Church regulations

[Zemog]

I started attending church in 2016 and have questions about rules and regulations.  Please see below.

1. Members are required to sit towards the front.

2. Members are required to park in certain areas.

3. Strong emphasis on serving.

4. Certain serving ministries schedule without checking for availability.  You are required to secure replacement if not able to make it.

5. Weekly Huddle's for people that serve an our prior to service.  These Huddle's tend to be generic most of the time new info is not provided.  However, we do seem to have new people coming and going so maybe that's why.

6. Several procedures to follow when serving.  I'm with the ushers and it's about 3-4 pages.

I'm just trying to understand if this is normal.  Do most churches operate in a similar manner?

Prior to 2016 I did not attend church so I'm attempting to analyze what is normal.  I'm okay with structure but at times I'm not sure.  About a year ago the church aquired permanent facilities.  Since then they seem more strict.

Thank you

Edited February 7, 2020 by Zemog
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[Guest Thess]

Hello my friend,

I really appreciate your questions! The absolute BEST thing you can do is study the New Testament. Within this collection of writings, you will clearly see what a proper church looks and acts like. As you read the entire New Testament, catalog all of the verses that speak of what a True Church does as well as log the behaviors of unhealthy churches.

For example, to find out how not to be, read 1st and 2nd Corinthians and Galatians and compare that with letters like 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. Thessalonians was a True, proper and healthy church. Why? They had "Love" all figured out. God was definitely amongst those people!

As for each of your questions, I would say that you want a church that has structure, even rules. 1Cor chapter five shows Paul wanting the church to kick out the young man who is getting his thrills sexually with his own step-mother. People MUST be kicked out of churches for obvious disobedience. Why? It proves that they are not on the right path; Paul could not risk having individuals become corrupted by false teachings, thus are sent to hell because they were led astray.

Without clear details of what is being said and expected, it's really difficult to determine if these rules are out of line or not.

One question that I have for you is this: Is your conscience clear when you do these things, or do you feel that you are disobeying God in some way? If you feel that you are disobedient, then get back online and tell us why . . . we will do our best to be reasonable and rational as we try to give you help.

I believe in you.

Edited February 11, 2020 by Thess

[HAZARD]

On 2/7/2020 at 11:41 AM, Zemog said:

I started attending church in 2016 and have questions about rules and regulations.  Please see below.

1. Members are required to sit towards the front.

2. Members are required to park in certain areas.

3. Strong emphasis on serving.

4. Certain serving ministries schedule without checking for availability.  You are required to secure replacement if not able to make it.

5. Weekly Huddle's for people that serve an our prior to service.  These Huddle's tend to be generic most of the time new info is not provided.  However, we do seem to have new people coming and going so maybe that's why.

6. Several procedures to follow when serving.  I'm with the ushers and it's about 3-4 pages.

I'm just trying to understand if this is normal.  Do most churches operate in a similar manner?

Prior to 2016 I did not attend church so I'm attempting to analyze what is normal.  I'm okay with structure but at times I'm not sure.  About a year ago the church aquired permanent facilities.  Since then they seem more strict.

Thank you

Hi Zemog.

 

No, thats not normal

It was like that in a CULT I was once a member of Very controlling, domineering and judgmental. Sounds like the church is run by an army Staff Sergeant. Get out of there if your not happy.

Edited February 10, 2020 by HAZARD

[BeauJangles]

On 2/6/2020 at 4:41 PM, Zemog said:

Do most churches operate in a similar manner?

I've heard some pretty starchy rules and regs on congregants, but your church beats them hands down. 

On 2/6/2020 at 4:41 PM, Zemog said:

I'm attempting to analyze what is normal.

Well, this isn't normal at all. It's legalistic to the point of near cultishness. I'd find another fellowship. 

[Behold]

On 2/6/2020 at 6:41 PM, Zemog said:

I started attending church in 2016 and have questions about rules and regulations.  Please see below.

1. Members are required to sit towards the front.

2. Members are required to park in certain areas.

3. Strong emphasis on serving.

4. Certain serving ministries schedule without checking for availability.  You are required to secure replacement if not able to make it.

5. Weekly Huddle's for people that serve an our prior to service.  These Huddle's tend to be generic most of the time new info is not provided.  However, we do seem to have new people coming and going so maybe that's why.

6. Several procedures to follow when serving.  I'm with the ushers and it's about 3-4 pages.

I'm just trying to understand if this is normal.  Do most churches operate in a similar manner?

Prior to 2016 I did not attend church so I'm attempting to analyze what is normal.  I'm okay with structure but at times I'm not sure.  About a year ago the church aquired permanent facilities.  Since then they seem more strict.

Thank you

Its more important for you, to find out what your church believes about one thing.

And that is.   Does your church , denomination, pastor, pope, bishop, minister,...... believe and teach, that you can lose your salvation.

If that BELIEF is a core fundamental of their "statement of faith", then you are in a legalism situation, that is in deep theological error, and in contradiction to Paul, and much of the New Testament.

So, find out about that, and if your place of worship has THAT RIGHT.....if they understand GRACE....... then roll with whatever rules they use that  follow the guidelines regarding practical common sense that is related to living holy and serving continually.

The 2 fundamentals of the faith are Grace and Discipleship.   

Discipleship without Grace, is Legalsim, is actually a rejection of the Grace of God, a denial of the Cross,  that has been replaced by works.

Many preach this "other gospel" on this forum and on every Christian Forum.

Never join a church or attend a Church where the Pastor, Minister, or Pope,  believes and teaches that you can lose your salvation., as that is the Devil's gospel, and he is preaching it everywhere, for the last 2000 yrs.

Edited February 11, 2020 by Behold

[Zemog]

As it pertains to parking we have handicap spots and about 6 visitor spots.  From my observations the visitor spots are typically available. We are currently in the process of visiting other churches.  Thank you all for your suggestions.

[LadyKay]

On 2/6/2020 at 7:41 PM, Zemog said:

I started attending church in 2016 and have questions about rules and regulations.  Please see below.

1. Members are required to sit towards the front.

2. Members are required to park in certain areas.

3. Strong emphasis on serving.

4. Certain serving ministries schedule without checking for availability.  You are required to secure replacement if not able to make it.

5. Weekly Huddle's for people that serve an our prior to service.  These Huddle's tend to be generic most of the time new info is not provided.  However, we do seem to have new people coming and going so maybe that's why.

6. Several procedures to follow when serving.  I'm with the ushers and it's about 3-4 pages.

I'm just trying to understand if this is normal.  Do most churches operate in a similar manner?

Prior to 2016 I did not attend church so I'm attempting to analyze what is normal.  I'm okay with structure but at times I'm not sure.  About a year ago the church aquired permanent facilities.  Since then they seem more strict.

Thank you

I have never heard of a church having such rules. I would not last long at such a place. I sit where I want and I park where I want (well not in the handicap spot). So I would have been kicked out on my first day.  This seems more like control to me. Which gets in they way of growth. 

[missmuffet]

On 2/6/2020 at 4:41 PM, Zemog said:

I started attending church in 2016 and have questions about rules and regulations.  Please see below.

1. Members are required to sit towards the front.

2. Members are required to park in certain areas.

3. Strong emphasis on serving.

4. Certain serving ministries schedule without checking for availability.  You are required to secure replacement if not able to make it.

5. Weekly Huddle's for people that serve an our prior to service.  These Huddle's tend to be generic most of the time new info is not provided.  However, we do seem to have new people coming and going so maybe that's why.

6. Several procedures to follow when serving.  I'm with the ushers and it's about 3-4 pages.

I'm just trying to understand if this is normal.  Do most churches operate in a similar manner?

Prior to 2016 I did not attend church so I'm attempting to analyze what is normal.  I'm okay with structure but at times I'm not sure.  About a year ago the church aquired permanent facilities.  Since then they seem more strict.

Thank you

No, it is not your average Christian Church. What denomination is this Church? I would not attend. 

[Tristen]

Hi Zemog,

In the 1990s, there was a big movement towards church building. There were a lot of books published providing a vast array of formulas purporting to demonstrate how to grow a church. In the pursuit of order, many sincere ministers tried to strictly adhere to those formulas - but wound up stifling the freedom of the Holy Spirit. By your description, it appears that the ministers at your church may have strayed into that type of thinking.

 

“1. Members are required to sit towards the front”

I think this is a controlling mechanism. It can be frustrating to preach in a large open space where the congregation is dispersed sporadically around the room. So the ministers are exploiting their authority to “require” the members to 'set a good example'. This is hoped to encourage others to sit as close to the front as possible – and also to inspire others to want to be a part of the 'important' group. I've been in churches where this is the expectation. It's not a major inconvenience – but it does feel a little like you are being herded.

 

“2. Members are required to park in certain areas”

I'd have to hear the reasoning before assessing this. Again, not a major inconvenience. But again, would feel controlled; herded.

 

“3. Strong emphasis on serving”

I don't see this as a problem (within reason). So long as a greater emphasis is placed on fellowship with God and family.

 

“4. Certain serving ministries schedule without checking for availability. You are required to secure replacement if not able to make it”

This maybe somewhat discourteous. But I can also understand that the person making the schedule may be a volunteer – and shouldn't be expected to clear the availability of everyone on the schedule before publishing it. Nor can a volunteer be expected to take on the responsibility for rearranging the schedule. Unless the author of the schedule is a paid manager, this may be the fairest way to spread the work-load. So long as each serving minister is aware of their responsibilities before signing up, I don't see this as a major issue.

 

“5. Weekly Huddle's for people that serve an our prior to service. These Huddle's tend to be generic most of the time new info is not provided. However, we do seem to have new people coming and going so maybe that's why”

This feels like another formula idea – especially if it is apparently a waste of time for some. When the Holy Spirit is involved in ideas, there is life in their activity. I've attended many pre-service meetings that evolved into anointed prayer and worship sessions. Without God's anointing, scheduled meetings just feel like ritual chors.

 

“6. Several procedures to follow when serving. I'm with the ushers and it's about 3-4 pages”

It's actually very good practice to have clearly defined job descriptions – so long as they are reasonable.

 

“I'm just trying to understand if this is normal”

The correct response is to seek God about how you should respond to these concerns.

Individually, none of these rings any major alarm bells for me. But taken together, they could indicate a tendency towards legalistic, controlling thinking. I'd pray for the ministers, that they would be sensitive to God's word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Is there life in the church; i.e. both during the church service, as well as fellowship beyond the church service? I think those are better indicators of the quality of the church. God is interested in people. The institution of the church exists to serve God's people (the actual church). Churches inevitably die when those priorities are reversed (i.e. where the people are treated as though they exist to serve the institution).