What is your greatest ability?

[LadyChocolate]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Listen, when you post like this it gives all of us pastors a bad rap.

If God called a man or woman somewhere, they had better get to going.
Men are fallible, God isn't.

Quit blaming the pastor, those who are called have a responsibility to be somewhere where that call can be developed.

These sort of pastors are the exception - not the rule.

My sincere apologies....as I said, it is not the norm. In fact, I never knew how abnormal they were until we left!

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by LadyChocolate

I'm very sensitive too issues like this. I've seen a lot of people hurt from these situations and many lose their soul because they don't know how to rightly divide the word of God and man....

I've seen the same thing.

Been there.
Done that.
Bought the t-shirt.

But sitting somewhere in mortal fear of your soul being lost because you want to be used? I don't believe it!

If you want to be used of God, submit - or remove somewhere where you can. I would never submit to selfish and controlling leadership.

My pastor wants what is best for ME and my relationship with God, not HIM.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I've seen the same thing.

Been there.
Done that.
Bought the t-shirt.

But sitting somewhere in mortal fear of your soul being lost because you want to be used? I don't believe it!

If you want to be used of God, submit - or remove somewhere where you can. I would never submit to selfish and controlling leadership.

My pastor wants what is best for ME and my relationship with God, not HIM.

You even had to buy your own tee shirt? How sad........

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Listen, when you post like this it gives all of us pastors a bad rap.

If God called a man or woman somewhere, they had better get to going.
Men are fallible, God isn't.

Quit blaming the pastor, those who are called have a responsibility to be somewhere where that call can be developed.

These sort of pastors are the exception - not the rule.

I didn't take her posts that way...the fact is not everyone pastors the same way.

[LadyChocolate]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I've seen the same thing.

Been there.
Done that.
Bought the t-shirt.

But sitting somewhere in mortal fear of your soul being lost because you want to be used? I don't believe it!

If you want to be used of God, submit - or remove somewhere where you can. I would never submit to selfish and controlling leadership.

My pastor wants what is best for ME and my relationship with God, not HIM.

We left....but not without pain...Some close friends wouldn't even talk to us because of things that had been said, and truthfully, we gave all we could to help that church and took many a beating.... Thank God for real men of God we have met along the way! Again, my apologies! In the recent years, I have found many great men of God who are very balanced in the pulpit! God bless all you who are! jumping for joy!!! yahoo!!!

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I've seen the same thing.

Been there.
Done that.
Bought the t-shirt.

But sitting somewhere in mortal fear of your soul being lost because you want to be used? I don't believe it!

If you want to be used of God, submit - or remove somewhere where you can. I would never submit to selfish and controlling leadership.

My pastor wants what is best for ME and my relationship with God, not HIM.

And there is the key...YOU wouldn't submit to it. There may be someone though who is unable to find that strength because of the trust issue.

Again, JMHO...goodnite all...

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by LadyChocolate

We left....but not without pain...Some close friends wouldn't even talk to us because of things that had been said, and truthfully, we gave all we could to help that church and took many a beating.... Thank God for real men of God we have met along the way! Again, my apologies! In the recent years, I have found many great men of God who are very balanced in the pulpit! God bless all you who are! jumping for joy!!! yahoo!!!

You have absolutely no need to apologize for anything! I appreciate your words. Your experiences are valid, and meaningful. I have been where you are now.

Aren't you glad you bit the bullet and left? It was painful, but I guarantee you are better for it. The real travesty would have been to stay in an untenable situation.

[LadyChocolate]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

You are my friend Bro, but listen to me very, very carefully!

Get out of there! There are thousands of pastors in the UPC that would give their right arm to have a right hand man.

Opportunities come when we position ourselves to receive them.

Think about that statement. Do you never ask for a raise? Do you never change jobs, houses?

You do these things to become better. There are some times you can become better in the place you are at. Other times you've gotta move.

But if you are sincere, you will position yourself to be used of God no matter what. I am not fomenting rebellion, just a healthy respect of self.

A good pastor will want what is best for you.

Oh yes you are!!! lolol.... we did leave and the hold got a lot tighter on those who were still there! But it takes time to actually realize that you won't be cursed if you leave with out the pastor's blessings... lol!

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Barb

And there is the key...YOU wouldn't submit to it. There may be someone though who is unable to find that strength because of the trust issue.

Again, JMHO...goodnite all...

Gotcha! Nice talking to you Sis.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by LadyChocolate

Oh yes you are!!! lolol.... we did leave and the hold got a lot tighter on those who were still there! But it takes time to actually realize that you won't be cursed if you leave with out the pastor's blessings... lol!

Well, I am sorry you had to go through that crud. Most of us pastors would never be like the guy you've described. I do believe we need to submit to spiritual leadership, but not dictatorial rants.