Reading the article in the April 7 edition of The Alabama Baptist, “Pastor suggests Schiavo judge withdraw from Baptist church,” reminded me of a conversation with my dad about 20 years ago.
Being the child of a Southern Baptist pastor, I remember asking why church members of ill repute were not kicked out of church or taken off our roll. I remember very vividly my pastor-dad responding that it was not for people to judge or take away their membership in any church. God was our only judge. As Christians, it is our responsibility not to judge or condemn others.
Our Baptist churches are made up of a multitude of different people. If each church started asking their members to resign from their membership due to sin in their lives or views they didn’t share with their church, our pews would be empty every Sunday morning from now till the end of time. Pray for these people in your churches; don’t ask them to leave.
I’m glad I’m not a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Fla.
Pam Sherum
Jackson’s Gap, Ala.
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