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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/1/2008 10:24:10 AM
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Focusing
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Just a rambling thought running through my mind about feeding sheep. I was meditating on Psalm 23 this morning.
Jesus calls us His sheep. Sheep are kinda dumb and need to be led to green pastures so they can continue to be fed.
Pastors are shepherds for their flock. I love my pastor - I think he is wonderful, he provides some mighty green pastures for feasting. Not that I stand in one spot until the next sermon, but he leads me to various pastures (scriptures) and it causes me to feel like I'm not starving, and therefore I can wander around and enjoy the grass "over there". You know, travel around the Bible learning more, becoming more familiar with the surrounding scriptures - or related scriptures/topics. Sometimes I run across little flowers that are particularly delicious, and it makes me want to search out more of them.
Because I only recently returned to this church (through too much dieting, not enough grass to eat) ... I am still learning how to satisfy my hunger. I do hope and pray that one day I don't need so much leading to the pastures, but I don't think I will ever not need it.
Pastor Debi, I think it's wonderful that you are so concerned about your flock and making sure they are being fed, and trying to find better ways to guide them. God bless you!!
_____________________________
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/1/2008 10:34:31 AM
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AboundinginHisGrace
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I hear some people say they need to feed themselves, I disagree to a point. God created Adam and Adam had face to face contact with God and God said it is not good for man to be alone. God does want us to have fellowship with other believers. I think churches have a lot of different roles; A place to meet together and worship our Father, Fellowship, Accountability, share our burdons with other believers. So eventhough we are to feed ourselves, we still need help from other believers. I think that is where most churches fail and that is unity. We are one body in Christ and a lot of times we do not act like it. We have a fairly large church and if we did not have small groups you would not have all things I mentioned above. Our small group is awsome, everyone is able to share their heart with each other, so we can minister to one another. So you need to be careful when you say, Mature people feed themselves and thats it. You are right we do need to feed ourselves, but we never stop needing relationships. Here are some verses about fellowship/relationships:
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Ecclesiastes 4:
9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Romans 1:12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Gal 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law
of Christ.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
_____________________________
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/1/2008 11:04:04 AM
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URForgiven
Posts: 1120
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pstrdebi
As pastors, it breaks our hearts to hear the consenceous of "being fed" is not in church. It was to this conclusion that my husband and I came to the other night when talking to this pastor and others. They were in the "excuse" frame of mind... laying off the problem of low nutrition to the congregants, and actually making jokes about those not being fed, rather than stepping up to the plate and taking on some personal responsibility.
I'm not saying that he is not a good preacher, I'm saying ALL pastors need to take on that personal responsibility to make sure they are feeding the sheep. What did Jesus ask; Three times in John 12 He ask Peter, "Do you love Me?" And Peter answered Him each time with a more emphatic, "YES"... then Jesus said, "Then feed My sheep." If we truly love the Lord... we will be obedient to what He asks. Jesus wasn't hard of hearing... I think He asked Peter 3 times to drive home the fact that if we really truly love Him we will MAKE SURE His sheep are fed.
It should break your heart, I only wish it broke the heart of all pastors. People are perishing for lack of knowledge of the truth...Jesus Christ is Truth!
There is no great mystery to feeding the spiritually hungry, they need spiritual food... Jesus Christ is that food!
Preach Jesus Christ! I never tire of hearing the truth, I crave it, I need it...give it to me!
We do not need great orators, nor great motivational speakers in the pulpit, we need people who know and are known by God; people who are humbly allowing His indwelling Spirit to simply and continually express the truth that is Christ. There is no solid food beyond Christ, He is our solid food.
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/1/2008 12:44:28 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1884
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quote:
However, I don't go hungry simply because our pastor isn't ministering along the lines of what I may need to hear. I trust the Holy Spirit enough to know someone else is being ministered to as they need to be and I find other sources for my spiritual strength.
Personal Bible reading/prayer time...serving others..being faithful in whatever I am called to do each day..those are all sources of my strength.
We have a young Pastor who is really learning his way and sometimes it is necessary for those who are more mature to minister to him. That is one reason I believe having a solid group of Leaders surrounding the pastor is important.
Ministry is not a 1 man deal. If we look to 1 man, or any man for that matter for our spiritual strength we are in trouble.
OK, I really am speaking a LOUD
AMEN!
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/1/2008 12:47:58 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1884
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quote:
We do not need great orators, nor great motivational speakers in the pulpit, we need people who know and are known by God; people who are humbly allowing His indwelling Spirit to simply and continually express the truth that is Christ. There is no solid food beyond Christ, He is our solid food.
And another LOUD
AMEN!
Thanks buckifn and URF!
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/1/2008 3:41:28 PM
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pstrdebi
Posts: 739
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From: So. Oregon, by way of So. Cal.
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quote:
ORIGINAL: AboundinginHisGrace
Ecclesiastes 4:
9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
This is one of my favorite verses! And you are so right it depicts the church, and also fellowship, marriage... and so much more
_____________________________
"For in Him we live and move and have our being..." Acts 17:28a
http://www.therockfellowship.org
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/1/2008 4:12:41 PM
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sparkleingsnow
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I havn't read the thread, but would like to respond. This is a subject kind of near to my heart, as I don't feel that I'm being fed much at my church right now. I am being fed, just not there.
To answer your question, I think it's both. The pastor has a responsibility to stay close to the Lord. To seek the Lord's will in feeding the congregation. And pastor and teachers have a responsibility to teach God's word correctly. He also needs to be aware of where members of the congregation are at, and needs they may have, to help lift them, encouage them and help them to see when they are in error.
The congregation (each indivdual) also has a responsibility to make sure that they're hearts are right and open to hearing what the pastor is sharing with them. They can each one also open up God's word, and let the Holy Spirit feed them as they read God's word. To reflect on Him and stay close to Him. Too grow.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/4/2008 3:59:08 AM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 716
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: online
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quote:
Studying theology is very different from knowing God.
The pastor who loves God's Word enough to invest the hard work required to read it in the original languages does, however, show both it and the congregation condign respect. Someone who has not invested the time and effort may hit the occasional grand slam, but most of his sermons will be base hits.
God does not deserve our second-best efforts. The pulpit ministry is worthy of the very best we can bring to it, including years of disciplined and directed thinking.
_____________________________
The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/4/2008 6:52:03 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3642
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From: a mother who let me live
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quote:
ORIGINAL: RJR_fan
The pastor who loves God's Word enough to invest the hard work required to read it in the original languages does, however, show both it and the congregation condign respect. Someone who has not invested the time and effort may hit the occasional grand slam, but most of his sermons will be base hits.
God does not deserve our second-best efforts. The pulpit ministry is worthy of the very best we can bring to it, including years of disciplined and directed thinking.
Just wanted to repeat that . . . .
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/4/2008 11:35:56 AM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1884
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quote:
quote: Liveloved
Studying theology is very different from knowing God.
quote: RJR_fan
The pastor who loves God's Word enough to invest the hard work required to read it in the original languages does, however, show both it and the congregation condign respect. Someone who has not invested the time and effort may hit the occasional grand slam, but most of his sermons will be base hits.
God does not deserve our second-best efforts. The pulpit ministry is worthy of the very best we can bring to it, including years of disciplined and directed thinking.
Respect is due every person. And it is greatly needed and sometimes rarely found. I totally agree.
But if you are saying that studying Hebrew and Greek, even studying very hard and doing very well, is what we need to lead and minister to those in the church, I disagree.
What is needed is men and women who love Jesus, whose life IS Christ, and that can include diligent study of original languages but it definitely is seen by a life of seeking and finding and knowing Jesus. And therein lies the difference. We do not need more biblical scholars. We need Jesus.
< Message edited by Liveloved -- 10/4/2008 11:42:12 AM >
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/4/2008 12:06:04 PM
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Focusing
Posts: 6043
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quote:
We do not need more biblical scholars. We need Jesus.
Agreed.
It is important to me to see Jesus in my pastor and spiritual mentors.
_____________________________
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/4/2008 12:30:53 PM
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rgod
Posts: 1539
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
What is needed is men and women who love Jesus, whose life IS Christ, and that can include diligent study of original languages but it definitely is seen by a life of seeking and finding and knowing Jesus. And therein lies the difference. We do not need more biblical scholars. We need Jesus.
Well said!
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/4/2008 9:30:58 PM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 716
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: online
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quote:
We do not need more biblical scholars. We need Jesus.
I'm sure every modalist, mormon, and JW will applaud that sentiment. No need to really study our faith, no need to really pay attention to which Jesus we're preaching -- if it feels good, it must be right. After all, isn't ignorance next to godliness?
_____________________________
The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/4/2008 9:52:20 PM
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Focusing
Posts: 6043
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quote:
ORIGINAL: RJR_fan
quote:
We do not need more biblical scholars. We need Jesus.
I'm sure every modalist, mormon, and JW will applaud that sentiment. No need to really study our faith, no need to really pay attention to which Jesus we're preaching -- if it feels good, it must be right. After all, isn't ignorance next to godliness?
We did not say ignorance ... I hope you haven't jumped to a conclusion.
When the Holy Spirit works through a person, He will do so whether the person has several degrees to list behind his name or not. IOW, degrees (i.e., Biblical scholar) are not what create a Spirit filled pastor.
I personally know two men who I believe to be equal in their Biblical knowledge and understanding and teaching ... one is a pastor who does have degrees and continues on in his studies to earn more ... one has a high school education.
Sharing faith does not boil down to anyone's level of education. Nor do years studying in Bible school boil down being able to share Jesus any better.
So, yes, what we need is Jesus.
< Message edited by Focusing -- 10/4/2008 10:00:54 PM >
_____________________________
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/4/2008 11:18:39 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1884
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quote:
if it feels good, it must be right. After all, isn't ignorance next to godliness?
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written,
Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. I Cor 2:6-10
I do not consider the wisdom of God 'ignorance' nor do I think the Spirit's revelation 'feel good' theology.
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God. . .
Knowing Jesus is not learned through textbooks and language study, RJR_fan. That is the way worldly wisdom is taught.
Perhaps I'm not understanding you???
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/5/2008 12:50:21 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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i was reared in a church in which ignorance was considered a godly value -- literally. Maybe those of you writing the last few posts haven't been around that, but I was for over fifty years and can simply no longer handle that. They delighted in thinking that G-d worked best through the scripturally ignorant -- such persons were verbally praised, while seminaries were put down (although rightfully so in some cases!). But when I started studying the Bible for myself, and getting a little schooling of my own, I realized how bad it all really was.
I am grateful what where I attend now, the teachers have applied themselves to learning, to institutions of higher learning, and still have ample room for the H Spirit to move both them and the learners, to teach us all.
I am grateful that when I have a question, unlike the old church organization, they can give clear answers based upon their studies with the movement of the H Spirit. An understanding of the languages, an understanding of history, and a working understanding of societal problems and norms does not exclude the workings of the H Spirit. I am sure you all know this, but it seemed that some were writing that the one excludes the other.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/5/2008 1:18:09 AM
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rgod
Posts: 1539
Joined: 4/25/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
i was reared in a church in which ignorance was considered a godly value -- literally. Maybe those of you writing the last few posts haven't been around that, but I was for over fifty years and can simply no longer handle that. They delighted in thinking that G-d worked best through the scripturally ignorant -- such persons were verbally praised, while seminaries were put down (although rightfully so in some cases!). But when I started studying the Bible for myself, and getting a little schooling of my own, I realized how bad it all really was.
I am grateful what where I attend now, the teachers have applied themselves to learning, to institutions of higher learning, and still have ample room for the H Spirit to move both them and the learners, to teach us all.
I am grateful that when I have a question, unlike the old church organization, they can give clear answers based upon their studies with the movement of the H Spirit. An understanding of the languages, an understanding of history, and a working understanding of societal problems and norms does not exclude the workings of the H Spirit. I am sure you all know this, but it seemed that some were writing that the one excludes the other.
Covaan_Meshuga. I'm glad you shared your post. When I was reading what was written (and I chimed in saying that I agreed), I didn't get the impression that anyone was excluding scholarly study or putting down seminaries. Maybe I missed something (it has been known to happen  ). It is interesting how we all see these things differently. With all of the seminaries around - it is hard to imagine a climate of wide-spread anti-intellectualism when it comes to the study of God's Word - but I have run into that from time to time. Having had that experience - I can see how you'd want to emphasize that the formalized study of the Word is a gift and a blessing.
What I've been hearing in this thread though - and agreeing to - is that you have to have both. Study of the Word (whether it be through a formal program of study or on your own using books etc.) alongside the Holy Spirit Who gives illumination and interpretation (and often brings verses back to mind - kind of like your own concordance inside). In my short experience, which is not as extensive as yours, it seems that some tend to fall on one side (reliance on spirit alone) or the other (reliance on Biblical interpretative principles alone). I think we all know people who either rely on spirit alone and neglect the Bible. But there are many spirits and without the Word it is difficult to distinguish between Holy and unholy spirits. I do think that God does make provision though - like in the case of the man that I know who has great difficulty reading and who also has a limited vocabulary. God is leading Him almost purely by Spirit (and also by examples of other people and a few preachers). On the flip side, most of us also know people who can interpret the bible expertly using hermeneutics, but there is no change in them and no life in what they are preaching or teaching. Or they are not rightly dividing the Bible.
God obviously gifted people to be teachers and many of those people are in seminaries. Seminary can be a rewarding learning experience that can give you the tools to correctly divide the word and can also provide practical ministry experience - depending on the degree program. But we cannot dismiss the people who have not gone - yet are taught by the Spirit (and of course books and other materials) - as the disciples were (they were taught by Jesus himself). In many countries, there are few seminaries - in the U.S. there are many - but God may have a different road for some. We really can't understand the Word of God anyway without the Spirit to interpret for us, no matter what hermeneutic devices we use - because those things are spiritually discerned. I once heard someone say it is like two wings of a bird - you have the Word and Spirit together - without both the bird cannot fly. I totally agree with this. Both are needed.
< Message edited by rgod -- 10/5/2008 1:34:29 AM >
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/5/2008 1:20:49 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3397
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Many of the religious leaders of Jesus day had an intellectual relationship with God based solely on scripture...and rules...and they forgot what havintg a relationship with God is all about.
Loving Him.
You cannot do any of His work without loving Him. You can't be good. You can't be generous. You can't love others and you certainly cannot teach or correct or encourage or...feed.
Without God in your heart, the scriptures are meaningless. If that cannot be communicated then reading scripture all day will not do you, or anyone lse any good. The bible without God is a book of weird rules, weird people, and unbelieveable happenings. A fairy tale. A book of fools.
I do not worship my bible. It is not God. Only through the Holy Spirit does the bible make sence.
You can teach scripture all day long but without Christ it...is...dead.
That..is what we feed others with...Christ. Talk to an unsaved person about scripture and he goes...ehhh?? Show him Christ's love? Show him integrity? Live your life for God and not yourself? Man...you just fed someone.
Now, mature saved people....they have a need for scripture...this is certainly their food. They need to know Jesus more. They seek out what God wants for them to do in scripture.
Milk.
Meat.
Yes, I think a pastor should know how to feed the baby in Christ and the mature believer.
Hey, no one said serving God was easy....
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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Being Encouraged & Strengthened? - 10/5/2008 9:03:20 AM
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Teaching_The_Way
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I like to use the terms "Encouraged & Strengthened". So that I can share the gospel andGlorify God. I get fed at McDonalds that never satifies. But at a church who teachs "Sound Doctrine" I get encouraged and strengthened! 
As one Pastor has said, there are 350,000 churches in America and only about 50,000 of them (1/7th, 1 in 7 churches) teaches Sound Doctrine. I added; and follows the will of God. As Jesus said; we must worship God in truth and in spirit; and only those who do the will of my father will enter into the kingdom.
And as Paul said; Guard your doctrine closely............
Trying to find a church that encourages and strenthens the congragation with truth and sound doctrine is like trying to find a needle in a hay stake.
They because the great fallening away is currently taking place to where pastors,elders and congragations will give into sadducing spirits. They become the Nicolations.
And Jesus said in Revelations that he hates the Deeds of the Nicolations. (REV 2:6)
Nicolations are Professing Christians that thinks, because of the grace of God that they are free to sin and live as they please. They do wrong (sin) without any ind of remorse or grevienve over their own sins.
As Paul put it, they are Godless men who changes the grace of God into a license for sin. Roughly speaking Pastors,Elders and Congregations, (99 out of 100) lives like that. They do not fear nor love God.
As stated in scripture, it is the fear of God that encourages us not to sin.
Well God Bless to All - We are still trying to find a church that teaches sound doctrine and teaches what we NEED to hear! 
Difinition Nicolations (In Bible Program - Faussets Dictionary)
NICOLAITANS
Rev 2:6,14-15. Irenaeus (Haer. 1:26, section 3) and Tertullian (Praescr. Haeret. 46) explain, followers of Nicolas one of the seven (Acts 6:3,5) as there was a Judas among the twelve; confounding the later Gnostic Nicolaitans with those of Michaelis explains Nicolas (conqueror of the people) is the Greek for the Hebrew Balsam ("destroyer of the people," bela' `am); as we find both the Hebrew and Greek names, Abaddon, Apollyon; Satan, devil. A symbolical name. Lightfoot suggests a Hebrew interpretation, nikola, "let us eat"; compare 1 Cor 15:32. Not a sect, but professing Christians who, Balsam like, introduce a false freedom, i.e. licentiousness. A reaction from Judaism, the first danger of the church. The Jerusalem council (Acts 15:20,29), while releasing Gentile converts from legalism, required their abstinence from idol meats and concomitant fornication. The Nicolaitans abused Paul's doctrine of the grace of God into lasciviousness; such seducers are described as followers of Balsam, also in 2 Peter 2:12-13,15-19; Jude 4,7-8,11 ("the son of Bosor" for Beor, to characterize him as "son of carnality": bosor = flesh). They persuaded many to escape obloquy by yielding as to "eating idol meats," which was then a test of faithfulness (compare 1 Cor 8 and 1 Cor 10:25-33); they even joined in the "fornication" of the idol feasts, as though permitted by Christ's "law of liberty." The "lovefeasts" (Jude 12) thus became pagan orgies. The Nicolaitans combined evil "deeds" which Jesus "hates" with evil "doctrine."
(from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998, 2003 by Biblesoft)
_____________________________
http://teachingtheway.net/
If our opinions does not line up with
the scriptures, then our opinions are
dead wrong! Gods words are more important
than our opinions!
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RE: Being Encouraged & Strengthened? - 10/5/2008 11:14:02 AM
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URForgiven
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Joined: 3/22/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Teaching_The_Way
As stated in scripture, it is the fear of God that encourages us not to sin.
How do you line up what you say above with this...
Titus 2:11-12
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age"
Thanks
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Being Encouraged & Strengthened? - 10/5/2008 4:25:53 PM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 716
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: online
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quote:
As one Pastor has said, there are 350,000 churches in America and only about 50,000 of them (1/7th, 1 in 7 churches) teaches Sound Doctrine. I added; and follows the will of God. As Jesus said; we must worship God in truth and in spirit; and only those who do the will of my father will enter into the kingdom.
OK, my statistics make me more elite than your statistics! Only 1/10 -- 1 in ten -- Christian FAMILIES in America take their gospel seriously enough to raise their kids in it. Now doesn't that make my team special!
Read that parable of the sower, again. 75% of the seed is wasted -- but that minority of seed that does take root brings forth a 30, 60, or 100-fold return.
How big is our God? How powerful is our Gospel? How bright is our future? As Caleb and Joshua said, "these people are bread for us! They are already demoralized, and ready to crumble! Only let's not annoy the Lord by denigrating His promises and power!"
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The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/5/2008 7:14:20 PM
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Dancre
Posts: 1268
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
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One of the pastors at my church did a sermon on this very thing. He said there are three types of christians. Those who are babes and sit in high chairs screaming feed me, feed me, feed me and those who sit at the big kids' table, who still need supervision, but can feed themselves. Then you have the adults who don't need supervision, pats on the back and can feed themselves.
Some of those in the high chair stay there for years, demanding the pastor feeds them. Screaming and yelling, feed me, feed me, feed me!!!!!!! They get mad at the pastor and toss the plate on the ground. "I don't like that!!! Feed me, feed me, feed me!!" Some of these folks stay in the high chair their entire life, never wanting to feed themselves, too hard, and want others to feed them.
Those at the big kids' tables are better off then those in the high chair. At least the pastor doesn't have to change their diaper and burp them. But they still need attention.
Then you have those who sit at the adult table. They minister to others, read their own bibles, follow after God and do what He says. No one spoon feeds them, they feed themselves. No one has to watch them, they make their own decisions.
So where are you? In the high chair, demanding the pastor feed me!! feed me!! Feed me!!
At the kids' table or at the adults' table?
Paul talked about this very thing in Hebrews 5:12-14 :12
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
5:13
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
You don't need the pastor to feed you, you need to feed yourself. You have the word, you have a brain, you can read, not to mention you have a TV and the internet. There are allll kinds of resources out there to help you, not just your pastor. And you don't need a small group to spoon feed you.
I've learned that those who scream feed me, feed me, feed me are those who are immatured in their faith, who want the pastor to do everything for them and don't read the word as regularly as they should. They want someone else to do all the work for them, while they sit back and burp.
Let me also add, I don't go to church to be fed, I go to church to LEARN about God and what He wants me to do with my life. There's a big difference between screaming feed me, feed me and wanting to learn.
quote:
ORIGINAL: pstrdebi
My husband and I had a discussion yesterday with a local pastor and a few others. We were talking about the use of the term, "I'm not being fed."
There were two sides of this discussion... some who felt that "if you're not being fed... you're not listening or you're not in tune with God." Others felt... "If you're not being fed... the pastor might want to take a close look at what is being preached."
So here's my question...
How do you feel about this? Do you feel that it is solely the responsibility of the person attending... or do you feel that the pastors need to take on some personal accountability?
Let's hear your opinions!
< Message edited by Dancre -- 10/5/2008 7:24:05 PM >
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/5/2008 7:54:51 PM
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Focusing
Posts: 6043
Status: offline
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Is it a bad thing that there are baby Christians? Ones that are seeking to be fed? Ones that are looking for a good source of food that not only feeds him but also teaches him how to feed himself in the future?
Every believer starts as a baby and goes through a process before becoming a mature Christian.
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There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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