my pastor asked what are you doing for Jesus

Angela53510 · Feb 20, 2017

One should NEVER sacrifice bike riding! That is the one thing that keeps me going in life. It strengthens muscles, builds endurance and is good for the heart. Plus, it sounds like a wonderful family activity in the OP's post.

Put it another way, bike riding is good for strengthening the muscles, improving circulation, and making the heart stronger. In another time, work was physical and there wasn't a need for "keeping in shape" or doing extra exercises. But in our sedentary society, we need to do something to stimulate our bodies and minds, so we will not die younger than we should. God created our bodies to work, and that means finding activities that fulfill that function if the job doesn't do that anymore. Plus, riding bikes creates endorphins in the brain, leading to better mental health.

Bike riding, or other physical activity also refreshes the spirit. In fact, when I ride my bike, I put on my ear phones, and listen to praise and worship music. The entire bike ride becomes a worship service to my Lord and King. Just being out in nature, seeing what Calvin called it - God's second "book" helps us commune with the God, and get a touch of His greatness.

Besides, do you really think God wants us to cut short our lives, and live in a way that we burn out, and can never do anything again for God?

Please OP, do not ever give up the bike riding! You are on the right track.

88 · Feb 20, 2017

Cindy12 said:

We've been going to a new small Christian church for about two months now. Week 1 the pastor invited us to a weekly small group bible study he hosts at his home for couples on Friday nights at 7 - including a meal in which everyone brings a dish based on the theme. My husband and I opted out because we both work full time jobs and on Fridays we don't get home until 6 pm and have no time to prepare a dish, get changed and back to his house 30 min away. Then he invited my husband to men's bible study/breakfast on Saturday mornings at 9. He has not gone because he doesn't want to spend the first three hours of our only 2 off days eating with the guys. We're structured folks. We both eat very healthy and don't spend money eating out. Every function the church has involves eating which takes up a lot of time. Today the pastor asked us what we do after first service. we go to the 930 service and there is one at 10:30. We told him we do our weekly grocery shopping and errands and then go on bike rides for exercise. He asked us what do we do FOR JESUS and not for us. I was taken by surprise because I didn't expect that. I told him we go often to Christian City to help the elderly get out of their rooms to service and to visit and take them outdoors. I didn't tell him about the mission trips to Honduras and money we send to help others there. . He asked us how he can plug us in to more at church. Are we wrong for not doing more there when we both work Monday thru Friday till 6 pm and only have 2 days to get everything else done in our home, yard, family, etc. he said he'd like us to take a lead and do something at church. I'm feeling stressed, overwhelmed and guilty too!! SHould I?? He also threw in two comments about a guy he said sold his truck and gave all the money to the to help pay off the building and told us all to dig deep to try and give any additional love offerings. Is this normal????

**** do what you think the Lord wants you to do ---- don' t be pressured by man---- give with a joyful heart not under pressure...

PrynceNY · Feb 20, 2017

Do what God leads you to do not man. Too many good hearted people get taken advantage of by others telling them what to do in the name of the Lord. It's one thing to make suggestions but your pastor sounds like he's taking it further

Miri · Feb 20, 2017

To the OP there is another way around this. Why not volunteer to have a
small group once a month in your own home, you choose the time and how you eat.

For example if you have it after dinner Saturday evening. Then you could just serve tea,
coffee, cake etc. Decide whether to have a bible study, prayer time, social evening etc.
Not every church event has to be a 3 course meal.

In my church there are 300 or so small groups, some meet monthly, some weekly, some
fortnightly. They are all different, meeting different needs. Some are for men some for women some
for both.

We have a mens breakfast at 7am one weekday so men can meet up have a chilled
chat coffee something to eat before going to work. We also have a girls aloud group for women
of all ages which is more of a social group. Plus loads more.

I think if you go to a church it is good to get involved in some sort of group other than the
Sunday service. It's the way you build relationships and friends and encourage each other.
But it has it be within your available time.

Another thing, if you decide to go to a weekly meeting, there is no reason to feel you should attend
every week. You could just go once a month.

I would add that any pastor who tries to press gang someone, is either a bit exuberant, maybe
doesnt understand the concept of a busy life or doesn't understand your needs, or maybe
is a bit controlling, or maybe he is just trying to encourage you but doesn't realise he is
over doing it. Only you can decide that.

As far as giving goes, that is between you and God and none of your pastor's business.

There are also different seasons in a person's life.

For example I use to work full time, go to worship team rehearsal Thursdays after work,
play through both Sunday services, and practice at home in my own time. Plus attend a small
group once a month on Saturday evening. Plus the occasional special event when they came up.
Weekend conferences, music workshops etc. I loved every minute of it.

Now due to changing circumstances I no longer play in the workship team and attend a ladies
small group once every two weeks on Thursday evenings, with the occasional weekday meeting.

If you really feel you cannot attend any of the other meetings other than the Sunday morning
service, then that should not be an issue, as long as you are not just a "Sunday Christian". Hope
you don't mind me saying that.

There are lots of people who are Christians on Sunday morning
but who don't give God another thought the rest of the week. As long as that does not apply to
you, then you have no case to answer.

Chat to your pastor, explain the other meetings do not fit in with your work arrangements and
maybe suggest something else instead.

Dino246 · Feb 20, 2017

notuptome said:

At the risk of derailing this thread, I'd like to bring up two ways of looking at this, both exemplified in the responses in this thread so far:

One (generalized) position is that the pastor knows best and is operating as Christ's representative (priest) in our lives. We like sheep should listen to his leading and follow his direction, because he has been placed in a position of spiritual authority.

Another is that we are each capable of following the Shepherd for ourselves, thinking as adults, and determining how to run our lives within the guidance that He provides. No prizes for guessing which camp I'm in.

Frankly, I think Roger is way off base in his question about sacrificing bicycle riding. He might as well have suggested that you give up eating in order to serve Christ with more of your time. "Do everything for the glory of Christ" can be interpreted as, "sacrifice everything except for active traditional ministry activities, and being at church every time it's open" (incorrect, imho) or as "acknowledge God's presence in all that you happen to do." Washing dishes at home can be just as worshipful as singing in the choir. Giving directly to the poor is definitely at least as good as giving to the church building program.

That all said, I recognize that Roger's perspective is different than mine, and I will acknowledge the possible validity of his question. It could be the Holy Spirit... but I doubt it.

zohar · Feb 20, 2017

Tell him that you are staying healthy for god and Jesus.

Miri · Feb 20, 2017

Ps why not invite some friends from church on your bike rides!
Everything doesn't have to be church based. We have a ramblers group
at my church.

notuptome · Feb 20, 2017

Calves overlaid with gold. Is it not the pastors duty to challenge the flock to greater service to Christ? Is it ok that souls perish and are cast into eternal condemnation as long as we preserve our hobbies?

I'm not judging but isn't anything that comes between us and the Lord an idol? Have we become entangled in the cares of this world? Just thinking of the parable of the sower and the teaching that Christ gave from it.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

oldethennew · Feb 20, 2017

WOW!

we have seen some awesome-personal-answers-here, and many have told their tale...
always have an open heart and only allow the HS to guide, when you are of age and can
discern Him, OBEY Him and your hearts will be content and full of peaceful Grace...

MessageOfTheCross · Feb 20, 2017

Cindy12 said:

We've been going to a new small Christian church for about two months now. Week 1 the pastor invited us to a weekly small group bible study he hosts at his home for couples on Friday nights at 7 - including a meal in which everyone brings a dish based on the theme. My husband and I opted out because we both work full time jobs and on Fridays we don't get home until 6 pm and have no time to prepare a dish, get changed and back to his house 30 min away. Then he invited my husband to men's bible study/breakfast on Saturday mornings at 9. He has not gone because he doesn't want to spend the first three hours of our only 2 off days eating with the guys. We're structured folks. We both eat very healthy and don't spend money eating out. Every function the church has involves eating which takes up a lot of time. Today the pastor asked us what we do after first service. we go to the 930 service and there is one at 10:30. We told him we do our weekly grocery shopping and errands and then go on bike rides for exercise. He asked us what do we do FOR JESUS and not for us. I was taken by surprise because I didn't expect that. I told him we go often to Christian City to help the elderly get out of their rooms to service and to visit and take them outdoors. I didn't tell him about the mission trips to Honduras and money we send to help others there. . He asked us how he can plug us in to more at church. Are we wrong for not doing more there when we both work Monday thru Friday till 6 pm and only have 2 days to get everything else done in our home, yard, family, etc. he said he'd like us to take a lead and do something at church. I'm feeling stressed, overwhelmed and guilty too!! SHould I?? He also threw in two comments about a guy he said sold his truck and gave all the money to the to help pay off the building and told us all to dig deep to try and give any additional love offerings. Is this normal????

Please don't mistake the voice of man for the voice of the Lord. Moses sent twelve spies in the land, only two returned with a good report. The ten had many excuses. Please don't miss your promotion in the Kingdom of God! Change your perspective how you view this.

Dino246 · Feb 20, 2017

notuptome said:

"Calves overlaid with gold.... I'm not judging..." If that first comment isn't judgmental, what is it?

"... isn't anything that comes between us and the Lord an idol?" Yes... even "church".

notuptome · Feb 21, 2017

Dino246 said:

It is the kind of question that asks you to examine your heart before the Lord. If God were not tugging at your heart strings you would not be bothered by the question. Since it dialed your number perhaps you should pick up the phone and talk with the Lord.

Separation is not a subject folks like to discuss. It puts us all on the spot before God.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Depleted · Feb 21, 2017

notuptome said:

Actually, I'm with Dino on this one. I did not take this as you personally judging one person. I took it as you were judging everyone less than you... which does seem to be everyone. So I don't take your judgements personally.

But that golden calf was solid gold. In which case, does it matter if you're judging anyone since the judgement itself had a false premise?

I remember when we were a two-income family. By the time we settled in for the night, it was too late to bike. (I'm not into bikes, but I'm using that as an example of anything recreational or exercising together.) That left Saturday and Sunday to do the shopping, get some major housekeeping in, go to church, and have some time together to enjoy each other. Neither of us were into biking. And yet, we did take the Lord's Day as a day to actively enjoy being together, so why not biking?

That some guy online thinks enjoying time together on the Lord's day is THAT moment when we should be doing something "important" (like cooking a meal and running off to spend time with other church members), I just don't think it matters to me enough to listen to it.

Am I judging? Yupper. And, honestly? Back when we could go to church we really did make it a habit (enjoyable one) to go out for lunch with others in the church after service, three times a month. Three times, because the fourth time was potluck dinner at church. Doable for us, because hubby enjoys cooking for 20. lol) Neither was duty to God or church. It was relaxing, which is what's supposed to happen on the Lord's Day.

Which gets back to I really don't think you're judging anyone personally. You just judge everyone as less than you.

Cindy12 · Feb 23, 2017

I don't really have to make excuses for why we don't and can't get as involved with this church as this pastor wishes -- When you have two jobs, kids at home and 2 parents with failing health your helping to take care of, I just have to prioritize what I feel must be prioritized. I've held a grudge since Sunday - which is horrible and I'm learning through Jesus how to NOT do that. I keep praying the feeling goes away and I'm trying so hard to let it go. The question still infiltrates every piece of my brain and heart - what are you doing for Jesus? Well, we support a family (financially) from Honduras who is in dire need and basically pay their monthly expenses to live, eat, etc. We go to Christian City often to visit with the elderly, help them get to the chapel, take them outside for a different view, and just love on them. We go downtown Atlanta to areas of those in need of food, clothing, blankets and serve food, clothing and love on them because we love them. I guess in a sense I'm not doing any of that for Jesus - I'm doing that because we want to do that for these people. But that is how Jesus walked and I'm sure he enjoys seeing people help others. So, I do a lot, but it's not with the new church yet (nor do I know if it will be ever) - I'm not getting the comfortable feeling that I'd hoped to have by now. In the back of my mind lurks alternative motives -- and like someone here said, is that Jesus speaking to me? Or is it just my mind. I don't know. But as far as his question, what are you doing for Jesus - would joining his small group be for "Jesus", or would it be for him?

Cindy12 · Feb 23, 2017

How do you all feel my pastor would respond to this - if I go to him with "food for thought" regarding his pressure to join his small group/meal on Friday evening?
Pastor Scott - Would Jesus join the small group at your home? Think about it for a moment. Forget about your goals. Forget about your motivations for offering them. Forget about all the supposed benefits of participating in one. Do you honestly think Jesus would join, lead, or start a small group within the existing structure of your small group’s ministry at your home? Of course not. Not a chance. Not in a billion years.Why? Because while your people are stuck in the walls of a home in a small group meeting, Jesus would be out rubbing shoulders with people in our community, helping them find their way back to God, and teaching them to obey his teachings. Jesus would actually be doing what small groups say they want/should/need to be doing, but they can’t, because they’re too busy being a “small group” inside the confines of your small group’s ministry infrastructure. Disciples are created “out there.” Small groups, if not by their definition, definitely by their practice, all occur “in here.”

Makes me believe that small groups just may be, all about the eating. And, what I am doing for others right now is "out there in the community" ....

Miri · Feb 23, 2017

Cindy12 said:

Nope I wouldn't say that! It would just say thank you for your invite but we cannot
make it. (That's assuming you want to continue to go to this church and assuming you
are willing to forgive and forget.) Inflamatory comments, no matter how tempting
will cause more problems. Besides God knows your heart doesn't He.

If your time at church is done, just tell the pastor you have decided to leave (then leave)!

lovingladyo4 · Feb 23, 2017

No! No! No! You are not guilty! Sounds to me this pastor of the "new" church is excited to see it grow and wants to tap into your potential to see that happen. He may be a bit anxious to discover your worth to the church. If you and your husband are at peace with the direction the Lord is taking you in your personal lives together, then by all means stick with the plan. The church stuff can wait, or not even happen at all.

I do believe it's quite common for a pastor to bring people on board to grow his church, but he must be cautious to not use people as conduits to attain his goals. The goal of any Christian is to build the kingdom of God rather than to build an individual church. I can't speak for this pastor, but just the fact that he confronted you in this manner and challenged you to do something more tells me one of two things: he may be genuinely interested in getting to know you, or, feels it's his rightfully entitled duty as a shepherd to steer his flock in a particular direction.

You and your husband should never have to feel the need to defend yourselves like this. Throw off the guilt and be free in what the Lord has called you to do! If this pastor is in tune with how God works, he will be able to recognize that not everyone is on the same page at the same time for the same reason.

Guilt is not of God. Guilt is a form of punishment for an offense. You have not offended anyone. If you continue to carry these unsettling feelings, you must ask yourself if God is trying to direct you to be more open to the objectives at this church (which I personally don't think He is) or if He is signaling you to move on from that church and find one where there is freedom to love and worship God without the shadow of a man's expectations looming over you.

This is just my personal opinion, and trust that you and your husband will be able to discern what the Lord would have you to do. God has the answer for you and wants to build you up and see you flourish with the strengths, abilities, and giftings He's given you.

Cindy12 · Feb 24, 2017

lovingladyo4 said:

You are right. It's not a new church - only a new church to my husband and I. This church has been in existence for 15 years, but we found it when our old church pastor stepped down and the church (it was small as well) just dissipated. In searching for a new church, we ran across this one. This is a small congregation as well (I'd guess there are 20 - 30 ppl at the service we attend early and maybe 40 max at second service). They used to be a much bigger church - but the pastor said that people (generally - not just in his church) have fallen away from the church so the numbers have gone down.

I also agree he wants to know us better -- he has asked us out to lunch after church service - but that would mean we wait 2 hours after our service to meet him for lunch because he still has another service to preach. We could do that, and we might do that, but we won't make that a weekly habit. Again, we are on a budget and eating out is not on our list of budgeted items. Once or twice with him is fine and I do feel it may be in our best interest to do so!

He asked me to take a lead on gathering up folks to go to Christian City as a group (this was something my husband and i often do on our own) -- but that could be tough for me being that I work 6:30 am until I get home at 4:30 pm, and I can't send out personal emails, etc from my corporation - people get fired for that daily. I work for a "very large" corporation who monitors all our computer activity, phone activity, etc .... and personal stuff at work is not acceptable. It's a lot harder to try to coordinate church functions when you work full time. The pastor works full time as well, but thats his job so he can make those calls and emails from the church and it won't matter. Bottom line is that I can't just do all the personal church stuff he wants me to do at this juncture in my life. Nothing I can change about that. I'm going to talk to him about it this weekend. Thanks for all the great advice!!

lovingladyo4 · Feb 24, 2017

Thank you for making contact with me! How nice to chat with you! My only other thought is to follow your heart on what you feel is the direction God is taking you. Some of that involvement may include specific activity at the church and some may not. Just because someone asks you to do something doesn't mean you have to say yes. Church is a place to worship God, build up the body of Christ, and reach the lost. The order and proportion of how and when those things happen is part of your personal relationship with Jesus. He is the One who will dictate what you do.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23

Blessings to you friend!

tlf777 · Feb 25, 2017

I can understand how hard it is to find the balance between church and family life. I applaud the heart you have for serving others in many ways. I do think it is nice that he wants you all to be involved. I wonder if perhaps you caught the pastor on an off moment? I think it might be helpful to talk with the pastor (perhaps invite him over for dinner at a time that is convenient for your family). If you could get a clear picture of his vision for the church, and explain to him where you all are at right now. I would also commit the matter to prayer about your level of involvement.

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