Who Can Vote In Church?

I understand that many, if not most, Christian denominations do not open voting for all members of the church. In the Southern Baptist Denomination, members are allowed to vote on virtually everything about the church. Some churches limit what must come before the church for a vote (yearly budget, calling new minister, changing by-laws, etc.) while others require that everything must come before the church for a vote, including decisions to purchase toilet paper from a new supplier.

What I am interested in is how your church determines who can vote. Do they allow every church member the opportunity to vote? Do they have an age requirement? Do they differentiate between active and inactive members?

I also would like to know who you think should be allowed to vote in your church. I personally do not think that every member should get to vote. I think that only the spiritual leaders of a church should be involved in making the decisions of where and what the church does. Opening voting to every member means that we run the risk of allowing people who are not living godly lives make decisions for the church. If these individuals cannot do as God wants in their own lives, why should the church listen to their counsel. I do not believe that the Bible teaches that we ask everyone what they think God wants and then do what the majority think.

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