Breaking into church cliques

[steve p]

Originally Posted by Maple Leaf

If you think cliques are bad, you should have been there on the Bible study night when the pastor decided to preach against sects in the church.

[Pro31:28]

Originally Posted by steve p

Sects is ONLY ok in the bonds of Marriage. Sects is beautiful and lovely for married people, it is a gift of God... created for both intimacy and procreation

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Maple Leaf

If you think cliques are bad, you should have been there on the Bible study night when the pastor decided to preach against sects in the church.

You should have called me...I'd have flown in for that one

[Joie]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

There are still some things that haven't been said...

Yes, Rhoni, I agree...not absolutely certain we are on the same page. I have a post in my email but I am going to run it by my dh. All of it is true... but not sure I should post it as it will surely be considered mega anti ultra con.

Gotta get my work handled... will be back tonite.

Happy Tuesday everyone, Jo

[Joie]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

It isn't that people don't come in, but most churches this way, have as many going out the door as coming in.

Ummmmmmmm maybe we are on the same page. Haven't we all seen too many come and go. Of course, some are looking for something they will never find. God is love!

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Joie

Yes, Rhoni, I agree...not absolutely certain we are on the same page. I have a post in my email but I am going to run it by my dh. All of it is true... but not sure I should post it as it will surely be considered mega anti ultra con.

Gotta get my work handled... will be back tonite.

Happy Tuesday everyone, Jo

JO,

That is the Elephant I am talking about, and it is not only related to ultra-conservatives. Some things just are and will not be changed. No one wants to hear about it because they don't like to make waves and the trouble to change a paradigm takes too much energy and time.

This is sad. I think one day God will hold us accountable for not doing what we could have done because of the fear of people, reputations, and fear of losing finances.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Joie

Ummmmmmmm maybe we are on the same page. Haven't we all seen too many come and go. Of course, some are looking for something they will never find. God is love!

Churches don't know how to make room for new workers, some more qualified, and some less...but everyone needs a place. Many saints, or those in ministry positions, are afraid if someone else does something then they will be replaced, or it may be done better than it has been done and they will feel embarrassed. Therefore they ostrasize, make excuses why it wouldn't be a good idea, or maybe even the "we tried that once and it didn't work", or maybe they are satisfied because they are patted on the back and told they are "cutting edge" when in fact that edge was cut 20-30 years ago.

There are many reasons why things are the way they are. You have to be born in a family with the power to be able to be used whether you are particularly good at something or not. You have to hand it to Jonathon, when he was next in line for the throne [his father's position as king] and saw the calling on David and befriended him to preserve his life and ministry.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Blubayou]

Originally Posted by tstew

Great post. Too often I've witnessed people come in and try to change things and the very way they approach it almost comes across as an indictment of how things were done before. When the message is sent or even perceived that you feel like most of what they were doing before was wrong, you set the foundation for a lot of defenses and resistance. In order for them to get onboard with you, they would almost have to be agreeing with that notion of their past efforts.
I think that you should allow key people to be a part of the actual formulation of the direction. Even if you are steering them in the direction you feel led to go, if they feel like they are one of the architects it makes it easier to sell. Too often new leaders come through the door with a whole new gameplan already formulated and that can be trouble.
When I was new to leadership in my current church, I first tried to learn why things were done the way they were. There were many things that I thought could be done differently, but afetr a while I understood why they were done the way they were. On the other hand, in those areas that I saw should still be improved, I was very careful in how I went about effecting it.

Great Post and something I left out when I wrote mine- (I was watching the Olympics while I wrote.) This is a key componet to change - Buy in- Unless the people of the organization feel part of the change- then they will resist the change.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Blubayou

Great Post and something I left out when I wrote mine- (I was watching the Olympics while I wrote.) This is a key componet to change - Buy in- Unless the people of the organization feel part of the change- then they will resist the change.

Exactly. People have to feel vested. That is the key to faithfulness monetarily, and in attendace. If you are not vested you will be inconsistent and alienated.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Joie

Yes, Rhoni, I agree...not absolutely certain we are on the same page. I have a post in my email but I am going to run it by my dh. All of it is true... but not sure I should post it as it will surely be considered mega anti ultra con.

Gotta get my work handled... will be back tonite.

Happy Tuesday everyone, Jo

Waiting for you Sis. BTW, I love that picture of you...how old were you there?

Blessings, Rhoni