I do think there should be more accountability for Pastors everywhere. They should be paid and a list of responsibilities should be itemized:
The new age Pastors run their churches very different from those of the past:
* a saint has to make an appt with the church admin/or sect to get an appt. and if they don't show up it is fine, if you don't show up then you are rude.
* in order to do anything/get approval one has to go through a chain of authority from the bottom to the top so that if the plans fall through then there is someone other than leadership to blame it on.
* for security and insurance purposes, or because a VIP things you should...all members should go through a new converts class/membership class and be accepted into fellowship regardless of whether they have been in the church, ministry, or paid their tithes all their life.
* Pastors do not counsel others in their congregation if their tithes are not paid up in full with doc. proof.
* The prosperity message is preached every offering time.
* The first thing to go out the door if remodeling is the kitchen and dining area because we have forgotten that our churches were built on the blood sweat and tears over hot peanut brittle, and working women who built the church
I do think there should be more accountability for Pastors everywhere. They should be paid and a list of responsibilities should be itemized:
The new age Pastors run their churches very different from those of the past:
* a saint has to make an appt with the church admin/or sect to get an appt. and if they don't show up it is fine, if you don't show up then you are rude.
* in order to do anything/get approval one has to go through a chain of authority from the bottom to the top so that if the plans fall through then there is someone other than leadership to blame it on.
* for security and insurance purposes, or because a VIP things you should...all members should go through a new converts class/membership class and be accepted into fellowship regardless of whether they have been in the church, ministry, or paid their tithes all their life.
* Pastors do not counsel others in their congregation if their tithes are not paid up in full with doc. proof.
* The prosperity message is preached every offering time.
* The first thing to go out the door if remodeling is the kitchen and dining area because we have forgotten that our churches were built on the blood sweat and tears over hot peanut brittle, and working women who built the church
These do not describe the churches I have been associated with at all.
__________________ "Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel."
I do think there should be more accountability for Pastors everywhere. They should be paid and a list of responsibilities should be itemized:
The new age Pastors run their churches very different from those of the past:
* a saint has to make an appt with the church admin/or sect to get an appt. and if they don't show up it is fine, if you don't show up then you are rude.
I know larger churches require appointments. That's no big deal. Shoot, I set appointments for a hair cut, some dinner reservations and other things. Why not with the pastor. If he misses, that's on him. Guess I've been blessed to have pastors who kept their appointments or contacted me in advance to reschedule or cancel it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoni
* in order to do anything/get approval one has to go through a chain of authority from the bottom to the top so that if the plans fall through then there is someone other than leadership to blame it on.
I've had several times where I had to work through the chain of command. As long as you have a good system of documentation in place, it's nothing to worry about. Though I did have one time that the buck didn't stop where it should have.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoni
* for security and insurance purposes, or because a VIP things you should...all members should go through a new converts class/membership class and be accepted into fellowship regardless of whether they have been in the church, ministry, or paid their tithes all their life.
New Converts/New Members class does several things. It gives you the history of the church you're becoming a part of; it helps integrate you into the various ministries of the church; and it introduces you to other members of the church. It's a good thing, not a bad thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoni
* Pastors do not counsel others in their congregation if their tithes are not paid up in full with doc. proof.
I know of some churches who don't consider you a member if you don't pay tithes.
A few years ago in another stated I lived in, there was a Catholic church that had annual financial overviews with their saints. Each saint met with the leadership and they'd open the saints financial records to see what income was brought in and then they would set the tithes and offering amount for the next year.
That's a little excessive, I think. But I believe other churches, possibly even the Mormon church here does the same.
As far as not counseling if tithes aren't paid up. Why would you want counseling from a pastor or ministry you're not supporting? Do people expect to receive free counseling from other places?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoni
* The prosperity message is preached every offering time.
I've heard of some wild offering messages . . . but I've never experienced one. Usually the standard for offering is, (paraphrasing) "We're asking our Ushers to come and take the tithes and offering. If you're here as a guest or visitor, please don't feel as though you must give in the offering."
Now a campmeeting or conference is a completely different story. Those are generally long and drawn-out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoni
* The first thing to go out the door if remodeling is the kitchen and dining area because we have forgotten that our churches were built on the blood sweat and tears over hot peanut brittle, and working women who built the church
Hmmm...need to be careful here. But hot peanut brittle and working women never built a church I've been in. It's been prayer, fasting, home bible studies and visitation that's built the church. *grin*
I certainly hope this entire thread was written TIC....
__________________
"Rules without relationship lead to rebellion." Dr. James Dobson
"You don't need a license to preach, or teach, or win souls." RonB
"In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength." Robert E. Lee (1807-1870)
Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing. ~ John Andrew Holmes
I certainly hope this entire thread was written TIC....
I wish it were *sigh*. Some of you folks don't get out much do you?:sshhh It would seem that I am the only person who picks up on these things...I have just seen so many changes in my 40+ years in Apostolic churches. It troubles me...guess I should post my concerns on the Changes thread by Bro. Strange...he seems to get it.
I wish it were *sigh*. Some of you folks don't get out much do you?:sshhh It would seem that I am the only person who picks up on these things...I have just seen so many changes in my 40+ years in Apostolic churches. It troubles me...guess I should post my concerns on the Changes thread by Bro. Strange...he seems to get it.
Maybe you tend to go to the wrong Apostolic churches. As for making an appointment, that has happened for years in larger churches where you have many members all wanting to speak to the pastor. It makes sense.
__________________ Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:
There is One God. This one God reveals Himself distinctly as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.
I do think there should be more accountability for Pastors everywhere. They should be paid and a list of responsibilities should be itemized:
The new age Pastors run their churches very different from those of the past:
* a saint has to make an appt with the church admin/or sect to get an appt. and if they don't show up it is fine, if you don't show up then you are rude.
* in order to do anything/get approval one has to go through a chain of authority from the bottom to the top so that if the plans fall through then there is someone other than leadership to blame it on.
* for security and insurance purposes, or because a VIP things you should...all members should go through a new converts class/membership class and be accepted into fellowship regardless of whether they have been in the church, ministry, or paid their tithes all their life.
* Pastors do not counsel others in their congregation if their tithes are not paid up in full with doc. proof.
* The prosperity message is preached every offering time.
* The first thing to go out the door if remodeling is the kitchen and dining area because we have forgotten that our churches were built on the blood sweat and tears over hot peanut brittle, and working women who built the church
Sister Sharhonda,
I think that you would make a wonderful Pastor. But, that might tie some folk underwear in a wad if you were, but those that were left would greatly benefit form you wisdom and Word. The more that I know you, the more I see your wisdom, intelligence and apparently well ordered life.
I also believe in prosperity. I believe it should be preached as a doctrine...but not in the tone that the "Prosperity" preachers preach it. I would be proud to hear you preach a prosperity message or any message for that matter. I have all reasons to believe that you would be a fine preacher.
You were absolutely beautiful Sunday, with an outfit on that would stun the eyes of any caloused critic. I loved your purse. I think that I saw a little Afro/American flair in it together with your hanky. You are a class act, girl. I really enjoyed seeing you Sunday.
I think that you would make a wonderful Pastor. But, that might tie some folk underwear in a wad if you were, but those that were left would greatly benefit form you wisdom and Word. The more that I know you, the more I see your wisdom, intelligence and apparently well ordered life.
I also believe in prosperity. I believe it should be preached as a doctrine...but not in the tone that the "Prosperity" preachers preach it. I would be proud to hear you preach a prosperity message or any message for that matter. I have all reasons to believe that you would be a fine preacher.
You were absolutely beautiful Sunday, with an outfit on that would stun the eyes of any caloused critic. I loved your purse. I think that I saw a little Afro/American flair in it together with your hanky. You are a class act, girl. I really enjoyed seeing you Sunday.
Talk about rose colored glasses ! LOl.
Thank-you for the compliments kind sir, but I don't believe in woman Pastors. I don't really believe in the prosperity doctrine, nor do I care about myself preaching at all...although I love to hear the word...which reminds me of a thread I need to post on.
BTW...sometimes I think I got born in the wrong body, the wrong race...I think I am more African American than anything else...I love to dress like a sister...and am shaped like one!
I love African AMerican culture, and being a woman I can also empathize with the slavery which was inflicted on them by the middle to upper class white male! That sermon is for another day....