Jeff
Do you think it right that unbelievers should ask for a Christian burial? In
third world countries and places where there is not a strong "Christian
culture", unbelievers would not ask for Christian burial.
Neil
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Scanlan [mailto:jscanlan@...]
Sent: 20 June 2004 11:26
To: soundofgrace@...
Subject: [soundofgrace] Officiating Pastors
>-----Original Message-----
Moe has raised the issue of officiating pastors who take funerals,
weddings, etc.
Now it might seem strange for one like me who believes strongly in
congregational church government that I like to see the pastor taking a
lead role around the church. The notion that he is just one of the boys
has never sat right with me. Just as your President represents the
nation to the people so do I think that in a real sense the pastor
represents the church to the people in the pews.
I know that it is popular to argue that the church should not be as it
was in the past where the pastor did everything. However I doubt that
such a time ever really existed. I cannot imagine that any pastor faced
with church member saying that he and his wife were spending time
helping a certain widow to cope being told, 'How dare you! That is my
job!'
So I don't think we need to react against that and nor do I think that
the work in a church should not be shared around where possible. But I
do think that it is good for a pastor to take a lead and that might mean
that he be there at those special times of life such as weddings and
funerals where it needs to be demonstrated that the church stands behind
its members whatever they are going through.
FWIW
God bless,
Jeff
>From: Moe Bergeron [mailto:moe.bergeron@...]
>Sent: Thursday, 17 June 2004 11:27 AM
>To: soundofgrace@...
>Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] Re: Baptism - Moe to Jack & all
>
>JACKJEFF@... wrote:
>
>I have been quite busy lately, so have not responded yet to Steve, but
am
>preparing one. More to follow!
>Been there, done that!
>
>--- Moe Replies --
>Jack, Ok then you are "ouch!" free. I'll be looking forward to reading
your
>response that I'm sure will be filled with scripture.
>
>You know, I've always been curious how simple straight-forward
believer's
>immersion was transformed into what is now commonly understood to be a
>church sacrament that is administered by the authorized clergy person.
>
>As an aside, after fourteen years of pastoring I'm still wondering why
it
>was my duty to officiate at weddings and funerals. I was never
comfortable
>doing either. Not that I didn't take advantage of the opportunities to
>present the Good News.
>
>Speaking of such I'd really appreciate the prayers of the list for this
>Thursday evening. A dear friend in Christ has suffered the loss of a
>brother-in-law and on behalf of the widowed sister has asked that I
lead
>the service. Apart from my friend all of the family could possibly be
>strangers to our Lord. Pray our Lord give me the appropriate texts from
His
>word to bring comfort, conviction and a sure hope for their own souls.
>
> Moe
>
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