[Alffe]

I have not begun my Christmas shopping....not one thing! I'd like to just skip all the commercial parts of it and concentrate on family togetherness.

I'm depressed about my "church family" and the cruelty they continue to show our Pastor who will be leaving in early Dec....going on to a new church in another state. And my "church family" is outraged that she will being leaving in the middle of Advent...and who will "do" Christmas Eve services..and on and on. This behavior after a year and 1/2 of making fun of her, of making her cry, of telling her that she waves her arms around while preaching, that she should be up in the pulpit for the sermons and then filling the stairs with their coats so she can't climb up there...I could go on and on.

This is her first church and she had/has nothing to compare it to...she almost left the ministry because she thought that this is the way it is and she must not be any good at it.

I'm happy for her that she's found a new church...a more liberal (dirty word) church with many outreach programs. I'm sad for myself ...selfish reasons as she has ministered to me on more than one occasion. Also I'd planed to have support meetings in this church at her invitation...now I'll be looking elsewhere.

And I will miss many of the lovely friends that I'll be leaving behind. But I won't miss the hypoticrical pew warmers with their cruel agenda's.

I didn't know where to post this so I brought here...where I feel most comfortable.

Now you know what's been on my plate....

You can tell me what's on yours if you want to....

[Doody]

(((Alffe)))

You know what? I'd ask for some time at that pulpit at one of the services before she leaves. And let them know how shameful they have been to one of God's servants. (I know you have that kind of fire in your belly.)

[tamiloo]

You are so right...could any of them do any better. I am not of your faith but I know I would want the job...very stressful I'm sure. They are doing our Fathers work and that should never be criticized. Look at the 10 commandments...they should have unconditional love for her. I'm so sorry this happening. I hope I didn't say anything that should not have been said.

[Twinkletoes]

Alffe, that's just SO not right on so many different levels.

How ungrateful they all sound. And full of pride. Are you sure you're talking about folks who go to church? Shaking head here. No wonder you're not in the Christmas spirit yet! I sure don't blame you for being upset.

I hope your Pastor finds that her new group of parishioners treat her much better. Sorry you are losing someone who has helped you so much, Alffe. God bless both of you.

[Alffe]

Thanks for listening to me...it helps to vent, doesn't change anything but at least I know I'm not alone. Doody as tempting as that is, I could never behave that way in a house of God.

And Ms Loo..you are so right about unconditional love for our pastors. Somehow this church split between the young people (in their 20's and 30's) the older members....and we are supposed to get out of the way or get with it...it's a new day and they want to worship with praise bands and shout outs.

It's pretty unbelievable isn't it Twink.

Foolishly (I guess) our Pastor thought we could do both...with a Sat. night Praise Service and a Traditional 10 oclock Sunday morn. service. Unfortunately only a handful of people ever attended the Sat.night service so now, after a year of trying to have both, they want to combine the two, in the sanctuary on Sunday morning. And then it got really ugly.

I repeat...I am really happy for her to be getting out of this. I was told by one of the most conservative women when we were working the rummage sale, that I didn't understand church. "Chuch, she said, is the church family! It has nothing to do with who the pastor is."

I almost bit my tongue in half to hold it quiet.

[Doody]

Gosh, you're right Alffe. But I'm such a rebel rouser.

There are several churches here who split their services! The Saturday service is very well attended! That's too bad.

[Nik-key]

((Alffe)) How horrible, I would be looking for a new Church as well. Though, I don't go to Church any more,(mostly due to Lynn) I do attend a "service" every day right here at home I will never be able to understand some of the behaviors and actions of "good Christians".

Doody, I am with you. I wouldn't do it at Church, but I would make it known why I was leaving. I would also have to quote some of the "sins" they are "guilty" off. I feel badly for you Alffe, I loved my old Minister. When he moved to CA it hurt, I still miss him to this day. In fact he was one of the first people I called about Dad.

[DMACK]

Alffe

interesting...the deffininition of Pastor=goes back to the Latin word for Shepherd.

in JOHN Chapter 10.
Jesus says '

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.


By this i'm trying to say that the lady at church, who said it was all about the church family and not the pastor was very wrong.

its about
1. church is about GOD
2. Ordained clergy are the new Sheperrds of GOD preaching the gospel
3. tending to those less fortunate than ourselves, the weak, the suffering, the children, the infirm
4. and our own spititual nuturing, reinfocing, healing, understanding.
5. and challenging the wrong in our own lives, our community, our towns, cities, country..........


if the conservative lady believes your church is all about the wider church family network...its not for religious meaning but for ultimate self status within the church and group at large.

please pass on my regards to your Pastor, who has been tested beyond belief, by a large percentge of unholy people. I sincerely hope her next parish welcomes her as one of gods Shepherds.


Sermon over

David
Hebrews 13:2
[2]Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained Angels without knowing it.

[Alffe]

Thank you David...*tears here, because you really do "get it".

[bizi]

I am sorry mom,
I know that you are going to miss her in so many ways.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi