North Carolina is a proud member of the so-called Bible Belt of states that take their religion seriously. So some eyebrows were raised when James Nichols was arrested for attending church.
His offense? Nichols, a convicted sex offender, had chosen to worship at a church that has a nursery where kids play while their parents pray. Now Nichols, 31, who only recently got out of prison, is fighting back, challenging the legality of a new law that took effect in December prohibiting registered sex offenders from coming within 300 ft. — nearly a football field's length — of any facility devoted to the use, care or supervision of minors....
My daughter began attending a Christian School this year and the Bible Class teacher actually posed this question to them. First thought was that this was a difficult question. Then, I answered, no for an unbeliever and maybe no for a believer. - Acknowledged that all are sinners but believers uniquely have power over sin - Churches, are for believers who should go out to unbelievers. - There are not only grounds for but direct Biblical commands to not have fellowship even with believers under certain circumstances. - Agreed, that children should attend services, though few do it. - If a believing sex offender is allowed to attend church, he/she should be closely monitored by the church leaders. - In response to a family member about the issue of the fellowship command, I mentioned that maybe the guilty believer could listen to sermon audio at home or arrange for one of the pastors/teachers to have a service with him at home on a rotating basis. This case would surely/hopefully be rare.
Jim Lincoln wrote: I'm glad Indian Hills has a separate program, and encourages parents not to have them fidgeting and making noise during the sermon. We already have too many adult vistors, etc. doing that!
So Paul should have written a separate letter to the Ephesians' children, rather than include his divinely-inspired instruction to them in the epistle he wrote to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus?
Apparently he knew they would be their hearing the same words the parents were hearing, rather than off in some segregated area for the convenience of those saints who found it difficult to tolerate the little ones. (Generally, those are the same adults who find it difficult to tolerate the other adults who annoy them, and wish they would stop coming also. Hardly a Christian attitude!)
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:1-4)
Jim Lincoln wrote: I do think children should be taught to have patience, and an iron bottom.
Jim I take it you don't think children are your own personal property to do with however you want to. But more along the lines they are truly a gift from God and parents are entrusted with a precious stewardship NOT dictatorship over them.
Michael is right, there was nothing wrong with that technique and parents and others should have a right to drop into children's classes.
Mary, if this "deacon" has done what you have said he should be turned into authorities, and is not then he should be turned into the church, q.v., Obediently Dealing with Disobedience gasp! Protestants are suppose to behave like the Romish Church, Hand of God.
I'm glad Indian Hills has a separate program, and encourages parents not to have them fidgeting and making noise during the sermon. We already have too many adult vistors, etc. doing that!
I Corinthians 13 11 When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. ---NASB
I do think children should be taught to have patience, and an iron bottom.
Unless background checks and registries are checked one may not be aware of an offender especially if it has not been reported to the authorities. The children should be monitored at all times. I know of one who is a multiple offender and has not served time nor been reported to the authorities and has become deacon at a church. I have often questioned myself. Should I say something to the church or trust he has converted? I believe church is a good place for sinners but where good is..evil is also present.
A Local Church my family and I visited to see whether or not we had any real agreement or not with them (we didn't)...
Did have one thing that I believe was EXCELLENT
They had one way glass in all the children's class rooms and nursery so PARENTS and anyone else who was passing by could see what was going on both to not disturb the children but also to check up on those they were allowing to briefly care for their children without them being aware.
You do not need convicted felons around for there to be the risk of child abuse in churches, as experience has shown me on several occasions. It is very easier for unexposed sex abusers to deceive church officers, esp. since the latter are often very credulous (natural Pelagians?). Shut church nurseries down & leave infants & toddlers in the care of their legal guardians.
And age-segregation is unscriptural anyway, which is a better argument.
If you do not accept those sinners who need Christ, the church building would be empty and you might as well lock the doors from the outside. We all fall short.
Dr. Joel Beeke | 1/3/2010
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