Can former violent criminals be allowed in church
Q: Is the church open to welcoming rehabilitated individuals who have committed serious offenses, like sexual predators and murderers, to take part in church activities?
A: Well are they genuinely born again? We need to be wise, use discernment and have a period of years to watch if they have the fruit of salvation.
There will need to be high precautions in place even in church worship, Sunday school and fellowship/activities. Not letting guard down.
Beyond that, for the safety of the congregants, the kids teens and women, they would have a proper background check, and depending on the issue -be limited in areas of serving. Not alone with kids teens and women, and other limitations. Due to the consequences it is what it is to ensure no falling back into prev or other crimes.
They would not be allowed in any leadership or teaching position either, nor in charge of anything nor given any authority.
The church leaders must have such a policy or you should leave that church. We must hold our leaders to higher expectations of governance as well as biblically.
The leaders need to be informed and meet this person hopefully immediately and not just slide in and blend in. These are reasons church membership is important (as well as sharing ones testimony). The Pastor and leaders would meet with this person and then meet without him/her to set rules and vigilant policy to stay alert at all times. Possibly for 3 to 5 years, or in sexual crime cases - monitored for life. And can remove him/her from the church if needed.
Christians know savific forgiveness and welcoming them is not the problem. Genuine conversion and concern for doing such a thing again is the issue.
