Comments on: "Gotta Serve Somebody" http://www.burrintheburbs.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/ "I cling to my Lord Christ like a burr on cloth." - Katherine Luther Fri, 15 Oct 2010 11:23:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Pastor Scott Stiegemeyer http://www.burrintheburbs.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/comment-page-1/#comment-589 Pastor Scott Stiegemeyer Sat, 03 Jun 2006 01:07:00 +0000 http://testing8220.wordpress.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/#comment-589 Hi Anonymous,<br/><br/>It would be hard for me to give specific advice without knowing more of the situation. But here are a couple of thoughts.<br/><br/>First, you acknowledge that he is young and inexperienced. Your church knew that about him when they called him there. You have an obligation to be patient with him, recognizing that pastors are sinners, make mistakes and so forth.<br/><br/>Second, I'm not sure what you mean by "putting God and the church first." I wouldn't say any pastor should put the church first. He should put God first, his family second (generally), and the church third. Naturally there will be times when he must sacrifice family and personal time for the sake of his cong, but generally speaking, his marriage and children need to remain a very high priority. I don't know if that touches on your concerns or not.<br/><br/>If you feel that he is not fulfilling his duties as a pastor adequately or that he is failing to abide by his ordination promise, you should confront him about it. Do so lovingly and respectfully. I would hope he would humbly accept any well-intended corrections you may offer. Hi Anonymous,

It would be hard for me to give specific advice without knowing more of the situation. But here are a couple of thoughts.

First, you acknowledge that he is young and inexperienced. Your church knew that about him when they called him there. You have an obligation to be patient with him, recognizing that pastors are sinners, make mistakes and so forth.

Second, I’m not sure what you mean by “putting God and the church first.” I wouldn’t say any pastor should put the church first. He should put God first, his family second (generally), and the church third. Naturally there will be times when he must sacrifice family and personal time for the sake of his cong, but generally speaking, his marriage and children need to remain a very high priority. I don’t know if that touches on your concerns or not.

If you feel that he is not fulfilling his duties as a pastor adequately or that he is failing to abide by his ordination promise, you should confront him about it. Do so lovingly and respectfully. I would hope he would humbly accept any well-intended corrections you may offer.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.burrintheburbs.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/comment-page-1/#comment-588 Anonymous Fri, 02 Jun 2006 19:06:00 +0000 http://testing8220.wordpress.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/#comment-588 I have a very young inexperienced pastor and I do not feel he is living up to his own words per say as far as putting God and church first. I am part of the congregation and he has not been in my corner as far as follow through. I pray for him but do not know how to approach him as far as what lies in my heart with his pastorial ways. Any suggestions? I have a very young inexperienced pastor and I do not feel he is living up to his own words per say as far as putting God and church first. I am part of the congregation and he has not been in my corner as far as follow through. I pray for him but do not know how to approach him as far as what lies in my heart with his pastorial ways. Any suggestions?

]]> By: The Cubicle Reverend http://www.burrintheburbs.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/comment-page-1/#comment-595 The Cubicle Reverend Fri, 23 Sep 2005 14:44:00 +0000 http://testing8220.wordpress.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/#comment-595 http://thecubiclereverend.blogspot.com/2005/09/grabbing-baton.html<br/><br/>TAG, YOUR IT! http://thecubiclereverend.blogspot.com/2005/09/grabbing-baton.html

TAG, YOUR IT!

]]> By: Pastor Scott Stiegemeyer http://www.burrintheburbs.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/comment-page-1/#comment-594 Pastor Scott Stiegemeyer Fri, 23 Sep 2005 02:34:00 +0000 http://testing8220.wordpress.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/#comment-594 Kurt,<br/>The one about the elderly priest was just because I happened upon the article and I wanted to express some thoughts.<br/><br/>The second one mainly because I read the post of another pastor, a personal friend, over at Cyberstones. The link is in the post; I haven't quite figured out how to put them in comments.<br/><br/>So I posted the most recent piece, not because of any controversy I am personally experiencing. But, generally, I have many friends in the Lutheran ministry all over the US and the world. And I hear all kinds of horror stories of pastors getting booted for both just and unjust causes. I hear about pastors who make tremendous goofs which cause a mountain of suffering. And I also hear of picky, unkind, bull-headed congregations who torment their pastors. Either because they don't like something about his person (in once case because he'd adopted bi-racial children) or because they reject the Word of God he proclaims.<br/><br/>I have a small congregation. That certainly presents challenges. But I have been very blessed that we are a peaceful group. I find them very receptive to my teaching and leadership. Kurt,
The one about the elderly priest was just because I happened upon the article and I wanted to express some thoughts.

The second one mainly because I read the post of another pastor, a personal friend, over at Cyberstones. The link is in the post; I haven’t quite figured out how to put them in comments.

So I posted the most recent piece, not because of any controversy I am personally experiencing. But, generally, I have many friends in the Lutheran ministry all over the US and the world. And I hear all kinds of horror stories of pastors getting booted for both just and unjust causes. I hear about pastors who make tremendous goofs which cause a mountain of suffering. And I also hear of picky, unkind, bull-headed congregations who torment their pastors. Either because they don’t like something about his person (in once case because he’d adopted bi-racial children) or because they reject the Word of God he proclaims.

I have a small congregation. That certainly presents challenges. But I have been very blessed that we are a peaceful group. I find them very receptive to my teaching and leadership.

]]> By: Carl http://www.burrintheburbs.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/comment-page-1/#comment-593 Carl Fri, 23 Sep 2005 02:21:00 +0000 http://testing8220.wordpress.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/#comment-593 correction on the typos above:<br/>"a pastor who puts his nose to the grindstone..." correction on the typos above:
“a pastor who puts his nose to the grindstone…”

]]> By: Kurt Wall http://www.burrintheburbs.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/comment-page-1/#comment-591 Kurt Wall Fri, 23 Sep 2005 02:20:00 +0000 http://testing8220.wordpress.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/#comment-591 I was just curious what prompted this blog and its immediate <a HREF="http://burrintheburgh.blogspot.com/2005/09/is-it-sin-to-be-stupid.html" REL="nofollow">predecessor</a>. Was it the astonishing lack of forethought of the elderly priest? I was just curious what prompted this blog and its immediate predecessor. Was it the astonishing lack of forethought of the elderly priest?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.burrintheburbs.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/comment-page-1/#comment-592 Anonymous Fri, 23 Sep 2005 02:20:00 +0000 http://testing8220.wordpress.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/#comment-592 As St. Paul says, "I determined to<br/>know nothing among save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." A pastor to who puts his own to the grindstone of defending against false teachers and feeding the sheep is doing what the Lord has called him to do. Carpet choices, et al, can be gladly left up to the leaders in the congregation! As St. Paul says, “I determined to
know nothing among save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” A pastor to who puts his own to the grindstone of defending against false teachers and feeding the sheep is doing what the Lord has called him to do. Carpet choices, et al, can be gladly left up to the leaders in the congregation!

]]> By: The Cubicle Reverend http://www.burrintheburbs.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/comment-page-1/#comment-590 The Cubicle Reverend Thu, 22 Sep 2005 20:54:00 +0000 http://testing8220.wordpress.com/2005/09/22/gotta-serve-somebody/#comment-590 Very insightful. I am hoping, as is God's will, to be studying for the full time pastorate in the near future. Admittedly the idea terrifies me. I want to be the next Joel Osteen or even better yet another Spong. <br/><br/>Out of all seriousness, I just pray I am able to serve Him and my congregration, welcoming those who feel they should not be in church. I appreciate the post.<br/><br/>Dave Very insightful. I am hoping, as is God’s will, to be studying for the full time pastorate in the near future. Admittedly the idea terrifies me. I want to be the next Joel Osteen or even better yet another Spong.

Out of all seriousness, I just pray I am able to serve Him and my congregration, welcoming those who feel they should not be in church. I appreciate the post.

Dave

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