What Would You Do if This Was You?

[Falla39]

Think of those who by faith endured, believing in He who had promised.
Abraham waited for the son God had promised. Got weary in waiting on
the promise and with Sarah's help, tried to "help" God. But God still kept
His promise.

King Saul became impatient and decided to not wait but go on his own.
Lost the kingdom and his life.

But in the book of Hebrews there is a list of those who by faith won
victories, some didn't live to receive them but had hope of a future
prize. He that shall endure unto the end shall be saved.

To those who will wait upon the Lord, and to those who do not grow
weary in well doing, in due season (God's time) they shall reap, IF they
faint not.

No time, dear friends, to faint. It just could be that over the next hill
we'll be HOME!

Blessings,

Falla39

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Falla39

...
To those who will wait upon the Lord, and to those who do not grow
weary in well doing, in due season (God's time) they shall reap, IF they
faint not.

No time, dear friends, to faint. It just could be that over the next hill
we'll be HOME!

Blessings,

Falla39

We can't look at this from a natural standpoint like a secular business. If planting that church was the will of God for that pastor then that's what he should have done. If it is God's will for him to remain as shepherd then that's what he should do. It might be God's will for him to move on and let another take over based on "one plants, another waters." Only he can answer that question by seeking God's will.

Sis. Falla referenced a song "Over the Next Hill We'll Be Home." I heard that song recently. It's been out for about 30 years. Here are a couple of versions of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4K5upGpLYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-CsPkavO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN0Zl...eature=related

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by Sam

We can't look at this from a natural standpoint like a secular business. If planting that church was the will of God for that pastor then that's what he should have done. If it is God's will for him to remain as shepherd then that's what he should do. It might be God's will for him to move on and let another take over based on "one plants, another waters." Only he can answer that question by seeking God's will.

Sis. Falla referenced a song "Over the Next Hill We'll Be Home." I heard that song recently. It's been out for about 30 years. Here are a couple of versions of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4K5upGpLYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-CsPkavO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN0Zl...eature=related

Thank you, Bro. Sam, for posting this beautiful song. It, like other songs
have much more meaning as we get closer to HOME! Have also loved a
song sung many years ago by Sis. Micky Mangun. "Long And Winding Road".

Life is a journey just as surely as those children traveling through the wilder-
ness. They grumbled and complained because that was what was in their
hearts. God, through the leadership of Moses would endeavor to lead them,
but as many today (even with so much better conditions in which to travel,
live and serve God), they still are not satisfied. Why! Because those bitter
waters they have pertaken of, have never been allowed to become sweet.

It's through the difficult times in my life, through the sorrowful times that
brought me to a place where HE brought sweetness. Taste and see that
the Lord is good, HIS mercy everlasting. Be thankful unto HIM and bless His
Name, for HE is SO GOOD, HIS mercy is everlasting and HIS truth endureth
unto ALL generations. The Bible tells us that GOD is IN the generation of
the righteous. Their rightousness is of me, saith the Lord. We have no right-
eousness in ourselves, lest we should boast. But HE saved us by the wash-
ing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which HE shed on
us abundantly. Bless HIS Marvelous name forever and ever!

Blessings,

Falla39

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

How long should a pastor stay at a church under these circumstances?

He's been pastor for almost a decade.

- Membership is 30.

- There is minimal compensation and he works a secular job fifty hours a week.

- The church building is an embarrassment, but paid for.

- Started the church from nothing.

- He pays some of the church bills out of his own pocket.

- The church members are apathetic.

How does one define... "The church members are apathetic"

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

How does one define... "The church members are apathetic"

I belive it would mean they just don't seem to care.

[Timmy]

Maybe God wants him to use his own judgment. To use the mind He gave him, his common sense. To figure out what 2 plus 2 is, without waiting to hear God say "4".

God isn't always a puppet master. Is He?

God doesn't want him to be miserable. Does He?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Maybe God wants him to use his own judgment. To use the mind He gave him, his common sense. To figure out what 2 plus 2 is, without waiting to hear God say "4".

God isn't always a puppet master. Is He?

God doesn't want him to be miserable. Does He?

The sad thing would be that any of the reasoning for anyone being miserable would simply be because their current situation didn't line up to what we are taught success is.

30 souls. Wow... how fantastic.

How wonderful is it to fellowship together with a this portion of the family of God and to say, when it is all said and done, that you had taught, led, helped and otherwise assisted 30 of God's children on their journey through this pilgrim land.

What a great thing to be proud of.

But this is viewed by far too many to be a "small work". That leads people to feel like underachievers for some terrible reason.

If anyone has ever ministered 30 people before they would know that it is no small task at all.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

The sad thing would be that any of the reasoning for anyone being miserable would simply be because their current situation didn't line up to what we are taught success is.

30 souls. Wow... how fantastic.

How wonderful is it to fellowship together with a this portion of the family of God and to say, when it is all said and done, that you had taught, led, helped and otherwise assisted 30 of God's children on their journey through this pilgrim land.

What a great thing to be proud of.

But this is viewed by far too many to be a "small work". That leads people to feel like underachievers for some terrible reason.

If anyone has ever ministered 30 people before they would know that it is no small task at all.

It's more than just the numbers, it seems. But regardless, are you saying this fellow should just be happy where he is, no matter what?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Timmy

It's more than just the numbers, it seems. But regardless, are you saying this fellow should just be happy where he is, no matter what?

No sir... Absolutely not. When one is not happy in a place it doesn't do them any good to stay nor does it do any good for those they are ministering to.

I'm just saying that it would be sad to know that this might be a scenario that they might have been pleased with except for a perceived pressure to be "successful" and have the big numbers and the fancy church building.

It would be disheartening to know that these expectations were instrumental in making a pastor displeased with such a great success.

[Stephanas]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

The sad thing would be that any of the reasoning for anyone being miserable would simply be because their current situation didn't line up to what we are taught success is.

30 souls. Wow... how fantastic.

How wonderful is it to fellowship together with a this portion of the family of God and to say, when it is all said and done, that you had taught, led, helped and otherwise assisted 30 of God's children on their journey through this pilgrim land.

What a great thing to be proud of.

But this is viewed by far too many to be a "small work". That leads people to feel like underachievers for some terrible reason.

If anyone has ever ministered 30 people before they would know that it is no small task at all.

That's exactly what I was trying to say.