She was booted out during Advent!

[notsmart]

My friend (who I should spend more time with, but have not as much lately) just called me up crying her eyes out because her church kicked her out!
She is evangelical and in a non denominational church. This is how she describes herself anyway.
She told me it is because her husband refused to do the snow plowing this year, because he can’t afford to plow their lot and salt it because 2 employees quit on him last month. He owns a landscaping business and does this in the winter. They got angry when he told them this. The next time they went to their church to set up the new decorations in the lobby and to change the sign out in front, one of the members of the parish told them they needed to leave the property, and make an appointment to meet the pastor before coming back!

This is an outrage. Is this normal procedure in non catholic churches? They are hopping mad. I am stunned.

 

[JonNC]

My friend (who I should spend more time with, but have not as much lately) just called me up crying her eyes out because her church kicked her out!
She is evangelical and in a non denominational church. This is how she describes herself anyway.
She told me it is because her husband refused to do the snow plowing this year, because he can’t afford to plow their lot and salt it because 2 employees quit on him last month. He owns a landscaping business and does this in the winter. They got angry when he told them this. The next time they went to their church to set up the new decorations in the lobby and to change the sign out in front, one of the members of the parish told them they needed to leave the property, and make an appointment to meet the pastor before coming back!

This is an outrage. Is this normal procedure in non catholic churches? They are hopping mad. I am stunned.

Of course not. I would be mad and stunned as well.
Jon

 

[thedavidwilson]

My friend (who I should spend more time with, but have not as much lately) just called me up crying her eyes out because her church kicked her out!
She is evangelical and in a non denominational church. This is how she describes herself anyway.
She told me it is because her husband refused to do the snow plowing this year, because he can’t afford to plow their lot and salt it because 2 employees quit on him last month. He owns a landscaping business and does this in the winter. They got angry when he told them this. The next time they went to their church to set up the new decorations in the lobby and to change the sign out in front, one of the members of the parish told them they needed to leave the property, and make an appointment to meet the pastor before coming back!

This is an outrage. Is this normal procedure in non catholic churches? They are hopping mad. I am stunned.

Heresy leads people to behavior that is not of God. Sounds like a good opportunity to lead her home to the True Church of Jesus Christ: the Catholic Church.

 

[Writer]

There are so many Protestant churches that it’s hard to generalize. This, however, is similar to what I have either witnessed or heard about myself before we became Catholic. A relative of ours down south was actually thrown out of his non-denominational church because he insisted that racism was immoral. Now, he has been misled into believing in the lie of Christian Science. So, yes, unfortunately this is the kind of thing that happens when authority is inconsistent or non-existent. Non-denominational churches, in particular, seem to have problem dealing with issues like this from what I have heard.

 

[Soutane]

I’m sure this is hardly the norm amongst evangelicals.Just as in our Church we have sinners,they have sinners in theirs.A discussion with the pastor is in order.

 

[ChristianKnight]

My friend (who I should spend more time with, but have not as much lately) just called me up crying her eyes out because her church kicked her out!
She is evangelical and in a non denominational church. This is how she describes herself anyway.
She told me it is because her husband refused to do the snow plowing this year, because he can’t afford to plow their lot and salt it because 2 employees quit on him last month. He owns a landscaping business and does this in the winter. They got angry when he told them this. The next time they went to their church to set up the new decorations in the lobby and to change the sign out in front, one of the members of the parish told them they needed to leave the property, and make an appointment to meet the pastor before coming back!

This is an outrage. Is this normal procedure in non catholic churches? They are hopping mad. I am stunned.

Wherever you go, you need to tell them people to either follow Christ or not. Kicking people out cause they can’t do a job is silly and un-christian.

 

[notsmart]

Okay, I realized I posted this in a state of mind that was well, upset to say the least.
She did tell me that the pastor would not be able to meet with them until January 5th! She does not think she can go to church on Christmas!
Of course, she could be all upset and may have misunderstood, I can’t imagine they would kick them out on christmas.
But, she did see someone she knows at the store while getting ground beef and the lady told her that she felt sorry for her (news sure gets around fast) and that she is praying for them.
That got her so flustered, she left her cart and went home and called me up. I told her to give me a call back tonight when she has had time to be in silent prayer first. I promised I would pray for them, and others will be also (this is where you guys come in! ) I don’t want to further confuse her by talking about other churches now. I just want to show her the Love of Jesus.
Any ideas on what I can do for her now?

 

[Soutane]

Okay, I realized I posted this in a state of mind that was well, upset to say the least.
She did tell me that the pastor would not be able to meet with them until January 5th! She does not think she can go to church on Christmas!
Of course, she could be all upset and may have misunderstood, I can’t imagine they would kick them out on christmas.
But, she did see someone she knows at the store while getting ground beef and the lady told her that she felt sorry for her (news sure gets around fast) and that she is praying for them.
That got her so flustered, she left her cart and went home and called me up. I told her to give me a call back tonight when she has had time to be in silent prayer first. I promised I would pray for them, and others will be also (this is where you guys come in! ) I don’t want to further confuse her by talking about other churches now. I just want to show her the Love of Jesus.
Any ideas on what I can do for her now?

Invite her and her family to Midnight Mass.Don’t proselytise just plant the seed.

 

[a_mirror_dimly]

This whole situation strikes me as rather bizarre, but I’m hesitant to speculate much with so little information and being far removed from the situation.

Personally, my advice to you would be to pray for her and her husband and generally love on them. Invite them over for dinner, call and check in, bake them some cookies. It may seem silly, but simple time and presence can mean a lot when comforting someone. If they’re without a place to worship on Sundays I think it’s completely appropriate to invite them to come and worship with you, but I’d approach it both in terms of presentation and in your own heart as an offer of accommodation during a difficult time rather than as an attempt to get them to join your congregation on a permanent basis.

 

[LutheranDK]

My friend (who I should spend more time with, but have not as much lately) just called me up crying her eyes out because her church kicked her out!
She is evangelical and in a non denominational church. This is how she describes herself anyway.
She told me it is because her husband refused to do the snow plowing this year, because he can’t afford to plow their lot and salt it because 2 employees quit on him last month. He owns a landscaping business and does this in the winter. They got angry when he told them this. The next time they went to their church to set up the new decorations in the lobby and to change the sign out in front, one of the members of the parish told them they needed to leave the property, and make an appointment to meet the pastor before coming back!

This is an outrage. Is this normal procedure in non catholic churches? They are hopping mad. I am stunned.

I had to take a couple of moments taking a deep breath in order to keep myself from using very uncharitable language about these here…people who confess Christ with their mouths but deny Him with their works…

I, too, am angry about this and I can safely tell you: NO it is not normal procedure in non-RC churches…

 

[Gerry_Hunter]

This is not the norm, but not unheard of either.

A couple was booted out of their local non-denomination “Gospel chapel” in our area when they enrolled their son in a private Catholic school. My daughter was in that school, and although most students were indeed Catholic, there was a fair number of non-Catholics and non-Christians to be found there. It was a GOOD school!

Another young woman, a friend of my older daughter, got the boot from a local independent Baptist community, because she would not take the advice of her home group, and buy a new car.

Sometimes, it can get rather extreme.

Blessings,

Gerry

PS: The idea of inviting them to Midnight Mass – Brilliant

 

[LutheranDK]

A relative of ours down south was actually thrown out of his non-denominational church because he insisted that racism was immoral.

Are you serious??

What on Earth kind of Bible are those people reading??? Christ has torn down the divide between Jews and Gentiles - and that is the only divide between people according to the Word of God! If there is no longer a divide between Jew or Gentile, what makes these nutjobs think that there’s a divide between one kind of Gentile and another?

 

[yellowbird]

If it were my friend I would suggest she not miss out on Advent but instead, attend another church. Offer her our Church of course, but if she’s not interested, suggest she visit a different non-denominational church. I wouldn’t even wait until Jan. to meet with the Pastor - what is the point? I wouldn’t stay where I wasn’t wanted.

I would also suggest that she volunteer for a food bank or kitchen preparing food for the homeless. Nothing helps me put things into perspective more than serving those so much less fortunate. While your friend’s hurt feelings are totally justified, it would be so unfortunate if they became the focus of this beautiful season. I think busying herself with the work of Christ will take her mind off her troubles.

And no, I don’t think this is typical of non-Catholic churches.

 

[notsmart]

Thank you all everyone of you for replying. I feel so bad that I have not had lately, as much contact with her as we did enjoy normally.

I most definately am not comfortable trying to do more than just love her so much now. I failed being a good friend, and somehow feel like I am a part of this somehow. Not the mess she is in, but the feeling of being abandoned.

Christ, have mercy on me a sinner, please hear my plea even if not through me, through one of yours who reads this plea and prays for this intention for this family.

I met her a year after we got married. She never stopped praying for me to come to God and never stopped reminding me that God has a reason, and a purpose for us all and that she always believed there was a role God had (has?) for me too. She was the first one of my friends to see me in the hospital when I gave birth.
She left a simple, and beautiful wooden cross and a child’s new testament bible with me that day. Her husband, and their kids, and her mother came over after a few days, to help out with things at home.

She gave me so much love. Of course, we are friends that have endured many things together. I just had to take a mini break for a while after she was concerned I was led to the catholic church after having the pull from atheism to God.

I do love her dearly, and she is a good christian. I think she would have told me if she or he did anything wrong to be punished over.
She would tell me. She told me so much, for so long, I feel like I know enough about her sincerity that she would not hesitate to admit if she even did anything bordering on a bad thing.

I just hurt so much hearing her pain, and am so unable to help her.

I will pray of course. My husband is even going to pray, he really likes them. He was even asking me why we have not seen them lately.

My fault. Jesus forgive me for being a bad friend.

 

[notsmart]

Are you serious??

What on Earth kind of Bible are those people reading??? Christ has torn down the divide between Jews and Gentiles - and that is the only divide between people according to the Word of God! If there is no longer a divide between Jew or Gentile, what makes these nutjobs think that there’s a divide between one kind of Gentile and another?

I hear you. Its just going to take much prayer for us all to join together in, and to plead with Jesus to come quickly.

I am tempted to take her to the Lutheran church close to me, because that is the only place so far I have found caring outgoing people who have embraced me.
But, I can’t be a member there because I believe the holy spirit has led me to where I am. I just know how loving the people are at the Lutheran church I also go to.

 

[RobHom]

Invite her and her family to Midnight Mass.Don’t proselytise just plant the seed.

I was going to suggest EXACTLY THAT, but Soutane beat me to it!!

I think that is a phenomenal idea!!! That is exactly what I would do, if I were you!!!

**EVERYONE IS WELCOME IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH!!! **

 

[Syele]

no its not normal procedure and they should NOT be making her wait to speak with the Pastor. No one should have to miss Christmas at church without a very good explanation!

It’s bizarre enough that if that is the real reason she was asked to leave, then she should not wnat ot be there . My first thought on reading it though was that there is something else going on than that. Even so, no way thye should make her wait till jan. to know about it!

I agree you ought to invite her to Mass with you.

 

[swariffin]

My friend (who I should spend more time with, but have not as much lately) just called me up crying her eyes out because her church kicked her out!
She is evangelical and in a non denominational church. This is how she describes herself anyway.
She told me it is because her husband refused to do the snow plowing this year, because he can’t afford to plow their lot and salt it because 2 employees quit on him last month. He owns a landscaping business and does this in the winter. They got angry when he told them this. The next time they went to their church to set up the new decorations in the lobby and to change the sign out in front, one of the members of the parish told them they needed to leave the property, and make an appointment to meet the pastor before coming back!

This is an outrage. Is this normal procedure in non catholic churches? They are hopping mad. I am stunned.

The only things in the RCC, you could be excommunicated if you are outside the RCC teaching, not by your own behavior. But still, a consultation or a chance of hearing is still given prior to the actual excommunication.

 

[notsmart]

I won’t let her be worshipping alone at Christmas! No way! Even if I have to pick her family up, and take them to my house for breakfast, and then the Mass.
But, I want for her to truly be at peace, and I am not ready to push her now under these circumstances.
She needs to know she is loved, is a child of God, her husband is really under stress because last year prices on salt, and availability was not bad for him (because he is a big buyer) but, her husband is very hurt because this cost him tons of time and money for years he gave from his heart, and now he is nothing because he can’t do it this year.

 

[notsmart]

The only things in the RCC, you could be excommunicated if you are outside the RCC teaching, not by your own behavior. But still, a consultation or a chance of hearing is still given prior to the actual excommunication.

Citations please!