Julia Falling Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Sorry, off topic again, but I would like to make a defense for pastors in general, and for mine in particular. I have never, and I mean never, met another pastor with a heart for ministering to the flock, supporting missionaries, and desiring that our local congregation would represent Christ faithfully and serve the wider kingdom the way my pastor does. Yes, he went to seminary and took Greek (1 year, I think). But no one can be an expert on all things. I wonder how many of the pastors on this list did the electrical wiring in their churches when they were built? How many have made the Wednesday night supper by themselves? How many have personally replaced a water line for a widow on a tight budget? And no one would know that he had done these things if he hadn't been "caught in the act". He also built and maintains our website, does the bulletin, does the slides for Sunday morning, leads the singing (singing on key, I might add), roasts, grinds, and makes the coffee for Sunday morning. Makes the rest of world look like a bunch of deadbeats! In appreciation, many of our members have donated money to send our pastor and his wife to Israel in March. Frankly, it's the least we could do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A. Smith Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Sorry, off topic again, but I would like to make a defense for pastors in general, and for mine in particular. I have never, and I mean never, met another pastor with a heart for ministering to the flock, supporting missionaries, and desiring that our local congregation would represent Christ faithfully and serve the wider kingdom the way my pastor does. Yes, he went to seminary and took Greek (1 year, I think). But no one can be an expert on all things. I wonder how many of the pastors on this list did the electrical wiring in their churches when they were built? How many have made the Wednesday night supper by themselves? How many have personally replaced a water line for a widow on a tight budget? And no one would know that he had done these things if he hadn't been "caught in the act". He also built and maintains our website, does the bulletin, does the slides for Sunday morning, leads the singing (singing on key, I might add), roasts, grinds, and makes the coffee for Sunday morning. Makes the rest of world look like a bunch of deadbeats! In appreciation, many of our members have donated money to send our pastor and his wife to Israel in March. Frankly, it's the least we could do. I honestly mean no offense whatsoever, but what comment prompted your reply? I am a pastor myself and don't remember anything in this topic or in this entire forum that degraded pastors or pastoral ministry. I sense a lot of emotion in your response and am just curious about the cause. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia Falling Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 Please forgive me for coming across the way I did. I should have expressed myself more clearly. I was not offended, just acknowledging that not everyone has the time or opportunity to pursue Greek or Hebrew. I do mean that not being a Greek scholar does not preclude a man from being an excellent pastor, teacher, and servant of the Lord. And I wanted to tell of the excellence (not perfection) of my own pastor. He really is a remarkable man. Nor did I intend any criticism of the "non-electrical" pastors, or the ones who don't cook! I have thoroughly enjoyed studying Greek, and want to continue. But that doesn't make me a scholar (just studious). It doesn't make me fit to lead a church. It does, however, help me to understand my Bible, and help me teach my class. Thank you for posting and making me consider how poorly I had expressed myself. I will be more careful in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A. Smith Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Please forgive me for coming across the way I did. I should have expressed myself more clearly. I was not offended, just acknowledging that not everyone has the time or opportunity to pursue Greek or Hebrew. I do mean that not being a Greek scholar does not preclude a man from being an excellent pastor, teacher, and servant of the Lord. And I wanted to tell of the excellence (not perfection) of my own pastor. He really is a remarkable man. Nor did I intend any criticism of the "non-electrical" pastors, or the ones who don't cook! I have thoroughly enjoyed studying Greek, and want to continue. But that doesn't make me a scholar (just studious). It doesn't make me fit to lead a church. It does, however, help me to understand my Bible, and help me teach my class. Thank you for posting and making me consider how poorly I had expressed myself. I will be more careful in the future. I totally agree with all that you've said here. One of the best pastors I know scarcely knows a lick of greek or hebrew, but he knows his Bible and he loves God's people. I love that God uses our personalities and gifts us in ways that suit our situation. Some have this, some have that, but we get the job done! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Jenney Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I totally agree with all that you've said here. One of the best pastors I know scarcely knows a lick of greek or hebrew, but he knows his Bible and he loves God's people. I love that God uses our personalities and gifts us in ways that suit our situation. Some have this, some have that, but we get the job done! Thanks I agree. My father-in-law ministered for over 40 years with nothing but a KJV Bible, a Strong's Concordance and set of old commentaries (Matthew Henry[?]). Yet I have rarely met a man with such a love for God, the Word or his flock. Yet he remained hungry to know more, up until his death last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A. Smith Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I agree. My father-in-law ministered for over 40 years with nothing but a KJV Bible, a Strong's Concordance and set of old commentaries (Matthew Henry[?]). Yet I have rarely met a man with such a love for God, the Word or his flock. Yet he remained hungry to know more, up until his death last year. Not to continue this off-topic topic, but discussions such as this always remind me that there are great christians in persecuted nations, rural areas and among indigenous people groups who do not have access to the tools we do and yet serve God faithfully. It is a good reminder that we are privileged to be able to study the languages and bicker over objective or subjective genitives, syntax charts and so on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcjimmyk Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Sorry, off topic again, but I would like to make a defense for pastors in general, and for mine in particular. I have never, and I mean never, met another pastor with a heart for ministering to the flock, supporting missionaries, and desiring that our local congregation would represent Christ faithfully and serve the wider kingdom the way my pastor does. Yes, he went to seminary and took Greek (1 year, I think). But no one can be an expert on all things. I wonder how many of the pastors on this list did the electrical wiring in their churches when they were built? How many have made the Wednesday night supper by themselves? How many have personally replaced a water line for a widow on a tight budget? And no one would know that he had done these things if he hadn't been "caught in the act". He also built and maintains our website, does the bulletin, does the slides for Sunday morning, leads the singing (singing on key, I might add), roasts, grinds, and makes the coffee for Sunday morning. Makes the rest of world look like a bunch of deadbeats! In appreciation, many of our members have donated money to send our pastor and his wife to Israel in March. Frankly, it's the least we could do. Sorry I upset you. I think your pastor needs to get his priorities straight. The job of the p-t is to preach the word. In order to do that his absolute top priority is to know it. We have access to many helps. In fact I wrote a book for people who want to understand Greek but do not want to be linguists. I realize that sounds cold and I will be flamed for saying it. I am sorry and I will shut up and not post again to this thread as it is getting completely off topic. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia Falling Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 Sorry I upset you. I think your pastor needs to get his priorities straight. The job of the p-t is to preach the word. In order to do that his absolute top priority is to know it. We have access to many helps. In fact I wrote a book for people who want to understand Greek but do not want to be linguists. I realize that sounds cold and I will be flamed for saying it. I am sorry and I will shut up and not post again to this thread as it is getting completely off topic. Jim Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Brown Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 This topic is seriously off-topic, and has been closed. There is no reason to attack or defend anyone's pastor on this forum. We split this from the previous topic from which it digressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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