Things You May Not Know About Ministry

["GL"]

Originally Posted by revrandy

GL... No fair...your pulling these out of a book....

Nope. Not at all.

I've only heard the last one. Have not even had time to read his book yet...

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

It is a principle Sis.

Look I am not saying that a pastor is superior. I am only saying that he has an unvbelievable respionsibility to deliver the Word without fear or favor.

Too much familiarity can compromise this.

It's not an "I'm better than you" attitude. I despise that.

It is an "I must deliver the Word to help the flock" attitude.

Okay, I can understand that. I've been reading those books by Verbal Bean and he says something similar.

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by Margies3

Why would you expect more from those in ministry? We're all on this journey together, brother.

Do you think that God works in a more mighty way in the life of a minister than He does in the life of a saint?

I know that you are saying that you shouldn't put the pastor up on a pedestal. But by expecting more of him than you would of yourself or some other saint, you really are.

No wonder saints end up hurt. These men are just as human as anyone else. Trying just as hard. But just as fallible. That's unfair pressure to put on them - expecting more of them than of other saints.

Originally Posted by revrandy

Sis.....
That line depends on how folks who are in church were brought up... most in UC circles and some moderates the voice of the Preacher is God... and when he or any other preacher falters or fails they are never looked at as the same..

RR, that was my point exactly. I, too, was brought up on that kind of hogwash. The pastor is NOT God. He is as fallible as any of the rest of us and it is grossly unfair of anyone to expect him to be perfect.

The danger in believing that the pastor is more perfect than the rest of us is that our eyes get fixed on the pastor as our guide then. We need to be looking to JESUS. Not to any man! The pastor is our shepherd. He does not own the ranch. God owns the ranch

[Margies3]

By the way, please don't take the above post as a 'pastor bash'. It was not meant that way at all.

In fact, my point is that we, as saints in the church, can sometimes put pressure on the pastor that we should not. If GOD puts pressure on him personally to measure up to a different standard, that's between him and God. But we, as saints, need to understand from the beginning that even tho the pastor will do the very best that he can do (as we should also!), he will fall at times. It is not the end of the world when he stumbles. ALL of us stumble.

I think that we need to treat pastors with the same kind of love and compassion and respect as we would anyone else.

[TalkLady]

A minister should be honest at all times.
No lying.
No stealing.
No misrepresenting facts.

If only that were true!!!!!!!!

[TrueNorth]

Originally Posted by TalkLady

A minister should be honest at all times.
No lying.
No stealing.
No misrepresenting facts.

If only that were true!!!!!!!!

In most cases it is!

[Coffee99]

I'm not a minister, but may I add my two cents?

1. Must have a bottomless well of patience and humor;
2. Must be willing to give up sleep;
3. Must be able to eat poorly cooked food and maintain a neutral expression;
4. Should have an understanding wife who understands the demands on a minister in terms of time, etc. and one who does not create drama in a church
5. Must have a hobby that allows him to get in a quiet place to talk to God and regain his senses -- like fishing
6. Must have communication skills
7. Must be willing to do so much without a thank you
8. Must be able to be a minister 100% of the time even when being forced to have a second job to support his family
9. Must have leadership abilities
10.Must have courage

[EA]

I agree.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Must be able to take criticism without becoming personally devastated by it. Because ministers get criticized a lot.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

I agree.

Dude! You crack me up! I love it! And you too!

Keep fighting the good fight against the forces or malaise!