This week
This week started out kind of tough. My wife's friend she had from childhood is in the hospital, dying of Cander. 3 weeks ago she cam and visited my church. She has fought cancer for about 6 years. Now there is no more they can due for her. She is 59 years old. Yesterday, I co-officiated a funeral for some friend's of mine's mother. Saturday, I have a wedding to do for a couple. She has breat cancer, has had surgery already and she starts chemo and radiation 2 weeks after the wedding. I got another call today to do a funeral Sat. but had to decline due to the wedding being the same day. The ministerial alliance can't cover the Nursing Home devotions tomorrow so, I am covering for them and I am not a member of their alliance. I have been a minister and Pastor now for 33 years and it amazes me of the coldness of some of these "Professional Preachers" that I have dealt with over the years. They seem to have llittle or no compassion for people. They just do their sermons on Sunday, receive their salaries, liive in their homes furnished by these churches and that is it!!!! I guess they think this is an occupation rather than a calling and in my opinion, there is a vast difference. I visit people in the hospitals and nursing homes that aren't even members of my church. I have prayer with them, are at the hospital for them when they have surgery, etc. because I care about them. I pastor a church. and I refused a salary from them. I make my own house payment, utilities, taxes, etc. My church gives me a credit card for gas and car repairs. I have never charged for a revival, a funeral, speaking a a Church Camp, or a wedding in the 33 years I have been a minister. I have never been in the ministry for money. I hve always worked a secular job until I retired a year ago last Oct. I live on my Social Security and my retirement from my previous employers. I guess it's not surprising that many people just don't care much about going to church anymore and are kind of leery of "preachers". I can kind of understand where they are coming from. I guess I am "different that most of these "Professional Preachers" and you know, I guess I am glad I am "different".
Replies
Yes, I was leery of preachers for a while. The church I grew up in had tons of funds embezzled by the preacher that I loved and trusted. He even stole the money out of an account we had set up for a crippled child. He never looked people in the eye when he shook their hand. I guess I learned something from that. Continue your good work and set a good example of what true men of God do! Have a great day.
we have discussed my opinion of preachers. im my life time I have met a few that care but not many. I will admit that even the one that lied to me showed up at the hospital when my baby was in the PICU. I really didnt want to entertain but I didnt have the heart to send them away. Only those given the room information could come to the PICU and I hadn\'t given that information out to many. I will admit that at least that man did hospital visits and home visits. He just was too young to be able to do the job and found that little lies could help him. You are a better person overall. You don\'t do the visits because you see it as part of your job, you do it because you know its the right thing to do. Don\'t change what you do because others see it as wrong. Continue doing what you do the way you do it.
I am sorry to hear all you are going through. It is tough even though rewarding being with people at the most difficult times in their lives
You give so much and I have no doubt you have been Called by God
Preachers are just people and in a position of power so I guess like with everything else there is going to be both good and bad
You are an Inspiration my friend and God sent
I think probably partly anyway because of your early life you have recognized the Calling for what it is and embraced it with all you have to give.
I have the movie Mother Theresa and know that even she had her dark and sad times
Bless you for your selflessness and loving your fellow man
love to my friend
Jan
YOu sound like a wonderful man of God. he has surely blessed you!