Warning signs of a "inwardly obsessed church"!

In many ways, it sounds like where I work.  I think this is called "fallen human nature", and is certainly not a church-specific phenomenon. 
 
Demands for pastoral care was noted as a problem steming from a congregation having unreasonalbe expectations. What about the chewing out my wife and I got for not telling "the office" about her surgery? We had told our SS class and our small group but it was considered some sort of slight to the pastors that they didn't know! We didn''t leave them out as much as we didn't think it needful to burden them. Would their appearance prior to the knife had made it go any better? Would their prayers for peace and portion been any better answered?

Me thinks that a lot of the stuff pastors complain about regarding congregational expectations are self inflicted injuries.
 
subllibrm said:
Demands for pastoral care was noted as a problem steming from a congregation having unreasonalbe expectations. What about the chewing out my wife and I got for not telling "the office" about her surgery? We had told our SS class and our small group but it was considered some sort of slight to the pastors that they didn't know! We didn''t leave them out as much as we didn't think it needful to burden them. Would their appearance prior to the knife had made it go any better? Would their prayers for peace and portion been any better answered?

Me thinks that a lot of the stuff pastors complain about regarding congregational expectations are self inflicted injuries.
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Depending on where you live, expectations vary.
In our culture, most still expect a Pastor to be there when you have surgery. The older folks tend to demand it...:). Some assume the Pastor knows because they told their small group, which may or may not be true. More than once we have people upset because a Pastor didn't attend them during surgery...but they didn't tell a Pastor.

But, I didn't take the article as a specific attack on Pastors or people...
 
subllibrm said:
Demands for pastoral care was noted as a problem steming from a congregation having unreasonalbe expectations. What about the chewing out my wife and I got for not telling "the office" about her surgery? We had told our SS class and our small group but it was considered some sort of slight to the pastors that they didn't know! We didn''t leave them out as much as we didn't think it needful to burden them. Would their appearance prior to the knife had made it go any better? Would their prayers for peace and portion been any better answered?

Me thinks that a lot of the stuff pastors complain about regarding congregational expectations are self inflicted injuries.
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To be fair, the Scriptures instruct us to notify the Elders of the church, when we are sick, under med.care, etc. for annointing and prayer. That is the Pastors duty.

Anishinabe

 
I would contend that lack of spiritual health in the church starts when one ignores the teachings of Christ such as:

"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

 
Smellin Coffee said:
I would contend that lack of spiritual health in the church starts when one ignores the teachings of Christ such as:

"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
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Paul admonished the same thing on numerous occasions, but most Pastors or elders dont reflect your Hammond experience.... ;D
 
Tarheel Baptist said:
Smellin Coffee said:
I would contend that lack of spiritual health in the church starts when one ignores the teachings of Christ such as:

"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Click to expand...

Paul admonished the same thing on numerous occasions, but most Pastors or elders dont reflect your Hammond experience.... ;D
Click to expand...

And Paul also said:

"And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ". Remember, Paul was "all things to all men" so he had God's permission to speak out of both sides of his mouth.

Well, now that I look at it, you must be right. Jesus said "Rabbi" and "instructors" and Paul said "pastors" and "teachers". Must be talking about something different... :rolleyes:

 
Smellin Coffee said:
Tarheel Baptist said:
Smellin Coffee said:
I would contend that lack of spiritual health in the church starts when one ignores the teachings of Christ such as:

"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Click to expand...

Paul admonished the same thing on numerous occasions, but most Pastors or elders dont reflect your Hammond experience.... ;D
Click to expand...

And Paul also said:

"And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ". Remember, Paul was "all things to all men" so he had God's permission to speak out of both sides of his mouth.

Well, now that I look at it, you must be right. Jesus said "Rabbi" and "instructors" and Paul said "pastors" and "teachers". Must be talking about something different... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Whoosh....the sound of your point going over the point on my head.... ???
 
Castor Muscular said:
In many ways, it sounds like where I work.  I think this is called "fallen human nature", and is certainly not a church-specific phenomenon.
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I don't disagree, entropy considered.
However, the blog was targeted to Christian leaders, so......
 
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