Yeah PP...I'm just busting your chops. We still cool. :drawguns

Wow...

In the end... that is probably the best action because I have never met a pastor that doesn't take questioning personal (unless you receive a 47 second answer as "all you needed to hear" and walk out pleased) and it is just an unfixable situation most times.

(Please note I didn't say there weren't any out there... I have just never met one. Well... actually I know one that I think would honestly discuss these things with me but I don't go to his church)

But... even though it might be the lesser of several evils it is still just a little mind boggling to actually see it said.

I guess my stance on your post is this. I agree with you... not because it is right... but because no good comes from questioning anyone who doesn't want to be questioned.

Not every pastor takes questioning personal. One of the things a pastorr or leader of any type really needs to learn is that just because someone disagrees with you or "questions" you (lGod forbid - JK!) that it isn't personal most of the time.

People have a right to their opinion after all and there's lots of them out there. Just because they question doesn't make one person right or the other wrong either.

Yes ma'am.... very true.

I am SO BLESSED to have such pastor.

I am sad to say that I sat under a pastor for way to long before moving (voting with my feet) that would hand you your head on a sliver platter if you asked him a question about something he preached.


There are more out there like or closer to my former pastor, than my present pastor.

Hopefully there is a shift in the minds of some pastors, to effect change in their own life and in the churches they pastor, concerning this issue.

My way or the Highway ...does'nt work, never did.

You know... on this questioning thing... let me add this.

If I "question" a pastor on something... it is not so that I can bring him around to my way of thinking. It is so we can discuss our differences of opinion and possibly find some truth in it. (Also I will say that just because we differ in our beliefs on something doesn't mean I need to go and discuss it with him either...Pastors have enough to do without people going to them with every piddling little difference)

If I question something I do not have any need that the pastor see it the way i see it. My only desire is to discuss this and see if there is some way we can see eye to eye on it. If not... then I have no problem going right back and sitting under the man knowing that, on this issue, we disagree (unless, of course, it was something that he felt I needed to obey against my own convictions)

Some people have a need that he "see it my way". That person has just as much a "my way or the highway" attitude as anyone else does and that attitude is not right on either side of the pulpit.

If you have questions... then ask.... if you cannot reach an impass the respect each other and carry on.

I would never leave a church or pastor because he did not agree with me. It is not necessary that we all agree. I do believe it is necessary for good healthy relationship within the body that we be open to discuss.

I hate the answer I gave you, but it is so true.
It's one of the hardest lessons I've learned in life.

Be careful what leadership you place yourself under.

I would like to report.













My new beard is coming in nicely...should be easy to trim for church by Sunday.



























Since my UPC pastor recently shaved his off, I feel one of us at least, should wear one for the cause. ;-)

It's the attitude that accompanies the question that is telling but even then it isn't always "personal". It might or might not be.

But still, someone has to draw lines and make decisions. The buck has to stop somewhere and then people have to decide to not let their personal opinion stand in the way of yielding to the proper authorities in their lives.

Yes sir...

I have worked in home missions most of my ministry... I have been involved in mostly small churches.

I have come to a conclusion.

Sometimes small churches are small for a reason. :)

The pastor I mentioned that I think would listen and speak honestly... He pastors a big church (at least by my standards) Well... I'll just tell who it is. :)

Brother Jerry Dean... Bossier City.

I don't know if I have ever met a more sincere and humble man in all my life. He has my utmost respect and I am blown away at his great attitude.