Taking "role" at church
 

I'm not sure if this is a common thing or not, outside of where I attend ( UPC).
On each of the 3 "services", Sunday AM, Sunday PM, and Wednesday PM, the Pastor's wife (while setting in the pew) with a clip board in hand, sorta casually scans the crowd off and on for about 10-15 min.'s. Keeping "role" of who is missing. After someone misses about 3 different "services" or so, they generally receive a phone call from the Pastor asking if everythings OK.

Does anybody else do this. Any thoughts?

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

Some may think it's an invasion of privacy, but I appreciate the idea that someone would care enough to call.

I've attended smaller churches for the most part and when someone wasn't there it was noted and certain people would either call or send a card letting them know the church missed them and cared.

I now attend a huge chruch and my husband and I miss the intimacy and personal concern. I'm not sure our pastor or anyone else on staff would reconize us if we passed them in the street.

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

I think a loving shepard wants to know if all is well...there is a difference in concern and abuse....

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

I think it shows that they care.

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

Unquestionably, the intentions are pure, and out of concern for the body, and that is a wonderful thing as the motive.

However, if a person does not desire to attend 3x a week, or (or sometimes even 2x a week), then they will likely be getting a phone call regularly. I can see where that could definatly irritate someone.

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

I guess we can make our wishes known...

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

Yes mam. Although those wishes might not be accepted.

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

I'm sure it's common in a some churches. No big deal.

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

How can they not be accepted? They either come or they don't.

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

By making it known they dont desire to come 2-3x a week, and they still get the calls because the pastor thinks they shoud be there 2-3x a week.

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

Oh, okay. Still that's kind of the Pastor's job, IMO. If he is concerned for their well being, spiritually.

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

If it is concern it is ok if it is control...well that would be a different story...

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

I agree. I think without knowing the whole story, we can't really understand. How many calls is too many?

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

They take attendance at our church. We've never gotten a phone call because we missed a service. I do think it's a good idea so people don't get missed; maybe something is going on and they need encouragement. It depends on the motivation; could be used for good or evil.

Re: Taking "role" at church
 

I've been in a lot of churches that took attendance and where people got called to make sure they were ok. No coercion, no arguments about how often to come. My last church, ushers did a head count that had to tally with the attendance roster. People were reprimanded not only if they didn't show up, but also if they didn't call ahead of time to let the pastor know they weren't coming. At the church I attend now, everyone is requested to fill out a paper that says they were there and has space for prayer requests, praises, questions, and changes of address. I like this way the best, personally.