Question? Do you like the town you live in? Does it make a difference in ministry?

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I really love where I am in this little town of ours. But honestly I have loved everywhere I have pastored with the exception of one place but that is a LONG story and NOPE I am NOT telling.

I would really like to hear the long story, but if you dont want to tell it-that is fine too.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by Sherri

We love Jackson!! It's a great place, just large enough to have conveniences, but small enough to not be scary.

However, before Jackson, we grew a church from 35 to well over 600 in a town that we really didn't like. In fact, Eddie NEVER liked living there, and we were there for over 20 years!! He does not like small towns, and this one had only 1500 people. But we knew that was where God had called us, and He prospered it, I think, because of obedience.

Wow! God blessed you all anyway even if Eddie didnt care for the town, God is good! Some how I always thought the 2 HAD to go together.

[tamor]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

Wow! God blessed you all anyway even if Eddie didnt care for the town, God is good! Some how I always thought the 2 HAD to go together.

:sshhh:sshhh She's talking about the same town I don't like.......

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I've disliked more than one of the towns we've pastored in. Some places have a culture that's a little different - even in the same state or province - than what you're used to, but even so we ministered in those places successfully.

There were a couple places in particular that I wasn't very excited about going to at all and never did really like the town or village but I grew to love the people.

I am glad you responded Felicity, I know you have been many places, I am glad I am not alone, I am not a big fan of this town.

It is more or less an old migrant worker town, poorly planned in its design- but booming with new housing developments.

It consists of many people who work in the bay area which is about a 40min to over and hour away. So many people are not home during the day-and keep to them selves.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by tamor

:sshhh:sshhh She's talking about the same town I don't like.......

Ha ha! Is it because it is so small, not attractive? What makes you not like it??

[tamor]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

Ha ha! Is it because it is so small, not attractive? What makes you not like it??

Small, dead, and boring! Small town mentality. 1500 people - a small town is one where everyone knows who's check is good and whose wife isn't!!

The town is not unattractive - it's neat and well-kept. It's just very small and cliquish. And.... -- this sign sums up alot!!

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by tamor

Small, dead, and boring! Small town mentality. 1500 people - a small town is one where everyone knows who's check is good and whose wife isn't!!

The town is not unattractive - it's neat and well-kept. It's just very small and cliquish. And.... -- this sign sums up alot!!

LOL!!!

I think at one time that is how this town was until the bay area people moved here. They are ones that dont talk to anybody!

My mother grew up in a town like that called Newman Ca. My grandmother knew everything and everybody and was the grand dame of gossip! My parents moved to San Jose in the 60's and even thats changed a whole lot since I grew up there.

[tamor]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

LOL!!!

I think at one time that is how this town was until the bay area people moved here. They are ones that dont talk to anybody!

My mother grew up in a town like that called Newman Ca. My grandmother knew everything and everybody and was the grand dame of gossip! My parents moved to San Jose in the 60's and even thats changed a whole lot since I grew up there.

Oh girl, what I can tell you about knowing everyone and everyone knowing you! My kids laugh (now) because they have actually gotten in trouble for stuff before they did it because of small town gossip coming home to Mama. I would just look at them and say, "Be sure your sins will find you out!"

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by tamor

Oh girl, what I can tell you about knowing everyone and everyone knowing you! My kids laugh (now) because they have actually gotten in trouble for stuff before they did it because of small town gossip coming home to Mama. I would just look at them and say, "Be sure your sins will find you out!"

I guess there are good things about people knowing you and bad--but its still nice going somewhere when people know who you are.

You know I lived in Stockton for almost 10 yesars although it is a large town (approx 250,000) I knew so many people where ever I would go, I would run inot someone I knew-made it nice living there.

But here, we have been here 3 years and I hardly know a soul and much as I try it still feels like we just moved here.

God has given me a burden for the town that I am in.

It "feels" like home. I grew up in the metro detroit area.... He called me to a rural town....different.

There are a lot of things that I do not like - but I have a desire to connect with the people of this area.... (I pray I don't have to like country music to connect).