Quote:
Originally Posted by KMK 
Gotcha. Why would it be impossible to establish a matter with someone who is not a member? I think there is 'de facto' membership. If you show up to my church every Sunday to hear me preach and ask for my prayers and attend fellowship with the church for months on end, then you are, for all practical purposes, a member of my church. I don't see what would stop me from establishing a matter with such a person.
It is not the perfect situation, I agree, but it is still possible.
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Is 'de facto' membership like common law marriage?
I would certainly agree that you would have the right, as any brother would, to address a matter. But without a defined and clear statement that I have submitted to you and the other elders as a member of your church, it's simply advice. You have no authority explicitly.