Being Fed by a Pastor ?

[paul]

Another look at " I'm not being fed."

What do you think as a member is necessary to be properly, spiritually fed by the Pasotr and the local church?

What are you looking for ?

How much of the message is a part of that feeding ?

How much is fellowship a part of that feeding?

How much is bible study ( coorporate and private ) a part of that feeding ?

Are the sermons life applicable or just history and/or theological lessons?

Are the sermons based only on emotions ?

Do you leave church on Sunday knowing you have been empowered for the week ahead, or " Maybe it will be better next week ?

[Pastor Bill]

I think that all depends on how close they want to walk. Frankly I know it's cliche' but we can't out-do God.

[Jennifer Smith]

I wish I could tell you how outstanding our church is.

Well, I'll try.

The Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit are present in our services in a tangible way. That makes all the other "parts" of church just wonderful,
from fellowship, to worship, to the sermon. The people ministering care a lot and put a lot into preparing for Worship, Enrichment Classes (SS), Children's Church, Nursery.

The sermon is saturated with the Word of God. The pastor uses multiple
scriptures, and they are displayed on the screen screen (for those who forget a bible or who can't flip to the verses quickly ). He uses the Word for life application in the sermons , and displays a great enthusiasm for God's Word and for the Lord. . The sermons are not brief or boring, but are meaty and practical. Prayer time at the end of the services is not rushed but allows for repentance, healing, and application of change.

It seems to be working because a lot of lives are being changed!

[paul]

I think that all depends on how close they want to walk. Frankly I know it's cliche' but we can't out-do God.

Bill, I agree with you. I'm just curios when we hear " I'm not being fed" if we try to examine what they are really looking for. How much is "self" or how much is real. And were the local church stands in regards to it.

I have very strong feelings about the responsibility of the local church, cooporate and individual which I have expressed in the doctrional forum in the past.

[Full Quiver]

To me the simple fact is that pastors are obligated, called, and held accountable to feed the flock over the which the Holy ghost has placed them. If you aren't called then get out of the pulpit and away from the flock. If you are then get to feeding because God is the judge. For those that say they can't feed the sheep or it isn't their duty to then I say you are not a shepherd of God. Real pastors don't find it hard or burdensome to feed the flock of God IF they look to the Lord.

The reason I post this is because it seems that pastors are angered when a member says they aren't being fed. OleTimer hit the nail on the head when he suggested that he examine himself. Bravo Ole Timer!!!


OK, I'm done!

[Messianic Believer]

Using the analogy of a shepherd an sheep, it is not the shepherd's job to "feed" the sheep.

It is his responsibility to lead them to a field that has nourishing food in it, that is free of weeds and poisonous plants, to make sure there is pure water to drink, and then to guard and protect them.

Once there, it is actually the sheep's responsibility to consume the food in the place where he has been led, to drink the refreshing water, and to not wander away outsie of the protection of the shepherd.

It is when the shepherd fails to lead them to the right field and water, and truly lays his life down for the flock; or when the sheep refuses to consume the food and water before it but constantly wanders off in search of something better that the problems begin.

There is responsibility on both sides, and each should do their part and not try to usurp the responsibilities of the other.

[bibleguy]

Using the analogy of a shepherd an sheep, it is not the shepherd's job to "feed" the sheep.

It is his responsibility to lead them to a field that has nourishing food in it, that is free of weeds and poisonous plants, to make sure there is pure water to drink, and then to guard and protect them.

Once there, it is actually the sheep's responsibility to consume the food in the place where he has been led, to drink the refreshing water, and to not wander away outsie of the protection of the shepherd.

It is when the shepherd fails to lead them to the right field and water, and truly lays his life down for the flock; or when the sheep refuses to consume the food and water before it but constantly wanders off in search of something better that the problems begin.

There is responsibility on both sides, and each should do their part and not try to usurp the responsibilities of the other.

AMEN!!!

[Dr. Ron]

Messianic Believer,

That is one of the most well stated assessments I have ever read. I have preached that "idea" for years, but you stated it beautifully.

I had a lady leave my church because she wasn't being fed.....no scripture....I showed her 33 verses used that one morning......

[free]

33 scriptures Dr. Ron? I think I'd have heartburn after that many!

[Full Quiver]

I totally agree Messianic Believer, what I am speaking of is pastors that say it is not their responsibility to feed the flock which means to lead them to green pastures. The Word says to feed the flock yet you say the flock must feed themselves. The flock must eat what they are fed but they must be fed. If a pastor says they can't feed the sheep then they are failing.

[Pastor Don]

It may be that I missed something somewhere. I don't recall any one on either thread saying that it was not their responsibility to feed the sheep, nor that they could not.

What I have heard (INHO) is that there is responsibility on both parts. If a pastor is pouring himself into his studies, and honestly preaching what the Holy Ghost has put in his heart then it stands to reason that if a sheep is not being fed but the rest of the flock is health and well nourished then there needs to be an honest self searching on the part of the ONE that is not being fed.
On the other hand if you have an entire flock that is undernourished and parched there needs to be a deeper searching on the shepherds part. Especially if that one is the only one with the presence of mind and spirit to call it to the pastors attention.

Just a thought...

God bless

[THE RAzEr]

Hey ron, alady told me one time that she could not stnad it any longer, she said y preaching was just to positive. She said, "positive, positive, positive"!

Another person said, "You Preach all the time about Jesus. Jesusu, Jesus, Jesus. I am so tried of hearing about Jesus!"

[MacUser]

Using the analogy of a shepherd an sheep, it is not the shepherd's job to "feed" the sheep.

It is his responsibility to lead them to a field that has nourishing food in it, that is free of weeds and poisonous plants, to make sure there is pure water to drink, and then to guard and protect them.

Once there, it is actually the sheep's responsibility to consume the food in the place where he has been led, to drink the refreshing water, and to not wander away outsie of the protection of the shepherd.

It is when the shepherd fails to lead them to the right field and water, and truly lays his life down for the flock; or when the sheep refuses to consume the food and water before it but constantly wanders off in search of something better that the problems begin.

There is responsibility on both sides, and each should do their part and not try to usurp the responsibilities of the other.

[RamboPreacher]

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.

[JohnDB]

ooopsie,
I answered in the other similar thread...

But...in short
I ain't there for the preaching.