For the last couple of weeks, I have endeavored on these Fridays, to write posts that have an emphasis on many of the issues that we as Pastors face in our day to day walk in ministry. I previously dealt with the issue of charging other churches a set fee in order for us to preach there. And I also dealt with the issue of how handle problems with deacons, trustees and other lay leaders in our churches who attempt lead us instead of being led by us. I will say that both issues have garnered some good responses from my fellow bloggers.
However, I received a phone call this past week from a person who's opinion I value tremendously, who had read both of those Friday posts and they gave me some sound, Godly advice that I want to share with all of you.
I wrote those posts with the thought that they were for fellow Pastors and Preachers as we face the various difficulties in ministry. But what my friend explained to me was that not only do Pastors and Preachers read our blogs, but we all have members who read our blogs, and subsequently they read our friend's blogs as well. And when we use our blogs as a vehicle to vent about the problems we may be having in our churches, it may cause our members to think that all we do is complain about them.
I want to share with each of you, that it is a privilege and not a right that God has chosen us to lead his people, and the reality is that we lead the people by permission. They really don't have to listen to the voice of God and follow what we say God is telling us to tell them, and I don't want anybody's members or my own to think that all of them are grouped in with the distinct few that decide to be contrary to our leadership.
I believe that this blog can and will be a blessing to both the body of Christ and the ambassadors of Christ both at the same time. So I have decided to use these Friday Focuses to be an encouragement to my brothers and sisters in the faith and not as a tool to get even with people who have failed to heed the voice of God. My complete goal with these posts was to share some of my pitfalls in ministry and be as transparent as possible so that we all can learn from each other on how to make it in times such as these.
So I ask for both your forgiveness and your patience as I attempt to be faithful to my assignment in being a blessing to you and not blowing off steam. I love each and every one of you and I pray that we will allow even the mistakes that we commit to help us become better Pastors, Preachers, leaders and most of all Christians in these last and evil days.
Until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you, may he make his face to shine upon you, may he lift his countenance upon you, may he be gracious to you, which is to give you his divine favor, may he grant you his peace and may this peace be with you until we all meet again.
GOD BE PRAISED!!!
11 comments:
Mann...I do admire, value, and appreciate your honesty and transparency. For the record, I am so blessed, humbled, and uplifted every time I not only ready your blogs, but recieve a comment or read one on another's page. You are a definate blessing and beneficial asset to the body of Christ and to me personally. Even my wife commented several months ago (she visits my blog every so often) that 'Lance has the gift of encouragement'. The greatest blessing I have recieved from these blogs is gaining you as a life-long friend. Continue to find strength and encouragement in what you are doing. You are certainly doing a great work; and I marvel in seeing how the Lord is using you at your present post of ministry. My prayers are always with you, your wife, your boys, and your entire church family. Be blessed my friend. -Kraig
Mann,
This is a great post! It took a lot of courage on your part to clear the air with your blogging constituency etc. I echo the sentiments of Pastor Kraig. You are a blessing to us all and you are ever in our prayers.
I don't take the Friday focus as venting but as networking as a means to navigate through issues to become better pastors, preachers, and yes, members. If a person reads our blogs for the transparency of our person, they will notice that we don't spend a lot of time complaining but encouraging another. And you, Lance, are good for it! Keep these blogs coming because it helps.
Pastor Mann,
God be praised for your transparency, you have been a big blessing to me in a short period of time.
I think your post are characterized by encouragement. I look at our blog family as a community where we pastors can encourage, share and yes... vent. That's what makes our commuinty so healthy!
I have members who have read my post and read things into what i wrote that was not there. Most of my post are member friendly but occasionally they are more for pastors.
Be encouraged my brother, God is doing a great work through you.
I enjoy reading your post!!
Blesings be multiplied,
DeAntwan
Lance, thanks for not outing me as the one who made the comments to you.
I hope that you did not receive my comments to you as criticisms. If so, please forgive me.
My concern is that we, as young pastors and preachers, be careful about what we say about the people and places God has called us to serve.
More people than we know are reading our blogs. And we do not want our members or others who may find us on the web to get the wrong impression of our attitudes toward our pastoral assignments or the members under our care.
As I have done privately, I encourage you to keep writing. And may the Lord use to you both challenge and encourage me and the others over whom God has given you influence.
Thanks for being a friend.
Preach hard tomorrow.
See you Monday in OKC!
Pastor Lance, You are one of my favorite bloggological sons. I knew the minuet you commented on my first blog and called and excepted me as Mother; that you were not only called of God but SPECIAL. I absorbed each word of your blogs. Although, sometimes debatable and challenging to some, I don't sense any malice or "getting them told" intentions. I agree with everyone that has commented before me. I can appreciate the valid, friendly advice and concern shown by Pastor H.B. and I completely understand his intentions. I see this as a precautionary warning to a brother beloved. Don't change your intent to blog on these subject matters, just tread with prudence as I would caution my own preaching sons to do.
Also, I would like to mention, (as one in the pew), I wouldn't want my Pastor to appear inadequate in ANY area of his pastorate before the blogging public, which you have never done. As a Mother, I wouldn't want my sons to appear to young and inexperienced before the congregational readers through "their" misinterpretation of these blogs. As Pastor Kraig has mentioned, you serve as an encourager and true brother in Christ. Not on the recieving end of getting the glory but, you strive to edify those you come in contact with. I always look forward to your words on your blog and especially your comments. Take care my son.
Mother
Ditto, I am sincerely blessed by your blogging ministry continue to write as you are inspired.
Prudence is a wonderful virtue; my only concern is that we do not soft peddle on the real, hard tough issues. I do not believe that we should become passive or evasive as it relates to spiritual matters many problem people are problems simply because no one dared to share with them the truth.
Continue to write for your writing encourages and helps more people than you know.
NJB Matthew 10:16 Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as snakes and yet innocent as doves.
Your blogging brother,
Ron
I echo the sentiments of the fellow bloggers and Mother. Continue to grace us with your wonderful posts!!
Lance the transperrancy of your ministry struggles and successess are a blessing to read about. May the Lord lead you and grant you wisdom in continuing to decide just how transparrent you want to be in your post via this medium.
Iron Sharpens Iron!
Be Encouraged.
Tony R.
Lance??? Are you doing OK? You haven't dropped by "the house" lately. Your brother Kraig asked (via phone) if I'd heard from you. Hope things are well with you and yours. Come by and see your Mom so I'll know you're alright. Have a happy Thanksgiving. Take care.
Mother
Thank you preacher! This post was a blessing to me. Keep up the good work. Happy Thanksgiving my brother!!
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