The Skewed Priorities of Some Modern Evangelists - Page 5

The Lemon · #41 09-27-2011, 02:27 PM

I can honestly say..in my opinion, family first not ministry. I am not really concerned what anyone thinks of that order of priorities, it is my order. My opinion is strong for a multiple amount of reasons.

I have seen ministers who were active for over 25 years loose there family, their mind, and their home..for the "call" I have seen church families destroyed over "sacrificial" giving. There is so much unbalance and way too much responsibility laid at Jesus' feet over the great commission. There are certainly times for sacrifice, and yes I believe God sends families to areas to start churches etc, but in all that it is still our responsibility to balance our lives and take care of the family.

Sometimes the "call" is not totally directed by the Holy Ghost. Sometimes people put themselves in better positions for greater opportunity..in some ways it is no different then climbing the corporate ladder - except God gets the responsibility..after all He called me to to do it!

I have heard some of the most consecrated and annointed preachers, who after 20 -30 years of ministry make this statement..."If I had it to do all over again..I would spend more time with my family" Can you even imagine that kind of a statement coming from someone who has been clearly annointed by God to preach? It is profound to say the least.

pelathais · #42 09-27-2011, 03:49 PM

Protecting my family was the paramount thing on my mind when I handed in my card. The church leadership was even trying to drive a wedge between my wife and myself. In retrospect, I think that was calculated. They knew how protective I'd be.

UnTraditional · #43 09-27-2011, 05:01 PM

If a man is truly following after the call of God on His life, would it not be first represented at home as well as in churches. JMHO.

pelathais · #44 09-27-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

If a man is truly following after the call of God on His life, would it not be first represented at home as well as in churches. JMHO.

If he really cared about his local church, the pastor/evangelist would meet up with his secretary on the road just to ...

... who am I kidding? There's nothing funny about this. I'm still dismayed that my entire ministry in the UPC came down to my Presbyter's desire to get another man laid.

... I gotta bail out for now. Y'all behave.

MissBrattified · #45 09-27-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelathais

If he really cared about his local church, the pastor/evangelist would meet up with his secretary on the road just to ...

... who am I kidding? There's nothing funny about this. I'm still dismayed that my entire ministry in the UPC came down to my Presbyter's desire to get another man laid.

... I gotta bail out for now. Y'all behave.

Cliffhanger, anyone?

CC1 · #46 09-27-2011, 07:23 PM

Very good thread. I just wish CharnRockNRoll had not identified the authors of the quotes he used. Now any comment made seems to be a personal attack against these men when really it is the situation being discussed and not individuals.

I found it disheartening that the Preacher's quoted perspective was that although they knew it was having very negative effects on their family they felt preaching away and leaving their family alone was something they had to do. Very surprising. I thought there was a lot more wisdom in this area in the UPC than when I was young. Perhaps I was wrong. Hopefully these two guys are the exception and not the rule.

Charnock · #47 09-27-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC1

Very good thread. I just wish CharnRockNRoll had not identified the authors of the quotes he used. Now any comment made seems to be a personal attack against these men when really it is the situation being discussed and not individuals.

I found it disheartening that the Preacher's quoted perspective was that although they knew it was having very negative effects on their family they felt preaching away and leaving their family alone was something they had to do. Very surprising. I thought there was a lot more wisdom in this area in the UPC than when I was young. Perhaps I was wrong. Hopefully these two guys are the exception and not the rule.

Their statements were very public, and they seemed to relish their martyrdom.

Sorry if I'm not sympathetic.

Sherri · #48 09-27-2011, 10:21 PM

I just don't believe that God can bless disorder in any arena. A family being split up is out of order.
I heard Benny Hinn's wife talk several years ago about how their family had suffered because of his ministry - how their kids felt like they didn't have a dad. Years later, his marriage was over. It just couldn't survive the separate lives, I suppose. People can say it's because he doesn't preach the truth, but really it can happen to anyone who gets their priorities out of order.

Steve Epley · #49 09-27-2011, 10:44 PM

The perspective on this comes from 2 lines of thought by 2 cultures and to me both are somewhat correct. Firstly many of us were taught we were to give our all to God and everything including family came second. Thus folks taught that were conditioned for those sacrifices. The early years of Pentecost were filled with men and women who did just that. Then there is the other perspective that God expect to place our families first then our ministries. I think BOTH perspectives have a ring of truth to them. Help me to know how to balance it. My hat is off to men who sacrifice their normal home life for the cause of Christ and I salute those who place their families first and do their best for the cause of Christ.