Yep, sometimes even pastors whine.
Yep, I am grateful for those in the congregation that see a future for ministry outside themselves and made a commitment to increase my salary.
Yep, I've served in enough congregations to know the difference between fearful based ministry and joyful risk taking ministry.
Yep, I've faithfully served the church I currently serve and have listened and learned....which gives me the wisdom to know when the glass is half full and when the glass is going dry.
Yep, T-Bone (blog comment maker) you can be assured that plenty of folks in the church have put me in my place and totally disagree with my perspectives.
Yep, not all "fixed incomes" are equal. Let's just say many (not all, but many) of our "fixed income" folks can easily afford T-bone....and most can eat sirloin.
Yep, in the end choices must be made on both sides. Perhaps some churches simply want a baby sitter pastor....others a leader with ideas, and imagination.
Yep, after spending my entire life in the church....I have not only the ability but the right to share my opinions....even when others don't agree.
Yep, I preached on God's grace today....that faith is not what is seen but what is unseen.
Yep, despite opinions, self-centeredness, fear, anger, grief, short-sightedness.....God will not give up on us or the church.
Yep, that's all I have to say at the end of a long, and good Sunday.
4 comments:
As always, I think you rock.
And I want to vigorously defent your right to present your viewpoints, unapologetically, on your very own blog. Because it's your blog, after all, and not the local newspaper.
It is T-Man, not T-Bone and I am surprised that you are sure that many of the fixed income folks are so well off that they can eat T-Bone or sirloin. I was under the impression that pastors normally were not aware of what individual congregation members gave to the church. I guess your congregation must publish these, as I am sure you would not utter such a statement without having the facts to back it up. My church does not make financial contributions public knowledge, which I believe is proper.
A half full attitude is certainly a better attitude to have for a person who deems themselves a leader, as you do. Seems like God would have a half full attitude and not give up on us, so I pray you are at least right about that. I am afraid that your characterization of others as opinionated, self-centered, fearful, angry, grief-stricken, and short-sighted says something about your own self centeredness. As Fat Doctor says it is your blog so you can say what you want, but I don't find it at all healing or helpful, so I won't be looking at your blog anymore.
In Christ
T-Man
John,
I don't know what people give to the church. I simply visit them in their homes, eat with them, listen to the story's as to where they travel and what they do.
I am here to speak the good and the hard of living in the church. There is plenty of good....but churches and denominations that are in critical decline must face some facts that are not too warm and fuzzy.
I'll tell you about the warm fuzzies tomorrow. But you won't be around.
I remember hearing members of a church I once served complain about the congregational budget and how the glass was very clearly HALF EMPTY ... they raged about their fixed incomes when I offered the challenge to take the cost of ONE cup of coffee a day (it was a culture of going out for coffee multiple times a day) and place that on the collection plate for the next year ...
I had mused that the effect on the financial bottom line would have been dramatic ... but from fear they raged - "outrageous" - "unbelievable" and only a few picked up the challenge ... the others jetted off to their southern holidays muttering all the way about how unreasonable their minister had become ...
In my humble experience, those who rage most when the Church asks for more time, more commitment and YES more money,are those who have the depth to give MORE, but in their fear commit only to their selfish interests ...
Keep speaking the truth brother ... this week's lectionary reminds us that Eli and his boys were dumped when Samuel showed up, but we seldom preach it from that perspective ... maybe we need to start.
Prophets are seldom welcome or appreciated ... this much I know from experience.
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