Seasoned Pastors "I'm not being fed..."

[Pastor Gary]

Okay, here's a discussion for the seasoned Pastors among us.

I was talking to a Pastor today who told me one of his members said the words almost every pastor has heard at one time: A member tells you they are going to another church because -- wait for it -- "I'm not being fed here."

It would be really interesting to hear the reactions of some of you seasoned pastors to that phrase.

[Pastor Gary]

23 views and zero responses so far: is this a hot potato subject?



I'll tell you at least part of my response when I hear that:

Sometimes "I am not being fed" means that the table has been set, the Bread of Life has been offered but the picky eater doesn't like the healthy vegetables being served.

[jinjer]

Sometimes "I am not being fed" means that the table has been set, the Bread of Life has been offered but the picky eater doesn't like the healthy vegetables being served.

Sometime is means, " I need more than milk or Skittles! I want help with my own studies."

Jinjer
(not a Seasoned Pastor)

[Jennifer Smith]

Sometimes, it means, my pastor is not offering up a substantial portion of the Word. (My pastor does and my husband also did).

But sometimes it means what you have said, "I am a fat baby Christian

and these sermons don't tickle my ears the way I would like," sadly!

The difference IMO between a pastor who preaches a great sermon but

fails to truly "feed" his sheep and one who does, is a pastor who has the

Word of God "dwelling richly" in him, he loves and delights in the Word of God like David, and he lives by it and teaches it and expounds on it and puts it on his forehead, so to speak... the pastor who does that will feed his sheep from the Word.

[oletimer]

My first thoughts were check (a look back and see if they are right)and then see what I'm doing or not doing.

Then maybe do a mind check of their walk for the pass few weeks.

See if there are any ways to make improvements and pray, pray, pray.

Not saying will work, but I do believe in prayer.

[EagerBeaver]

Speaking as a member and not a Pastor, when I have said that it's not because of the Pastor's doing but rather the overall effectiveness of the local church. Is there an outreach ministry? Are we cultivating relationships? etc.

[THE RAzEr]

One of the most appreciate comments I ever recieived in my 32 years as a Pastor was this. "You are the best Pastor we ever had, but Frankly i have never liked to hear you preach".

I think sometimes we get caught up in the delivery style.

Maybe some would be better off to go somewhere they can be free to receive easier.

Many times the outcome will depend upon the politics of the situation. If the Pastor has the clout, the one making the statement of not being fed, may leave and go elsewhere, but if the one not being fedis the one with the clout or clique, the Pastor may hear that ole gospel spiritual sung in many churches through the years, "Hit the Road Jack, and don't you come back no more, no more.

It is amazing to me over the years who people call later when they are really in need. Many times it is Ole I wish you could feed me that comes to the rescue.

It would be good to remember this. Just about every preacher has a couple of good sermons. When the Pastor is a little slow with the entertainment, turn on the TV and find a guy who can tide you over. I assure you, if you go down the road to another church, sooner or later that Pastor is gonna bore your socks off too.

Ray A

[Pastorbps]

I'll bet they added, "But it's nothing personal."

[JohnDB]

Over the years I hear all kinds of stuff coming from different pulpits...

Some are theologically mistaken for the congregation that they are preaching to...but hey, they got this job and they don't want to look for another at the moment with the congregation they like to preach within...so...they hang on to this job...cause really good paying preacher's jobs are hard to come by.

Others have more gaffs than a cesspool does of flies...but...oh well.

Some get rediculously full of themselves and speak of themselves in the third person.

Then there are the ones who want to preach instead of teach...OK...I can live with that...but when you evenly divide your time in one sermon of teaching and preaching to where nothing really gets said...well...I fall asleep.

I ain't for the finely tuned and choreographed sermon either...you know...the made for TV drama type...ain't with that kind either.

I go to see familiar faces of those that I know....offer some encouragement...let them know I am still making it adn like to see that they are as well.

Other than that...I haven't heard a good sermon in years...don't expect that I will either.

[Pastor Gary]

Other than that...I haven't heard a good sermon in years...don't expect that I will either.

That's a pretty sad indictment of those of us who spend many hours each week agonizing over notes and attempting to deliver them with passion and some degree of cohesiveness.

[ugpastor]

I don't let people say that. It is called a self feeding program. Are you doing a devotion every day are you praying everyday or are you expecting me to feed you. I attached a self feeding program file.

[Pastor Don]

I am not so sure that I would call myself seasoned, but 16 years of pastoral ministry and 2 years of evangelistic work and having heard that very thing said several times, I will give my honest opinion.

Often when someone says they are not being fed it has much to do with the style of delivery. Especially here in the south if you are not loud and forceful it is perceived as being lazy preaching.

To me an effective pastor that is truly feeding his flock is giving them a variety of nourishment. Preaching serves a purpose but then too so does teaching. Teaching seems to be much more personal and that tends to make some very uncomfortable.

That is not to say that there are some that simply are not capable of serving, even a well prepared meal.

I would tend to agree with the one post that mentioned the fact that too many come waiting for the preacher to do all the feeding.

You know if I went all week and ate nothing or ate nothing of substance, the one fully nutritional meal that well balanced would not be fulfilling either.

that is my 2 cents any way...
God bless

[free]

Here's my response after 20 years of pastoring:

"I'm sorry to hear that, I'll be glad to help you find another church!"

End of discussion.

[jdavis]

When I hear that it hurts but those people usually came to my church because they "were not being fed" so I also say something like this " Good luck. I hope you find what you're looking for."

john

[paul]

Other than that...I haven't heard a good sermon in years...don't expect that I will either.

That's a pretty sad indictment of those of us who spend many hours each week agonizing over notes and attempting to deliver them with passion and some degree of cohesiveness.

Does "Being Fed" have only to do with the style, content and delivery of A sermon ?

If I am to feed my family, it iinvolves more than one aspect.

Isa 40:10-11
10 Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for
Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.
11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs with His arm, and
carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young. (NKJ)
Ps 80:1-2
1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit
enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth. (NIV)
Ezek 34:14-16
14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their
grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a
rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD.
16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and
strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flockwith justice. (NIV)

Jesus Is The Good And Great Shepherd
John 10:14
14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--(NIV)
John 10:11
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. NIV
Matt 2:6
6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of
Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.'

When someone says they are not being fed, does it also mean they may feel they are not being nourished. Man does not live by bread ( preaching) alone.