Offense Of The Gospel

[John81]

I've been spending some time in hospitals, which have typically been rather fertile grounds for at least a polite hearing of the Gospel by those present, or at least a polite refusal to hear the Gospel.

 

It seems something has changed. I've been encountering many who claim to be offended at hearing the name of Jesus, of being "questioned" as to their eternal destiny, of bringing up "private matters". Others get offended and say I'm being intolerant, I should mind my own business, or they threaten to report me to the staff and have me evicted for violating their privacy!

 

Not everyone is like the above, but it seems now a large percentage are. This is very different from how it once was.

 

Is anyone else encountering such opposition to the Gospel, especially in areas that once seemed a little more open?

 

I've also found out that some hospitals have reworked their rules with regards to "religion". In some hospitals it's actually against the rules for anyone other than approved clergy to speak of their "religion" or bring up their "religion" with anyone but immediate family.

[JerryNumbers]

This country & its people have turned against God & do not want to Hear about Jesus nor the Gospel. It want be long our liberty will be completely shut down outside of church & home, & it probably want be long it will be shut down in church too.

[John81]

I know some hospitals have changed their rules so clergy are only allowed to visit those who request them. If a pastor goes to visit "Joe" because he's a member of his church, that's fine, but that pastor isn't allowed to stop by another room or to speak of his "religion" with those in the hallway and such.

 

It's just amazing because most folks in hospitals used to seem to appreciate that someone would mention the Gospel to them, offer to pray for them and their loved ones, or at the very least they would politely say they are not interested.

 

Now there seems to be so much antagonism, anger and offense.

[TheSword]

It's different from hospital to hospital as I've noticed regarding the policy.  My wife is a RN with ICU and oncology (cancer) specialties and she's seen the entire spectrum.  One of the hospitals she worked at in Las Vegas disallowed the staff from discussing matters of faith unless it was brought up by the patient while the hospital she worked at in Baltimore began the shift with prayer (over the loud speaker no less) and encouraged workers to share their faith. 

 

I can't personally speak to the receptiveness of the patients though since I'm not a regular visitor.

[John81]

It's different from hospital to hospital as I've noticed regarding the policy.  My wife is a RN with ICU and oncology (cancer) specialties and she's seen the entire spectrum.  One of the hospitals she worked at in Las Vegas disallowed the staff from discussing matters of faith unless it was brought up by the patient while the hospital she worked at in Baltimore began the shift with prayer (over the loud speaker no less) and encouraged workers to share their faith. 

 

I can't personally speak to the receptiveness of the patients though since I'm not a regular visitor.

Each hospital within this area has a different policy in this area. The ones in the circle outside our immediate area have different policies as well. If one is going to be visiting in different hospitals, it's necessary to either ask about each hospitals policy and write it down, or ask for an actual copy of the policy so one can keep to the rules for each hospital.

 

One of the hospitals in the area with the most restrictive rules is also very strict about their application and about escorting violators off the hospital grounds with instructions they are not allowed to return in any capacity with regards to "religion".

[HappyChristian]

While I've not had recent experience with hospitals, we've experienced that somewhat with our nursing home ministry.  Our church has had a service there every Sat for over 25 years, and in the past staff has allowed us to do many things.

 

We would go in at 9:30 a.m. to begin setting up and bringing in people for the service that starts at 10 (there is a concurrent service in the Alzheimer's unit with some of our people). During the preaching, my hubby sent groups of our workers to each wing to sing to some who couldn't make it to the service. The service would end at 11 and we would take people back to their rooms or halls, and then we would visit for an hour.  A lot of times we would go into the cafeteria and just spend a few minutes with some people - usually people who've been to our services at some time.

 

Anyway, a few weeks ago, we were told that we were accused of violating someone's privacy by visiting in the cafeteria.  Instead of just telling us not to go in there, we were told we were only allowed to be in the home from 10-11. We could not come in til 10 and must leave by 11.  So, we had to make adjustments to the service, because we had to stop in time to get people back.  Plus, we weren't allowed to have singing groups go to rooms.

 

We are pretty sure we know who made the complaint.  We have prayed a lot about it, and have seen lessening of restrictions.  We can now be there from 9:30-11:15, which allows us to have a full hour for the service.  And we can visit residents during the preaching - no singing, but we can visit.  We can also come back during the week to visit, which had also been banned. Let me tell you, residents were thrilled to see us when we were allowed back.

 

All because one person complained about infringement on their right to privacy.     But we complied and let God work - and He did.  There are still issues, but God is still working!

[John81]

While I've not had recent experience with hospitals, we've experienced that somewhat with our nursing home ministry.  Our church has had a service there every Sat for over 25 years, and in the past staff has allowed us to do many things.

 

We would go in at 9:30 a.m. to begin setting up and bringing in people for the service that starts at 10 (there is a concurrent service in the Alzheimer's unit with some of our people). During the preaching, my hubby sent groups of our workers to each wing to sing to some who couldn't make it to the service. The service would end at 11 and we would take people back to their rooms or halls, and then we would visit for an hour.  A lot of times we would go into the cafeteria and just spend a few minutes with some people - usually people who've been to our services at some time.

 

Anyway, a few weeks ago, we were told that we were accused of violating someone's privacy by visiting in the cafeteria.  Instead of just telling us not to go in there, we were told we were only allowed to be in the home from 10-11. We could not come in til 10 and must leave by 11.  So, we had to make adjustments to the service, because we had to stop in time to get people back.  Plus, we weren't allowed to have singing groups go to rooms.

 

We are pretty sure we know who made the complaint.  We have prayed a lot about it, and have seen lessening of restrictions.  We can now be there from 9:30-11:15, which allows us to have a full hour for the service.  And we can visit residents during the preaching - no singing, but we can visit.  We can also come back during the week to visit, which had also been banned. Let me tell you, residents were thrilled to see us when we were allowed back.

 

All because one person complained about infringement on their right to privacy.     But we complied and let God work - and He did.  There are still issues, but God is still working!

We have a small local nursing home which we minister in. A few months ago a woman who had recently moved in there started interrupting our pastor (several of us take turns doing the nursing home ministry, that Sunday was his) as he was holding a Bible study for some of the residents. This woman kept accusing him of trying to force his views on everyone. Our pastor pointed out to the lady the Bible study was voluntary, he was teaching straight from the Bible, and it was an open discussion Bible study so if anyone had any questions or wanted to challenge a particular point they were free to do so. When she interrupted again he asked her which point she had a question about. She had none but continued with the accusations. He asked her exactly what he said that was "forcing his views", and again she had none to bring up. When she continued to carry on our pastor pointed out she was free to not sit in on the Bible study. At this point a couple other residents finally spoke up, politely pointing out how much they enjoy the weekly Bible study and telling her if she didn't want to be a part of it she didn't have to be, pointing out that she had asked to be wheeled over to the Bible study.

 

Eventually this lady confronted staff, who told her basically the same thing. She didn't have to sit in on, listen to or participate in any way with the voluntary Bible study. She was free to be elsewhere and the Bible studies were going to continue as they have for several years.

 

The Lord has obviously moved in this because this lady has come to be a participating member of that Bible study!

[HappyChristian]

That's great!  The person who brought about our grief used to attend regularly until my hubby pointed out to someone this person liked a lot that works don't save.  After that, it went down hill from there.  But we know God has a purpose for allowing it and we are so grateful for his working.

[ASongOfDegrees]

 

 

I've also found out that some hospitals have reworked their rules with regards to "religion". In some hospitals it's actually against the rules for anyone other than approved clergy to speak of their "religion" or bring up their "religion" with anyone but immediate family.

That's nuts. 

[swathdiver]

The excuses you hear of John have been taught to several generations now in television and in government schools.  They're so far removed from it, talking to them about Christ is as if you're from another planet.  Beer and Bikinis are normal, not an abomination.  

 

Our local Hospice can only talk religion if the people bring it up and they're not allowed to share the Gospel or pray though some do anyway.  Same for the local hospital staff too. 

[John81]

Yes, we have generations that have been raised to take offense at anything that speaks against their sinful nature. They have been well trained by the public schools, media and colleges to view sin as natural, as their "right", and to see Christianity as an oppressive religion of evil white men that's offensive to anyone with a brain. Hearts are hardened from an early age, and even many Christian parents help promote this false teaching and the hardening of their own children's hearts by sending them to the wicked public schools and colleges, allowing their children to have unlimited TV in their rooms, to be immersed in the world.