Saint Abuse

[n david]

Since there are a few threads beating up Pastors, let's discuss abusive saints.

If you've ever been a Pastor or associate, you know them.

They call several times a week, asking for spiritual advice. They request to speak with you after every service, sometimes taking an hour or more. They cry and complain about their marriage or spiritual life, yet don't listen or do anything with the advice given.

They're also quick to complain and backstab you if you're unable to meet their demands. God forbid the Pastor take a day off, or request to schedule a meeting at another time because there are visiting family members or friends waiting at home for lunch Sunday after the morning service.

They call for financial help with bills or rent, then blow up when it's cut off after several months of them not budgeting their money properly. They have money for their Disney vacation, but can't afford the rent. They have cable, multiple cell phones and tablets, wifi and other gadgets, but can't afford to pay for food or medicine.

Then comes the advent of the internet. AOL, MySpace, Everyone's Connected and now Facebook and internet forums. Now Pastors aren't just slandered against in the local assembly or around other churches. It's the world wide web! Now they're libeled online for the world to see. And God forbid they ever discuss Pastoral issues with other Pastors.

[Servant's <3]

Matthew 5:44-48 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect"

I do not diminish the harm that "saints" do to their pastors. Such is the cost of being a pastor. To give of yourself for another even while they yet harm you. They did far worse to Christ and yet he LOVED them anyway and did not hold it against them.

To follow as we should is not easy. The road is perilous. Still a pastor must endure. I am so thankful I have a patient, loving, and tender hearted pastor. I would not dream of speaking Ill of my pastor but I know some that attempt to do so. I try not to tolerate it.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by n david

Since there are a few threads beating up Pastors, let's discuss abusive saints.

If you've ever been a Pastor or associate, you know them.

They call several times a week, asking for spiritual advice. They request to speak with you after every service, sometimes taking an hour or more. They cry and complain about their marriage or spiritual life, yet don't listen or do anything with the advice given.

They're also quick to complain and backstab you if you're unable to meet their demands. God forbid the Pastor take a day off, or request to schedule a meeting at another time because there are visiting family members or friends waiting at home for lunch Sunday after the morning service.

They call for financial help with bills or rent, then blow up when it's cut off after several months of them not budgeting their money properly. They have money for their Disney vacation, but can't afford the rent. They have cable, multiple cell phones and tablets, wifi and other gadgets, but can't afford to pay for food or medicine.

Then comes the advent of the internet. AOL, MySpace, Everyone's Connected and now Facebook and internet forums. Now Pastors aren't just slandered against in the local assembly or around other churches. It's the world wide web! Now they're libeled online for the world to see. And God forbid they ever discuss Pastoral issues with other Pastors.

Your "Saint" sounds like they are mentally ill.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Your "Saint" sounds like they are mentally ill.

I think there is and has been disrespect from both sides - pastors and saints. Human beings can be incredibly rude, unfeeling and uncaring when filled with pride. Neither side is immune from that trait.

To say one side is worse than the other can't be true. There are no 100% across the board guiltless accounts for either faction - pastor or saint.

Are there incredibly good and honest saints and pastors? Certainly - no doubt about that. I can name some that I know and have known.

Are there incredibly dishonest saints and pastors. Certainly - no doubt about that, I can name some that I know and have known.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;..." is where our focus should be.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I think there is and has been disrespect from both sides - pastors and saints. Human beings can be incredibly rude, unfeeling and uncaring when filled with pride. Neither side is immune from that trait.

To say one side is worse than the other can't be true. There are no 100% across the board guiltless accounts for either faction - pastor or saint.

Are there incredibly good and honest saints and pastors? Certainly - no doubt about that. I can name some that I know and have known.

Are there incredibly dishonest saints and pastors. Certainly - no doubt about that, I can name some that I know and have known.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;..." is where our focus should be.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I think there is and has been disrespect from both sides - pastors and saints. Human beings can be incredibly rude, unfeeling and uncaring when filled with pride. Neither side is immune from that trait.

To say one side is worse than the other can't be true. There are no 100% across the board guiltless accounts for either faction - pastor or saint.

Are there incredibly good and honest saints and pastors? Certainly - no doubt about that. I can name some that I know and have known.

Are there incredibly dishonest saints and pastors. Certainly - no doubt about that, I can name some that I know and have known.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;..." is where our focus should be.

Amen

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I think there is and has been disrespect from both sides - pastors and saints. Human beings can be incredibly rude, unfeeling and uncaring when filled with pride. Neither side is immune from that trait.

To say one side is worse than the other can't be true. There are no 100% across the board guiltless accounts for either faction - pastor or saint.

Are there incredibly good and honest saints and pastors? Certainly - no doubt about that. I can name some that I know and have known.

Are there incredibly dishonest saints and pastors. Certainly - no doubt about that, I can name some that I know and have known.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;..." is where our focus should be.

Hmm, and which side do you fall on?

Good post!

[votivesoul]

It could be that so much is expected and demanded of pastors, that they are regularly abused by saints is because the expectations of what a pastor is supposed to be in the world compared to what Christ expects of His pastors is two different things, and that, unfortunately, the present issues are promulgated by the pastorate as much as by the saints.

If a pastor never tries to be a life coach, financial advisor, psychologist, marriage counselor, and etc. people will learn real quick to not go to him for such stuff. Rather, they would let him fulfill his calling to feed Christ's sheep the sincere milk of the Word, no more, no less.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

It could be that so much is expected and demanded of pastors, that they are regularly abused by saints is because the expectations of what a pastor is supposed to be in the world compared to what Christ expects of His pastors is two different things, and that, unfortunately, the present issues are promulgated by the pastorate as much as by the saints.

If a pastor never tries to be a life coach, financial advisor, psychologist, marriage counselor, and etc. people will learn real quick to not go to him for such stuff. Rather, they would let him fulfill his calling to feed Christ's sheep the sincere milk of the Word, no more, no less.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

It could be that so much is expected and demanded of pastors, that they are regularly abused by saints is because the expectations of what a pastor is supposed to be in the world compared to what Christ expects of His pastors is two different things, and that, unfortunately, the present issues are promulgated by the pastorate as much as by the saints.

If a pastor never tries to be a life coach, financial advisor, psychologist, marriage counselor, and etc. people will learn real quick to not go to him for such stuff. Rather, they would let him fulfill his calling to feed Christ's sheep the sincere milk of the Word, no more, no less.