Smell smoke in your Church?

[Stan]

If in your church, you can not smell smoke or alcohol on anyone, and other similar things, your Church is more than likely not doing a good job in reaching the community.

[Dr. Shane]

I brought a friend to church a few weeks ago that had been out on a week-long bender and had a major hangover. He smelled of alcohol and everyone was very friendly to him. We stayed for potluck and it went very well.

[Gail]

Praise God! Thanks for sharing that, Shane :)

[Pockey]

I brought a friend to church a few weeks ago that had been out on a week-long bender and had a major hangover. He smelled of alcohol and everyone was very friendly to him. We stayed for potluck and it went very well.

Praise God indeed!

[M. T. Cross]

Oh Stan where were you years ago. Last time I was in an Adventist church I got lectured for several hours based on the fact that I did smell like smoke.

At least it was something to distract them from the usual lecture about my long hair and Iron Maiden t-shirt. Those had gotten really old.

[John317]

Yes, I've seen the same thing happen in our local church several times. A man who I often see pan-handling in front of a donut shop and is a drug-addict and alcoholic came to our church quite a few times and everyone was very friendly to him. He'd been invited and driven to church by one of our members. Most people like that who come to our churches only come because of a personal invitation by someone they consider a friend.

I think it would be good if pastors and elders gave something like a training seminar to the congregation in the kinds of things NOT to do or say to visitors. There are well-meaning people who sometimes say thing that they shouldn't.

[Gerr]

If in your church, you can not smell smoke or alcohol on anyone, .....

What? You want to pollute our church?

[Stan]

The balancing question is this, how can we make Church safe for anyone to come, and yet safe for our children to go to?

[Gerr]

That was a TIC statement.

[Stan]

(I viewed it that way)

[Dr. Shane]

The balancing question is this, how can we make Church safe for anyone to come, and yet safe for our children to go to?

All positions where there is contact with children (Sabbath school teacher, Pathfinders, etc) should have to submit to a background check. While children are at church, they should always be supervised by their parents or someone that has a background check. That still doesn't make it 100% safe but it goes a long way in that direction.

[John317]

Agree completely, Shane. All those things you mention are simply common sense these days. I can remember not so very long ago when it wouldn't have been necessary, but it sure is today. In fact, it would be criminally negligent not to do it. Nobody should be beyond question, including pastors and elders, and women also.

Something I would add is that young boys at any age should not be put in charge of, or left alone with, little girls. It is not necessary to make them feel they aren't trusted, however. That would be wrong as well.

[fccool]

You go Shane.

[Overaged]

Oh Stan where were you years ago. Last time I was in an Adventist church I got lectured for several hours based on the fact that I did smell like smoke.

At least it was something to distract them from the usual lecture about my long hair and Iron Maiden t-shirt. Those had gotten really old.

You should have given everyone copies of Iron Maiden's *cardinal* song: "666."

[M. T. Cross]

I will never forget the first time my mom heard that song. It was a 20/20 that was exposing Satanism in Metal. She said "Well they sure don't know much about it if they are calling a bible verse satanic"

[Overaged]

I will never forget the first time my mom heard that song. It was a 20/20 that was exposing Satanism in Metal. She said "Well they sure don't know much about it if they are calling a bible verse satanic"

[M. T. Cross]

Black Sabbath has used a fair bit of Biblical stuff, as has Iron Maiden.

Being Metal bands however they tend to focus more on the darker sides of the book.

[Overaged]

Black Sabbath has used a fair bit of Biblical stuff, as has Iron Maiden.

Being Metal bands however they tend to focus more on the darker sides of the book.

Very true.

[Tom Wetmore]

It seems Adventists have also focused a fair bit on the dark sides of the books like Revelation rather than its main point of light.

[Overaged]

It seems Adventists have also focused a fair bit on the dark sides of the books like Revelation rather than its main point of light.

I think I can agree with this. There is a reason it is called "The Revelation of Jesus Christ;" and isn't it interesting that we usually only hear it called "Revelation" seminar?

[Tom Wetmore]

Yep, far too much emphasis on the apocalypse, monster show and not enough of doing what the book describes the saints as doing. "They follow the Lamb wherever He goes."

In about 10 days at the church where I go is starting a Revelation study group using study guides for the book "The Lamb Among the Beasts". The intent will be to stay focused on the Lamb throughout. This will be my 3rd time helping out with a study group taking this approach. I have an entirely new love of the book as a result. It's not a scare-fest anymore.

[Gail]

While I admit that the beasts are important, the whole book really ties Jesus to His people when He is the focus.

When Jesus is the focus of Revelation, one sees hope. When the disasters foretold there are the focus, then hope is eroded.

[Stan]

On the ads for evangelism,

Adventist like the nicer/gentle ones

People respond much better to the scary beasts.

We have to chose what ever is more important.

[Gail]

Good point- fear will arouse an interest, for sure. But an evangelist will need to be able to move a person beyond that to make believers.

[Stan]

it is not necessary fear, it is more interest.

ALSO Adventist tend to be against 16 nights of meetings, where as non adventist would often go 4 times a day it they had a choice.

It is like a hungry person shopping in a supermarket with cash.

A full person, lack the passion to get food..