Congregation Appreciation Month

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Yeah I've been missing Randy Wayne's humorous input these days.

Ya! I second that! Missed you, and your wacky humor!!!

[Apostolicman7]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Oh Dante, didn't you know! There is a day to celebrate the saints.... it's called All Saints Day, celebrated on October 31...

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by Apostolicman7

If you're pastor is anything like mine, then he gives to the members of the church on a daily basis.

THANK YOU! Apostolicman, Give your pastor a pat on the back for me!

Been Thinkin

[trialedbyfire]

Originally Posted by Dante

When is Congregation Appreciation Month? And will the pastor be buying everyone Sunday afternoon lunch and giving everyone cards and gifts in appreciation of their service and dedication to the house of God?

My former pastor has bought various auxiliaries in the church including the youth dinner numerous times. Just this last year he bought all of the college students leaving for college dinner at olive garden. Being that he was the pastor of a 1500 member church he couldn't do that regularly, but I don't think this thread is actually about pastors doing nice things for their congregants...

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by trialedbyfire

My former pastor has bought various auxiliaries in the church including the youth dinner numerous times. Just this last year he bought all of the college students leaving for college dinner at olive garden. Being that he was the pastor of a 1500 member church he couldn't do that regularly, but I don't think this thread is actually about pastors doing nice things for their congregants...

Ha... I've heard this one MANY many many times... the pastor "takes" people out to dinner, and "pays" for it himself. Funny. Don't you realize that either the church members paid for this, or the taxpayers did! He did not do this out of his own pocket, I can assure you. Either he paid with the church credit card, or if he used his own, the church reimbursed him, or if neither of those things happen, he will keep the receipt, and send it in to the IRS to get reimbursed from the taxpayer for this lovely dinner using charitable donations tax exemption.

Feel better?

I know this is how it works, because I have worked as a church secretary, have family in the ministry, and I do not speak out of ignorance. Ask him for yourself if you don't believe me. LOL.

[trialedbyfire]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Ha... I've heard this one MANY many many times... the pastor "takes" people out to dinner, and "pays" for it himself. Funny. Don't you realize that either the church members paid for this, or the taxpayers did! He did not do this out of his own pocket, I can assure you. Either he paid with the church credit card, or if he used his own, the church reimbursed him, or if neither of those things happen, he will keep the receipt, and send it in to the IRS to get reimbursed from the taxpayer for this lovely dinner using charitable donations tax exemption.

Feel better?

I know this is how it works, because I have worked as a church secretary, have family in the ministry, and I do not speak out of ignorance. Ask him for yourself if you don't believe me. LOL.

You sho is smart...

...when was the last time you took a whole congregation to dinner there buddy?

Or anybody for that matter?

I'm glad you had it so rough as a church secretary. Many of us that have been called one day to pastor and have worked and labored tirelessly in the ministry of reconciliation will understand why this statement is foolish at best. I've fixed vehicles free of charge, I've helped my past pastors repair and restore saints houses free of charge. I've watched my pastors scrub the church floors, cut saints lawns, etc. I've helped pay individuals rent. I've helped pay for gas. I've filled tanks of strangers while I was witnessing to them, bought them food, and prayed for them. I've watched the men of God who have trained me in the ministry do this. I wake up at 2 in the morning for saints who need random assistance. At the same time I'm expected to go to work, go to church on time, pay my bills on time, tithe, and keep a strong relationship with God and prayer life. I can't imagine being a pastor on top of all this. It's not a calling that any sane man should want, especially with people like yourself constantly attacking and accusing pastors, and I find what you said to be an attack, unwarranted on someone who I've watched grow old with a genuine burden for the souls he oversees and a man I respect and revere. The ministry is not "easy", nor is it "fun and games" and some of us spend our lives on reaching out to others trying to see God's plan of salvation fulfilled and people's lives changed. Now... what are you doing?

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by trialedbyfire

You sho is smart...

...when was the last time you took a whole congregation to dinner there buddy?

Or anybody for that matter?

I'm glad you had it so rough as a church secretary. Many of us that have been called one day to pastor and have worked and labored tirelessly in the ministry of reconciliation will understand why this statement is foolish at best. I've fixed vehicles free of charge, I've helped my past pastors repair and restore saints houses free of charge. I've watched my pastors scrub the church floors, cut saints lawns, etc. I've helped pay individuals rent. I've helped pay for gas. I've filled tanks of strangers while I was witnessing to them, bought them food, and prayed for them. I've watched the men of God who have trained me in the ministry do this. I wake up at 2 in the morning for saints who need random assistance. At the same time I'm expected to go to work, go to church on time, pay my bills on time, tithe, and keep a strong relationship with God and prayer life. I can't imagine being a pastor on top of all this. It's not a calling that any sane man should want, especially with people like yourself constantly attacking and accusing pastors, and I find what you said to be an attack, unwarranted on someone who I've watched grow old with a genuine burden for the souls he oversees and a man I respect and revere. The ministry is not "easy", nor is it "fun and games" and some of us spend our lives on reaching out to others trying to see God's plan of salvation fulfilled and people's lives changed. Now... what are you doing?

Thank you trialedbyfire. Couldn't have said it better myself. I know there have been men who have taken advantage of saints, churches, and people. But when you broad brush this subject there are a lot of Pastors who are unjustly accused and slandered! This just shouldn't be! What if I said every poster on AFF was just like Tangible! They have to be!!!! They're on the same forum as Tangible. That makes them just like Tangible! ..... Lord help me! with my righteous indignation. I hope it's righteous!

Been Thinkin

[Titus2woman]

Y'all have sure been going to a different church than me... I would bet my rock bottom dollar that my former pastor has probably never mowed his own lawn let alone anyone elses, LOL! I know he does not wash his own car... hired folks clean the church, and his wife has a maid although she does not have a job. As a matter of fact he can not even live in the same town as his church because it does not include a 'master planned community' like the one he lives in.

I am not slamming anyone but I am saying that one's experiences color how one sees things... and my experiences with the pastorate has not been one that makes me believe that most have a servants mentality but rather that most have a king's complex.

Still I can see that it would be possible for some to be as you say and I am remembering to say my prayers for them this month.

[houston]

That pastor is in for a wake up call.

NEXT!!!

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Y'all have sure been going to a different church than me... I would bet my rock bottom dollar that my former pastor has probably never mowed his own lawn let alone anyone elses, LOL! I know he does not wash his own car... hired folks clean the church, and his wife has a maid although she does not have a job. As a matter of fact he can not even live in the same town as his church because it does not include a 'master planned community' like the one he lives in.

I am not slamming anyone but I am saying that one's experiences color how one sees things... and my experiences with the pastorate has not been one that makes me believe that most have a servants mentality but rather that most have a king's complex.

Still I can see that it would be possible for some to be as you say and I am remembering to say my prayers for them this month.

Thanks Titus2Woman. I believe you. I guess I just didn't pastor the right church. But, I'm happy to be real, to be human and not put myself up on a throne. I put my pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else. And I do wash my pickup on occasion...... wait, it's been a while. To easy to take it to the car wash. Wish you hadn't mentioned the yard work. Mine needs mowing and it looks like I'm gonna have to do it....(on my riding mower, of course), maybe tomorrow after I finish with a funeral service.

One of these days, when fresh vegetables are coming in, I'm going to pm you and find out where your garden is and come and get me a hand full of tomatoes, with salt in the other hand, and just eat as many as you'll let me eat. Salt in one hand, tomato in the other, wipe off the tomato, take a small bite, then dip the tomato in the salt and have at it!!!! Mmmmmm.

Been Thinkin