tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post384156326986736591..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: The Devotion of a FewPastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-59006114846127082412011-03-23T07:47:29.353-05:002011-03-23T07:47:29.353-05:00I myself have to drive 30 minutes (not that big of...I myself have to drive 30 minutes (not that big of a deal compared to some of your parishoners) to get to a real confessional church out here in the Chicagoland area. Though there are 3 LCMS churches in my town (Arlington Heights) including one literally a half a mile from my house, I have to make a drive on Sundays to find an "actual" Lutheran church. It is truly sad, but I wouldn't miss my new church for anything!<br />I sure do like this Blog. I just recently discovered it. <br />-Peter SovitzkyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-47651391322977793512011-03-22T12:45:46.116-05:002011-03-22T12:45:46.116-05:00Pastor Peters, thanks for your posts on church att...Pastor Peters, thanks for your posts on church attendance. I think you are putting in print what many pastors have thought about.<br /><br />It is a real struggle. It pains any faithful shepherd's heart when he notices members of the Lord's flock missing at the gathering of Word and Sacrament.<br /><br />It is a struggle too because we do not want to be said to be "legalists" in how we handle these issues, but I can't help but wonder if we have perhaps allowed ourselves to excuse chronic lack of attendance at church, rather than dealing with it forthrightly.<br /><br />But, oh how hard it is!Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-52340821323083889292011-03-22T09:12:39.024-05:002011-03-22T09:12:39.024-05:00Some congregations ask their members
to re-commit ...Some congregations ask their members<br />to re-commit their membership on the<br />first Sunday of November for the <br />next year. With this process active<br />membership is not taken for granted.<br /><br />Some parishes put members who have<br />not communed for two years on their<br />inactive list and treat them as new<br />evangelism prospects.<br /><br />There are parishes with a strong<br />board of elders who monitor church<br />attendance and visit members who<br />have been absent for 3 consecutive<br />months.<br /><br />Ultimately the parish must be God's<br />family where people love and care<br />for one another's spiritual health<br />as they gather around Word and <br />Sacrament. The quality of inter-<br />personal relationships in the church are important to keep all<br />involved and focused on their role<br />in God's family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com