http://skubalon.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/faithfully-unproductive/ I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus and count them but rubbish. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:07:38 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://skubalon.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/faithfully-unproductive/#comment-100 skubalon Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:54:41 +0000 http://skubalon.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/faithfully-unproductive/#comment-100 I am not sure why you called me poopman. I am not sure why you called me poopman.

]]> http://skubalon.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/faithfully-unproductive/#comment-99 sprocket23 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:41:21 +0000 http://skubalon.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/faithfully-unproductive/#comment-99 I hear what you're saying, poopman, and I can relate. As a minister we feel personally responsible for the health of the church, or to be more honest, for the profitability of the corporation. We are portrayed as the CEO, so if the corporation is doing well (in church terms, attendance and offerings are up) then we are praised, if it's not, we are blamed. But, you have to be careful to avoid the Messiah Complex, that is, where you feel personally responsible for the spiritual health of each person in the church. That family you're talking about: you've gone MORE than the extra mile, they know their spiritual needs, if they reject the church, they are not rejecting you but the Lord. I'm being hypocritical because, like you, I go out of my way for folks, but I'm trying to get where I realize that all I can do is my best, the results are up to them. It's hard to learn this, especially since we are held up as the ones who will make the church grow. I'm always encouraged by John 6:66 where Jesus told the disciples the level of commitment that he expected and many disciples left him... and he let them go. I hear what you’re saying, poopman, and I can relate. As a minister we feel personally responsible for the health of the church, or to be more honest, for the profitability of the corporation. We are portrayed as the CEO, so if the corporation is doing well (in church terms, attendance and offerings are up) then we are praised, if it’s not, we are blamed. But, you have to be careful to avoid the Messiah Complex, that is, where you feel personally responsible for the spiritual health of each person in the church. That family you’re talking about: you’ve gone MORE than the extra mile, they know their spiritual needs, if they reject the church, they are not rejecting you but the Lord. I’m being hypocritical because, like you, I go out of my way for folks, but I’m trying to get where I realize that all I can do is my best, the results are up to them. It’s hard to learn this, especially since we are held up as the ones who will make the church grow. I’m always encouraged by John 6:66 where Jesus told the disciples the level of commitment that he expected and many disciples left him… and he let them go.

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