three questions. How does every member share their function or gift in an hour?
Do you mean to tell me there are only two mature saints in 200?
And why does two elders need salaries when they are working secular jobs?
You really are confused, aren't you?
Well, in 1 1/2 hours, we have the musicians, the sound people, the ushers, the Sunday School Teachers, nursery workers and those who help the invalids find seats. We have a lot of people do personal meet and greet, and connect with others.
But ministry NEVER ends on Sunday morning at 12 noon. We have visitation. I do support work with the mentally ill in our church. We have a lot of different people who preach, and that is a lot of prayer and preparation. We have elders who help run the administration of the church, and also reach out to the community and of course the congregation members to meet various needs.
There are the helpers with the children's mid weeek service, weekend youth ministry, seniors ministry, small group Bible studies, and mentoring one to one new disciples in how to walk with Christ during the week. We have "Mats and Chats" a community outreach for young moms twice a week, which has to be set up for the preschoolers, and believers have to be there to meet the community moms who come in and make them feel welcome and their children comfortable. My DIL actually attends this, because it is so highly recommended on local forums for great things to do for moms during the week. It is an incredible way to reach new moms who are isolated, get them into a safe place and testify for Christ.
I would say probably 50-100 mature saints in the body, and discipling going on with many of the rest of them. The body is not made up of all mature believers. It should never be! There should be new Christians, and hurting and broken Christians, and sometimes mature Christians who are hurting and need some compassion and help.
I did NOT say the two pastors were working secular jobs! Do you read anything?? I said
I personally was retired and did not need income. I said clearly the two paid pastors were young, with families, and need income support from the church. And the congregation has chosen these people, and we WANT to support them with our offerings.
We are blessed to have a church with many people who do have a good income, and they participate in many areas of ministry in the church. We have other people who are poor, and we do help them to make ends meet.
Again, your bitterness and anger are clouding your view of the way a church functions. Your envy and unforgiveness have destroyed your ability to find companionship and fellowship in a functioning church.
You are doing nothing for the extension of the Kingdom of God. You are a stumbling block, and you are completely wrong.
Repent and give this unforgiveness and bitterness to God. You thought you obeyed God when you gave everything away. But you did not. You were following after your own inclinations and learnings. Repent that you ran ahead of God. Repent that you are outside of fellowship with the body of Christ.
I know God will welcome you back with open arms when you turn from your wicked, obsessed ways, and return to him.