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Need input - 6/8/2008 11:34:37 AM
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juniorfan32
Posts: 1
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We have been throwing around switching churches. I HATE doing that but I feel this is an issue that seems to be a recurring problem. For example, back 5 years ago when we joined we kept marking in our attendance log we were interested in joining and wanted info and no one contacted us. After a month I actively pursued it and we joined. Now my mom is going thru the same thing. For a month she has marked she wants info on joining and no one has contacted her. She does have self esteem problems but she feels inadequate and like they don't want her to join. This irks me since I have had the same trouble. Our church is somewhat large about 500 people, but I feel this is something that can't be overlooked. I am torn, our church has helped us financially and overall been okay but whenever I call pastor he doesn't return our call or it takes days to hear back. I guess I feel like our pastor doesn't care if we are there or not. I don't expect celebrity status but I feel lost in the crowd. Anyway not sure what to do. I pray about it but don't seem to get a clear answer. Any ideas?
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RE: Need input - 6/8/2008 2:56:25 PM
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csl7037
Posts: 1025
Joined: 3/24/2008
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I've felt similar things in our church. But we've also attended mega churches where we most definitely didn't feel "lost in the crowd" so I don't think it's about the size or anything like that. Your church (your pastor) sounds like ours - unorganized!! It drives me a little batty! You never know who's doing what and half the time stuff doesn't get done or follow up on.
My suggestion would be to talk to someone about taking the responsibility for going through those attendance rolls to track things that might need response and then pass that info along to the right people. Sounds like it's just not being done.
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RE: Need input - 6/8/2008 4:19:14 PM
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4ChristisLove
Posts: 145
Joined: 4/6/2008
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Hello! I may not have the best advice, but these were my thoughts.
Maybe the church has a time frame that they go by to check attendance after requesting membership to make sure you are a regular attendee. I have never attended such a large church so that may be a shot it the dark. I would take the other's advice and talk with someone on the process and offer to help. Hum, but then again you requested info so I would think they would get back to you asap. It probably is a problem of not being organized, but if you pray about it and feel led to stay then it would be great to volunteer to help in that area. I hope things work out.
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RE: Need input - 6/8/2008 5:11:25 PM
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drfuss
Posts: 195
Joined: 3/9/2006
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drfuss: Here are two possibilities for them not contacting you.
1. In a church of 300 or less, someone who attends regularly usually becomes known to everyone and membership contacts are made during personal conversations with the Pastors. Being known personally by the pastor is not practical for churches with 500 in attendance. They may have grown above 300 and use a check off list for membership; but the ones who counts the offering have not been instructed on following up on those which have checked off that they have an interest in membership. They may have a large church system, but are not using it yet.
2. Various churches treat joining church in different ways. For instance, Baptist churches usually want someone to join as soon as they start attending (assuming they are a Christian and baptized). On the other hand, I have belonged to other churches in the past where you were not asked to join until you had attended for a while and shown to be a faithful Christian. Although I have belonged to a Baptist church for over 15 years, I think the "wait a while" system is the better course to follow.
Membership means different things to different churches. Those who want you to join immediately usually will not let you do anything in the church until you join. Then they seldom update the membership rolls to drop you even if you have not attended for years (unless you request being dropped). Other churches don't think membership is all that important and will encourage you to work in the church prior to joining. These churches have a much lower turnover in membership.
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RE: Need input - 6/9/2008 8:20:44 AM
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timf
Posts: 636
Joined: 10/20/2006
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but whenever I call pastor he doesn't return our call or it takes days to hear back. I guess I feel like our pastor doesn't care if we are there or not.
The idea that a single man is the "church" owes more to a tradition of the priesthood instead of the Bible. This idea has grown and is sustained by many forces. There is a desire to prevent error and most modern church goers enjoy the freedom that comes from minimal involvement.
Many pastors are almost prisoners of systems that cause as much if not more damage to them and their families as they do to the attendees.
What you are observing is typical in churches that run on activities, events, and programs. The Christian life described in the New Testament has Christians ministering to each other. While many pastors lament and even lambast Christians for not ministering to each other, they often use church systems that guarantee that they are overworked and church members are underworked.
Many denominational franchises operate via systems and traditions that perpetuate the organizational system, often at the expense of the spiritual welfare of the members. You may be observing just one symptom of such a condition. Another more serious symptom is the failure of the members to be growing into the image of Christ.
Our classroom experiences account for church sermons that are just copies of seminary lectures. The real instruction of an older wiser Christian to younger ones does not often happen. Few can even recognize, much less desire wisdom. The organizational system often restricts teaching to those who have been "trained" (which usually means only the pastor). People are often so caught up with the world, that they don't want their church to be any different.
Your church experience may just be that its structure is poorly suited to new people, or it may mean that there is a poverty of spiritual growth opportunities and you may have to look to making relationships with older and wiser Christians on your own. If your mother is not as outgoing as yourself, you may want to inquire of some of the older ladies if they could take an interest in meeting with your mother.
It would be convenient if these steps would be provided automatically by a church system, but then what would be provided might be devoid of the relational connection that would make if human. Some churches seek to quench the activities of Christians ministering to each other outside of specifically endorsed systems. If this is the case, you may have to consider another church environment.
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RE: Need input - 6/9/2008 9:45:25 AM
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rcjames
Posts: 5028
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: juniorfan32
I am torn, our church has helped us financially and overall been okay but whenever I call pastor he doesn't return our call or it takes days to hear back. I guess I feel like our pastor doesn't care if we are there or not. I don't expect celebrity status but I feel lost in the crowd. Anyway not sure what to do. I pray about it but don't seem to get a clear answer. Any ideas?
I would suggest that you approach the Church (secratary, Pastor, asst. Pastor, Elder, someone) and kindly inform them of the lack of attention to the request on the attendance cards.
Then volunteer to take care of that duty as part of your service to the Church.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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