I will give you pastors after my own heart........

[auneeqsol]

This is just something that has been on my mind for a while concerning those that walk in the office of PASTOR.

From my understanding and study of the word a PASTOR is one that shepherds the flock. In other words, the pastor is the one who makes sure that the flock of God is fed a balanced spiritual diet, and for this reason he/she holds a unique place among the sheep. He loves the sheep in a way that a prophet, apostle, or evangelist can't love them because of the shepherd's anointing that is on his life. I think its very important for those who will say they are called to this office to recognize that it takes sacrifice, it takes commitment, it takes love. After the evangelist, prophet, and minister preach they can leave , but the Pastor cant leave the sheep that has been committed to his care, nor does he want to.

When I hear pastors say stuff like, I have another church offering me this much money but I turned them down to stay here with you, or they say I have a chance to pastor many churches but I have to be here with you, I dont believe they are true pastors. Or either they have not matured in their pastoralship.

I believe that there should be a family-like atmosphere in the church in how the pastor and first lady teach and feed the flock. I believe pastors should make sure they check in on the saints, or make sure its done by someone else. The pastor supposed to make sure the flock is taken care of. The flock should be close to his/her heart.

I have a question tho.....

If someone in the church that has served in leadership for a while, been a member there for years, comes to the pastor and says I feel as though God is telling me my season is over here, and its time to leave and venture on, and the pastor just brushes them off and says okay i will meet with you and your family and we will talk about it, and time goes by and goes by and goes by, and every service the pastor talks with them to say hello and makes casual conversation with them, and you remind him of the talk, but the pastor never takes time to talk with them.....Is that showing great concern from the pastor? Is that pastor relating to the member that he cares about their spiritual well-being , and is involved in what God is doing in their life?
What does that say about that pastor?
And what should that member do?

Any advice?

[Jasmine]

auneeqsol said:

This is just something that has been on my mind for a while concerning those that walk in the office of PASTOR.

From my understanding and study of the word a PASTOR is one that shepherds the flock. In other words, the pastor is the one who makes sure that the flock of God is fed a balanced spiritual diet, and for this reason he/she holds a unique place among the sheep. He loves the sheep in a way that a prophet, apostle, or evangelist can't love them because of the shepherd's anointing that is on his life. I think its very important for those who will say they are called to this office to recognize that it takes sacrifice, it takes commitment, it takes love. After the evangelist, prophet, and minister preach they can leave , but the Pastor cant leave the sheep that has been committed to his care, nor does he want to.

When I hear pastors say stuff like, I have another church offering me this much money but I turned them down to stay here with you, or they say I have a chance to pastor many churches but I have to be here with you, I dont believe they are true pastors. Or either they have not matured in their pastoralship.

I believe that there should be a family-like atmosphere in the church in how the pastor and first lady teach and feed the flock. I believe pastors should make sure they check in on the saints, or make sure its done by someone else. The pastor supposed to make sure the flock is taken care of. The flock should be close to his/her heart.

I have a question tho.....

If someone in the church that has served in leadership for a while, been a member there for years, comes to the pastor and says I feel as though God is telling me my season is over here, and its time to leave and venture on, and the pastor just brushes them off and says okay i will meet with you and your family and we will talk about it, and time goes by and goes by and goes by, and every service the pastor talks with them to say hello and makes casual conversation with them, and you remind him of the talk, but the pastor never takes time to talk with them.....Is that showing great concern from the pastor? Is that pastor relating to the member that he cares about their spiritual well-being , and is involved in what God is doing in their life?
What does that say about that pastor?
And what should that member do?

Any advice?

Why does the individual feel like its time to venture off and leave? Thats always a good start of discussion for scenarios like this. Also in the same scenario, what should this say about the pastor? Either he's giving the individual time to (keep praying and wait on God) or (He himself is too busy to meet with the individuals at this point ). Maybe he is avoiding to meet with the individuals, because he does not want to lose them, or maybe he could care less if they left.

My point of expressing all those comments is, you could "assume" any of those things about the pastor, however until the individual actually sits down and speaks with him, they won't really know where his heart is on the matter.

Edited: for corrections

[And Such Were Some Of You]

What is God telling the individuals to do? That is first and foremost. I always believe in leaving a place in the correct fashion so if the pastor has not yet found the time to meet with them, is there someone else in leadership that they can meet with? Does it have to be the pastor?

Bottom line is that they must be obedient to what God is telling them to do. And if all sincere efforts to meet with leadership have failed then it is best to obey God rather than man.

[Jasmine]

On the same token. If God has given Pastors, after his own heart, to not only feed the sheep, but the guide them as well. If God is truly telling the individual that its time to depart, then I would also believe that God will inform the pastor as well. Especially is this is someone who has been in Leadership for quite some time.


Thats why, I think its important to know WHY the person feels God is telling them to leave a church.

If the pastor is truly concerned about them, He will not hold them from doing what God has told them to do.

I believe that in some way, every pastor is almost offended or even hurt when a member decides to leave their church. Even when God told them to go. Why? Because they then realize that they cannot take these individuals into their next phraze of blessings.

Its kind of like, when the military uprooted my husband and I from California to NJ. Our Pastor was hurt, but very supportive, He realized that yea we had orders, but this was the will of God. He told us to our face that, Obviously there was something that we needed that He couldn't give us. It saddened him to say those words.

He did blessed us and send us off, obviously he had no other choice, because whether he chose to or not, Military orders are a done deal (unless the Lord changes them, or they fall through).

When we arrived at the next church, with a letter of recommendation as faithful servants, and church workers..we didn't have to start all over again.

[livinganewlife]

auneeqsol said:

If someone in the church that has served in leadership for a while, been a member there for years, comes to the pastor and says I feel as though God is telling me my season is over here, and its time to leave and venture on, and the pastor just brushes them off and says okay i will meet with you and your family and we will talk about it, and time goes by and goes by and goes by, and every service the pastor talks with them to say hello and makes casual conversation with them, and you remind him of the talk, but the pastor never takes time to talk with them.....Is that showing great concern from the pastor? Is that pastor relating to the member that he cares about their spiritual well-being , and is involved in what God is doing in their life?
What does that say about that pastor?
And what should that member do?

Any advice?

The member first of all should not try to speak with the Pastor after service regarding a meeting. I would advise the member to call the Pastor or the Church secretary and make an appointment with the Pastor.

Ask if the Pastor can allow 2 hours for this meeting as it is an important issue that needs to be discussed with him ONLY.

I can not say what the Pastor is thinking but I know from experience that after church services you have members, deacons and everyone coming to the Pastor and the First Lady trying to speak or trying to get us to decide on a color for the choir robes.

Timing is everything.

My office is open from 8AM - 9:30AM and between those hours on Sunday morning if anyone wants to ask me anything I advise that it is done during those times.

I am available at the church on Tuesdays - Thursdays from 11AM -2:00PM for appointments that allows people the opportunity to come on their lunch breaks if they feel the need to talk.

My husband keeps the same hours and he will adjust accordingly..

We try to allow flexibility to meet with people but some just don't abide, after ministering and praying with people for over an hour it is very difficult for Pastor's to sometime come down after hard preaching.

My husband preaches and we pray and labor with folks. After service I like to greet the new members, the visitors and everyone if possible.

the person in this scenario should set aside a time to call the Pastor and try to schedule a meeting.

Be Blessed

[Jasmine]

livinganewlife said:

auneeqsol said:

If someone in the church that has served in leadership for a while, been a member there for years, comes to the pastor and says I feel as though God is telling me my season is over here, and its time to leave and venture on, and the pastor just brushes them off and says okay i will meet with you and your family and we will talk about it, and time goes by and goes by and goes by, and every service the pastor talks with them to say hello and makes casual conversation with them, and you remind him of the talk, but the pastor never takes time to talk with them.....Is that showing great concern from the pastor? Is that pastor relating to the member that he cares about their spiritual well-being , and is involved in what God is doing in their life?
What does that say about that pastor?
And what should that member do?

Any advice?

The member first of all should not try to speak with the Pastor after service regarding a meeting. I would advise the member to call the Pastor or the Church secretary and make an appointment with the Pastor.

Ask if the Pastor can allow 2 hours for this meeting as it is an important issue that needs to be discussed with him ONLY.

I can not say what the Pastor is thinking but I know from experience that after church services you have members, deacons and everyone coming to the Pastor and the First Lady trying to speak or trying to get us to decide on a color for the choir robes.

Timing is everything.

My office is open from 8AM - 9:30AM and between those hours on Sunday morning if anyone wants to ask me anything I advise that it is done during those times.

I am available at the church on Tuesdays - Thursdays from 11AM -2:00PM for appointments that allows people the opportunity to come on their lunch breaks if they feel the need to talk.

My husband keeps the same hours and he will adjust accordingly..

We try to allow flexibility to meet with people but some just don't abide, after ministering and praying with people for over an hour it is very difficult for Pastor's to sometime come down after hard preaching.

My husband preaches and we pray and labor with folks. After service I like to greet the new members, the visitors and everyone if possible.

the person in this scenario should set aside a time to call the Pastor and try to schedule a meeting.

Be Blessed

Amen. When I was the administrative Secretary with my former church. the church office hours were from 9 am to 3pm. but those were my hours, anyone who wanted to meet with the pastor, had to schedule their appointments between 5 pm -7pm Tues, Wed, Thurs.

There were days when he would come up during the day, and a member could schedule to meet with him during those times as well.

I totally agree that after a Pastor has preached his very soul out to the body, the last thing any pastor wants to do is counsel, or have a meeting.

[auneeqsol]

auneeqsol said:

This is just something that has been on my mind for a while concerning those that walk in the office of PASTOR.

From my understanding and study of the word a PASTOR is one that shepherds the flock. In other words, the pastor is the one who makes sure that the flock of God is fed a balanced spiritual diet, and for this reason he/she holds a unique place among the sheep. He loves the sheep in a way that a prophet, apostle, or evangelist can't love them because of the shepherd's anointing that is on his life. I think its very important for those who will say they are called to this office to recognize that it takes sacrifice, it takes commitment, it takes love. After the evangelist, prophet, and minister preach they can leave , but the Pastor cant leave the sheep that has been committed to his care, nor does he want to.

When I hear pastors say stuff like, I have another church offering me this much money but I turned them down to stay here with you, or they say I have a chance to pastor many churches but I have to be here with you, I dont believe they are true pastors. Or either they have not matured in their pastoralship.

I believe that there should be a family-like atmosphere in the church in how the pastor and first lady teach and feed the flock. I believe pastors should make sure they check in on the saints, or make sure its done by someone else. The pastor supposed to make sure the flock is taken care of. The flock should be close to his/her heart.

I have a question tho.....

If someone in the church that has served in leadership for a while, been a member there for years, comes to the pastor and says I feel as though God is telling me my season is over here, and its time to leave and venture on, and the pastor just brushes them off and says okay i will meet with you and your family and we will talk about it, and time goes by and goes by and goes by, and every service the pastor talks with them to say hello and makes casual conversation with them, and you remind him of the talk, but the pastor never takes time to talk with them.....Is that showing great concern from the pastor? Is that pastor relating to the member that he cares about their spiritual well-being , and is involved in what God is doing in their life?
What does that say about that pastor?
And what should that member do?

Any advice?

Okay all the advice was sound and there are a lot of things that you have to consider on the member's end and the pastor's

But here are the facts:

Okay the reason why the member feels as though God has told them to leave is because they have gone as far as they can go in the ministry, as far as learning, as far as being involved in the ministry, and there are greater things that God has for them that will take them to the next level, but they are not getting it there. Now I believe in God dealing with a person first whether or not someone comes along and confirms it or not, but just for the sake ... This was confirmed by two or three witnesses, the whole word about what God had said to the member. But it was spoken to the person first then confimred by two or three. And it was not a short time, the member waited a long time before even mentioning this to the pastor, and prayer and fasting was done on behalf of this. So after over a year the member finally goes to the pastor and tells him NOT after service but while on the phone conversating with just the pastor. And numerous times the pastor stated that he would meet with the family, and that God had given him a word for the family but a meeting never took place. He was even reminded of the meeting. Oh and yes the ministry is not set up to where you can call and make an appt with the secretary to meet with pastor, and his schedule is so booked with work that HE can only say when HE is available. And this is not just a member, this is an elder in the church, and the elder and the pastor are close, so there is nothing that stands in the way too much of them meeting.

Now whether the pastor is hurt by the news or not, he is still obligated to minister to the elder and his family in what God is saying. Holding ppl off because of emotions is understandable to a point but after a while they must be obedient to what God is saying. Personally ( i know the situation) I think that the pastor already knows that God is sending the family on to higher heights in ministry and he just doesnt want to let them go. But time is drawing nigh and we must be about our father's business.

Someone once told me that ministry wasnt personal, its sort of like business. When you have to go you have to go, it might be a sad parting but duty calls. Of course when a person retires from a company after 20 or 30 yrs they have a retirement party and they say their goodbyes, and they are sad but they have to go, or when someone takes a job out of state after working in a company for a while, but the ppl still stay in touch with their friends. If we are working in the kingdom then we must go where the father sends us and do what he tells us to do. We were bought with a price, everyone is not going to stay in a ministry 10,20, 30 years , some ppl have to branch out so that they can teach others, or reach others.

But that was the fact of the matter....so now can we make a better assessment?

[auneeqsol]

andsuchweresomeofu said:

What is God telling the individuals to do? That is first and foremost. I always believe in leaving a place in the correct fashion so if the pastor has not yet found the time to meet with them, is there someone else in leadership that they can meet with? Does it have to be the pastor?

Bottom line is that they must be obedient to what God is telling them to do. And if all sincere efforts to meet with leadership have failed then it is best to obey God rather than man.

Yes, I am in agreement with you especially because we have to remember first who we belong to. Pastors are stewards over the flock, but we all belong to Christ and where he leads we must follow. Im reminded of the scripture that says "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" John 10:27
Overall we must follow Christ because he knows the plans that he has for us ...to bring us to an expected end.

[Jasmine]

auneeqsol said:

andsuchweresomeofu said:

What is God telling the individuals to do? That is first and foremost. I always believe in leaving a place in the correct fashion so if the pastor has not yet found the time to meet with them, is there someone else in leadership that they can meet with? Does it have to be the pastor?

Bottom line is that they must be obedient to what God is telling them to do. And if all sincere efforts to meet with leadership have failed then it is best to obey God rather than man.

Yes, I am in agreement with you especially because we have to remember first who we belong to. Pastors are stewards over the flock, but we all belong to Christ and where he leads we must follow. Im reminded of the scripture that says "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" John 10:27
Overall we must follow Christ because he knows the plans that he has for us ...to bring us to an expected end.

I wholeheartily agree. I don't want it to appear as if I am saying do not follow God's voice, because if its really for the individuals to Go, God has already made provisions for them to leave.

My statement of " He doesn't want to let go of faithful servants" is truly where my heart is in the matter. Nobody wants to lose faithful members. Its hurts.

Now, I don't know is the saying rings true..about ministry isn't personal, its like a job. I have an alternate view on that one.

I think after serving in a ministry for over 6 years, you kinda get attached to the pastor, his wife, his family, and the members. Even when God calls you to move, your being moved from those you have learned to love.