tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post1695861063671897452..comments2024-03-07T00:24:23.674-05:00Comments on FBC Jax Watchdogs: The "Cowardice" of Preachers: Lack of Openness and TransparencyFBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-57212484880079917912010-09-22T12:33:45.961-04:002010-09-22T12:33:45.961-04:00Yes Watchdog and both Dr Lindsays visited prospect...Yes Watchdog and both Dr Lindsays visited prospective new members each and every week. Thats how the church grew and really there were folks at home on Tuesday nights. And get this gas was less than a dollar a gallon. And in proportion that was as much of a percentage of income as gasoline cost is today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-26761070653947198652010-09-22T12:24:45.371-04:002010-09-22T12:24:45.371-04:00Comparing Lindsay Sr., & Jr., with todays mega...Comparing Lindsay Sr., & Jr., with todays megas is like like comparing apples (Lindsays) to lemons (megas). Or, diamonds to glass. They were the real deal. No one around today comes anywhere near them. And no I don't worship men, I just observe them. It's easy after being around the "real deal" to spot the opportunistic phoneys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-86785875080762199822010-09-22T08:16:42.716-04:002010-09-22T08:16:42.716-04:00Watchdog: Either Lindsay could have been Pres. of ...Watchdog: Either Lindsay could have been Pres. of the SBC. Only one problem, they were called to be pastors of a local church. They were not interested in politics and administration of a group. They would have been bored to death. All they were interested in was winning folks to Jesus Christ. This is something you seldom see anymore these days. And it is getting worse by the hour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-52592889180361770562010-09-21T13:15:49.970-04:002010-09-21T13:15:49.970-04:00Hi Anon - the quote was from Lindsay Sr not Jr, an...Hi Anon - the quote was from Lindsay Sr not Jr, and I never was a member under Lindsay Sr, way before my time. I don't mean to imply that either Lindsay is the picture of transparency, just wanted to quote the Lindsay Sr. axiom as our mega pastors could use a huge dose of transparency and humility. Certainly Lindsay Jr. didn't speak of his salary, but I've heard from credible sources who tell me he refused large salary increases, lived for decades in his modest home, didn't seek fame and glory thorugh the preaching circuit and books and trips.<br /><br />And I could go on to compare Lindsay Jr. to the current trends of opportunistic mega church pastors, but I won't here. Lindsay Jr. was the antithesis of the modern mega church pastor. In fact, I wrote a post on that a few months ago, using a clip from Anthony George.FBC Jax Watchdoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-37793276781404997412010-09-21T13:12:07.670-04:002010-09-21T13:12:07.670-04:00Zens and Viola are obviously seeking a following. ...Zens and Viola are obviously seeking a following. If we quote Mohler, Piper, or Criswell we are men followers, but the same doesn't apply to Zens and Viola? Some posters quote Zens and Viola like they're quoting scripture. They might as well say "I'm of Zens, I'm of Viola". It's exactly the same no matter how self deprecating they present themselves to be.John Wyliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16095740536301292747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-36071281715049046112010-09-21T12:57:03.957-04:002010-09-21T12:57:03.957-04:00WD - I was with you until the very end.
While I h...WD - I was with you until the very end.<br /><br />While I have no disagreement with your premise about transparency, your climactic example of using Homer Lindsay as the model for transparency as it relates to openness on salaries humors me. As a once long-time member of FBCJax (and quite an insider I'd say), I don't ever recall hearing him share his salary. Few people love Dr. Lindsay more than I, and even he knew that some things don't need to be shared by 20,000+ members and the newspapers.<br /><br />I'm guessing you know something I don't or at least can't remember?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-72551613539899698192010-09-21T10:15:04.973-04:002010-09-21T10:15:04.973-04:00Lydia I agree with a lot of what you said, and I w...Lydia I agree with a lot of what you said, and I would add some follow Zens and Viola.<br /><br />September 21, 2010 12:24 AM<br /><br />That would be a bit hard to do since neither are in the modern day pastor or even seminary prof roles.<br /><br />What is to follow? Every single person should test everything and both Viola and Zens make that clear in their writings. They can be challenged and disagreed with because they do not set themselves apart by being a paid professional Christian.Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367390474045060624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-78052605091459943692010-09-21T07:11:16.795-04:002010-09-21T07:11:16.795-04:00Lydia you are right. What happens in the world hap...Lydia you are right. What happens in the world happens in the church.In the business world people do everything they can to suceed running over/down their fellow employee to climb the corporate ladder. When they get to the top they are still trying to obtain just one more dollar (someone said this years ago and I do not recall his name). In the institution of the so called church you have man also reaching out to do the same thing, obtain a title (mega, Sr Pator, whatever). Just because a man is in a church does not necessarily mean that he leaves his physical senses behind. All too often he carries with him the flesh. Paul said it so aptly "the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak". Now I know that there are Spirit filled pastors doing the work of the Lord and they do get overlooked, however I do believe that a lot of those that start out on that narrow road get a sample of flesh and then it goes full blown. Like an alcoholic the first drink leads to another to another and then they become drunk. They failed to hear the warning bells and became numb to their senses. For some there is NO TURNING BACK and that is where they remain and it is such a shame not only for them but for those that listen to their message.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-2596618338629035522010-09-21T00:24:25.220-04:002010-09-21T00:24:25.220-04:00Lydia I agree with a lot of what you said, and I w...Lydia I agree with a lot of what you said, and I would add some follow Zens and Viola.John Wyliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16095740536301292747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-55577977940921365852010-09-20T16:13:37.861-04:002010-09-20T16:13:37.861-04:00"Lydia: Pure perfection, however you are pick..."Lydia: Pure perfection, however you are picking on the established Laodicean pastors who desire to Lord it over the people that they "know it all" and that they are the "authority" and that they and they alone deserve the tithe that binds them all together."<br /><br />You know what I have come to believe? The "institutional system" is evil. It is a huge sin trap for those going into ministry. And it is not always about money and fame. It can be as simple as wanting to be admired, important, special or be set apart from the other sheep. I think the problem starts early in seminary. I have come to think of them as cemetaries. (I can understand going to learn Greek or Hebrew but the rest is dangerous. Systematic Theology is killing us)<br /><br />Even small church pastors can fall into this institutional trap. But the Body does not grow spiritually because of this man made system.<br /><br />If you read as many "christian" blogs as I do, you start to see a pattern emerge from these pastors and pew sitters. Some follow Mohler, some Piper, some Grudem, some Patterson, some Caner, some Akin, some Spurgeon, some Gill, etc, etc.<br /><br />It is exactly what Paul warned against in 1 Corinthians.<br /><br />May we all pray and study on our own. Jesus promised all of us the best teacher: The Holy Spirit.Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367390474045060624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-20614745883011149072010-09-20T15:04:41.916-04:002010-09-20T15:04:41.916-04:00Lydia: Pure perfection, however you are picking on...Lydia: Pure perfection, however you are picking on the established Laodicean pastors who desire to Lord it over the people that they "know it all" and that they are the "authority" and that they and they alone deserve the tithe that binds them all together. I wouldn't be surprised if some pastor comes on here and blast you for taking exception to the modern day marvel...Sr. Pastor....they hear from God while we mortals have to hear it from them alone. Great job you and others are doing to expose these false shepherds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-76448399515248822942010-09-19T10:17:03.419-04:002010-09-19T10:17:03.419-04:00The rest...
But over in Corinthians we see spirit...The rest...<br /><br />But over in Corinthians we see spiritual gifts are given to all who have the indwelling Holy Spirit:<br /><br />4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same[b] Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."<br /><br />So, do we match up the gifts with a function? What could that mean? It could mean there are quite a few pastors in each Body. AND, we should PRAY that MANY pastors emerge as they grow spiritually. Because a pastor is a servant that guides a new believer.<br /><br />Do you think only one person in the Body is given the 'word of Wisdom' to share? OH!!! How we stifle the Spirit by PAYING one person to be these things to us. Paid professional Christians...it absolutely defies the meaning of the New Covenant!<br /><br />If truly saved and growing in Holiness, all belivers are "called" to function in the Body or evangelize or plant new churches, etc.<br /><br />Why would Peter describe us as a Holy Priesthood? What would his idea of a priest be? He did not say some are priests and some are laity. There is NO laity in the New Covenant as believers in Jesus Christ.<br /><br />" Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. <br /><br />9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367390474045060624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-17167947380746602882010-09-19T10:16:12.119-04:002010-09-19T10:16:12.119-04:00Hey Lydia, being one of the best scholars I know, ...Hey Lydia, being one of the best scholars I know, I was wondering. Is there any scriptural basis for this “call to be a pastor” I hear so much about? My Bible tells me we are all called and that the choice to be a pastor is exactly that, a choice.<br /><br />September 18, 2010 10:46 PM<br /><br />I am no scholar, I just love to read and study. I don't do anything any other person who can read can do themselves.<br /><br />Well, first of all, we must define pastor. It is only mentioned once and we are given no model's of "pastor" in the NT ekklesia. Can you name one single pastor mentioned in the Epistles? Why not? I would think we would hear stories of their special calling and anointing in the Epistles to the churches. After all, each NT church had a senior pastor, right? (wink)<br /><br />We do not see any "authority" given to any of the functions at all. Even when talking to the elders in Acts, Paul shows they are AMONG the flock...not over them. It has to be this way or Paul would be refuting Jesus Christ in Matthew.<br /><br />There is a difference between those who are local church and those who travel church planting, etc. Paul stayed at Corinth church the longest...18 mos, it seems. Some he stayed as short as 3 months. Some were planted by folks we hear mentoined once such as Ephrapras (sp?) <br /><br />What was Paul? An Apostle? What does that word mean? Did he teach? Did he preach? Did he pastor at all?<br /><br />It helps to define what these functions are. Here is the only place pastors are mentioned in the NT:<br /><br />10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)<br />11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;<br /><br />But NOTICE WHY some are given these functions: To equip, to serve and edify the Body. There is no authority involved...ONLY SERVICE to others.<br /><br />Does that sound like a static job description to you?<br /><br />continued...Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367390474045060624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-5385867238541552792010-09-18T22:46:17.552-04:002010-09-18T22:46:17.552-04:00Hey Lydia, being one of the best scholars I know, ...Hey Lydia, being one of the best scholars I know, I was wondering. Is there any scriptural basis for this “call to be a pastor” I hear so much about? My Bible tells me we are all called and that the choice to be a pastor is exactly that, a choice.WishIhadknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487727353887788291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-5317994024675697812010-09-18T19:18:55.818-04:002010-09-18T19:18:55.818-04:00Eccl. chp.1 vs.2: "Vanity of vanities, saith ...Eccl. chp.1 vs.2: "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,vanity of vanities; all is vanity".<br /><br />September 18, 2010 4:46 PM<br /><br />ANON: WELL SAID!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-18791190121840799462010-09-18T18:51:49.134-04:002010-09-18T18:51:49.134-04:00"Absolutely. But it's also the toughest o..."Absolutely. But it's also the toughest one, because having a church membership is like being inoculated against a disease: you get just enough religion to keep you from catching the real thing."<br /><br />So true. And over time, the hardness of heart sets in. And,the person they are listening to week after week is usually focused on maintaining his position therefore we hear either feel good sermons or morality works sermons or tithe sermons. In the seeker world, it is entertainment sermons with a few proof texts thrown in. At least 2 big laughs per sermon is required.<br /><br />In some churches if they preached the negative truths of Christianity, the pews would empty and they would have no income.<br /><br />In others, the pastor is heralded as some sort of David whose every word must be obeyed. The pew sitters feels more holy by following the human they think has special anointing. <br /><br />Many pastors today resemble the priests of the OT as Israel became so corrupt and man centered. And we know what God had to say about them....if you don't, start reading!Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367390474045060624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-6012392053012807692010-09-18T16:46:06.022-04:002010-09-18T16:46:06.022-04:00Lydia and JD: Appreciate your comments! Mr. Whinin...Lydia and JD: Appreciate your comments! Mr. Whining-Holier than Thou---your comments are typical of the hierarchy that have taken over most of the SBC/churches today. What you don't get is your "I am special and you simple church critics are dirt", is ruining your own venue. I have been blessed to have had some really fine preachers as my teachers of the Word, in the past. And I believe there are some now, somewhere. But, that is the problem. I know what a real preacher sounds like and how one behaves. Throwing people out of a church. Embarassing him and his family is not conducive to behavior becoming a pastor. Nor is going behind a members back and destroying them from within the church. I don't believe Jesus would do any of this. As I see the problem, the pastors have removed themselves from the people. They have redefined their position as one of shall we say "semi-royalty". Exactly the opposite from what our precious Lord intended, if my reading of the Word is accurate. Preachers are neither royal, nor are they "special". We are ALL sinful humans. None of us deserve the precious gift of Salvation that (if one is truly saved), has been given us. The Blood of Jesus Christ covers our sins equally. I believe in the Preisthood of the Believer. None of us are worthy. But, all of us (saved) are blessed equally. The Throne belongs to Jesus and Him alone. Some try to sit on His Throne, others approach it on their knees. Sometimes people destroy their own work, but usually always blame others, as they can't see their own failures. <br /><br />Eccl. chp.1 vs.2: "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,vanity of vanities; all is vanity".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-42866937304584465402010-09-18T16:01:37.812-04:002010-09-18T16:01:37.812-04:00"Personally, I think the American church is a..."Personally, I think the American church is a huge mission field."<br /><br />Absolutely. But it's also the toughest one, because having a church membership is like being inoculated against a disease: you get just enough religion to keep you from catching the real thing.<br /><br />The self-righteous of Jesus' day, the Pharisees, were almost impossible to convert, while the "sinners" flocked to Jesus. Nothing has changed. <br /><br />And if people harden their hearts long enough, God will "give them over". The fact that people have long loved to be spoon-fed, and the feeders have long loved to dish it out, has invited God's judgment on both. We all have what we wanted: a king to rule over us, and willing subjects to keep royalty in high fashion.<br /><br />Is it time to stop trying to witness among the pseudo-saved? Is it time to "come out of her, my people"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-83586608830431377542010-09-18T12:02:52.401-04:002010-09-18T12:02:52.401-04:00Hi JD. You make some great points!
"So, can ...Hi JD. You make some great points!<br /><br />"So, can you find the role? No, you can't find it, not as practiced. Who do you blame? Pastors that take it and churches that expect it. The American church has, as a whole, distanced itself from Scripture."<br /><br />A HEARTY AMEN! Yes, I also blame the pew sitter who continues to want to be fed but never wanting to feed others so they never study deeply. But most can only handle milk which is why we are where we are. They would rather pay someone else to read the Word and tell them what it says.<br /><br />" You also can't find such things as church buildings in the Bible, or church activities beyond Bible study, prayer, communion, and eating together."<br /><br />True. And some of these things have become idols. And some of them keep us from being in the community as salt because we are too busy at our one stop church which includes everything from sports to their social life.<br /><br />"For that matter, blogs and books aren't in there either. Scrolls are."<br /><br />the bigger picture is COMMUNICATION methods. Letters were the method in the 1st Century. Blogs are 21st Century.<br /><br />" Life changes, and you adapt based on Scriptural principles, and strive to do better walking with Jesus today than you did yesterday. Sometimes, it looks different because your understanding and mine are different. Aren't we supposed to allow each other the freedom to be different?<br />"<br /><br />It is not about the freedom to be different but what is the truth of the Word? There are many who do not allow the freedom to be different such as CBMW who are making comp a salvic issue. <br /><br />The truth of the Word is what is important. Not position, power, authority among humans in the Body.<br /><br />When I researched the man made "roles" within what is called the church from church history, it was chilling to read. We should take a step back and stop reading our traditions into the Word. They are not there. The Body is a living organism. Not an org chart. It is made up of believers who are all growing spiritually. Some mature spiritually past a long time "pastor" and could possibly pastor others. We have made it into an "office" (the word added by translators) instead of a function of a spiritual gift.<br /><br />It is sad what has happened. But I see signs of hope. Many are figuring this out and leaving the dead institutions. <br /><br />Personally, I think the American church is a huge mission field.Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367390474045060624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-8146871892085758622010-09-18T10:10:51.336-04:002010-09-18T10:10:51.336-04:00Lydia,
Please realize that many "typical chu...Lydia,<br /><br />Please realize that many "typical church pastors" are striving to fulfill what they see Scripture saying about Biblical role of being a good shepherd and teacher, while also fulfilling the extra expectations that churches have evolved over the years. I don't take up space in a church office and print newsletters because it's in the New Testament, I do it because the church expects/asks me to do so.<br /><br />As to the CEO-system or the "I'm better than pew-sitters" nonsense, that's not there either and needs to go. But realize, much of the modern-day pastor "job" is because of what churches have asked for over the years, and we're trying to do it. I was a bi-vocational pastor until the church got frustrated with me not fulfilling those man-added roles and asked me to leave because I wasn't at every possible church member illness, every community activity, and on the phone or in homes hours on end, since I was at work, supporting my family in corporate America, and trying to also fulfill what I understood to be my calling.<br /><br />So, can you find the role? No, you can't find it, not as practiced. Who do you blame? Pastors that take it and churches that expect it. The American church has, as a whole, distanced itself from Scripture. You also can't find such things as church buildings in the Bible, or church activities beyond Bible study, prayer, communion, and eating together.<br /><br />For that matter, blogs and books aren't in there either. Scrolls are. Life changes, and you adapt based on Scriptural principles, and strive to do better walking with Jesus today than you did yesterday. Sometimes, it looks different because your understanding and mine are different. Aren't we supposed to allow each other the freedom to be different?<br /><br />JDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-4193940831381091912010-09-18T10:00:51.414-04:002010-09-18T10:00:51.414-04:00I'm with anon at Sept 17 4:46 PM:
I've ne...I'm with anon at Sept 17 4:46 PM:<br /><br />I've never served as a pastor in a church where my salary wasn't in the monthly financial report. When I was a young, naive youth minister's assistant, I served a church that had a massive block "personnel" that was reported, and it bothered me.<br /><br />The total of all the compensation I receive is reported every month. How I spend some of it is not, since I don't think it's that much anyone's business whether I spent it on groceries or gas to get to grocery store, but that would be the only way it could be more transparent.<br /><br />Of course, I'm pastoring one of these small churches that are apparently insignificant these days, but I'll cope. <br /><br />And I share your concerns about pastors that can't take criticism or aren't transparent, and see the problem it's extending into Baptist life in general. Even tried to be a part of a group seeking to change that in Orlando, but that met with predictable results. <br /><br />Anyway, many pastors are as frustrated as you are, and some of us blog it out, others just decide to act like independent churches and ignore the morons among us, since there is nothing, for example, that I can do to remove pastors that aren't fit for it.<br /><br />But many of us are trying to find a better way, and most of us actually do listen to our people. And, for the record, I read anonymous letters. Western society, you don't know it's anonymous until you get to the end, that's where the signature is (or isn't). I don't respond well to name-calling though, so just telling me I'm an idiot doesn't help. Explain my shortcomings. And explain how we can cross the anonymity so I can explain myself or apologize if appropriate. <br /><br />Anyway, my 2 cents worth. I'm sure there's some fault to be found in it, but it is what it is.<br /><br />JD<br />And yes, that's semi-anonymous. I'm trying to agitate inside the SBC system to help fix our issues, but if it's clear I post/read here, I'll be stuffed in a housecoat and bunny slippers and ignored.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-89520847586519213482010-09-18T09:35:39.002-04:002010-09-18T09:35:39.002-04:00The comments that have followed mine have simply p...The comments that have followed mine have simply proven my point. Yes, hate is being spewed. Everything from the questioning of a pastor's calling, (to whomever asked for a description, I would simply say that a calling to be a pastor involves a significant move by the Holy Spirit in one's life, moving that person towards surrendering to that call. It is a tug on your heart that simply will not go away.) to trying to make a joke of a pastor's entire life including his childhood years. Very distasteful. UNfortunately, I expect nothing less as a poor reputation has most certainly been established on this site. Some of you are very sad people that you would resort to these disparaging tactics.<br /><br />September 18, 2010 8:50 AM<br /><br />This is the new totalitarian niceness. They get to decide what is hate. Just call it hate...never engage in content. That only displays someone who cannot think and back up their position.<br /><br />Now read this closely:<br /><br />"(to whomever asked for a description, I would simply say that a calling to be a pastor involves a significant move by the Holy Spirit in one's life, moving that person towards surrendering to that call. It is a tug on your heart that simply will not go away.)"<br /><br />Every true believer has the indwelling Holy Spirit and is "called" to serve the Body in some function. Our commenter here does not know this because he is busy making himself more special so he can be "set apart" from the pew sitters. And that is the problem. He becomes the "Holy Spirit" for others in the Body. So, they do not grow spiritually past him. If they did, he would lose his position. Very sad and has NOTHING to with the early church.<br /><br />It is a man centered religion and has nothing to do with the Body of Christ where ALL in the Body function.Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367390474045060624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-14520684889683496552010-09-18T09:29:07.203-04:002010-09-18T09:29:07.203-04:00"Have you been called by God to this special ..."Have you been called by God to this special service? If not, then I would argue you cannot have an adequate understanding of what the calling entails. Rather, you choose to criticize something you do not understand fully."<br /><br />Anon, you would be considered a coward on other SBC pastor type blogs for being anonymous.<br /><br />All true believers are "called" at some point in their walk to serve the Body. What you are attempting to do is to make "pastor" special and set apart from the other believers in the Body. You are not alone...this has been done for centuries.<br /><br />As another commenter on another blog reminded me:<br /><br /> Frank Viola has a cash reward out for anyone who can find the typical church pastor in the pages of scripture. Hurry and claim your reward!Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367390474045060624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-19476883288872473792010-09-18T09:24:26.388-04:002010-09-18T09:24:26.388-04:00So Mr. Anonymous said in the midst of all his whin...So Mr. Anonymous said in the midst of all his whining and fussing:<br /><br />"I do not know Dr. Brunson, but I highly doubt he deserves the slander that you have brought to his doorstep."<br /><br />this leaves us with two possibilities:<br /><br />1. Mr Anonymous is lying through his teeth and really is a Brunson hack, or;<br /><br />2. Mr Anonymous really has no idea of what he is whining about.<br /><br />In either case, his scribblings are nothing but a waste of good bandwith.The Other Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-60484272158340384652010-09-18T08:50:51.591-04:002010-09-18T08:50:51.591-04:00The comments that have followed mine have simply p...The comments that have followed mine have simply proven my point. Yes, hate is being spewed. Everything from the questioning of a pastor's calling, (to whomever asked for a description, I would simply say that a calling to be a pastor involves a significant move by the Holy Spirit in one's life, moving that person towards surrendering to that call. It is a tug on your heart that simply will not go away.) to trying to make a joke of a pastor's entire life including his childhood years. Very distasteful. UNfortunately, I expect nothing less as a poor reputation has most certainly been established on this site. Some of you are very sad people that you would resort to these disparaging tactics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com