It Works Both Ways

A few people have mentioned that on this thread. I have been to many churches in my area, trying to find the right one. I get a chilly reception at each one, maybe because I show up without a well-manicured wife, a nice car, a couple of kids, and a huge check in hand.

When my wife left me six years ago for a "better Christian man" --with more money, of course-- I lost my wife, my son, my business, and my house. They set out to destroy me at every turn.

I would love to move somewhere else for a fresh start, but my son lives close by with his mom and "Mister Wonderful."

Magenta, the fact that you are reading this means that you have shown more Christian love and concern in two minutes than any pastor has for more than six years. I pray that one day, I will find a church full of Magentas who truly care for one another.

Until then, I will, without forsaking the assembly, muddle through on my own under the close watch of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Now that you have clarified things, this is a very sad situation which could have easily been avoided, had the church leadership decided to simply follow the NT patter established by God. Here are my observations (and you need not respond):

1. God never intended one man to be "the pastor" therefore He gave the churches a plurality of elders, and one was not above the others. The Bible calls that " a presbytery" since prebuteros is the word for elder. Even Presbyterian churches do not have this as you would expect. And most evangelical churches simply ignore this.

2. One man could not possibly "shepherd" 10, 000. And even if there were only 57 members, you would need at least 5-7 pastor/elders to really provide actual spiritual guidance on a personal basis. Some would be self-supporting while others may need compensation for their efforts (which is also biblical).

3. Any church which shuns sound Bible doctrine should be left alone. No one can fix that problem.

4. If a man says that he is "too busy" (probably with administrative business) then he has failed already. He should be politely asked to leave. Paul was never "too busy" even though he was a very busy apostle. He was ministering to individuals as well as congregations.

5. Churches mistakenly think that "the pastor" should be totally focused on preaching from the pulpit. That is not correct. God has given various spiritual gifts and if there were several men in leadership one could have the gift of evangelism, another the gift of teaching, another the gift of oversight called "government", and so on. Then one man would not be the only minister of the Word. Elders are supposed to be "apt to teach" in general.

6. A "corporate" structure is not the same as a biblical structure. Any person should be able to pick up the phone and call one of the elders and ask for a face-to-face meeting if that is necessary. And the response should be almost immediate if the structure is biblical.

I thought Baptists would let anyone sing a solo.

It wasn't the singing. I accidentally played an instrument, too. Right to jail.

At least you eat well in Baptist jail.

but it's all CASSEROLES

Perhaps he should try singing in jail. I heard Paul got early release this way.

I suspect, but do not know for sure it was because he sang like I do. If I was in jail and started singing praises, the jailers would quickly unlock the door and let me free, if for no other reason than to give their ears some relief...

I was given the first solow at my church.

Mennonite church

how awful

Now that you have clarified things, this is a very sad situation which could have easily been avoided, had the church leadership decided to simply follow the NT patter established by God. Here are my observations (and you need not respond):

Is there only one church near you that has some Bible-respecting, Holy Sprit led, Christ-centred, love practising people in it? I suggest you look hard for some of these in your church, and if there aren't any, try finding them in another church.... oh... and make sure you behave as one yourself.

Most often, in the Congregations I have been a part of, the Pastor, and/or Board Members ask persons if they would agree to serve in some capacity to benefit the Congregation. This is not an unusual thing. Nor does it mean they are becoming a McDonalds.