Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | A pastor who is there? | NT general Archive 1 | charis | 1112 | ||
I like this answer, bjanko! If I may ask, do you mean that the minister (pastor) is actually around, and aware of all the individuals in his flock? I ask your clarification, because I have heard the argument that the pastor of a church of (for the sake of discussion) 2,000 souls, who has a paid ministerial staff of 20, and 40 lay-ministers, who is either out of town or has 'days off' 200 days a year, is busy building a 'network' and writing 'feel-good' books, and, though very good at remembering names, has no idea who you are (all this is hypothetical, you understand), is shepherding his flock. I find this to be contrary to the Bible. Yet, many aspire to this kind of situation, both shepherds and sheep! God bless you in Christ Jesus. | ||||||
2 | A pastor who is there? | NT general Archive 1 | KBurgee | 1720 | ||
OK let me speak on this :-) Personally, I'm not very fond of big churches for a couple of reasons. First, and foremost, as has been mentioned, I really like a one-on-one relationship with the pastor. What good is it to go to a church, yet the head of the church doesn't know who you are in some respect? It's like having an arm that you don't know how to use. The fondness of a relationship with the pastor goes out the window, and it becomes more of a "business" than a church. Secondly, just because it's a big church, doesn't necessarily mean that it's big on Christ. Many churches are blessed with having flourishing numbers, true, and those numbers can be involved in a multitude of ministries, but if the direction is not correct, then what's it all for? (The same can and has been said for smaller churches as well) At first, before I was committed to being a musician for the Lord and was more interested in "playing" in a church as opposed to ministering, I thought it would be cool to play for a bigger church. Big church means more people notice you. I've been corrected in the error of my ways, and my feeling is that even playing for a church now (pay or no pay....that's a separate issue), I've come to be blessed, to study and learn in the word, and that hopefully the Lord will use me to bring someone closer to Him. Ok I'm done ranting :-) Seriously, tho, if you don't KNOW your pastor, then what difference is it going to a building on Sunday than going to work Monday-Friday? (I might get some touchy emails on that one, hehe). The point is, and I'm not stating anything world beating (actually, I am....hehe), and everyone's tastes are suited differently, but everyone should be regularly attending a church (including myself) that is deep rooted in the Word. Comments? |
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3 | A pastor who is there? | NT general Archive 1 | MsKyla | 11700 | ||
Its funny that I came across what you have written in regards to big churches. I myself attend a very large church and I do not have a personal relationship with my pastor YET. I completely agree with what you've said about a big church not being necessarily big on Christ. Where I disagree is the point you were attempting to make in saying what is the difference in going to a building on Sunday than going to work Monday-Friday... There is a big difference. I don't have the time to go into detail as to what that difference is, but I do want to say that it should not be assumed that there are always close one-on-one relationships with the pastors of small churches. The church I previously attended was quite small, but the pastor of the church did not have the heart to pastor hi people. So I would much rather know that my pastor of a very largechurch would know each and every member if he could, than to turn away from a church that is committed to the word because the pastor might not know my name. | ||||||
4 | A pastor who is there? | NT general Archive 1 | Hank | 11733 | ||
On the Big Church vs. Little Church issue, I think it's very unwise to make any generalization. My wife and I were members for years of a Little Church in which Jesus Christ was gradually led quietly to the back door and dismissed. The pastor had all the warmth and enthusiasm of a dead fish. The choir's most joyous anthem sounded more like a funeral dirge. And the petty bickering and quarreling among the church leaders would have made Congress envious..... We now attend a Big Church where the centerpiece is very emphatically Jesus Christ. We have not for a moment regretted making the change. It's as though we came from darkness into light. The size of the church is not the real issue. The issue is this: Is Jesus Christ exalted, is His gospel preached in its fullness and purity, are people being led to Christ in this church? --Hank | ||||||
5 | A pastor who is there? | NT general Archive 1 | janet | 11766 | ||
I agree with Hank because I experienced something similar, but not completely. I had been attending a small church for well over a dozen or so years. I really was quite happy being there, everyone was like family. I loved watching children grow into teens, and the teens grow-up and get married and start families. When there was tough times, sickness, or death, the church family was there giving enormous support. It was very comforting and comfortable. That is why I was very surprised when I felt God leading me to a really big church. I could not understand it, I liked where I was and I loved the people. But He made it very clear to me that He wanted me to start attending this other church. I questioned Him alot. I even bulked at obeying Him, I was very confused and I, at first, refused. I told Him, that I would not be comfortable in such a big church because I would feel so lost, so unattached, I told Him I needed a church family". He very clearly asked me something that kind of floored me. He asked me what I thought heaven was going to be like...He made me realize that heaven is going to be very big with a big "family". I obeyed Him. I love my new church. I have grown spiritually by leaps and bounds in ways that I could have only done at this church under this particular shepherd who is teaching me so much of God's Word. I have seen more souls saved (praise God!)in the relatively short time I've attended the big church then I ever did the smaller church (in fact, at the smaller church, there was rarely alter calls). In addition, I am now in another "family" that is growing the more I get involved. My spiritual needs are being met in ways that I would never have imagined possible. Now please do not misunderstand me, I am not making a stand for big churches over little churches. What I am stating, however, is that we need to go where God wants us to be because He alone knows where we will grow. There is afterall only one "Church" and He is the shepherd. There may be many camps, with different heavenly assignments, but there is only one church. One other point. When I moved on to the other church, I was very hurt and confused with the way some of the people from the small "church" family treated me. They more or less "shunned" me (but many did not). Point: If someone you know feels the leading to change churches, accept it, understand they are being obedient and don't make it difficult for them, and most especially don't stop loving them. |
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6 | A pastor who is there? | NT general Archive 1 | Hank | 11782 | ||
What you say, Janet, about heaven being really a big "church" makes sense. When all the saints of all the ages are gathered together, it will surely make a sizeable crowd.... While we're still on the Big Church, Little Church theme, I'd like to mention that right in our community are a couple of churches that are withering on the vine. In one of them especially the gospel of Christ is not really being preached, and in both of them there is an air of exclusiveness. They are more like a private club with select members who are happy as they are and don't want any new imposters to upset their status quo..... When a Little Church remains little year after year, there must be a reason. It isn't always the location of the the church building or the demographics of the area surrounding it, though this has been cited as an excuse for not growing. The church we attend, for example, is located near the downtown area and much of the area around it is old and decaying. But the church is large (6,000 members), vibrant, spiritually very much alive, and shows a consistent pattern of growth. Other churches around town enjoy a much more favorable location, but they are stagnant and limping along trying to get their hands on enough money to keep their doors open..... There is always a reason why some churches stay little and why many of them eventually fall apart. And there's a reason why churches become big and continue to flourish and get bigger. And I submit that, no matter whatever other reasons or excuses may be offered, the real reason is that the growing churches are being nourished by the word of God and His Son is being exalted above all things. The puny, limping, dying churches may well be following a different drummer. --Hank | ||||||