Need help for a starving family

[DeWayneTN]

Kenya, I wanted to ask that, but I was afraid he WASN'T kidding. People go a little bonkers when they move to Mickey Mouse land.

Spoken from personal experience?

[Shellie]

DeWayne wrote:

Spoken from personal experience?

I think you know me well enough at this point to already know the answer to that one.

[Dr. Ron]

At the risk of causing a stir....( would I ever do that?) I think the advice to have people watch other churches and pastors is good .....but it is putting a band-aid on a broken leg.

The needs of any congregation must be met with more than a once a week experience.

These people need to be taught (assuming they have not been) to have a daily devotion , a small group bible study, a relational opportunity to "share" the word in deed and witness.

Starvation for the christian is not the sole blame of the pastor.

While those of you who have heard me preach in the past 5 years can attest, I have basically re-invented myself and changed my style of preaching so that I can more effectively communicate to my church on a long term basis. That being said, I still cannot and refuse to accept responsibility for doing all the feeding of my flock.

The largest church in the USA in COGOP was for many years, Brecksville Ohio. I help revivals there every year for 25 years. I was there when they had over 1000 in Sunday School. The pastor was Don Isaac....he was the worst preacher I ever heard. He would rant and get red in the face and almost have a coronary while he was preaching......but his love for people and his organized approach, grew the church. People didn't worry about "being fed" they were too busy preparing food for all those who kept coming there to be fed in bible studies, small groups, etc.

Am I being critical of the "little church who can't get a DEEP guy"? No, but I think they need to read "Purpose Driven Life" and start from there finding out about food!

Jeff, let me know if they are in out area, and I will send someone to feed them.

[scooter]

I agree Dr.

[MrDanger]

These people need to be taught (assuming they have not been) to have a daily devotion , a small group bible study, a relational opportunity to "share" the word in deed and witness.

This is being done (personal devotion) and they do all the teaching in group bible study. Sharing takes place at their church. Like I said, the members of the church "get it" and are very service oriented to the lost and other believers.

As I understand it, their devotional time is the only food they get. They are just looking for, uh, how do I word this, supplemental food.

[Dr. Ron]

Jeff, I will again refer to Brecksville. This group now needs to concentrate on "becoming" one of those larger churches that the "deep guys" will want to be pastor of.

Congratulations to them for all they are doing.....they now have to do the rest of it ........shall we say .......in spite of the shephard with no food.

[MrDanger]

but I think they need to read "Purpose Driven Life" and start from there finding out about food!

I don't know if their church read that or not. They probably did what a lot of churches did. The pastor bought a copy. They had a special called conference. They all gathered round. Slowly, ever so slowly, the pastor opened the cover of "Purpose Driven Life." Then, with great anticipation, they looked at each other, waiting, looking, expecting immediate growth. After 27 minutes and 31 seconds, they dismissed in prayer. Once again, church growth has inexplicably denied their church.

[Pastor Bill]

Also remember that while these more seasoned Christians need more meat, often the general Sunday service is geared more towards new converts, visitors and less grounded Christians. At New Life Joey, Kenya and I have discussed this, and often I don't know that they gain much from my Sunday messages, but they also are there more to serve than to eat. (If I didn't know my preaching style doesn't fit what you described, I'd worry this was us!) There is only so much "meat" that will fit into a message that can still reach the young in Christ or unsaved, and at times this does take precedence.

BUT there is also the issue of the pastor himself. If the focus is mainly on the 'nointing, and he isn't focusing on reaching the lost or getting the word out, but more on his own worked up emotion, then this can be an issue as well. Is this an older pastor set in his traditional ways, or a young pastor that doesn't know the difference? If it is a young pastor, maybe someone close to him may be able to work with him some in a loving way, depending on the SO, that might be a possibility, but it must be handled gently and with love. I remember early in my ministry my pastor having talks with me on such things, as well as close friends talking honestly with me on issues. It can be hard, but it can also be a great help.

[Joey]

At New Life Joey, Kenya and I have discussed this,
and often I don't know that they gain much from my Sunday messages,
but they also are there more to serve than to eat.

While this sounds sad, it is typical and fits the research*. Studies tell us that the more growth and Christ-Centered your life becomes, the harder it is to be satisfied with even the best of preachers. This is mostly because no pastor can feed the truly HUNGRY Christian from the pulpit alone.
The best preachers will give a congregation a good 'milkshake' of the Word, but also seemingly challenge the congregation to dig into the Meaty portions of that delivered Word for theirselves.
(*Ref; REVEAL, Where are you?, Hawkins/Parkinson/Arnson 2007: Comeback Churches, B&H Publishing 2007: 9 marks of a Healthy Church, Crossway Books 2004)

[Dr. Ron]

those who only eat once or twice a week can't handle anything more than a liquid diet of milk.

[Alan]

Here's a site some of you may enjoy listening to messages on. I try to go to church here when I visit my in-laws.

Lincolnton First Assembly of God

Most of you COGOP folks will recognize the pastor there, one of the former Georgia State Overseers.