I have one thing to say to those that continue to woller in self victimization.
Mat 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
I think most of us would admit that there are problems on both sides. There is no perfect saint, there is no perfect pastor...however, the Pastor is called to "shepherd" and imho his role is HUGE and he needs to be careful with the sheep.
Maybe this is why I have a hard time understanding the 'abuse' sites, CareyM. My pastors have all be good leaders. Some better than others. lol
There is a HUGE responsibility upon a pastor. We need good, upstanding ministers leading and guiding our young men.
NO ONE particularly myself has ever said no one has ever been abused by PASTORS or saints. I know it has happened but to leave truth and exalt error over a preacher abusing you is like having a bad doctor so you burn down all the hospitals and doctor offices. Medicine used prescribed wrongly can kill but it also heals. Acts 2:38 is God's prescribed medicine for the sickness of the soul and to attack it and reject it and defame it because a pastor is not right is foolish. Her site attacks truth and gives comfort and aid to the enemy. It is filled with terrorists against truth.
About the abuse that pastors receive, I see it in this light:
I am a nurse by profession. It's my calling in life, I believe.
Being in such a profession leaves me vulnerable in so many ways, even to those I'm trying to help.
Nurses help others, but sometimes their advice and guidance is ignored or disposed of. Hey, it's your choice as a patient to do what you feel is best for you, even when seeking advice from the professionals.
However, if I give bad advice that someone follows and it hurts them, it affects me as a nurse. Even when I thought it was the best thing for them to do, I have to admit responsibility for what happens. If I don't, then I'm guilty of more than just denying responsibility.
On the other hand, patients will also lie. A friend of mine was fired after a patient complained about her, stating she'd cursed horribly at her. Knowing my friend and watching her with this patient before, I knew this wasn't true, but she was given her walking papers even after an investigation proved it to be 'unfounded'.
That hurt, but it's the risk nurses take for being in this profession. I see pastors in the same light. The 'saints' as well as 'aints' have a right to complain if they follow something you told them to do and it didn't work for them. Pastors need to take responsibility when things go wrong and try to make them right instead of being judgmental against the other person. This isn't easy.....I know.
A friend of mine has a pastor that doesn't know how to accept responsibility without being judgmental. This is hurting relationships in his church. When offenses are made, he takes several days to call the person offended and then makes statements like, "I'm sorry you got offended but I'm not sorry for what I said." Yes, this was his exact statement to one individual. I just think there was a better way to handle it, even if that statement was true.
Pastors will be lied on. That's a given for being in that profession. Since that's one of the risks, there is no placement for abuse issues that pastors suffer from their saints, anymore than I can complain about patients who strike out and curse at me. It's just one of the risks involved when one is involved with people as part of their job in life.
If you look at other people at customers, the one rule that always applies is that the customer is always right. Even when the customer is wrong, the rule applies all the same. I keep that in mind with everyone I deal with at my job. No, people aren't perfect, but it's not my job to make them that way. My job is to make sure that my 'customers' are satisfied and if they aren't, to accept responsibility for their unhappiness and try to fix it. It's not always possible, but they see the efforts made, even if success isn't granted in the end.
Communication also goes a long way. Don't look to them to come to you, cause you'll be waiting a long time. It's your responsibility to go to them. If they reject it, then it becomes their problem, but until you make the first move, it's on your back.
Kindness and love with understanding also goes a long way. You can catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar, as the saying goes.
Anyway, just a few of my thoughts on this subject as I read some of these posts.
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
NO ONE particularly myself has ever said no one has ever been abused by PASTORS or saints. I know it has happened but to leave truth and exalt error over a preacher abusing you is like having a bad doctor so you burn down all the hospitals and doctor offices. Medicine used prescribed wrongly can kill but it also heals.Acts 2:38 is God's prescribed medicine for the sickness of the soul and to attack it and reject it and defame it because a pastor is not right is foolish. Her site attacks truth and gives comfort and aid to the enemy. It is filled with terrorists against truth.
To the bolded part, I completely agree. I'm not sure why some use that as a coping mechanism when it comes to church, but it happens with more than just those in the UPC. I know Catholics who choose to have nothing to do with God because of abuse they suffered in the church.
As to your last couple comments, while I understand why you might think that, it's hardly the truth. I used to think that also until I got to see more than just what was on the surface. Also understand that she doesn't necessarily endorse what others say, but she gives them a say on her site because it's not her job to be judgmental of others and their claims of experiences. Some of us can learn from her in that regard.
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
Here is one of the main reasons I did NOT go into pulpit ministry....well other than the fact that I wouldn't be any good....my usual therapeutic answer is, "Waaah, get over it".
I think I chose the correct path by learnin' me some music instead!!!
Here is one of the main reasons I did NOT go into pulpit ministry....well other than the fact that I wouldn't be any good....my usual therapeutic answer is, "Waaah, get over it".
I think I chose the correct path by learnin' me some music instead!!!
LOL!
I'm proud of you, man!!
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
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