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November and December 2009
| The Church Wars 2009 |
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November 16th-November 22nd........."How dare the Pastor!"
November 23rd-November 29th.........."I hate that song!"
November 30th-December 06st..........."Sitting on your wallet" "Eye
December 07th-December 13th..........."Eye Candy"
December 14th---- To be announced
November 23rd-November 29th.........."I hate that song!"
November 30th-December 06st..........."Sitting on your wallet" "Eye
December 07th-December 13th..........."Eye Candy"
December 14th---- To be announced
This is a series of mini articles called The Church Wars 2009. In these
bi-weekly articles, we will examine situations that cause conflicts
within the church. No matter how silly they may sound, they do exist
and can break up even the largest of church congregations. These
situations are all caused by one factor. It is what we here at The
Dominos Effect call "Me-Mentality". It is a disease in the body of
Christ that is like a flesh eating cancer that produces only one
outcome.....Destruction!
bi-weekly articles, we will examine situations that cause conflicts
within the church. No matter how silly they may sound, they do exist
and can break up even the largest of church congregations. These
situations are all caused by one factor. It is what we here at The
Dominos Effect call "Me-Mentality". It is a disease in the body of
Christ that is like a flesh eating cancer that produces only one
outcome.....Destruction!
Most people think that the Pastor has the easiest job in the world. He only works 3 days
a week...twice on Sunday and once on Wednesday. On his workday, the majority of his
time is taken up by other people... reading reports, taking prayer request and singing.
At the most, his job only consists of a 20-30 minute talk on the subject of his choice.
This is a lie from Satan. These small seeds of discord cumbered with the widespread
belief that all Pastors are empowered with superhero strength to do any task requested,
is a formula for disaster. Once sprouted and blossomed, these seeds become unrealistic
expectations that the Pastor will not be able to live up to. That is when Me-Mentality
comes in for the kill.
Infected members lose sight of the Lord and His Sweet Spirit being master of their lives.
They become consumed with the "look at me, I'm important" attitude. Pride and
Self-righteousness usually is tagging along behind. Whisperings, backbiting,
murmuring and discord run wildly through the congregation. Attendance drops,
finances shrivel, projects halt and in too many cases, the church dismantles.
The truth is your Pastor is a human being just like you. Once a sinner, now redeemed by
the blood of the Lamb, has been set apart by the Lord and sent. He has a family, just like
you do. He has needs to attend to, just like you. He has no more time on his hands than
you do. Pastors have financial problems, they get sick, get mad, cries and are tempted to
sin, just like you.
What is the difference between you and the Pastor then? The Lord has lain on these
men and women of God a very great responsibility....to shepherd a flock of Christians.
Where most people think it is the Pastor's responsibility to grow the church's
attendance, it is actually the congregation's responsibility. The Pastor (Shepherd) cares
for and teaches the congregation (flock of sheep). The congregation (sheep) brings in
(reproduces) more people (sheep). That means that the People of God is responsible to
get out there and witness to the community. It is them who brings the wayward into the
house unto Salvation, healing and deliverance and to be nurtured by the Shepherd. This
too has caused so much conflict in the Body of Christ.
Without the Pastor (shepherd), the congregation (sheep) scatters. Satan desires to use
us in this offense. Like a single bowling ball can scatter 10 pins, one person can see to
the entire dismantling of a church. That is one part of the body, Satan no longer has to
worry about.
Your Pastor can not be anywhere and everywhere at the same time. If your congregation
is of much size, it is virtually impossible for the Pastor to visit every single sick and
hurting person on his own. That is why we have Deacons and Elders....to lessen the
burden of the Pastor. The Pastor lives a 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year life. He
is constantly on call. He is faced with situations and difficult levels of ministry that can be
very wearing on Him/Her.
Whatever your church pays your Pastor or if your Pastor volunteers his services, he is
worthy of what he receives and then some. Being a Pastor is one of the hardest jobs
there is to have. He holds the weight of your congregation and the weight of the world
on his shoulders and is responsible to God for everything pertaining to them.
Your Pastor needs your support. He needs your prayers. He needs your understanding
and patience, your love, and sometimes a helping hand.
So respect your Pastor. He was put there by the Lord for your benefit and to care for
you. Do not allow Satan to come in and steal and destroy the Man/Woman of God, God
has given you.
a week...twice on Sunday and once on Wednesday. On his workday, the majority of his
time is taken up by other people... reading reports, taking prayer request and singing.
At the most, his job only consists of a 20-30 minute talk on the subject of his choice.
This is a lie from Satan. These small seeds of discord cumbered with the widespread
belief that all Pastors are empowered with superhero strength to do any task requested,
is a formula for disaster. Once sprouted and blossomed, these seeds become unrealistic
expectations that the Pastor will not be able to live up to. That is when Me-Mentality
comes in for the kill.
Infected members lose sight of the Lord and His Sweet Spirit being master of their lives.
They become consumed with the "look at me, I'm important" attitude. Pride and
Self-righteousness usually is tagging along behind. Whisperings, backbiting,
murmuring and discord run wildly through the congregation. Attendance drops,
finances shrivel, projects halt and in too many cases, the church dismantles.
The truth is your Pastor is a human being just like you. Once a sinner, now redeemed by
the blood of the Lamb, has been set apart by the Lord and sent. He has a family, just like
you do. He has needs to attend to, just like you. He has no more time on his hands than
you do. Pastors have financial problems, they get sick, get mad, cries and are tempted to
sin, just like you.
What is the difference between you and the Pastor then? The Lord has lain on these
men and women of God a very great responsibility....to shepherd a flock of Christians.
Where most people think it is the Pastor's responsibility to grow the church's
attendance, it is actually the congregation's responsibility. The Pastor (Shepherd) cares
for and teaches the congregation (flock of sheep). The congregation (sheep) brings in
(reproduces) more people (sheep). That means that the People of God is responsible to
get out there and witness to the community. It is them who brings the wayward into the
house unto Salvation, healing and deliverance and to be nurtured by the Shepherd. This
too has caused so much conflict in the Body of Christ.
Without the Pastor (shepherd), the congregation (sheep) scatters. Satan desires to use
us in this offense. Like a single bowling ball can scatter 10 pins, one person can see to
the entire dismantling of a church. That is one part of the body, Satan no longer has to
worry about.
Your Pastor can not be anywhere and everywhere at the same time. If your congregation
is of much size, it is virtually impossible for the Pastor to visit every single sick and
hurting person on his own. That is why we have Deacons and Elders....to lessen the
burden of the Pastor. The Pastor lives a 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year life. He
is constantly on call. He is faced with situations and difficult levels of ministry that can be
very wearing on Him/Her.
Whatever your church pays your Pastor or if your Pastor volunteers his services, he is
worthy of what he receives and then some. Being a Pastor is one of the hardest jobs
there is to have. He holds the weight of your congregation and the weight of the world
on his shoulders and is responsible to God for everything pertaining to them.
Your Pastor needs your support. He needs your prayers. He needs your understanding
and patience, your love, and sometimes a helping hand.
So respect your Pastor. He was put there by the Lord for your benefit and to care for
you. Do not allow Satan to come in and steal and destroy the Man/Woman of God, God
has given you.
| November 16th-November 22nd "How dare the Pastor!" |
