|
Tab Menu 1
| Fellowship Hall The place to go for Fellowship & Fun! |
 |
|
12-11-2008, 07:12 AM
|
 |
Honorary Admin
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Posts: 6,287
|
|
|
How close should a pastor get to the members?
I've heard it said for decades (in certain orgs) that a pastor should not get close to the "saints." I've been around long enough, (Sr. pastor for 25yrs) to see the chasm this philosophy creates. It makes an almost untouchable ministry. It sets the ministry up so high that hardly anyone can get there. It makes the ministry a "caste" to itself. It creates "ministry only" seating and preferred perks. It creates an entitlement mentality. It promotes the ministry preaching one thing and then when they're out of town, doing another. In some circles, the pastor would NEVER even consider taking out a family for dinner or inviting them over for some laughs.
Why do pastors NEED a place only for themselves that the members never get to? Is it maybe, just maybe because they don't love the sheep as much as they portray that they do? (food for thought)
If the pastor is isolated to whatever degree, how in the world can he replicate himself? Oh wait, maybe he does.......... in the ministers he raises up. He raises them up to do the same thing!
And if someone can marry into the pastors family.............Lord have mercy, they've hit the lottery!!!! They "escaped" the lower caste!!
The greatest compliment I think I have ever received as a pastor was that I "smelled" like the sheep. Pastors should desire to create an atmosphere of unconditional love and acceptance and accesability which can be imparted to the rest of the church. What could happen with an "army" of people like that in a community?
Just some rambling thoughts!
__________________
"Those who go after the "Sauls" among us often slay the Davids among us." Gene Edwards
Executive Servant http://www.newlife-church.org
|
12-11-2008, 07:14 AM
|
 |
"It's Never Too Late"
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,415
|
|
|
Re: How close should a pastor get to the members?
How close should a saint get to the Pastor?
To me it all depends on the relationship/gender/reputation and many other things...
I would be respectful and greatful as a pastor.
I would also be very careful as well.
|
12-11-2008, 07:17 AM
|
|
Registered Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 897
|
|
|
Re: How close should a pastor get to the members?
Familiarity breeds disrespect and discontent.
|
12-11-2008, 07:19 AM
|
 |
Registered Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,888
|
|
|
Re: How close should a pastor get to the members?
Quote:
Originally Posted by U376977
Familiarity breeds disrespect and discontent.
|
Especially if the pastor got issues.
__________________
Today pull up the little weeds,
The sinful thoughts subdue,
Or they will take the reins themselves
And someday master you. --Anon.
The most deadly sins do not leap upon us, they creep up on us.
|
12-11-2008, 07:25 AM
|
|
"It's Never Too Late"
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,415
|
|
|
Re: How close should a pastor get to the members?
Quote:
Originally Posted by U376977
Familiarity breeds disrespect and discontent.
|
But is the pastor walks by you and continues to look at his shoes.
Trip the poor guy, because he needs to be friendly....
|
12-11-2008, 07:29 AM
|
|
Registered Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,749
|
|
|
Re: How close should a pastor get to the members?
Quote:
Originally Posted by U376977
Familiarity breeds disrespect and discontent.
|
Familiarity let's the sheep know that the pastor is just as human as they are. And for my part it breeds understanding and respect. We are all in this boat together.
__________________
His banner over me is LOVE....  My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
|
12-11-2008, 09:48 AM
|
 |
Registered Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 11,467
|
|
|
Re: How close should a pastor get to the members?
Quote:
Originally Posted by U376977
Familiarity breeds disrespect and discontent.
|
Hogwash.
__________________
Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
|
12-11-2008, 03:21 PM
|
 |
Go Dodgers!
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 45,794
|
|
|
Re: How close should a pastor get to the members?
Quote:
Originally Posted by U376977
Familiarity breeds disrespect and discontent.
|
Then the Pastor should have NO Friends whatsoever or a wife and kids. Lord knows the Pastors job is hard enough taking care of the dumb sheep without a wife that is discontent and disrespectful as well as kids...in fact the bible makes that a disqualification for being one.
BTW is that a verse in the bible?
__________________
Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:
- There is One God. This one God reveals Himself distinctly as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
- The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
- Every sinner must repent of their sins.
- That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
- That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
- The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.
|
12-11-2008, 07:33 AM
|
|
Registered Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,749
|
|
|
Re: How close should a pastor get to the members?
Quote:
|
I've heard it said for decades (in certain orgs) that a pastor should not get close to the "saints." I've been around long enough, (Sr. pastor for 25yrs) to see the chasm this philosophy creates. It makes an almost untouchable ministry. It sets the ministry up so high that hardly anyone can get there. It makes the ministry a "caste" to itself. It creates "ministry only" seating and preferred perks. It creates an entitlement mentality.
|
It appears that way, doesn't it? It promotes a dichotomy within the body of Christ which shouldn't be there.
Quote:
|
It promotes the ministry preaching one thing and then when they're out of town, doing another. In some circles, the pastor would NEVER even consider taking out a family for dinner or inviting them over for some laughs.
|
How does this enter the picture? Why would they preach one thing and do another?
__________________
His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
|
12-11-2008, 07:55 AM
|
 |
Still Figuring It Out.
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,858
|
|
|
Re: How close should a pastor get to the members?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ManOfWord
I've heard it said for decades (in certain orgs) that a pastor should not get close to the "saints." I've been around long enough, (Sr. pastor for 25yrs) to see the chasm this philosophy creates. It makes an almost untouchable ministry. It sets the ministry up so high that hardly anyone can get there. It makes the ministry a "caste" to itself. It creates "ministry only" seating and preferred perks. It creates an entitlement mentality. It promotes the ministry preaching one thing and then when they're out of town, doing another. In some circles, the pastor would NEVER even consider taking out a family for dinner or inviting them over for some laughs.
Why do pastors NEED a place only for themselves that the members never get to? Is it maybe, just maybe because they don't love the sheep as much as they portray that they do? (food for thought)
If the pastor is isolated to whatever degree, how in the world can he replicate himself? Oh wait, maybe he does.......... in the ministers he raises up. He raises them up to do the same thing!
And if someone can marry into the pastors family.............Lord have mercy, they've hit the lottery!!!! They "escaped" the lower caste!!
The greatest compliment I think I have ever received as a pastor was that I "smelled" like the sheep. Pastors should desire to create an atmosphere of unconditional love and acceptance and accesability which can be imparted to the rest of the church. What could happen with an "army" of people like that in a community?
Just some rambling thoughts!
|
It is a mind boggling thing that this question is even asked.
It says a ton about how much higher above the rest the average pastor feels these days.
You make some excellent points MOW...
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:01 PM.
| |
Hybrid Mode
