What Would You Do if This Was You?

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

It would be hard to say one way or the other...some people are happy with small numbers...others hold their own but grow little...
I guess he would have to know in his heart what the Lord wants of him...Noah had 8...however that is used too often by lazy people...
Every soul we win is precious and to that one it makes a difference where they will spend eternity...
Is this real?

I heard a preacher preach one time one of the reasons we should not measure ourselves among ourselves, is because God calls each for a different reason. He equips some to pastor less than a 100, some to pastor 1,000 and etc.

The main thing is to be content where God has placed you. IF God did not place you there you will never be content.

[BrotherEastman]

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.

Sounds like my dad. Although he no longer pastors because the building wasn't paid for and he had to pay out of his own pocket the church mortgage. He tried that with 3 different works, but they ultimately failed.

[Stephanas]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Until he returns.

I'm sure the lobbing is real helpful to this minister....lol!

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.

Sorry.

Here's my answer.

I hope it doesn't sound harsh, but here it is.

If it's the will of God to stay, stay.

If it's the will of God to go, go.

Nothing else matters, not apathetic people, not grimy buildings, not numbers or dollars, not good days or bad days, nothing else matters.

[ChTatum]

Originally Posted by Stephanas

Sorry.

Here's my answer.

I hope it doesn't sound harsh, but here it is.

If it's the will of God to stay, stay.

If it's the will of God to go, go.

Nothing else matters, not apathetic people, not grimy buildings, not numbers or dollars, not good days or bad days, nothing else matters.

Good post. It must be correct, as I concur.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Stephanas

Sorry.

Here's my answer.

I hope it doesn't sound harsh, but here it is.

If it's the will of God to stay, stay.

If it's the will of God to go, go.

Nothing else matters, not apathetic people, not grimy buildings, not numbers or dollars, not good days or bad days, nothing else matters.

I believe this is the bottom line.

[triumphant1]

I think this pastor--if he really wants to leave--is doing the church a dis-service by staying. Let me clarify, all of us go through times of discouragement and start looking at what we perceive as greener pastures across the fence. But when we lose the vision and passion for the church with NO possibility for it to be re-ignited, it is time to reconsider our involvement there.

With that said, I am not saying this pastor should quit--but at the same time I do not completely buy into this whole, "I want to leave so bad that the roof is caving in but God won't let me go" business. I do not believe that the will of God is to put this man in a dungeon like slavery situation!

I have gone through some trying times in pastoring our church. My flesh has cried out, "LEAVE!!! I want to LEAVE!!!" more than once. But my spirit, and my vision, and my desire for the church NEVER said leave!! Every time my flesh got tired--my spirit kept the faith! And today we are seeing the fruit of staying--with joy and peace!

If this man has completely lost the vision and desire--both in flesh and spirit--all he is doing is running that thing into the ground!

I am sorry this is so long but please bear with me.

This man must rekindle the fire if he is going to stay! I would start with getting a hold on a new vision for the church. That would start with cleaning the place up--even if I had to do it myself! My wife and I have done this on more than one occasion! Paints some walls! Plant some flowers! Clean some carpets!! It will put life into the people just for them to walk in on Sunday and see fresh paint, a new flower arrangement, maybe a new chair and table in the foyer...

Rearrange the platform! Do something new! Give the place a face lift! A new vision and new enthusiasm for the church can start with this simple action! They say, if you want to keep it alive, change the scenery no less than every three years! Even major corporations do this. Church consultants say every 6 months change a color here, a color there, add and replace furniture--let there be a constant rotation of newness in your facilities!

Next, he should seek for fresh vision in the church! STOP DOING THE SAME OLE SAME OLE!!!!

I gotta stop...but let me say. If he can't mobilize himself to action--because his flesh and spirit have both given up--then he needs to leave. God will let him go with no strings attached! And that church will go on with a new leader if it is indeed a part of the Kingdom of God! Otherwise, get up there and do something new--and re-energize himself and that church!

[triumphant1]

Bump for Rhenda....

Did my words make sense? I would love some feedback on them.