Has "Church" become a "Family Business"??

[QueenEsther]

Originally Posted by IAintMovin

OK read the first page and saw that there are many or at least a few who think that it may be wrong for a son or son in law to follow a father or FIL.

Let me try to weigh in on the other side of the coin. In many cases of a church that has grown that son or SIL has been there through the process and understands what makes the church run and why elements are put in place and why certain things are done. They literally become part of the fabric of that church. Many times, not every time, when someone is brought in that has not been there it brings distruction. There are times that distruction comes from turning it over to a family member too.

My point is simply this, If God is in the process, then there is nothing wrong with a son or SIL talking over at the right time, and naturally if God is not in it, then it will fail.

I really dont think that there is a rock solid - this is the way it should be done every time - answer for this question. Each one comes around and has to be delt with on an individual basis.

Personally if God allows it to happen, I would be honored beyond measure if one of my sons were called to preach and pastor and then fill my shoes, or the same can be said of the one SIL that God has blessed us with that is a minister or if one of my other two daughters marry a minister who can fill the job, but again IT HAS TO BE A GOD THING.

And yes there have been times that some didnt listen to Him........but there have been many where people did.........

Very well said!! This is exactly how I feel about it also.

My father owned a business for many years and we all worked for him and if something happened to him one of us would have taken over because we had been there the whole time and we knew all the ins and outs and problems and what worked and what didn't work and he trusted us because he had trained us. To me it is the same with a church. Of course if it is not of God it won't work.

[NW Pastor]

Originally Posted by QueenEsther

Very well said!! This is exactly how I feel about it also.

My father owned a business for many years and we all worked for him and if something happened to him one of us would have taken over because we had been there the whole time and we knew all the ins and outs and problems and what worked and what didn't work and he trusted us because he had trained us. To me it is the same with a church. Of course if it is not of God it won't work.

Again, the church is not "the family business" regardless of how long a family is in the leadership. It is ALWAYS God's business. The sheep are his, the building is his, the future is his. Not ours.

So, can it ever work out. Sure. But in our day it seems to be an entitlement. Young pastor's kids become the heir apparent at ten years old when nobody knows if they are called, or will even be saved when they are grown. This is what some object to.

Furthermore, it can destroy pastor's kids, giving them the idea that they are immune to acting responsibly because eventually it will all be theirs anyway regardless of how prodigal they are in youth.

[LaVonne]

Originally Posted by NW Pastor

Again, the church is not "the family business" regardless of how long a family is in the leadership. It is ALWAYS God's business. The sheep are his, the building is his, the future is his. Not ours.

So, can it ever work out. Sure. But in our day it seems to be an entitlement. Young pastor's kids become the heir apparent at ten years old when nobody knows if they are called, or will even be saved when they are grown. This is what some object to.

Furthermore, it can destroy pastor's kids, giving them the idea that they are immune to acting responsibly because eventually it will all be theirs anyway regardless of how prodigal they are in youth.

Agreed! Your first two lines had me worried for a minute...because some pastor's, I fear make it their business, not God's.

I know of a family who pastors and their oldest son is stuck doing everything his father and grandfather want for him, which is assist. pastor. If he had his choice, he do something much different. This is wrong...this young man should be able to persue the career of his choice, but his "destiny" was chosen for him when he was still a small child.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by CareyM

Agreed! Your first two lines had me worried for a minute...because some pastor's, I fear make it their business, not God's.

I know of a family who pastors and their oldest son is stuck doing everything his father and grandfather want for him, which is assist. pastor. If he had his choice, he do something much different. This is wrong...this young man should be able to persue the career of his choice, but his "destiny" was chosen for him when he was still a small child.

This is why we have Pastor's who do not make good leaders...they are following their father's dream and not their own calling.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by NW Pastor

Again, the church is not "the family business" regardless of how long a family is in the leadership. It is ALWAYS God's business. The sheep are his, the building is his, the future is his. Not ours.

So, can it ever work out. Sure. But in our day it seems to be an entitlement. Young pastor's kids become the heir apparent at ten years old when nobody knows if they are called, or will even be saved when they are grown. This is what some object to.

Furthermore, it can destroy pastor's kids, giving them the idea that they are immune to acting responsibly because eventually it will all be theirs anyway regardless of how prodigal they are in youth.

Great post. This is truly one of the worst poxes in pentecost today. I am constantly amazed at how the assumption that the son/son-inlaw/nephew is automatically assumed to be the heir apparent. I have heard every argument that there is to justify it but it still comes down to the desires of man and not the will of God. I have seen situations where it not only worked but was clearly the will of God. However, what absolutely befuddles me is that it appears the some think it is always the will of God.

there is a Pastor that is not very far from you, NWP, who took over from his father-in-law a few years ago and he wasn't even regularily attending any church, let alone the one he suddenly took over when daddy-inlaw decided opportunity was calling somewhere else.

[KarenJo]

Originally Posted by NW Pastor

Again, the church is not "the family business" regardless of how long a family is in the leadership. It is ALWAYS God's business. The sheep are his, the building is his, the future is his. Not ours.

So, can it ever work out. Sure. But in our day it seems to be an entitlement. Young pastor's kids become the heir apparent at ten years old when nobody knows if they are called, or will even be saved when they are grown. This is what some object to.

Furthermore, it can destroy pastor's kids, giving them the idea that they are immune to acting responsibly because eventually it will all be theirs anyway regardless of how prodigal they are in youth.

Great post...It's too bad that there are so many in ministry that don't really feel it's God's Church, God's People, etc. All you hear is MINE! The current church leadership should NEVER push a family member to take over a church. If the members of the church want the Pastor’s son or son-in-law, grandson, etc. then that’s ok. What I really hate to see is when the leadership an idea that they are exalted and should be treated as such. It’s sad that they forget that to be in the ministry means to be a servant. If we all would remember to serve one another how much better would we all be.