Social Climbing

[resurrection33]

Just don't pay them much and you'll find the good ones for the job. We never have this problem in Holland where most pastors don't even get paid.
No sorry not true, even then you have it because they want to take over and be in a position or steal sheep and start their own thing.

In our church pastors do not run the church alone, though sometimes they try to.

When social climbers maneuver themselves into positions of authority in the church, you likely will see favoritism, and this can destroy a church.

 

[resurrection33]

How to see it is quite obvious. They're full of themselves and boast about their qualities, come in and the first day talk about that they want a position and they don't talk to the normal people.

And they will ignore the will of God, if that is what their peers want them to do.

 

[blueorchidjd]

I think the most destructive thing is a Christian who delights in tearing down another brother or sister because of whatever is dwelling internally.

 

[resurrection33]

I think the most destructive thing is a Christian who delights in tearing down another brother or sister because of whatever is dwelling internally.

If someone is causing you a lot of pain, is it okay for you to complain?

 

[p_rehbein]

If someone is causing you a lot of pain, is it okay for you to complain?

Hmm, I believe that if someone is doing such as this, we certainly have the right (if not the duty) to address the issue. We are not called to be doormats...........but warriors for Christ IMO.

 

[Depleted]

It seems to me there are two types of Christians. First, there are those who are trying to do the Lord’s will. Then there are those who are climbing the social ladder.

It’s nice to know which is which, because the social climbers can cause a lot of damage in a church. How do you know which are the ones who are trying to do the Lord’s will and which are the social climbers?

There's an episode from Frazier, a comedy show a decade or more ago. Frazier cannot ride a bike, because every time he does, he rides it directly into a mailbox.

We are Frazier. What we focus on is where we'll end up. Focus on the wheat v. the tares and all we get out of it is some time on the threshing floor wondering who are wheats and who are tares. (Tares look just like wheat until they are threshed. We aren't threshers. We're threshees.) Focus on God and we don't even notice if we spend time on the threshing floor.

I am guilty of focusing on mailboxes to the point of crashing into them. It hurts. It particularly hurts because I keep doing it. Crashing into God doesn't hurt. He's very comfy despite the power he has.

So, how about not focusing on what kind of Christian there are? It's less painful. If we keep reminding each other where our focus should be all, who were meant to be God's, will be God's.

 

[Sirk]

It seems to me there are two types of Christians. First, there are those who are trying to do the Lord’s will. Then there are those who are climbing the social ladder.

It’s nice to know which is which, because the social climbers can cause a lot of damage in a church. How do you know which are the ones who are trying to do the Lord’s will and which are the social climbers?

I think there are more than that. There are those looking to please Jesus, those looking to please man and those looking to please themselves. Some have a combination of the three....or two and some are all in for one. There are a lot more shades of grey than such a black and white description. In the end we are all seeking significance.

 

[resurrection33]

Hmm, I believe that if someone is doing such as this, we certainly have the right (if not the duty) to address the issue. We are not called to be doormats...........but warriors for Christ IMO.

If too much pain builds up, we might wind up doing something we regret. Maybe, like you say, it is best to address the issue before that happens.

 

[resurrection33]

There's an episode from Frazier, a comedy show a decade or more ago. Frazier cannot ride a bike, because every time he does, he rides it directly into a mailbox.

We are Frazier. What we focus on is where we'll end up. Focus on the wheat v. the tares and all we get out of it is some time on the threshing floor wondering who are wheats and who are tares. (Tares look just like wheat until they are threshed. We aren't threshers. We're threshees.) Focus on God and we don't even notice if we spend time on the threshing floor.

I am guilty of focusing on mailboxes to the point of crashing into them. It hurts. It particularly hurts because I keep doing it. Crashing into God doesn't hurt. He's very comfy despite the power he has.

So, how about not focusing on what kind of Christian there are? It's less painful. If we keep reminding each other where our focus should be all, who were meant to be God's, will be God's.

Social climbers cause a lot of pain. It can't be ignored.

 

[resurrection33]

I think there are more than that. There are those looking to please Jesus, those looking to please man and those looking to please themselves. Some have a combination of the three....or two and some are all in for one. There are a lot more shades of grey than such a black and white description. In the end we are all seeking significance.

Sometimes when I am trying to make a point, I begin by saying, “I think there are two types of Christians …” and then I describe the people I feel are in error, and those who are not.

But I noticed two things here. First, you described social climbers well: “those looking to please man” (rather than the Lord). And you did add a third group: “those looking to please themselves.” These might be adulterers, substance abusers, and whatever other sins they might find themselves caught up in.

 

[Yet]

That's easy. The climbers follow their father Diotrephes, 3John. They want to be seen of men. They want to control. They want the glory.

Those that earnestly seek God and His will, will not be allowed to use heir function. They will be ostracized. They will be forced to leave. This is God's doing. His protection of that believer. They will be despised and rejected as Christ is.

 

[Depleted]

How to see it is quite obvious. They're full of themselves and boast about their qualities, come in and the first day talk about that they want a position and they don't talk to the normal people.

Actually, since your church is not into paying pastors, I would think it wouldn't know a normal person from a mouse.

 

[Sirk]

That's easy. The climbers follow their father Diotrephes, 3John. They want to be seen of men. They want to control. They want the glory.

Those that earnestly seek God and His will, will not be allowed to use heir function. They will be ostracized. They will be forced to leave. This is God's doing. His protection of that believer. They will be despised and rejected as Christ is.

There are people completely committed to following Christ, there are people somewhat committed as far as they possible can be at the stage they are in their life and there are those who are not at all. It is not for you to judge mens hearts.

 

[Depleted]

Social climbers cause a lot of pain. It can't be ignored.

And, wham! Bam! Once again you find yourself hitting the mailbox.

This really is all you do, isn't it? Judge others by your arbitrary standards?

I admit it. A couple of weeks ago you answered a question so vaguely no one understood what your answer was. So I've taken to reading your posts to figure out who you are. (And, yes. I've seen you all along, but usually in the Misc. forum.) Since then all of your posts have boiled down to "act like me."

Fruitless. Not even Bible-related opinions.

You are the social climber. You're goal is to look good to others on this forum.

Knowing this, now what do you think of social climbers?

 

[resurrection33]

And, wham! Bam! Once again you find yourself hitting the mailbox.

This really is all you do, isn't it? Judge others by your arbitrary standards?

I admit it. A couple of weeks ago you answered a question so vaguely no one understood what your answer was. So I've taken to reading your posts to figure out who you are. (And, yes. I've seen you all along, but usually in the Misc. forum.) Since then all of your posts have boiled down to "act like me."

Fruitless. Not even Bible-related opinions.

You are the social climber. You're goal is to look good to others on this forum.

Knowing this, now what do you think of social climbers?

If someone is causing me pain, I will address the issue. They have to expect me to do that, don't they?

 

[resurrection33]

And, wham! Bam! Once again you find yourself hitting the mailbox.

This really is all you do, isn't it? Judge others by your arbitrary standards?

I admit it. A couple of weeks ago you answered a question so vaguely no one understood what your answer was. So I've taken to reading your posts to figure out who you are. (And, yes. I've seen you all along, but usually in the Misc. forum.) Since then all of your posts have boiled down to "act like me."

Fruitless. Not even Bible-related opinions.

You are the social climber. You're goal is to look good to others on this forum.

Knowing this, now what do you think of social climbers?

If someone is causing me pain, I will address the issue. They have to expect me to do that, don't they?

Or if the social climbers are causing damage in a church – assuming important roles in church government and running the church just for their own glorification, the issue needs to be dealt with. You can see that, can’t you?

 

[Ultimatum77]

Lord's will = unpopular preacher who tells it like it is even if small numbers in congregation....
Social Climber = popular preacher will also get dubbed "america / whatever nation's official pastor" and be on tv networks and news as an "adviser" big crowds telling psychology but having no spiritual substance....

 

[resurrection33]

Lord's will = unpopular preacher who tells it like it is even if small numbers in congregation....
Social Climber = popular preacher will also get dubbed "america / whatever nation's official pastor" and be on tv networks and news as an "adviser" big crowds telling psychology but having no spiritual substance....

I want to make one exception though: I think Charles Stanley (In Touch Ministries) is a good TV pastor.

 

[Yet]

There are people completely committed to following Christ, there are people somewhat committed as far as they possible can be at the stage they are in their life and there are those who are not at all. It is not for you to judge mens hearts.

Wrong. We are to be fruit inspectors. If they deviate from God's word, we not only are to 'judge those within' but also,'expose them' if they don't repent, which anymore they don't and won't. That's because dumb sheep enable them .
This thing about a ' don't ask, don't tell' policy is the reason the great falling away is upon us. The folks that see the fraud are intimidated to silence with such words as 'touch not God's anointed'. A misuse of scripture.

 

[Persuaded]

You notice how some people have only one message.
They post the same hateful and demonizing words in ever post, without any thought of what the thread is really about.