let them receive what they need from God, they will become faithful in attendance and God will lead and guide them in what they need to do otherwise.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by SavedLou

I'm curious to see how people might feel about this. I've been talking to a coworker about stuff for a while and she has visited and enjoys the UPC church in her town (my church and her home are over an hour away so her visiting with me isn't an option for her). She is very hungry but she is hesitant about standards and i've just told her not to worry about all of that for now. I'm afraid the pastor of the church she visits might try to make it an issue b/c they are VERY conservative. It's a tough situation. Anyone ever had visitors "run away" b/c of this?

It's sad that she even knows about standards to begin with. Personally I think things that are meant for regular saints should be taught on a special church only night. Like a wed night bible study and that the saints should understand this is not a soul winning service.

[Kay B]

Originally Posted by Tina

From the church I attended in the past, yes... people were run off because of standards being pushed.

The church I am currently attending.... No, I don't know of a single person that has left because of standards being pushed on them. The pastor says you invite them to church, Let them receive what they need from God, they will become faithful in attendance and God will lead and guide them in what they need to do otherwise.

Amen!

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

It's sad that she even knows about standards to begin with. Personally I think things that are meant for regular saints should be taught on a special church only night. Like a wed night bible study and that the saints should understand this is not a soul winning service.

True, but it doesn't take long for word about a standard keeping church to get around. Unfortunately, dress standards are what far too many churches become known for in their communities. That and the way we run the aisles. LOL!

[Jack Shephard]

I think that what you have told her is good. The truth is that it always becomes an issue to people that do not know why people follow standards. I think that if this pastor makes this an issue for her specifically and she does not see the vision or conviciton from God then I would think that might not be the church for her. I think everyone needs the HG and stuff, but God is going to have her where He wants her so long as she is following Him. JMO

[Scott Hutchinson]

I know of a man who when vistors visit the church he attends he talks them about their hair and stuff and this man has run people off,he is destructive and hurts people.
Pastors should do the teaching about standards,and God can clean people up.
If people get to Jesus he'll do the cleaning up.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Rico

True, but it doesn't take long for word about a standard keeping church to get around. Unfortunately, dress standards are what far too many churches become known for in their communities. That and the way we run the aisles. LOL!

You know...one of the "good" traits I have heard people say about Mormons is how they dress. We can be known for how we appear and dress without being known for "standards". The problem is in the attitude

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Tina

From the church I attended in the past, yes... people were run off because of standards being pushed.

The church I am currently attending.... No, I don't know of a single person that has left because of standards being pushed on them. The pastor says you invite them to church, Let them receive what they need from God, they will become faithful in attendance and God will lead and guide them in what they need to do otherwise.

Excellent Post