Freeloading Letter

I came across this today. There are some things I really like about this letter and the heart of it, but also some things that rub me the wrong way and seem a little harsh.

Ok, I really want some feedback on this and to know what you think.  Read this letter in it's entirety before you comment. Log onto www.ryancook.net and click on the comment tab or if you are on fb, you can do it from the comment tab there. 

WINSTON-SALEM — Julie and Bob Clark were stunned to receive a letter from their church in 

July asking them to "participate in the life of the church" — or worship elsewhere.
    "They basically called us freeloaders," says Julie.
    "We were freeloaders," says Bob.
    In a trend that may signal rough times for wallflower Christians, bellwether mega-church Faith Community of Winston-Salem has asked "non-participating members" to stop attending.
    "No more Mr. Nice Church," says the executive pastor, newly hired from Cingular Wireless. "Bigger is not always better. Providing free services indefinitely to complacent Christians is not our mission."
    "Freeloading" Christians were straining the church's nursery and facility resources and harming the church's ability to reach the lost, says the pastor.
    "When your bottom line is saving souls, you get impatient with people who interfere with that goal," he says.
    Faith Community sent polite but firm letters to families who attend church services and "freebie events" but never volunteer, never tithe and do not belong to a small group or other ministry. The church estimates that of its 8,000 regular attendees, only half have volunteered in the past 3 years, and a third have never given to the church.
    "Before now, we made people feel comfortable and welcome, and tried to coax them to give a little something in return," says a staff member. "That's changed. We're done being the community nanny."
    Surprisingly, the move to dis-invite people has drawn positive response from men in the community who like the idea of an in-your-face church.
    "I thought, 'A church that doesn't allow wussies — that rocks,'" says Bob Clark, who admires the church more since they told him to get lost.
    He and Julie are now tithing and volunteering. "We've taken our place in church life," he says. 

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Comments

[Craig Schatz]

I understand the thoughts of the Pastor....But, I ask the question.How are these attendees being mentored...If the attendees are christians I feel they will be held accountable for there actions...I also feel the pastor will be held accountable for those hurt and not knowing what they where doing...This letter should make a person think......