Needy Saints?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Bill Cosby does a routine where he calls one of his daughters "The Informer" because she is always going "You... you... you know whaaattt?". That has always been my experience with many so-called needy saints. Not only are THEY needy but they are continually trying to gain favor with the pastor by bringing as much dirt (accidentally of course) to him as possible on others.

He spoke at a Realtor's convention in Austin last year. He made a statement about Apostolic or Pentecostal churches (don't remember which term he used). Anyway, he said something to the effect, "You know those churches that never grow and get past 70 members." lol

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

He spoke at a Realtor's convention in Austin last year. He made a statement about Apostolic or Pentecostal churches (don't remember which term he used). Anyway, he said something to the effect, "You know those churches that never grow and get past 70 members." lol

I tells ya what, there are a number of churches around here in the Phoenix valley, that fit that description perfectly. Some are well under 70 and have been around for half a century.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I tells ya what, there are a number of churches around here in the Phoenix valley, that fit that description perfectly. Some are well under 70 and have been around for half a century.

Numbers don't mean anything, my friend...don't you know the Bible says "Narrow is the way and few there be that find it"??????????

The fewer the purer..........

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Numbers don't mean anything, my friend...don't you know the Bible says "Narrow is the way and few there be that find it"??????????

The fewer the purer..........

I know I know. I have heard the story more then once how Noah spent over a Century preaching and only had his immediate family to show for it. That one is always used to justify the "Us four and no more" mentality.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Numbers don't mean anything, my friend...don't you know the Bible says "Narrow is the way and few there be that find it"??????????

The fewer the purer..........

LOL!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I tells ya what, there are a number of churches around here in the Phoenix valley, that fit that description perfectly. Some are well under 70 and have been around for half a century.

It's the "mentality" that keeps a church from growing.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

It's the "mentality" that keeps a church from growing.

I think a lot of it is the social club aspect too......smaller groups are more intimate, people who have been together for a long time are more comfortable with each other, and often visitors are viewed as outsiders and interlopers....

You find this with villages and small cities, as well.....large, metropolitan cities seem to have friendlier people, simply because almost everyone is a newcomer....the smaller family occupied towns are more "clique-ish" because of the years of history and multiple generations of the same families........

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I think a lot of it is the social club aspect too......smaller groups are more intimate, people who have been together for a long time are more comfortable with each other, and often visitors are viewed as outsiders and interlopers....

You find this with villages and small cities, as well.....large, metropolitan cities seem to have friendlier people, simply because almost everyone is a newcomer....the smaller family occupied towns are more "clique-ish" because of the years of history and multiple generations of the same families........

You can also bring in the aspect of jealous competition. That's another can of worms.

I had a pastor tell me that they didn't want more members as it was easier to take care of a smaller flock. I'm like, Wow, you better tell God that He's done here.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

You can also bring in the aspect of jealous competition. That's another can of worms.

I had a pastor tell me that they didn't want more members as it was easier to take care of a smaller flock. I'm like, Wow, you better tell God that He's done here.

I've heard basically the same thing.

One person (pastor) is only equipped to deal with a certain number of congregants, much like one teacher is only equipped to deal with a certain number of students.

The problem enters when the pastor is too insecure to delegate to other ministers in the church, and so he would rather keep the congregation small enough to handle on his own........

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I've heard basically the same thing.

One person (pastor) is only equipped to deal with a certain number of congregants, much like one teacher is only equipped to deal with a certain number of students.

The problem enters when the pastor is too insecure to delegate to other ministers in the church, and so he would rather keep the congregation small enough to handle on his own........

You know, Michael, I haven't really met very many people throughout my lifetime that are extremely efficient and organized.

I think that some in ministry don't realize their limitations. For instance, I know someone right now that is the most inefficient and the most unorganized person I have ever known. Yet, they can sing wonderful and pray with people.

So, my suggestion would be, find someone that you trust to help you in the areas you are lacking - let's unify this work together and build something great.

Alas, the control issue seems to always block real reform and growth. We aren't really very humble people, I don't think. I think God feels very sorry for us.