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 Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer |
Resident Skeptic |
A good friend of mine is Sectional Presbyter in a particular AG district.
He has been pastoring the same church for 23 years and has served as SP for nearly 10.
He and his wife are both in their early to mid 50's and have no kids.
Sensing that it is time for a change, they have been applying for open pastoral spots in another district. In spite of maturity and yet still relatively young, having life experience, pastoral and executive experience, no family distractions, and incredible endorsements from their district and national headquarters, they keep getting turned down in church after church. The reason? The reason has been the same in every church. The churches prefer a couple between 35-40 years of age with kids, "in order to attract young married couples."
What hogwash. But I do not find this surprising in the least with so much emphasis being placed on "church growth". In my friend they would have wisdom, incredible knowledge of the word, and more time to devote to ministry due to his want for children. But the yuppy millennials know better.
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"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves UPCI
Last edited by Resident Skeptic on 8/10/17 8:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 8065
8/9/17 9:28 pm
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Cojak |
Maybe times are-a-changing. But in my life time I have known many ministers in their late 50's who just began to KNOW what is needed to put growth back in a church. I couldn't do in in my 20's......... but then I did give up!  
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Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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Posts: 24277
8/9/17 9:43 pm
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Resident Skeptic |
| Cojak wrote: | | Maybe times are-a-changing. But in my life time I have known many ministers in their late 50's who just began to KNOW what is needed to put growth back in a church. I couldn't do in in my 20's......... but then I did give up! |
The AG will decline rapidly if they follow this model.
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"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves UPCI |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 8065
8/9/17 10:06 pm
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diakoneo |
| Resident Skeptic wrote: | | Cojak wrote: | | Maybe times are-a-changing. But in my life time I have known many ministers in their late 50's who just began to KNOW what is needed to put growth back in a church. I couldn't do in in my 20's......... but then I did give up! |
The AG will decline rapidly if they follow this model. |
The CoG is following the same model and has been for a while. I think this kind of thing is going on church wide. I agree it is sad and we will face a decline but recognize the AG is congregational so they are more responsible for who is in their pulpits. CoG has allowed congregations more say and thus the same thing is happening.
Here is a hint though if you are a musically talented couple, you will do OK into your 50s, especially if you can blend music and worship styles. PhD...no. Master's degree...no. Talent and "charisma" 
As to decline, I don't know. Perhaps this is a symptom of a deeper problem... |
Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere
Posts: 3382
8/10/17 7:50 am
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Resident Skeptic |
| diakoneo wrote: | | Resident Skeptic wrote: | | Cojak wrote: | | Maybe times are-a-changing. But in my life time I have known many ministers in their late 50's who just began to KNOW what is needed to put growth back in a church. I couldn't do in in my 20's......... but then I did give up! |
The AG will decline rapidly if they follow this model. |
The CoG is following the same model and has been for a while. I think this kind of thing is going on church wide. I agree it is sad and we will face a decline but recognize the AG is congregational so they are more responsible for who is in their pulpits. CoG has allowed congregations more say and thus the same thing is happening.
Here is a hint though if you are a musically talented couple, you will do OK into your 50s, especially if you can blend music and worship styles. PhD...no. Master's degree...no. Talent and "charisma"
As to decline, I don't know. Perhaps this is a symptom of a deeper problem... |
I'll tell you, the church will not be able to maintain its desire for "newer and better" with the tithes paid from salaries of those young married couples with children. It is still the members 50 and older who are carrying the financial load of the church. Watching the GC last night, though, it's easy to see who they are catering to.
_________________
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves UPCI |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 8065
8/10/17 8:23 am
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Cojak |
| Resident Skeptic wrote: | ......
I'll tell you, the church will not be able to maintain its desire for "newer and better" with the tithes paid from salaries of those young married couples with children. It is still the members 50 and older who are carrying the financial load of the church. Watching the GC last night, though, it's easy to see who they are catering to. |
You are saying a lot there RS, probably spot on.
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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Posts: 24277
8/10/17 9:59 am
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| A Very Sad Report |
Preacher777 |
It grieves my heart to see these types of scenarios unfolding in the American church. Many foreign cultures respect the elders in the community. Common sense let alone spiritual leading should show the church some advantages with a proven older couple:
A young pastor's wife is more likely to need more time at a secular job due to the expense of raising children and not having a home that is mortgage free as compared to an older pastor's wife. The time and energy required for work and children leaves almost no time for personal relationships and discipleship with leaders and others in the congregation. How can one expect this young working mother to spend time at prayer meetings or praying with small groups of women? I know of many quality pastors' wives who are pushed beyond limits with work, family and church responsibilities.
I believe this is one of many reasons most American churches/Christians have very weak prayer lives. Obviously the goal is to teach other leaders to help the younger women but the reality is that smaller churches have trouble attracting quality people who are willing to do one on one ministry.
Last edited by Preacher777 on 8/12/17 5:50 am; edited 2 times in total |
Friendly Face
Posts: 434
8/10/17 6:15 pm
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Eduardo Nieves |
Maybe they can plant a church?
_________________
Romanos 8:37
37 Sin embargo, en todo esto somos más que vencedores por medio de aquel que nos amó.
"A Church Without Walls, A Place for All People"
El Nuevo Mana
Eduardo Nieves |
Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere
Posts: 3174
8/11/17 11:53 am
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