Do Ministers Really Do This? - Page 9

deacon blues · #81 01-12-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

It would be wonderful if there were more pastors like yourself!

Obviously there would be cases where info should be shared, if the person posed certain risks and dangers, e.g. Pedophiles, people who have a track record of sowing discord in churches, etc. But those should be the exception to the rule. Pastors should err on the side of confidentiality, allowing people to not let their past follow them, and forgiveness.

As shepherds of the flock of God, we shouldn't treat people like personal property or get offended when they leave (easier said than done). They are God's property, not ours. He purchased them with His blood. It's either God's will or it isn't if they leave our church. If it isn't God's will, loving them and being kind will compel them to come back should they recognize the mistake. If it is God's will, God forbid I hinder what God is doing in their lives.

Unfortunately, some preachers NEVER believe it's God's will for folks to leave their church. That's usually to the detriment of the pastor than anyone.

AreYouReady? · #82 01-12-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Unfortunately, some preachers NEVER believe it's God's will for folks to leave their church. That's usually to the detriment of the pastor than anyone.

For the last 30 years, I've seen hard feelings from pastor to pastor because one of their "good saints" felt led to leave one church and help another church. Pastor's wife would say that they belong "at home".

I haven't been in a UPC church for about 15 years now and I still hear gossip from the public sector that two local churches are warring over whatever.

I did not understand this (jealousy?) then and still don't 30 years later.

deacon blues · #83 01-13-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

For the last 30 years, I've seen hard feelings from pastor to pastor because one of their "good saints" felt led to leave one church and help another church. Pastor's wife would say that they belong "at home".

I haven't been in a UPC church for about 15 years now and I still hear gossip from the public sector that two local churches are warring over whatever.

I did not understand this (jealousy?) then and still don't 30 years later.

It's the difference between Lording over the flock of God, and Shepherding and serving His sheep. They are His. I asked Bro Teklemariam once about why the great revival in Ethiopia. He said, "unity". We do not see the same kinds of things we hear of in other countries primarily because the NAmerican church is divided. We are rich and increased with goods, and much that drives the church is money. It's a cash cow. It's the family business. If you lose members you lose money. The jealousy and the ownership and the competition is rooted in the love of money. Instead of pastors rejoicing in the growth and blessing of another church across town, they want to be the one and only place for people to plant. Instead of seeing what we do as a piece of the puzzle to the entire picture of what Jesus wants to do, it's a "my kingdom, my realm, my city" kind of focus. There are exceptions, and I believe Christ will unite His church more and more. Those who yearn for unity in the Body will see it. Those that are isolationists will be left behind.

AreYouReady? · #84 01-13-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deacon blues

It's the difference between Lording over the flock of God, and Shepherding and serving His sheep. They are His. I asked Bro Teklemariam once about why the great revival in Ethiopia. He said, "unity". We do not see the same kinds of things we hear of in other countries primarily because the NAmerican church is divided. We are rich and increased with goods, and much that drives the church is money. It's a cash cow. It's the family business. If you lose members you lose money. The jealousy and the ownership and the competition is rooted in the love of money. Instead of pastors rejoicing in the growth and blessing of another church across town, they want to be the one and only place for people to plant. Instead of seeing what we do as a piece of the puzzle to the entire picture of what Jesus wants to do, it's a "my kingdom, my realm, my city" kind of focus. There are exceptions, and I believe Christ will unite His church more and more. Those who yearn for unity in the Body will see it. Those that are isolationists will be left behind.

This is probably the most honest-hearted answer I have ever seen pertaining to what is wrong with the UPC organized church system in this region.

I can now understand why some pastors feel offended when they click on a thread like this one and see a negative report about pastors. Not all pastors around the country or the world do things the way things are done in this region.

We could have revival and the church in this region could really grow if we had some new pastors on fire to see soul's saved move in here. I've watched the same family's have control over the churches for 30 years now.

houston · #85 01-13-2012, 02:20 PM

what region would that be?

Titus2woman · #86 01-13-2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Obviously there would be cases where info should be shared, if the person posed certain risks and dangers, e.g. Pedophiles, people who have a track record of sowing discord in churches, etc. But those should be the exception to the rule. Pastors should err on the side of confidentiality, allowing people to not let their past follow them, and forgiveness.

As shepherds of the flock of God, we shouldn't treat people like personal property or get offended when they leave (easier said than done). They are God's property, not ours. He purchased them with His blood. It's either God's will or it isn't if they leave our church. If it isn't God's will, loving them and being kind will compel them to come back should they recognize the mistake. If it is God's will, God forbid I hinder what God is doing in their lives.

Unfortunately, some preachers NEVER believe it's God's will for folks to leave their church. That's usually to the detriment of the pastor than anyone.

OH ME... You must have had your ear on my old pastors office door.

commonsense · #87 01-13-2012, 08:21 PM

Attended a church for 3 yrs, paid tithes etc., but since we did not receive the "transfer" letter__we were never "voting" members

(this was in an area large enough for multiple UPC churches____and it was over 30 yrs ago)

AreYouReady? · #88 01-13-2012, 08:58 PM

Commonsense, I guess you were not a member of Jesus' New Testament church then?

Since when does man exclude people who are born again because they do not have a "transfer letter".

This is what many call a "club". You have membership in clubs. You are born again into Christ's church.

AreYouReady? · #89 01-14-2012, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houston

what region would that be?

I think that I would have to paint a very broad area. As much as I am frustrated about the dominance of two families who have held certain churches--some for as long as three generations, I would not want to embarrass them by pinpointing the exact area.

Plus, I was persecuted by one church (when I attended there) for voicing my opinion about a certain practice they had. It was not a pleasant experience. Here it is, 20 years later and some of them still will not talk to me to this day. It was an overreaction on the part of the Pastor IMHO. But some of them don't even know the whole story and I still get the cold shoulder.

Hey....I guess that would make me one of those "troublemakers"? That'll learn me for actually thinking and speaking out loud!

So...I would have to say it is the Southeast Region of the USA and leave it at that.