The last line is troubling to me (in both of the above posts), but not in this context, I guess.
Just read about the Pastor's "cage," in the book above, hmm.
What is troubling about it, BB?
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
I think we need to ask ourselves an important question. Is all of this “biblical”? We have:
Programs:
New Converts
Sunday School
Children’s Church
Outreach
Softball
Baseball
Music
Choir
… and the list could go on and on
We have these massive buildings requiring massive amounts of money (nearly 80% of all revenues brought into a church). We have massive building funds to expand the buildings.
It’s obviously more of a business than anything else.
In the NT we see believers primarily gathering in homes around elders (spiritual fathers/mentors) and discussing Scripture. These smaller meetings were primarily discussion based wherein all prophesied, or shared a word. Questions were often asked and lives were shared. They didn’t have church buildings. They didn’t have “programs”. They functioned as a spiritual family. They didn’t function like a religious corporation. They shared their lives and their belongings, including money, to see to it that the needs within the family (church) were met. Today we have dozens of men in most churches who are more than qualified to serve as elders. But they sit on a pew and spend time burning out in programs. They are just being kept busy with the illusion that one day the “pastor” will see all their effort and allow them to follow their dreams. However, that’s only an illusion. Because the more necessary and useful they become both in time and finances…the LESS likely their pastor is to release them to follow their call or their dreams. I had a pastor tell me frankly, “I know I have men in this church who feel called to pastor. But what would I do if I released them? They are the most faithful volunteers and givers that we have. It would hurt the church to release them. Now, if God sent families like them to replace them, I’d feel better about releasing them. But until that happens, I can’t endanger the work of God.”
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
. = "is greater than?"
and the Church takes precedence over family;
but the church doesn't, necessarily.
Ah, ok, missed the capitalization.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
Balance varies by the person. Some people are able to take on more because of their personalities, their organizational skills, their time management skills and their energy levels. A good way to evaluate it is to jot down your priorities in order. Usually for me they go something like this:
God (personal relationship)
Personal (my own health and wellbeing)
Family (basic responsibilities + quality time)
Church (basic responsibilities + ministry responsibilities)
Extended Family (staying in contact + occasional visits)
Friends (quality time)
Community (involvement & outreach)
Everything else
It really boils down to how much YOU can handle without neglecting a higher priority. I don't neglect my family in favor of church and I don't neglect church in favor of community involvement. I don't neglect God in favor of family and so on and so forth. Of course, in reality, I DO neglect my responsibilities sometimes, because we do tend to have to struggle for balance. In order to be sane and balanced, we have to re-evaluate every so often and make sure we haven't overloaded ourselves and moved something important out of the way for something less important.
I feel that my personal relationship with God involves attending the church for corporate worship and the Word, and giving my tithes and offering. IMO, that is the extent of the crossover between my personal relationship with God and my obligations to the church. I also believe that my personal relationship with God and being a part of His kingdom requires me to be *reaching out* evangelistically as a Christian. However, the latter doesn't have to be accomplished through a church program. That is accomplished by taking Christmas gifts to neighbors and striking up conversations with strangers at the grocery store. For ME, church obligations or ministries that exceed what I have outlined as my personal obligations to God fall into a category that is less important than God, Personal and Family priorities. I don't accept church responsibilities that I can't fulfill without keeping those first responsibilities going effectively.
My personal rule of thumb is that my commitments are good for one year. At the end of every year, I look at my schedule again and decide whether or not I can recommit to music department, teaching, various outreaches, music camp, etc. These are decisions that I make with my husband's input, and then I inform other people of those decisions. The reason for the 1-year commitment is that it inconveniences other people and departments to lose key people or leaders in the middle of the [fiscal] year. It's a way to be considerate. It's also a way to make sure you are really certain you want to commit to a department for a full year before you say yes.
Bottom Line: It's okay to say no. And no one's salvation is dependent on their involvement in church programs, fundraisers, etc. Ever.
Short answer and I agree!!!
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
And no one's salvation is dependent on their involvement in church programs, fundraisers, etc. Ever. 
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