Comments on: A Statement on the Voting Age of Members http://julianfreeman.ca/church/statement-voting-age-members Thoughts of a Christian Husband, Father, and Pastor Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Julian Freeman http://julianfreeman.ca/church/statement-voting-age-members/comment-page-1#comment-1423 Julian Freeman Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:22:22 +0000 http://julianfreeman.ca/?p=755#comment-1423 Derifter, Always great to hear from you, brother. I especially enjoyed your comment on the 'ants' post. I got quite a chuckle out of that. Thanks for your input here as well! James, Great to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by! I think what we're trying to say is that we want to evaluate a child's application for membership the same way we would anyone else's. We begin by examining conversion, baptism, etc. If the person is a believer, then regardless of age, status, capability, etc., we want them to be a full-fledged member of the community. Since commitment to Christ is the key factor there, then we examine children the same way we do with adults--it's always on a case-by-case basis. I don't know if I'm answering your question or not...? Derifter,

Always great to hear from you, brother. I especially enjoyed your comment on the ‘ants’ post. I got quite a chuckle out of that. Thanks for your input here as well!

James,

Great to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by!

I think what we’re trying to say is that we want to evaluate a child’s application for membership the same way we would anyone else’s. We begin by examining conversion, baptism, etc. If the person is a believer, then regardless of age, status, capability, etc., we want them to be a full-fledged member of the community. Since commitment to Christ is the key factor there, then we examine children the same way we do with adults–it’s always on a case-by-case basis. I don’t know if I’m answering your question or not…?

]]> By: James Shelley http://julianfreeman.ca/church/statement-voting-age-members/comment-page-1#comment-1422 James Shelley Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:12:35 +0000 http://julianfreeman.ca/?p=755#comment-1422 Interesting discussion. I've always been intrigued by the idea of age segregation in church communities. Do I understand from your statement correctly that children will be considered for membership simply on a case-by-case basis? Interesting discussion. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of age segregation in church communities. Do I understand from your statement correctly that children will be considered for membership simply on a case-by-case basis?

]]> By: derifter http://julianfreeman.ca/church/statement-voting-age-members/comment-page-1#comment-1377 derifter Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:47:14 +0000 http://julianfreeman.ca/?p=755#comment-1377 I think on the whole it sounds like you came to the right conclusion. The process that leads to membership (I'm thinking especially of the review by the elders) would probably make an age requirement redundant. If God were to save a child at a young age and grant them amazing discernment or an incredible gift of wisdom or what-not, that would hopefully be apparent to the elders, thereby meeting the membership requirements and being a member, then, the child would be eligible to vote. By not adding an age requirement that seemingly isn't needed, you also leave the door open to God surprising you through a child. And in the end, you're talking about voting. If there is a concern that a young person holds there is nothing at all to keep them from bringing those concerns to staff or the laity, who should give it all the importance it deserves, including a vote if necessary. I think on the whole it sounds like you came to the right conclusion. The process that leads to membership (I’m thinking especially of the review by the elders) would probably make an age requirement redundant. If God were to save a child at a young age and grant them amazing discernment or an incredible gift of wisdom or what-not, that would hopefully be apparent to the elders, thereby meeting the membership requirements and being a member, then, the child would be eligible to vote.

By not adding an age requirement that seemingly isn’t needed, you also leave the door open to God surprising you through a child.

And in the end, you’re talking about voting. If there is a concern that a young person holds there is nothing at all to keep them from bringing those concerns to staff or the laity, who should give it all the importance it deserves, including a vote if necessary.

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