|
|
Post by birdman on Jul 31, 2002 10:19:49 GMT -5
After 22 years of serving as a pastor and senior pastor, I sit before my computer today serious contemplating leaving the ministry. I am just weary. Weary of little church squabbles. Weary of the power plays dressed in garbs of "voiced concerns". Weary of expecting to give a vision to a church that doesn't want one. Weary of people being called out by God but unable to serve because influential church members have some influence that one way or another they will exert to have their way.
I'm weary of church members who want their church to grow, as long as it grows their way (which by the way is why the church has plateaued and declined in over 20 years). Weary of having no control over the lack of commitment of people in volunteer positions but catching the brunt of the blame for why church programs limp along. Weary of not sleeping at night...and wondering what fire awaits my attention to put out each week. I'm weary of preaching to people, some of whom don't seem like they even want to hear.
And I am tired of seeing how church stuff is negatively influencing my family. To be honest with you, I don't know how my young girls haven't just abandoned the faith. I am concerned with how all this junk will affect their future committment to God. I see it already having taken a toll.
I never envisioned it to ever degenerate into this when I sensed God's call in my life. I guess I expected something very different when I was working on my BA, MDiv, and PhD...and teaching at a Baptist University. And it is sad to say...but God knows my heart this morning...if someone approached me and told me they weren't sure but might think God was leading them into some field of Christian service...I would counsel them long and hard about thinking it over very, very carefully. I know...it doesn't sound very Christian. But to be honest...I don't feel much like a child of God today.
Perhaps it is time for to consider becoming bivocational. Serving a small church in a pioneer area and go back to secure a teaching degree (funny...after working to gain a PhD). A tent making career would take the pressure of being dependent on a church for my family's financial well-being away, and still be of benefit to the work of the kingdom.
I can say this...I have a greater appreciation today for Isaiah's ministry.
|
|
|
|
Post by Uth_Guy on Jul 31, 2002 12:32:52 GMT -5
(Check your instant msgs.) Many of our ministries are in the First Baptist Church of Jeremiah.  |
|
|
|
Post by Lonnie Odom on Aug 2, 2002 8:51:15 GMT -5
May I suggest that you contact LeaderCare Hotline at 1-888-789-1911 and speak with one of the good folks there. You can also go to their website www.lifeway.com/pastor_lc.aspI have more information at the bottom of the main page of PastorStaff Search. They are very helpful and I am sure they would be willing to help you. I have known many who are in the spot you are and Dallas Speight and his crew have been of great help. Tell them Lonnie Odom referred you to them. The first paragraph of your message really hit home, it describes my little church exactly, and I am bi-vocational so that may not be the answer for you. The same stuff goes on even in bi-vo churches. I will be praying for you. Lonnie |
|
|
|
Post by CAPTAIN on Aug 2, 2002 10:22:28 GMT -5
My dear brother in Christ. I to have been down that same road myself. However, I am often reminded that with every defeat thier is Victory. I was in a church that might seem different then your circumtances. The church I Pastored wanted me not to preach on this or that and preaching out of love about sin and other things related to church was wrong to do according to thier standards. My family was devasted by the whole thing in a matter of 8 months I resigned. However, after nearly three years I was invitied back by the the area Ministeral Assocation to preach after a serious of excuses given to them on why I could not do it, I finally told them I would do it. It is possible to reconcile with brothers and sisters in CHRIST. Even though I myself considered not one time but several times to leave the Ministry I stayed in the fight because I did not want the devil to have Victory in my family or My Calling. I think we could Quote a lot of Scripture here but that does not always help the hurt to go away but eventually a lot of prayer to our Father in Heaven does. It will still be thier but it will help us to grow stronger in our Faith and Walk. Remember, that those who cause the problems GOD will handle them, My Brother do not leave the Ministry for you already have the ulitmate Victory over this type of Madness and it is in JESUS the AUTHOR and DEFENDER OF our Faith. Rely on HIM my Brother now is the time to bring you and your family to a closer bond with one another. A fellow Brother in Christ . CAPTAIN
|
|
|
|
Post by ABC_Ron on Aug 2, 2002 20:41:38 GMT -5
Is it possible that you have just too many candels burning? For the Phd you had to do alot of school and writing, wife, family, university professor and pastor, and all the stuff you spoke of. I'd say, take a break and use that counseling Lonnie referred you too. aaaaGod bless, Ron
|
|
|
|
Post by saltcitybaptist on Aug 12, 2002 6:29:32 GMT -5
I was thinking about a church I pastored several years ago. There was one man who complained that I used too many scripitures (several passages from different books) in my message. This message was of course a topical message as opposed to a passage message. This same man also complaind about the name of the church. The church had been closed for some time due to previous problems. At an organizational meeting, to reopen the church, I proposed we changed the name as to prevent bad memories from the past. By the way, this individual was not at said meeting.
I suppose some folks just assume their purpose in life is to be a thorne in the flesh.
I could tell you the story about the time I was praying to close the service after the invitation, a young man stood up and demanded I extend the invitation...
|
|
|
|
Post by Uth_Guy on Oct 23, 2002 11:12:23 GMT -5
Birdman, I hope you're still out there! Lonnie suggested LeaderCare in his post. I can recommend this option with my whole heart. It is worth the call if you haven't already.
We'd love to hear from you so when you get a moment, give us a post. Our prayers are with you still.
|
|
|
|
Post by enoch on Nov 30, 2002 13:14:04 GMT -5
Dear dear brother in Christ Jesus, fellow servant,
It is easy to fall into the trap of advising you like the friends of Job did. But I rather want to encourage you this day.
I am aware that this situation happened some time ago, but if like most churches today, I am sure you are working on putting out another fire as I write this missive.
Do not be disheartened. I have been there myself. In fact I had to resign my Pastorate back in July. My wife's health dealt us the final blow in a series of long anguishing and discouraging shots to our ministry. We are awaiting orders from our Lord to reenter the fray in another location where my wife will be able to breathe. She suffers terribly from work inflicted asthma. At our last church the mold and mildew and pollens finally started to affect her and when you add in all of the church-oriented stress, well the handwriting appeared on the wall and we left.
The church called another man, played some games with him and his family and they left. The remaining members gave the building to the first baptist church in town to use and went to other churches.
It is very discouraging, but we are not to give in to these times, but be built and learn from them.
For myself, I have taken Joshua 1:9 as my personal verse.
Have not I commanded you. Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. For the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest.
And this past couple of weeks in my personal devotions, God has been impressing me further as I read in Jeremiah chapter 1.
Please read this chapter for yourself and see if God does not use it to encourage you to continue on.
I will no longer allow those who want to sit on their laurels and watch others flounder. I shall not waste my precious time playing the game of Church. God has called me to preach the good news of grace and salvation. To encourage and strengthen those who are on the front lines and prepare the way for His return. I want to win as many souls to Christ Jesus and disciple them. I do not need numbers of people who have made a statement of faith with their lips. I want to see men and women make a statement of faith with their lives.
Not as though I had already apprehended, but these things I do, forgetting those things which are behind...I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13-14
|
|
|
|
Post by Shiloh on Feb 26, 2003 15:14:49 GMT -5
Birdman, you haven't replied. How are you doing now, seven months since your post?
|
|
|
|
Post by workmankelly on Feb 27, 2003 7:52:38 GMT -5
I am new to this board brothers. I to am writing this with a discouraged spirit. My story is as follows. I pastored a small dying church that I felt led to close. Seven years before I arrived, this church made some decisions that sealed its fate in the kingdom.
I won't go into all the details of how and why, but our church saw the need for the closure and we proceeded in that direction. My discouragement is not in the closure of this work. God has blessed this obedience with a new Hispanic congregation in the building that is growing. My discouragement come from the lack of support from our association. My DOM has informed me that with my track record, I will probably not get another church. I have not heard from them since the closing.( how u doing, etc) I believe sucess in the church lies with salvation fruit. If it ain't happening, why play games. Encourage me brothers. Thanks, Kelly
|
|
|
|
Post by Shiloh on Feb 27, 2003 12:53:58 GMT -5
Maybe in his case, DOM is spelled DUM. Unless you have closed a bunch of churches I canot see why he says with your track record. Actually, there are at least two dozen that I would love to close here in the Dallas area.
Later for him. If God has called youthere will eventually come a place. Sometimes Association people are just like bureaucrats. Ignore them and do your own search and let God work for you. Just "remember" that association and that DOM if you find a church within their area and cut off the funding for them. That will get their attention if nothing else will.
Your call comes from God and is without repentance. later for that guy. Keep looking up and join the Maverick Ministers. ;-)
|
|
