"You have to work hard to offend Christians. By nature, Christians are the most forgiving, understanding, and thoughtful group of people I've ever dealt with. They never assume the worst. They appreciate the importance of having different perspectives. They're slow to anger, quick to forgive, and almost never make rash judgments or act in anything less than a spirit of total love . . . No, wait--I'm thinking of Labrador retrievers!" David Learn, 1998

Friday, February 3, 2012

Grace under Siege 70: Your right to vote this Sunday

     Welcome to all of you who truly worship Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. As we approach the congregational meeting Sunday, some are confused about whether they have the right to vote.
     Like all churches, we exist as a church under the auspices of the State of California Department of Corporations, where our Articles of Incorporation have been accepted. As a legal requirement, and in order to remain qualified as a church, these Articles of Incorporation require us to abide by our current Bylaws.

ACCORDING TO THE BYLAWS, YOU CAN VOTE IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN A MEMBER AND HAVE NOT
A) REQUESTED, IN WRITING, TO WITHDRAW YOUR MEMBERSHIP;
B) REQUESTED, IN WRITING, TO TRANSFER YOUR MEMBERSHIP; OR,
C) BEEN DISMISSED AFTER A MATTHEW 18 DISCIPLINE PROCESS. 

ACCORDING TO THE BYLAWS, YOU CANNOT VOTE IF YOU DO NOT FULLY BELIEVE IN AND PROPAGATE ALL THE TENETS OF THE EXISTING STATEMENT OF FAITH, even if you have been told otherwise.     
    If you don't or can't agree with this requirement, we welcome you to worship with us anyway, but please, as a Christian, be honest with God and yourself, and don't vote on any part of this ballot. Doing so could invalidate the election.

May God's will be done!

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