Just had a conversation with a friend of mine. Her and her husband wanted counseling to work on their marriage. As many of us, who wanted help I our marriage, we’d look outside of our church because we might think the people in our church were too close to the situation.
She told me she went to another church, who has counselor on staff, but because her and her husband were not members the sessions were to cost $120 per hour. This made me just sick.
Church who have this “members only” attitude are why many churches are struggling to have any members at all. I can understand paying for a counselors time but $120 an hour? For people who just want to help their marriage?
Here’s a few suggestions for you “Members Only” Churches
- Create a fund or a scholarship to help these non-members at least receive one meeting with a counselor.
- Have the counselor do a Facebook Live or other online consultation that does not have to last one hour.
- Have the counselor create a series of videos with a comment section or a downloadable pdf where couples can answer questions together.
Yes, there are a few things that should be members only:
- Voting in business meetings
- Leadership Roles (Teacher, Deacon, etc.)
I just don’t understand the the arrogance of a church today to look at people and simply refuse to work with someone who is actually trying to make things right in their lives.
When people price something astronomically high, they do it on purpose because they do not want to work with you. This is how people are vetted and are declared unwelcome.
I understand, commitment is a two a way street. We want the people to commit to our congregation, pay their tithes that underwrite the counselor, etc. but for heaven’s sake, let’s make room for those who cannot do anything. I’m not saying we have to do it for everyone, but let’s make room for those Non-Members and at least treat them as fellow believers.
Remember, Members Only belongs on jackets in the 90’s, the past, not on today’s churches.
Are you a members only church? What can only members do?
Is there room for non-memebers, who are looking for help, to participate?
How do you do this?