Do any of you have pastors that call to see where you were on Sunday if you missed? To see if everything is ok... if anyone is sick or anything is wrong?
It can go both ways I think. In smaller churches I've been in the pastors did that occasionally... unless they already knew. For example...most times when my husband was there and I wasn't.. our pastors would ask about me.. and vice versa... And when we were both going to miss for whatever reason (usually going away or we were both down sick at the same time) than we would let our pastor know. And I must also say, we were in various positions of leadership during those times.
Presently I attend a large church and no one really checks up when I miss. Although someone usually asks my husband where I am or if I'm sick. Occasionally someone may be sick for a few weeks before someone notices and contacts them.. simply because they don't have close family in the church and it's a large one. I sometimes wish we did have people who called. Especially the elderly. Now that I'm typing that, maybe I should offer my services to the church for this particular ministry.
I don't see it as being a control or lack of trust thing at all. But then I admit, I've never had any crazy pastors either.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
The smaller the congregation the more you will be missed.
If the organ player decided not to come for what ever reason and it is the only music you have then there is a empty place that can't help be noticed.
I really don't understand the mentality that a pastor does not need to know 1. if you are going to miss church, or 2. the reason why. God has given you a pastor as a gift---to watch over your soul and to give an account for you. If you are not willing or are afraid to communicate to your pastor as to your whereabouts, there is a serious relationship problem. It is just common courtesy. If you trust him to be your pastor and feel that he loves you, why wouldn't you want him to know where you are and that everything is ok. So that he is not up on the platform trying to concentrate on getting his sermon together wondering if you're in a car accident or something.
I agree with you MrsBOOMM. He is after all looking after your well being.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
I've never felt the need to make an excuse. When asked why I have not been in service I've said <the real reason>. I DO think it is common courtesy whenever possible to tell him (the pastor) in advance when I will not be there. The smaller the congregation, the more this matters.
I really don't understand the mentality that a pastor does not need to know 1. if you are going to miss church, or 2. the reason why. God has given you a pastor as a gift---to watch over your soul and to give an account for you. If you are not willing or are afraid to communicate to your pastor as to your whereabouts, there is a serious relationship problem. It is just common courtesy. If you trust him to be your pastor and feel that he loves you, why wouldn't you want him to know where you are and that everything is ok. So that he is not up on the platform trying to concentrate on getting his sermon together wondering if you're in a car accident or something.
The flip side of this kind of reasoning is that my pastor trusts me enough to know that I am mature enough in my walk with the Lord not to skip church just for any old silly reason.
By the way, I've heard the bolded statement said over and over in Apostolic circles. It's funny tho that I've never ever heard it said in any other church circles. No one has ever shown me scripture that says that. I'm not saying it's not there and not interested in arguing about it. But I'd be grateful if you could give me chapter and verse for that statement.
I've never felt the need to make an excuse. When asked why I have not been in service I've said <the real reason>. I DO think it is common courtesy whenever possible to tell him (the pastor) in advance when I will not be there. The smaller the congregation, the more this matters.
This is true! Our church has grown so much that if everyone felt like they had to call us and let us know where they were going to be, we'd be on the phones all day long. I think this only works in churches of maybe 200 or less.
I feel that if you are in leadership in the church, you have a responsibility to be accountable in church attendance...just part of being a leader....
But if a person fills the need to miss whenever for whatever reason and never communicates with the pastor or church staff....
then pleeeeease...
when they get sick, or have a situation and miss services, then they should not start whining that no one even noticed they were gone...
A big Amen to that!!!
The ones that are the lest faithful are the ones that want you to run all over doing what they want you to do.
I had one call me one morning to see if I was going to be getting out that day.
She wanted me to come over and move her car up...so the street cleaners could clean.
She had to walk 10 feet to her car from her front door
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