paul wrote:Another look at " I'm not being fed."
What do you think as a member is necessary to be properly, spiritually fed by the Pastor and the local church?
As mentioned the pastor isn't the feeder, but the one that leads in teh feeding, and as FQ says - should be accountable for that in that ministry.
What are you looking for ?
I don't expect some great nugget or wisdom, or word of knowledge each and every service I participate. but rather an overall-feeding as I participate in the fellowship and community of the local body of believers.
How much of the message is a part of that feeding ?
I can only answer for myself. and that is actually a very small part of the overall, balanced "meals". kinda like getting desert now and again.
How much is fellowship a part of that feeding?
a great part (again, my own experiences claimed), I am not normally a very social creature, but God has called me that direction, so having fellowships and being social, so to speak, stretches and exercises me in that area.
How much is bible study ( coorporate and private ) a part of that feeding ?
I guess, depending on definition, Bible study is done at home, and on a nearly daily basis, for at least a couple hours a day. this may happen at church in (adult) Sunday School as well.
Are the sermons life applicable or just history and/or theological lessons?
Again, in repeat - for me - there is little or no difference. as a wanabe archaeologist, etc. - the historicity and theological implications are applicable as they are learned - no need for me for special explanations of the layers of understanding.
Are the sermons based only on emotions ?
many times, yes. and that's unfortunate (for me) because I tend to eschew the emotional messages. does it happen all the time that I get nothing from them? no, infrequently, that is something that God had been working with me on a particular topic, and it is directly applicable.
Do you leave church on Sunday knowing you have been empowered for the week ahead, or " Maybe it will be better next week?
not the reason I go to church, so the question is not applicable. I go to church with the primary focus on serving, so that others get as much out of the services as possible. Do I get something/fed? sometimes, but again, not the reason for my attendance and participation.
I guess, that for me and my house, if I want some special feeding, I take it on as my responsibility as the "priest of my home" to be sure that is taking place. I am not saying that my pastor doesn't "feed" me spiritually. but I don't hold him accountable (for me - in that area).
this Spiritual Feeding, so to speak, is only a part of the balanced feeding that I need. I hunger for God's Word, but that is something that I get in my studies and in special and specific classes and lectures, LDI, etc. my soul needs fed as well, and that includes the fellowship of the saints and ALSO includes my serving them (though not a pastor).
My job as the media and sound engineer - is to help people get as much out of the overall service as I can make happen. My goal is that the congregation doesn't even know/realize, that I am there. I should be invisible to them.
My job as the treasurer of our church is to boost the offerings, by giving snippets of time in reference to giving, and understanding what God's Word has to say about money. Talking about money from the pulpit should not be a bad thing. I will present our financial standing as necessary in reports as well; and be ready to give any information about it to any of the members that ask at any time.
My Job as men's ministry director is to lead a group of men in a Godly direction that they can discover how to feed themselves and their family; not to rely on the feeding that may or may not come from someone else. But to be able to balance that with an understanding that we are not an island, and that we hold each other accountable.
my Job as technology director for the region is to communicate various aspects of technology that can be used in a service (invisibly), as well as outside of the services, even at the level of giving information about setting passwords on your phones so that if it is lost that everyone's numbers and information that you have stored, isn't given away.
it is my job as Adult Sunday School Teacher (COGOP cert.) to be prepared for each class as though there will be thousands, whether there is only one other or there is a dozen. To present God's Word in a clear and concise way, so that even if in a series, each lesson is a stand alone and not only applicable, but challenging.
It is my job as a parishioner/congregant to participate in every service that I am able to attend. to support the ministry and my pastor, even if I may not agree with every little detail of what is being done. If I believe that there is a direction that might be heretical, though, it is my job to communicate that with them (pastor, and other leaders), in love and humility showing God's Word, and in discussion - and being humble enough to learn as well (in those cases).
I may get bored now and again in a service, but my pastor will NOT know it. I may not get "spiritual feeding" every service, but my pastor will know that I support him and that his messages are good and appropriate (unless I disagree, see above paragraph - though this has really only happened a couple times in the last decade or so).
As a congregant, I go to church so that I can be a blessing to others that go, whether or not that is how they feel. I get "fed" by being allowed to serve.
