I think we need to make available our lives for examination by the world. What better setting for them to see us, than them observing how we conduct ourself in church? In our church, I assist with serving the Communion, as a lay leader. I have been told to say that people who do not wish to participate in Communion (as well as the offering), should just pass the plate to the next person. I think Pastor has given me instruction to leave out that warning about sickness following "not properly discerning the Lord's body", because it might cause offense. Instead I have been given instructions to give regarding freedom to partake if they are a believer, or not.
We need to allow "whosoever" to attend the church, and urge them to become committed followers of Jesus.

I don't see anything wrong with it in all honesty. I myself am very open religiously, although I am Wiccan myself. My friend invited me to attend her church once, and although I couldn't go, I still felt like it would have been a really amazing thing to experience. I would have loved to have been able to feel the spiritual energy in a church coming from everyone within. I'm sure it would have been a very unique experience.
Then again, it is also my mother who said she thought it would have been rude. I don't see how it could have been. But, I still couldn't go. I regret not being able to, but I'm sure I'll get another chance someday.
And, in reference to some of the things being said, there are many non believers attending church by sheer force and family pressure. No one notices, yet, they're there. So, what would the difference be if a known non believer and a mistaken believer came into your church? There wouldn't be. It shouldn't matter.
I'd like to add that, although I'm Wiccan, I am interested in what other religions are about and therefore don't see how learning something new could be considered rude. And yes, I do believe that attending a church not tailored to your beliefs is a learning experience.

Just wanted to share my thoughts ~ Lisa

What ever gets people in the door. 

today many churches are very large, often anonymous gatherings.  They will know we are Christians by our love, so all should be welcome. 

I think the small group is the setting for deeper fellowship, and where we can raise and encourage one another.....Hold one another accountable.  In this setting we can heal and be healed

@Koolou@xanga - I come at that passage this way.  The fellowship is to be understood by the believers.  Those who are non-believers do not understand and cannot fully experience the fellowship that we have together as brothers and sisters in Christ.  They are certainly welcome to attend church services though, but they'll never undastand the things of Christ until they make Him Lor dof their lives.

I have attended churches in my day that turned their noses up and made anyone feel unwelcome that was not part of their written-in-stone religion and/or beliefs.  Honestly, it is what turned me off to the man-made church in the first place.  As a Christian, I find it offensive when churches have a problem with outsiders and people from different faiths attending their services.  I even have a problem with churches who have a problem with the gay population attending their churches, which is something that was widespread here in the south.  You would think you'd want a wide variety of people attending your services.  If you can't let someone enjoy your services and perhaps find a shred of guidance that person may need in their lives, how can you expect to guide anyone spiritually?  No one should be judged when they walked in the door for any reason or anything.  It's not the church's congregation to judge anyone.  ~Andi

@Nikolais_apprentice@xanga - Just out of curiousity, does this include homosexuals?

@Andrealana@xanga - It does.  Our pastor's nephew attends with his partner.  While I personally (and others in the congregation, I assume) don't approve of that lifestyle, we love both of them and we all support them nonjudgementally, knowing that we all fall short. 

I definately think we should welcome any one and everyone. That is what church is about trying to spread the gospel message! To look down on someone of another faith for going to church to see what it is all about is to have great ignorance of the greater good that could happen inside that persons life. This person should be gladly welcomed.

God Bless,

Joel

@Such_Were_You@xanga - I am actually glad you said that.  But you are taking that verse out of context.  And I think you may not be alone in that either. 

Paul is making the clarification here that believers are not to judge the world by Christian standards.  And not to shun those who are not yet saved. 

Christ went to the unsaved, to the sinners and ate with them.  But not with just anyone.  He didn't continue to associate with unrepentant sinners.  Though He did offer them healing and redemption. 

But though all are welcome to become saved, and we should do our best to help them in that regard; neither this passage, nor any other suggests that we are to fellowship with unbelievers.  On the contrary. Although I do think that if a person was interested in finding out about Christianity or in receiving salvation they should of course be allowed to attend on that basis. 

@ProvokingThought - You said that there is nothing we can do to save someone.  I disagree.  As Christians we all have vital roles to play in bringing a person to Christ. 

And don't try to get it twisted with self-righteousness indignation. 

I absolutely do not support the notion that it is the Church vs the world.  But fellowship is for believers.  That should be our safe haven.  Especially in this time of great wickedness and deception. 

And btw, God does not dwell in churches, He dwells in us.  So keeping the fellowship of believers for believers (and those actively inquiring about Christianity) has nothing to do with excluding non-believers from God. 

@Andrea_TheNerd@xanga - I've heard that UU is the best.  Apparently, there's one 20 minutes away from me, and another about 35 minutes away.  I might go sometime, but for regular attendance, that's simply not feasible for me, as a college student with limited gas and time.

@Koolou@xanga - While I understand your thinking I believe it is you who misunderstand the context.   So we'll be in disagreement on the matter.  Nothing new about that among Christians

All the best,

BP