Age of membership?

Postby **Pastor Gary** » October 25th, 2005, 7:53 am

We accept all who are born again believers as members if they are old enough to understand and participate in the spoken covenant to do their best to live by God's Word.

Those who join at ages younger than 16 are trained and discipled, but we do not allow them a vote in the legal business of the church until their 16th birthday. That prevents them from serving, for instance, as Board Members, as the laws of the State would not permit them to sign contracts and obligate the church because of their age. It's not perfect, but it is where we are.

rspastor · Postby **rspastor** » October 25th, 2005, 8:13 am

I believe that if we truly followed New Testament principles than the membership would submit to Godly, Apostolic leadership. I think we are afraid of the "elder" approach, but I believe that truly Godly men or women will function under the influence of the Spirit and make wise, bible based decisions. Anyway, does majority rule or overwhelming majority or any other form of decision making assure "rightness"? I don't think so.

I believe there are 16 year olds that are anointed to make decisions about church business, but I believe that is the exception and not the rule. In most matters aged, matured, anointed individuals (elders) should guide the matters of the church.

The flaw that is associated with apostolic leadership is that often committees are made up of people who may not meet the requirements of such a position.

scooter · Postby **scooter** » October 25th, 2005, 8:23 am

rspastor wrote:
The flaw that is associated with apostolic leadership is that often committees are made up of people who may not meet the requirements of such a position.

Response: Yep.

I hear people quote "there is safety in a multitude of counselors" and that is true, unless they are nuts. :lol:

dolfan · Postby **dolfan** » October 25th, 2005, 10:37 am

scooter wrote:
rspastor wrote:
The flaw that is associated with apostolic leadership is that often committees are made up of people who may not meet the requirements of such a position.

Response: Yep.

I hear people quote "there is safety in a multitude of counselors" and that is true, unless they are nuts.

Gotta watch out for those exceptions!

dolfan · Postby **dolfan** » October 25th, 2005, 10:39 am

Pastor Bill wrote:Dolfan, let me see if I understood correctly, I understand and agree on the under 16 not voting, but do participate thing.

I was confused a little on the two classes thing, do you have members that can't vote other than kids, or is this one class for the under 16 group, and one for the older?

The only dividing line is voting members (16 and over) and non-voting (under 16).

Jude 2