Does a church have the right to remove from its roll a member who no longer lives in the area?
Question:
Dear Sir,
I have been reading your articles and learning a lot from your Bible teachings. Thank you for all you do and for your heart to spread the Truth.
Here’s my question: There’s a sister in our Church who was reached out while working as a house helper in a disciple’s home, but after years of working, she went home to her hometown to visit her family. but she got sick, and the doctor advised her that she could no longer work, so she told her employer. She decided to stay with her family in her home town but there’s no nearby church where she could attend to, it takes 12 to 14 hours travel by land to get to the nearest church, she’s poor and does not have the means to travel and since she could no longer work so that’ means she can’t go back to where she used to work as a house helper and join the church where she was reached out to. The church counted her out as a fallen away because she couldn’t come anymore and no longer physically attend church to worship or attend midweeks. Is the church's decision biblical?
By the way, I have an illness that limits me from going to church’s devotional and other Bible studies, especially at night, due to my health condition. Still, I reached out to people online, and I tuned in on Wednesday night to listen to the midweek devotional. I also attend Sunday service since it’s in the morning, and I usually have more energy then. I am sick myself. I felt sad when I heard the church’s decision regarding that sister.
Is it Biblical for the church to remove a member from their membership only because she cannot come anymore due to health issues, but her heart wants to stay faithful to God? What can we do as a Church to help those people who are sick but want to remain faithful to God, but there’s no disciple or nearby church in their hometown? What is the teaching of the Bible on this matter?
Thank you so much.
May God continue to bless and guide you as you spread His Word.
Answer:
I'm sorry to hear about the sister's illness.
Christians who live in a locality are to gather together as a church to offer worship to God and work together in service to God. The sister no longer lives in the area of the church. Practically, she cannot be a member of the church, though she could join a congregation near where she currently lives. If there isn't one, then she can start teaching people with hopes of getting another congregation started in time. She hasn't fallen away from the faith. She is in a difficult situation. While she can't be a member of the congregation because of distance, it isn't right for the congregation to declare her to be something she isn't.
Christians who are no longer able to attend due to illness should be cared for by their family and the brothers and sisters in the congregation (Acts 6:1-3; I Timothy 5:8-16). Do what you can while you're ill. Plan ahead to save up your energy so you can attend as often as possible. Find things to do for the Lord that is within your ability.
