In case you haven’t heard, another useless church slaying occurred Sunday. A pastor was shot and killed during service and a couple of others were wounded. The story can be found 
That last one is just a light hearted one meant to keep us from getting too angry in case we disagree. But this is a very serious topic and I have read a lot of opinions already.
My pastor is retiring at the end of this month. This saddens me because he is not only a great man of God; he is the only pastor I have had. No one really enjoys change much but the leader of a church leaving can raise concerns and even cause some arguments and dissension in a local body of believers. There have been some questions raised because of a new young adult fellowship that has been initiated. I have also played a part in the establishment of this group. And I am assuring anyone that reads this that we are not doing or saying anything to cause division. Wayne, one of this group put it exactly the way all should see it. He said The Bridge (our group) is an addition, not a subtraction. We want to help each other and the unchurched in these age ranges in our community.
The church has started the process of determining who will take up the mantle of our pastor and move this congregation forward. We all seem to have different ideas about what we think we want in a pastor but the question should be what do we need. Every church is different and has different ministry opportunities and finds itself in the middle of different communities. No two will need the same things. But I want to ask a few questions here today for discussion. A lot of my commentators go to my church but not all. And I know there are other readers. I ask that all respond. These questions are not just about my church.
What role does age play into your choice?
Do you think a couple with children living at home would be a positive or a negative choice? Why?
How important is “style” to you? This is meant in relation to their preaching.
Would you want someone you have known previously to be your pastor?
How much education should the pastor have?
Would you want a single pastor? Why or why not?
Should someone in your local assembly (church) have the first shot?
Do you have any special requirements you are looking for?
These are just a few that I am wondering about for now. If the comments come I may add more as they warrant. I am not looking for the things we should all be in agreement about already. We all know we need someone with integrity and anointing, someone that is a student of the bible, and someone that is filled with the Spirit and operates in His gifts. These and other such things are not what I am looking for. I am looking for practical things that you are interested in.
This is not for comments that are meant to demean anyone. Jesus is monitoring this discussion with me.
Love you all
Tags: Bible, Church, congregation, Discussion, dissension, Fellowship, Love, man of god, ministry, pastor, style, town hall, War
I know that some are starting to think I am angry or at the very least too harsh in my views. Maybe so. But there are many things out there going on in the body of Christ that are not very helpful to the health of that same body. If you choose to not see this then I cannot make you look. But I can call out in desperation for sincere inner reflection. This is what I am doing. And for those that read and respond that I personally know from my own church, what I write on this blog is not necessarily all aimed at you. I do have people reading that I do not know personally and that are not even in the Church of God. This post and all the previous ones are based on my observations of the church in general.
It seems to me that maybe I have been a little bold lately in some of my posts. Commenting about controversial issues and even getting a little harsh is some responses. Some of this stems from a passion for Gods truth while some may just come from that confrontational part of me that I just wrote about and am truly trying to tame. But it is not tamed and there are good reasons for some of what I ask. I really am still learning myself. And one of the ways to learn what we believe is to bounce those beliefs off those that others hold. So the questions for today may spark more controversy. I hope not and I really do not want any heated arguments or words of offense. But I do want to know what you think.
I am not perfect, you are not perfect. Paul told us here that he was not yet perfect either. We all have a ways to go before we get to the point where we are who God wants us to be.
