Kind of sad today but, I'll be Okay
I have a friend who I have known for almost 60 years. His wife and my sister graduated together in school. He had been a Methodist for over 50 years. 3-1/2 years ago, he joined my church. Many many times, he has stood up on Sunday Morning and testified that he had learned more in the 3-1/2 years at my church than he had in the Methodist church in 50 years. He has stood up and praised me for being the preacher that I am, what I stand for and the love I have for unsaved people.
He hasn't been to church the past 2 Sundays so, today I called him and asked him if there was something wrong. He told me that he had been going back to the Methodist church with his wife and that their new Pastor, has been preaching some good messages.
I think this was his way of telling me, he will not be coming back to my church. This really hurt me. He had asked me to preach his funeral too.
I also found out that another family that I led to the Lord and, baptized them all. The grandmother, her daughter, and 2 grand-daughters are not going to church anywhere. They have missed about a month at my church but, the river has been out and they can't get to the church unless they drive a long long way around. I found out that the mom has been getting drunk every weekend. etc. I still have a painting of a lighthouse that one of the daughters made for me 2 years ago, hanging on my bedroom door. This made me very very, sad too.
It bothers me when people leave my church. I take this personal. I have visited these people. prayed with these people, wrote letters, counseled with them, etc. I have been there for them everytime they have called me.
I don't understand. Somewhere, I guess I failed them and I feel a sense of rejection. Rejection has always been a trigger for me. This hurts very bad. I try so hard, show them love and concern and yet, they turn their back on me. I will be okay. Just sad.
He hasn't been to church the past 2 Sundays so, today I called him and asked him if there was something wrong. He told me that he had been going back to the Methodist church with his wife and that their new Pastor, has been preaching some good messages.
I think this was his way of telling me, he will not be coming back to my church. This really hurt me. He had asked me to preach his funeral too.
I also found out that another family that I led to the Lord and, baptized them all. The grandmother, her daughter, and 2 grand-daughters are not going to church anywhere. They have missed about a month at my church but, the river has been out and they can't get to the church unless they drive a long long way around. I found out that the mom has been getting drunk every weekend. etc. I still have a painting of a lighthouse that one of the daughters made for me 2 years ago, hanging on my bedroom door. This made me very very, sad too.
It bothers me when people leave my church. I take this personal. I have visited these people. prayed with these people, wrote letters, counseled with them, etc. I have been there for them everytime they have called me.
I don't understand. Somewhere, I guess I failed them and I feel a sense of rejection. Rejection has always been a trigger for me. This hurts very bad. I try so hard, show them love and concern and yet, they turn their back on me. I will be okay. Just sad.
Replies
Life\'s circumstances get in the way...and sometimes it is not about you, Pee Wee. People have all sorts of reasons for their actions. Your main concern should be more about their salvation. I know I would wonder the things you are wondering...it is only human. I think it is much harder to be a pastor of a church than an evangelist who travels around...not knowing the numbers or attendance but who preaches the message...plants the seed...and moves on. I would hope that your heart can move on from the hurt and that you can continue to minister to those who need you. I do not think you have failed them so much as they have failed you. Look at your ministry like one that Jesus had....he NEVER had a church. Maybe that will put it into perspective for you....Speaking the truth in Love....dale, brandon\'s mom
Pee Wee....... I am sorry you are feeling so sad, and you know I understand how you feel when you feel rejected. I don\'t think you have failed anyone . I don\'t know why these things happened, but I don\'t believe for a minute it is a reflection on you. You are a wonderful preacher and help so many. Try to focus on that on for the good you do and for the ones you lead to the Lord. I hope you feel better soon. Always in my thoughts.. Love you Pee Wee.
i don\'t think you failed anyone. sometimes you can do back-flips and everything perfectly and still some people will walk away. they really aren\'t rejecting you, (even though it feels that way, to me too when it happens) Who they really are rejecting is God.
about the Methodist guy; i have a question, did his wife come with him or did she remain at the Methodist church? if she didn\'t come with him then maybe he is just trying to be unified with his wife again. maybe she wouldn\'t come with him to your church because it is not Methodist so he had to go back with her. i am thankful that it seems he now knows the difference between good preaching (because of you!) and preaching that is not good. it must have been too hard on him to tell you because he didn\'t want to hurt you and knew it would.
being a preacher is pretty much a thankless job, but then you already know that. it doesn\'t mean you aren\'t appreciated, it just means people look at you and think you are perfect and don\'t have those kinds of needs to be appreciated and such. it isn\'t fair but most people in the real world, don\'t see their pastors as human beings who have needs. it is wrong and unfair but it is the way it is.
here you are appreciated and loved and i for one just don\'t know what i would do without you!