Why are You a Part of Something You Hate?

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I could if I wanted to. The church writes something to me, and I give it back.

They are in the habit of giving. It is totally my choice.

That is not the issue in this thread. The issue is selfishness.

I understand what the issue of the thread is. I was just surprised that after pastoring as long as you have you still don't take financial support from the church so curiosity posed the question.

I also know what it is to sacrifice and go without. We've been willing to give all if necessary. It's been our attitude through the years really.

[Kutless]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Why do people continue to be a part of something they hate? Isn't this level of self-loathing unhealthy and harmful to the groups they are a part of? It really slays me that people identify themselves as Apostolic Pentecostals and then rip and shred the church or organization they are a part of to bits.

I can understand that we all have some level of differences of opinion.
That's cool.

But when your complaints elevate to an incessant whine regarding everything in your church and organization - what's the point? Why not just leave?

Lately AFF has turned into one big "I hate my heritage" concert. It's getting very old, very fast. People ripping on their pastors, their bylaws, their parents beliefs, their church's standards, their church's lack of standards.

Then we have the whole "I should get paid to sing in the choir" crowd. Ridiculous! Add to that the assertion that if you give LITERALLY one penny in a church's offering you are automatically a legal member and can sue the church to get your way about anything. INSANE!!!!!!!!

Is there a motive behind all this whining? Is there a move to reduce the authority of the ministry to rubble? Is there an "I will ascend" spirit involved in all of this moaning and groaning?

I think we all know the answer............... The answer is yes!!!!!!!!
A thousand times yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It seems very few want to FOLLOW Jesus and his ministers anywhere. Instead, they want a Jesus, and a pastor, and a church, that will cowtow to every little self-willed whim that catches their fancy.

What the church needs is a revival of sacrifice. We are lazy, and fat, and drunk, on the pleasures of this world. You need to quit trying to push your agenda, railroading your pastor, and bartering with God.

How about a spirit of meekness and service instead? Would God that someone would FOR ONCE IN THEIR MISERABLE LIVES try their best to support their pastor and his family instead of bashing their heads up against the wall every time they do something you disagree with.

PP, I was the one who started the by-laws thread. If there is a problem you know my number.

[Kutless]

While I'm thinking about it aren't you the one who wanted to escape the borg?

[rgcraig]

Okay, I bumped the thread I started yesterday that Boom mentioned.

It had 7 post from all day yesterday.

Seems that everyone enjoys the fussing threads more.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I think we need someone to post the lyrics to that old Elvis tune, "I Did It My Way".

We are raising up a bunch of "MEMEMEMEMEMEME" people.

"I Did it My Way" is Hell's theme song!

We live in narcissistic culture!

[Newman]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I think we need someone to post the lyrics to that old Elvis tune, "I Did It My Way".

We are raising up a bunch of "MEMEMEMEMEMEME" people.

AHHHH..... Looking at the Bigger Picture.....

1. The opposite of love isn't hate; its indifference. I think there is much angst because posters still care a great deal about the organization/church/culture that shaped their lives.

2. I fear that those who are particularly hostile and disrespectful were treated in like mannor; and that is where they learned it from.

I confess to hearing one minister on the televised/web tell his people all kinds of negative things about themselves and being dumbfounded that he was in leadership. Thankfully, I am not personally aquainted with such leadership style.

3. There is a difference in being a pastor and putting in free time for now and being a saint and putting in free time.

The pastor obviously can expect an annuity like stream of income for his work down the road; unlike the musician who has no hope of such outcome.

Which isn't to say that it is right or wrong to seek payment; but merely to point out that the playing field has different levels and payouts.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Why do people continue to be a part of something they hate? Isn't this level of self-loathing unhealthy and harmful to the groups they are a part of? It really slays me that people identify themselves as Apostolic Pentecostals and then rip and shred the church or organization they are a part of to bits.

I can understand that we all have some level of differences of opinion.
That's cool.

But when your complaints elevate to an incessant whine regarding everything in your church and organization - what's the point? Why not just leave?

Lately AFF has turned into one big "I hate my heritage" concert. It's getting very old, very fast. People ripping on their pastors, their bylaws, their parents beliefs, their church's standards, their church's lack of standards.

Then we have the whole "I should get paid to sing in the choir" crowd. Ridiculous! Add to that the assertion that if you give LITERALLY one penny in a church's offering you are automatically a legal member and can sue the church to get your way about anything. INSANE!!!!!!!!

Is there a motive behind all this whining? Is there a move to reduce the authority of the ministry to rubble? Is there an "I will ascend" spirit involved in all of this moaning and groaning?

I think we all know the answer............... The answer is yes!!!!!!!!
A thousand times yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It seems very few want to FOLLOW Jesus and his ministers anywhere. Instead, they want a Jesus, and a pastor, and a church, that will cowtow to every little self-willed whim that catches their fancy.

What the church needs is a revival of sacrifice. We are lazy, and fat, and drunk, on the pleasures of this world. You need to quit trying to push your agenda, railroading your pastor, and bartering with God.

How about a spirit of meekness and service instead? Would God that someone would FOR ONCE IN THEIR MISERABLE LIVES try their best to support their pastor and his family instead of bashing their heads up against the wall every time they do something you disagree with.

I have left.

But I get picked on for that too.

Catch 22

[Rhoni]

Pastor Poster,

The UPCI organization is like a family...we can talk about each other, strengths and weaknesses, but don't let an outsider do it or they will be crucified.

I don't think anyone has said they hated their heritage, on the contrary...we all agree that the UPCI has been one of the best things that happened to us...but just like a dysfunctional family it can also be our undoing.

Blessings, Rhoni

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

You know, I love a good agrument! But this has risen to a level of stupidity.

That someone expects to get paid for being an usher, or greeter, and if they are not the church is cheap, the pastor is a thief, and life is unfair.

I planted a church, work full time, have a wife and three kids, just finished writing a book, and teach dozens of bible studies. I have never recieved one paycheck for my pastoral ministry in my church. I put it all back.

I guess life is unfair? What a bunch of selfish whiney-babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We need revival!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Church planting buisness is exatly that.

Great Texas big Churches are pooping up all over Amarillo.

Millions of dollars are pouring in.

Churches are a good investment if your not UPC.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by COOPER

The Church planting buisness is exatly that.

Great Texas big Churches are pooping up all over Amarillo.

Millions of dollars are pouring in.

Churches are a good investment if your not UPC.

Fighting iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittt...

Fighting iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitt.