tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post6433511118209909459..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Absent Saints. . . Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-44434587816819579452015-08-24T15:51:44.287-05:002015-08-24T15:51:44.287-05:00The real issue here is that, outside of our clique...The real issue here is that, outside of our cliques, we really don't give a rip about anybody. Thre ar church-hoppers, and then there are the shafted who will see a balanced federal budget long before they ever get an apology from a church officer. If you want laity to stay and the drifters to return, try showing some grace.Kirk Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06142889734004402296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-38434129341337588442015-08-24T14:49:45.911-05:002015-08-24T14:49:45.911-05:00We should care for them, showing concern for their...We should care for them, showing concern for their souls, but God will save His elect from their sin whether we do or not. I cannot save anyone, or can I damn them. Simply fulfill your vocation and speak the Word of truth when appropriate in your vocation, leaving the salvation of souls up to God. People shouldn't come to church because other member miss them. This is to misunderstand what the divine service is about. We come to church for forgiveness, life, and salvation to be delivered to us in Word and Sacrament. It is not wise, prudent, or theologically correct to call absent/delinquent saints back to the church by saying we miss them. That completely misses the root of the problem and further confuses the delinquent member. Ask them why they haven't been coming to church. Get them to think about their reasoning, and perhaps confess it, which is nothing but sin against the Third Commandment. I don't want someone to come to church because I miss them or because they enjoy my friendship or company. I want them to come for the same reason all true Christians come... with a broken, repentant heart to receive Christ's gifts of grace and mercy... to be killed by the Law and made alive again through the Gospel. The church is not a club, and we need not worry about whether we call those who do not attend "delinquent" or "absent."Erich Heidenreich, DDShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12819223688598369327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-85989894565600498132015-08-20T16:28:31.241-05:002015-08-20T16:28:31.241-05:00Doesnt' matter what term you use to refer to t...Doesnt' matter what term you use to refer to those who stay away. The point is that we need to and should care for them, calling them, and showing concern for their souls. Good post and a good reminder to us all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-15985927773156355642015-08-20T10:49:00.571-05:002015-08-20T10:49:00.571-05:00And we should experience some discomfort at their ...And we should experience some discomfort at their absence!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-26806911448837213722015-08-20T10:08:12.253-05:002015-08-20T10:08:12.253-05:00I think the term, "delinquent saints" sh...I think the term, "delinquent saints" should stand. A delinquent is someone who is (for whatever reason) failing in a responsibility. The absent saints are those who have gone before us into communion with Christ.<br /><br />That said, I agree with the need to make these members aware we miss them. We should be peacemakers where there is srife. We should make uncomfortable those who are slack becaus of sin. We should comfort those who have been hurt. And above all we should pray that our Lord preserve us from falling awayas well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15060779600417891751noreply@blogger.com