What Would You Do if This Was You? - Page 7

Sam · #61 01-08-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falla39

...
To those who will wait upon the Lord, and to those who do not grow
weary in well doing, in due season (God's time) they shall reap, IF they
faint not.

No time, dear friends, to faint. It just could be that over the next hill
we'll be HOME!

Blessings,

Falla39

We can't look at this from a natural standpoint like a secular business. If planting that church was the will of God for that pastor then that's what he should have done. If it is God's will for him to remain as shepherd then that's what he should do. It might be God's will for him to move on and let another take over based on "one plants, another waters." Only he can answer that question by seeking God's will.

Sis. Falla referenced a song "Over the Next Hill We'll Be Home." I heard that song recently. It's been out for about 30 years. Here are a couple of versions of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4K5upGpLYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-CsPkavO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN0Zl...eature=related

Digging4Truth · #62 01-08-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

I agree. It is a HUGE load to have 30 and work full time. This man is by no means a failure IF he is doing what he should be. But, the dissatisfaction is disconcerting. The question is why. And, yes, there are many who look down on a church of thirty (including pastors) and have no idea what they are talking about.

Indeed...

And as I read your post I thought of many lessons I have learned along the way and I remembered how many are learned after the fact.

If this is a real scenario I would say this.

When one finds themselves in a place like this.. you are where you are... you feel the way you feel.. and only God can change that.

If the pastor moves on the day will probably come in the future that he will look back and realize the value of what he has now but some lessons can only be learned once the move is made. And I don't mean "He will learn his lesson". I mean, in the end, he will gain from the experience.

I look back now at situations that I had judged with poor eyes. But the way I felt at that time was real and daunting. I have learned better now... but to stay there then would not have taught me what I needed to know. I was too caught up in the perceptions of that day and I think God understands that and works with our humanity so that we can grow in the end.

Falla39 · #63 01-08-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

We can't look at this from a natural standpoint like a secular business. If planting that church was the will of God for that pastor then that's what he should have done. If it is God's will for him to remain as shepherd then that's what he should do. It might be God's will for him to move on and let another take over based on "one plants, another waters." Only he can answer that question by seeking God's will.

Sis. Falla referenced a song "Over the Next Hill We'll Be Home." I heard that song recently. It's been out for about 30 years. Here are a couple of versions of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4K5upGpLYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-CsPkavO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN0Zl...eature=related

Thank you, Bro. Sam, for posting this beautiful song. It, like other songs
have much more meaning as we get closer to HOME! Have also loved a
song sung many years ago by Sis. Micky Mangun. "Long And Winding Road".

Life is a journey just as surely as those children traveling through the wilder-
ness. They grumbled and complained because that was what was in their
hearts. God, through the leadership of Moses would endeavor to lead them,
but as many today (even with so much better conditions in which to travel,
live and serve God), they still are not satisfied. Why! Because those bitter
waters they have pertaken of, have never been allowed to become sweet.

It's through the difficult times in my life, through the sorrowful times that
brought me to a place where HE brought sweetness. Taste and see that
the Lord is good, HIS mercy everlasting. Be thankful unto HIM and bless His
Name, for HE is SO GOOD, HIS mercy is everlasting and HIS truth endureth
unto ALL generations. The Bible tells us that GOD is IN the generation of
the righteous. Their rightousness is of me, saith the Lord. We have no right-
eousness in ourselves, lest we should boast. But HE saved us by the wash-
ing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which HE shed on
us abundantly. Bless HIS Marvelous name forever and ever!

Blessings,

Falla39

ILG · #64 01-08-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I agree. However, since Rhoni doesn't know who this person is I'm afraid she's using some of her past to view the situation through.

As are others using their present. But, we all do it.

Falla39 · #65 01-08-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

As are others using their present. But, we all do it.

Yes, we draw from the past, to connect to the present, to give us hope
for the future.

Jere:29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Hugs,

Falla39

Rhoni · #66 01-08-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephanas

No judgement?

The Pastor was given a choice of the following options for his motivation in continuing "to hang on to the church."

The secondary gains he gets for supporting this church could be:

1] His recognition as a Pastor,

2] Pride,

3] He was self called and not God called.

So, he's either a glory hound, proud, or self called. Nice choice of options.

Defensive? Nice tactic. If I take issue with a belittling assessment of this hard working pastor's ministry, I'm defensive. You're only sharing an opinion, but I'm clouded over with personal issues?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I agree. However, since Rhoni doesn't know who this person is I'm afraid she's using some of her past to view the situation through.

You took the quotation in parts and did not look at the whole. I am tired of defending my obviously different viewpoint than the majority of AFFers. Don't ask an opinion if you just want someone to agree with you

Rhoni · #67 01-08-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Renda,
I didn't read the responses prior to posting this. This is my opinion: If the church has not grown in 10 years and the membership is not vested in it - then the Pastor needs to look at why he continues to hang on to the church. The secondary gains he gets for supporting this church could be: 1] His recognition as a Pastor, 2] Pride, or 3] He was self called and not God called.

This Pastor needs to search his heart and find out the true answer between he and God and then make adjustments where necessary.

Blessings, Rhoni

This is the orginal post...the responses are your own personal perceptions of what is being said viewed through your own personal experience - not vica versa.

Blessings, Rhoni

rgcraig · #68 01-08-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhoni

This is the orginal post...the responses are your own personal perceptions of what is being said viewed through your own personal experience - not vica versa.

Blessings, Rhoni

Just questioning why the only options are negative toward the pastor. Maybe I'm missing something.

Truthseeker · #69 01-08-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

How long should a pastor stay at a church under these circumstances?

He's been pastor for almost a decade.

- Membership is 30.

- There is minimal compensation and he works a secular job fifty hours a week.

- The church building is an embarrassment, but paid for.

- Started the church from nothing.

- He pays some of the church bills out of his own pocket.

- The church members are apathetic.

Did God call him there?