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The Pastor's Plight

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by tyndale1946, May 16, 2002.

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  1. tyndale1946

    tyndale1946 Well-Known Member
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    THE PASTOR'S PLIGHT

    The pastor of a church is in a precarious position; he can't please everyone! It has been said:

    * If he is young, he lacks experience; if his hair is grey, he's too old for the young people.

    * If he has several children, he has too many; if he has no children, he's setting a bad example.

    * If he preaches from his notes, he has canned sermons and is too dry; if he doesn't use notes, he has not studied and is not deep.

    * If he is attentive to the poor people in the church, they claim he is playing to the grandstand; if he pays attention to the wealthy, he is trying to be an aristocrat.

    * If he suggests changes for improvement of the church, he is a dictator; if he makes no suggestions, he is a figurehead.

    * If he uses too many illustrations, he neglects the Bible; if he doesn't use enough illustrations, he isn't clear.

    * If he condemns wrong, he is cranky; if he doesn't preach against sin, he's a compromiser.

    * If he fails to please somebody, he's hurting the church and ought to leave; if he tries to please everyone, he is a fool.

    * If he preaches about money, he's a money grabber; if he doesn't preach spiritual giving, he is failing to develop the people.

    * If he drives an old car, he shames his congregation; if he drives a new car, he is setting his affection on earthly things.

    * If he preaches all the time, the people get tired of hearing one man; if he invites guest speakers, he is shirking his responsibility.

    * If he receives a large salary, he's mercenary; if he receives only a small salary, it proves he isn't worth much anyway... Is that really the way it is?... Brother Glen :confused:
     
    #1 tyndale1946, May 16, 2002
  2. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    Glen,

    Yes that's really the way it is (except in my circles you could say "he or she" everywhere you said "he" [​IMG] ).

    Obviously there's some hyperbole there, but not much. Even in the healthiest of congregations, some people are always unhappy (and it's not always the same people).

    Joshua
     
    #2 Rev. Joshua, May 16, 2002
  3. TaterTot

    TaterTot Guest

    I agree to all of those!!Another one we have had - if he marries divorced or pregnant couples or those living together, he is sinning and condoning their sin, but if he doesnt, he is not being redemptive and giving them a chance to build a godly foundation.
     
    #3 TaterTot, May 18, 2002
  4. Circuitrider

    Circuitrider <img src=/circuitrider2.JPG>
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    As hard as it is to keep our eyes focused on the Lord and his work, that is what we must do. While I have struggled like every pastor with tryiing to please the people in my church, :rolleyes: when it came down to it, I had to please the Lord. After 30 years of pastoral ministry I have had my supporters and I have had my detractors. :eek: However, I have committed myself to the Lord and ultimately it is him I must please. :cool:

    "Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." I have tried to live by that verse in my pastoral ministry and I will stand before God for it (Heb 13:17). ;)
     
    #4 Circuitrider, May 21, 2002
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