First Canon-Meletius

Overall, I am pleased that the Christians who lapsed during the Persecution will not immediately be let back into the church, considering that was my stance the entire time. However, the wording, structure, and overall point of this sentence lets them off easy. It is not assertive and doesn’t really imply that they did anything wrong. Using the word “should” instead of “will be” makes it seem like we are unclear of the own point we are trying to make. Also, it sounds like we are the ones asking them back into the church rather than them being lucky for us even considering to let them back.  While we do believe that they should be let back in, we should make it clear in our wording that they did directly go against the church and the faith. A re-baptism almost seems like a reward to me. This sentence seems like we are pushovers who are willing to let anyone back in even if they have done us wrong. While I agree that we shouldn’t “punish” them because it seems rather harsh and unnecessary, we should at least make it seem like we are upset with their actions. If they do anything like that again it will be absolutely unacceptable. I feel like we should add some sort of guidelines in this canon to make it clear what the repercussions will be if they again go against our beliefs and what we stand for. I am not trying to be mean, but I am trying to legitimize the church. How are any of the new members supposed to take us seriously if we let people walk all over us?