Hey everybody...to all the newbies I haven't had the chance to meet...greetings!
Hubby and I have been pastoring for a few years now and man we have learned so much in that short time. There really are some things you only see from this side of the ministry. That's why I decided to post here.
Here's what we've learned:
Folk are quick to say things...make promises and then for whatever reason...don't follow through.
We've had people tell us, we're there for you, we're going to help you in ministry, God sent us, we're going to undergird you and then you can't find them! Then there are those who make promises...they've received some of the fruit of the ministry and say we're going to do x, y, and z. And they go back home and never do or they do some but not all.
Then there are those who will give a prophetic word and then when they're done...that's it. We had a beautiful minister prophesy that itineraries were about to be full and they were more than willing to see to it that that word came to pass and want us to do a revival for them. So it was more than just being used by God to give the prophecy, they felt compelled to make it manifest. We've seen a lot of people all to eager to give a Word, receive glory for being the vessel whom God used to deliver the Word and don't feel the least bit compelled to do anything. "Well, I gave the word, what else do you want me to do?"
I have always known that people do a lot of lip service. They have good intentions at the time. They make promises but don't have the power to back up what they say or that warm fuzzy feeling they had disappears and they no longer feel compelled. This has become insanely more common now that we're in leadership.
That's why words, promises from people mean very little to me. I'm leery, I'm guarded and just outright skeptical. It' caused me to even guard my own tongue. It's what you do that matters. I've got more good intentions and promises from folk than I can shake a stick at. Thank God He has the power to back up what He says. If he were like folk I know...I'd be in trouble! But He is faithful and doesn't waste words!
If God spoke to these people to be a blessing, to support and ungergird and to pour of their resources and they don't, that's outright disobedience and rebellion and they should be very afraid. That's why the Word says it's better not to make a vow than to make one and break it.
No doubt about it, the Word of the Lord will come to pass. We will receive everything He says. If God touches someone's heart to do and they don't we'll still be taken care of. But woe unto them who failed to be obedient to the Holy Spirit's urging.
I totally feel the same way you do! My husband and I pastored a couple of churches in the past and right now we are in transition. There have been many people who claim to do something, yet at the last minute back down. Take a look at my blog from yesterday and I ranted about the same thing! http://www.blogmyway.org/entry.php?w=biblestudyleader&e_id=8194
You will have to copy and past that to your web browser.
God help us to be an example of faithfulness and commitment. When those types of people do come into our life, hold on to them, for they are truely rare and priceless! Thank God for His faithfulness too!
My husband and I have been pastoring together for nearly 10 years and we have found the exact same things. People expect us to extremely committed, and rightly so; however, they do not see the need for them to be committed. I used the example a couple of weeks ago that when they come to church they expect dh and I to be in place. They expect a word, to be ministered to and loved on. Again, rightly so. The problem that I have is that they feel as though it is o.k. for them to not show up or not follow through when they are supposed to do something, and nothing should be said about it. I understand that things happen, but they happen in our lives just like they happen in theirs. My kids get sick, they have wednesday nights when they have a ton of homework, we have had car problems, we are currently down to one car for at least a couple more months. There truly is a double standard in peoples minds.
Anyway, that is enough ranting from me on the subject.
