Some opinions wanted

[All4one]

The church is supposed to be a blessing to the world! not be blessed by the world. WWJD? Jesus probably got up and left too.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Makes me nervious to see a thread started by Rhoni wherein she is thinking like me......

Originally Posted by Praxeas

So you think "Church" is the time and place to have 4 solicitations for funds one of which was a raffle (gambling)?

BTW if Pastoring is a 24/7 job what is being a saint that get's calls or text messages all times of the day and night to pray for this person or that person, teach bible studies, witness to souls, show up early for prayer and whatever else a saint is expected to do and to shell out money not once, not twice, not even three times but 4 times in a place and time that is supposed to be about prayer, worship,evangelism, edification and other such things?

Jesus, as our ultimate example did do something...He chased the moneycahngers out of the temple.

I do know the pastor and he is worthy of the honor and the vacation and even the yard work. My problem with the whole thing is the appropriateness of how it was done.

#1. Raffling is gambling [you all know me and I am more moderate but gambling in the church duirng service is such a witness to the world/visitors - NOT]
#2. You do not take an offerrring for missions, church ministries, and take a second offerring for the Pastor's landscaping while telling the people he and his wife are in the Caribbean financed also by the church. Vistors and those not in the congregation should not be solicited for funds in this way. They do not know the Pastor and what he does or doesn't do for the church.
#3. I will say that through the years things have changed in ministry. Many Pastors are not availbale to their church 24/7. They have set appointment times and they are set by the church administrator and they have lay Pastors that visit the sick, counsel, and prayer teams for special prayer. This is a good thing on one hand and a bad thing on another.

Blessings,
Rhoni

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I think there are excesses in this area and I agree rarely does a saint get sent to some nice place....the best they can hope for is Fresno or Bakersfield California, however at the same time I have to say my Pastor does not get enough. But the reason for that is not because I think Pastors should live like spoiled kings over God's heritage. The reason is because he really does not get enough and has had to work part time to suppliment his income.

Originally Posted by All4one

The church is supposed to be a blessing to the world! not be blessed by the world. WWJD? Jesus probably got up and left too.

P.S. Praxeas - you and I are in total agreement on this one!

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

...
#3. I will say that through the years things have changed in ministry. Many Pastors are not availbale to their church 24/7. They have set appointment times and they are set by the church administrator and they have lay Pastors that visit the sick, counsel, and prayer teams for special prayer. This is a good thing on one hand and a bad thing on another.

...

In a large church, one or two pastors cannot handle all the calls and requests that come in. It's good if a church can have volunteers who can carry a beeper and be available for designated periods and if they have volunteers who do the visitation of those who are sick.