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"I want a church where I don't have to do anything."

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by SBCPreacher, Mar 17, 2009.

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  1. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    My secretary had a lady tell her this today. She wants a church where she can bring her kids, but where she won't have to serve in any way. After thinking about this, I realized that we have many who fit that same description already!!

    Any folks like that in your church?
     
    #1 SBCPreacher, Mar 17, 2009
  2. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Too many! :BangHead:
     
    #2 Mexdeaf, Mar 17, 2009
  3. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    They're in every church.
     
    #3 webdog, Mar 17, 2009
  4. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    You mean that I'm expected to serve in my church? Isn't that the pastor's job? Don't we pay him to do all the work?
     
    #4 sag38, Mar 17, 2009
  5. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Honestly, if you don't want to put anything into church, you won't get anything out of church.
     
    #5 annsni, Mar 17, 2009
  6. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    Wow, I've never heard that before (can you feel the sarcasm??).
     
    #6 SBCPreacher, Mar 17, 2009
  7. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

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    Yes, they just aren't quite so up front about it. They resort to excuses instead.

    My favorite is when people ask what our church has to offer them and their kids. I really want to ask them what they have to offer us, like will they pray for us, show up for services excited instead of looking half dead, praise and encourage instead of complain and gossip. 'Course, if I asked that I'd probably get in trouble.:saint:
     
    #7 abcgrad94, Mar 17, 2009
  8. puros_bran

    puros_bran Member

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    We pay the Pastor 15k a year and he still expects us to do things? Utter nonsense!
    I'm starting to believe preachers may just be too lazy. Maybe we need to lower their pay a bit if they expect us to do their job.
     
    #8 puros_bran, Mar 17, 2009
  9. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Yup. Me.

    I confess I've felt that way before. I teach Sunday School, VBS, children's choir, serve as the church pianist, am constantly on one committee or another, am the church librarian, and a host of other minor things.

    I've been overwhelmed many times and wished countless times that I didn't have anything to do at my church except to just show up and listen to the preaching. I wish that I could just walk in at 1 minute 'til the service starts, pick a quiet pew, and just sit and soak it all in.

    But, it don't work that way, does it.

    I'm grateful to serve and I get a joy from it, but get burnt out sometimes.

     
    #9 Scarlett O., Mar 17, 2009
  10. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Sometimes the best thing we can learn is to say, "No!"

    I could appreciate someone being upfront about not wanting to do anything. That leaves me half way there to reaching them.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #10 Jim1999, Mar 17, 2009
  11. ajg1959

    ajg1959 New Member

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    I hope my pastor doesnt read this,,,,he'll want a raise up to $15,000 too!

    AJ
     
    #11 ajg1959, Mar 17, 2009
  12. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I never put the pastoral role on a secular basis, and hence never received a "salary". Any monies given to me was an honourarium to cover expenses for living and ministry.

    With my education, I could earn for more money than any church could or would offer!

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #12 Jim1999, Mar 17, 2009
  13. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Scarlett this can be a real problem in a small church, where the jobs to be done are spread among just a few willing people. Could this be your situation?
     
    #13 Tom Butler, Mar 17, 2009
  14. Steven2006

    Steven2006 New Member

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    I have found that sometimes at smaller churches, that they seem to only trust that same core group of people to handle "important" things. They are very dedicated in fact impressively so, but sometimes I think they lack the ability to let go and delegate to others.
     
    #14 Steven2006, Mar 17, 2009
  15. MorganT

    MorganT New Member

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    20% of your members do 80% of the work to be done, while 80% of your members wait to be waited on. Its sad but true.
     
    #15 MorganT, Mar 17, 2009
  16. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

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    How about the people who drop the kids off and keep going...
     
    #16 LeBuick, Mar 17, 2009
  17. ray Marshall

    ray Marshall New Member

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    Children are as arrows in a quiver.
     
    #17 ray Marshall, Mar 17, 2009
  18. JPPT1974

    JPPT1974 Active Member
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    They are everywhere. But God however, may want us to serve, to a certain extent. Doesn't have to be in the front or, like a pastor or youth minister. It can be, behind the scenes.
     
    #18 JPPT1974, Mar 17, 2009
  19. mcdirector

    mcdirector Active Member

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    Lining up with Scarlett.

    There was one point where I felt like I had volunteered my life away to the church. I actually stopped going for a short while. (very short - but I was so burned out, I just couldn't go.) That was when I decided I'd do one thing long term and the occasional short term project. It is not glorifying to God if I am so worn out from volunteering that I don't want to enter the sanctuary (or even the parking lot)!

    But the gal you are talking about Preacher - the church is full of 'em I'm afraid.
     
    #19 mcdirector, Mar 18, 2009
  20. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    Many people wouldn't be burned out if everyone would exercise their gifts and talents. More so, it some men would stop lurking in the shadows and step up and be the men that God called them to be there would be a lot less burn out and cynicism to serving in the church.
     
    #20 sag38, Mar 18, 2009
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