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Apathy
May 13, 2002 22:51:23 GMT -5
Post by enoch on May 13, 2002 22:51:23 GMT -5
The Pastor was concerned about the lack of enthusiasm and drop in attendance in the congregation. He confronted the deacon about the problem of ignorance and apathy. He asked the deacon "What are we going to do about this ignorance and apathy in the church?" The deacon scratched his chin, said "I don't know and I don't care!" He then turned around and left. Ignorance and apathy. Two Sundays ago, we observed the Lord's Supper. 5 members attended. Last Wednesday night we had a business meeting scheduled. 3 members showed. We had to postpone. What is going on? I have never witnessed anything like this in all my years of ministry. Any ideas? Anybody?
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Apathy
May 14, 2002 10:58:58 GMT -5
Post by boB on May 14, 2002 10:58:58 GMT -5
Enoc, Greetings ing the name of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. It must be depressing right now with the support you are geeting. You did mention only 5 folks showed up for communon. May I ask a couple of questions? 1) When did you have communioun Sun am or pm 2) How many normally attend Sun am service.
May I share a story with you. Back in 1980, I arrived in Wildflecken, Germay (US Army) There were no local Bible believing churches in the area, and it was a waste of time to attend the chapel. (I did have some wonderful chaplains) I started a weekday Bible study. For several weeks, only a few came. It was enough to keep going, but then for three weeks no one came. That third week after no one show up, I went to the Lord and asked if he wanted me to keep the Bible study going. I was ready to give up, if the Lord did not direct me. The next week, Bob Lee (from First Bap of Atlanta,Ga) came. That was enough to keep me going. About two monts later, the Bible study grew, and we formed Fellowship Baptist Church! Within three months we running some 50 people in church! I trust this story will give you encourgament. Rest assured, you are on my prayer list and I think of you often. May the Lord bless you.
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Apathy
May 14, 2002 16:19:45 GMT -5
Post by Shiloh on May 14, 2002 16:19:45 GMT -5
Apathy makes the heart grow colder. Welcome to the last days when Chirst wondered if there would be any faith on Earth when He returned. I suspect that for the most part we will see our core groups get smaller and older or at least until a few more terrorist attacks get people worried again.
On most Sunday mornings we have about 150 people though we have 400 on the membership roll. Sunday PM, maybe 50 and Wed 35. People are too busy to spend much time at church. They have to get the kids ready for bed on school nights and there is too much to watch on TV Sunday night.
It is pitiful and deplorable, but outside of a revival it will get worse.
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Apathy
May 15, 2002 14:26:49 GMT -5
Post by enoch on May 15, 2002 14:26:49 GMT -5
Last week I was ready to call it quits. I was despondent and discouraged. It seemed to me that I was babysitting a group of people who cared not a whit for their own church. "If they did not care for God's House, why then was I wasting my time? Maybe it was time for me to shake the dirt off my sandals and move on. There just isn't any time left to play Church, when Christ is coming soon and there are so many who are lost and hungry for God's Word." I prayed long and hard. Then God did some revealing to me. I've been preaching about Proverbs 29:18 and the fact that the Church is not a "Country Club for the Saved" but rather a "hospital for sinners." I had started looking for numerical growth instead of focusing on "Spiritual growth." God stomped all over my toes. Then I picked up a book by Brian Craig Larson in the Pastor's Soul Series called "Pastoral Grit." It said the same thing and he advised, perseverance. I guess I am really here for the long haul after all. Pray for us. We are really in need of His strength and stamina.
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Apathy
May 15, 2002 15:34:49 GMT -5
Post by Shiloh on May 15, 2002 15:34:49 GMT -5
Yes, go find some sinners and let the saints sit if they want to. If you can get some fired up new Christians in there it will either provoke the old ones to jealousy or run them out.
Hang in there!!!
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Apathy
May 15, 2002 18:00:32 GMT -5
Post by ABC_Ron on May 15, 2002 18:00:32 GMT -5
If I remember correctly you are in a small town in Oklahoma? The other guys are right, hang in there, but, reach out to the community the best that you can. Put adds in the newspaper, hang door hangers on mail boxes, start walking the 'town' area and go into each store your pass and say, Hi, I'm Pastor Bob, The new guy at (name) Church. I was wondering how the church can help you. Send mail out to the local zip code. Let the area know it NOT buisness as usual. Hire the local country western band for Friday night. But by all means, Buy a copy of Rick Warrens, "Purpose Driven Church." And cause a ruckus in that town! When your people see the activity, they will join in and be proud of what you've done. Then tell them all about Jesus! But, you've got to liven up yourself. So, pick you chin up!God did't call you to fail but to call the lost to salvation!
God Bless, Ron
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Apathy
May 20, 2002 11:47:01 GMT -5
Post by enoch on May 20, 2002 11:47:01 GMT -5
I do not wish to go into details here about an incident that happened this past weekend. They are not fit for general reading on this board, suffice it to say that it was quite terrible with consequences that have yet to completely fallout on us. Sunday morning due to the sensitive nature of the incident, my wife and I were ready to resign and move on. We felt that rather than have the embarassment of the situation that would surely come, it was better for the Church not to be exposed to it, we would just leave. This group of tepid saints told us..."If you think you are going anywhere away from us, think again. We'll flatten the tires on your van. We love you and support you 100%. You cannot control the rest of your family, and you are in no wise responsible. So you are staying here!!!" Yes, for the first time in I don't know how many years, or decades I was speechless. I just stood there, tears streaming down my face, and an unspeakable joy in my heart for these, my peculiar Oklahoma Baptist sheep. I managed to enter the pulpit to preach on Exodus 20:4-6 and don't remember a thing after that until I got to the invitation and discovered that I had took my shoes off. Somewhere in my message, no; in God's message, I had told my people that I was standing in God's presence on Holy Ground and removed my shoes as I preached. We had the largest reception at the altar that I have witnessed in this church. I felt like God had manifested His power in a mighty way and then said to His people. Who is on the Lord's side, Come to me! And they came! What Satan meant for harm, God turned into good! [glow=red,2,300] Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen and amen! [/glow] [/i] [/b]
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Apathy
May 20, 2002 12:37:19 GMT -5
Post by ABC_Ron on May 20, 2002 12:37:19 GMT -5
Praise God, Now your are absolutely assured you are not alone. Build a bonfire and a ruckus in that town Brother! ;D, Ron
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Apathy
May 20, 2002 14:10:29 GMT -5
Post by boB on May 20, 2002 14:10:29 GMT -5
enoch, do you believe that part of the reason for you miracle was due to pastors all around the country praying for you and your flock?
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Apathy
May 20, 2002 14:18:31 GMT -5
Post by Shiloh on May 20, 2002 14:18:31 GMT -5
Sounds like the Revival fire has been lit in OKIE Land! Glory! Spread some of the sparks around, Brother!!!
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Apathy
May 22, 2002 11:44:45 GMT -5
Post by enoch on May 22, 2002 11:44:45 GMT -5
I know my Redeemer lives! I have heard the voice of the Lord tell me to Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD! 8) I want to thank each of you for lifting us up in your prayers. They have been answered in a very dramatic fashion. We are riding the wave for now and weathering for the storm which we know shall follow. It would be naive for us to believe that satan is done here. This is a small town and very judgmental. It helps that the injured party will continue in our congregation and he is supported by the people. Also he is a native of the town and his soon-to-be-ex, an outsider. Don't drop us from your prayer list yet, brothers and sisters.
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Apathy
May 22, 2002 21:50:18 GMT -5
Post by Lonnie Odom on May 22, 2002 21:50:18 GMT -5
Enoch
Although I have not been real active in replying to the messages lately (been real busy with school winding down and trying to tutor some seniors so they will graduate), I have also been praying for you, your wife, and the congregation. Seize the moment do to the things you know God is leading you to do at the church.
I don't know all the details and don't need to, but rest assured, myself and others have you on our prayer list.
I have seen the power of prayer for myself from the folks who visit PastorStaff Search. When I had the accident and lost the tips of three fingers on my left hand 4 years ago, and again when the wife walked out. I do firmly believe that God listens to the prayers offered up for others, sometimes more than our own prayers for ourselves.
May God continue to pour His blessing on you and your ministry!!
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Apathy
Jun 19, 2002 7:20:28 GMT -5
Post by enoch on Jun 19, 2002 7:20:28 GMT -5
This will be another Pastor's struggle shortly. My wife and I have tendered our resignations from this Pastorate effective 12 July. But let me set the record straight. We are not resigning from the ministry, nor are we running from this struggle. Many issues have come to a head which are making us change our direction. A major one is our finances, but these are not unsurmountable, God could take care of this easily. But another is my wife's health. She is very allergic to something in this area and it is affecting her asthma. Personally, if it was just myself I have to be concerned about, I would probably stay and continue, but there is my wife and the finances of the Church and our personal finances to be responsible for. This will close this chapter of ministry, but another is being reopened. We will begin Over the Road Evangelism again. This will allow us time to recoup and diagnose what we did here and learn from the mistakes we have made here, so that we can make all new mistakes the next time around. ;D Over the Road Evangelism consists of driving over-the-road for Covenant Transport, a Christian Owned Company, transporting freight nationwide. As the Lord leads we find ourselves preaching the gospel in Truckstops and Terminals. The President, an Assembly of God layman David Parker, is very generous in making sure we are able to get to preaching appointments as we are called. This has got to be a unique "tent-making" way to fund evangelism. We get to travel, build our finances back up, preach and do soul winning where it counts. And I don't get the feeling that I am preaching to the dead either. These men and women and families are hungry for the word. Keep my wife Sue and I in your prayers as we wind down here and get ready to start at Covenant.
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Apathy
Jul 12, 2002 7:23:27 GMT -5
Post by saltcitybaptist on Jul 12, 2002 7:23:27 GMT -5
Enoch, I just "happened" to come to this posting today, July the 12th. I know you will be on the road very soon, but I thought it would be great if you could keep us posted as to where you maby be preching at around the country. My prayers will be with you as you become a "tent-maker" Does this mean your new name will be Paul?
Actually, the reason I came to this site toady was because of the apthay of the members of this board. I realize we can spend way too much time here. But on the othere hand if each of us spend just a little time, we can help encourage and pray for each other. Though this board, I have come to know Enoch and Shilo (are you listening shilo?) very well, and I trust some day (soon) we can meet face to face.
So fellows (and gals) will take a few moments ever couple days or so, as we edify one another (I Thes 5:11)
I shall anxiously be awaiting yo'alls reply
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Apathy
Nov 21, 2002 13:40:00 GMT -5
Post by saltcitybaptist on Nov 21, 2002 13:40:00 GMT -5
TEXT We have the blues!? I noticed it has been five months since anyone has commented on this site about apathy. Could it be no one cares. I know pastors can often get discouraged about their ministries. Often the members will expect us to do everything, we know we cannot, yet we still try to do it all. Could it be we just need to sit down and outright ask for assistance and feedback, not only from the leaders, but the general membership as well. This weekend I will be preaching at a church that is in desperate need of a pastor. It has went thru my mind that the church might be in a rush to extend a call, just so they can have someone behind the pulpit, and then they can sit back. I would like to think that is not the case, but if so, then I need to be prepared to encourage and edify the saints. And I would welcome any advice from you, the experts. But above all, I do covet your prayers.
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