Comments on: Killing Superpastor http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:56:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jane Mills http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-41230 Jane Mills Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:09:49 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-41230 Google is the best search engine Google is the best search engine

]]> By: Brenda http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-14029 Brenda Mon, 21 Aug 2006 18:46:35 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-14029 I know this is an old thread, but I'm wondering from a different perspective... I'm a 36 year old single female church member about to leave my church. Why? Because I LOVE to give of my gifts (to whom much is given, much is requred) but our pastor stands directly in the way. It appears to be ego... he drives out anyone who doesn't do things EXACTLY HIS way. I've been driven away from landscape team ministry (he didn't like how I trimmed the roses for winter), worship team ministry, decorating in the fellowship hall, photography and video services, and as of this Saturday morning, teaching as a sunday school teacher. The only reason I've remained this long is that I felt God called me to this church.... the pastor didn't. By this man I can do NOTHING right. This pastor is determined to be SuperPastor... he obviously must do everything because his congregation is too unskilled to entrust any work to. His favorite quote is "Blessed are the flexible" which we've all come to learn means "you better be flexible because MY WAY is the only way I will tolerate it being done." So I wonder how many pastors are out there thinking, "If I don't do everything, noone will," or "noone will do it well enough." Meanwhile, their congregations are thinking, "will he ever allow us to do anything?" I know this is an old thread, but I’m wondering from a different perspective… I’m a 36 year old single female church member about to leave my church. Why? Because I LOVE to give of my gifts (to whom much is given, much is requred) but our pastor stands directly in the way. It appears to be ego… he drives out anyone who doesn’t do things EXACTLY HIS way. I’ve been driven away from landscape team ministry (he didn’t like how I trimmed the roses for winter), worship team ministry, decorating in the fellowship hall, photography and video services, and as of this Saturday morning, teaching as a sunday school teacher. The only reason I’ve remained this long is that I felt God called me to this church…. the pastor didn’t.
By this man I can do NOTHING right. This pastor is determined to be SuperPastor… he obviously must do everything because his congregation is too unskilled to entrust any work to. His favorite quote is “Blessed are the flexible” which we’ve all come to learn means “you better be flexible because MY WAY is the only way I will tolerate it being done.”
So I wonder how many pastors are out there thinking, “If I don’t do everything, noone will,” or “noone will do it well enough.” Meanwhile, their congregations are thinking, “will he ever allow us to do anything?”

]]> By: David http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10342 David Thu, 13 Apr 2006 02:00:50 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10342 What would be an appropriate Biblical metaphor for a preacher in the Church of Christ (ni), besides pastor? What would be an appropriate Biblical metaphor for a preacher in the Church of Christ (ni), besides pastor?

]]> By: John http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10252 John Tue, 11 Apr 2006 18:44:37 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10252 http://dkizer.blogspot.com/2006/04/price-of-unity.html http://dkizer.blogspot.com/2006/04/price-of-unity.html

]]> By: Beverly http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10229 Beverly Tue, 11 Apr 2006 12:14:36 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10229 Thank you Greg and Neal, I know that was random, but it was late and the house was quiet and I just needed to blurt that out. How sweet that you would respond so quickly.. Thank you Greg and Neal, I know that was random, but it was late and the house was quiet and I just needed to blurt that out. How sweet that you would respond so quickly..

]]> By: candy http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10228 candy Tue, 11 Apr 2006 11:28:44 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10228 I was reminded on Sunday that Jerry Seinfeld once said when he was a kid becoming a superhero was an option. I think the key here is the part about when he was a kid. Then he grew up. Reality set in. Once we realize we're not God and He is, it sure releases a lot of stress and pressure. There is a God and it's not me. Thank God!! I was reminded on Sunday that Jerry Seinfeld once said when he was a kid becoming a superhero was an option. I think the key here is the part about when he was a kid. Then he grew up. Reality set in. Once we realize we’re not God and He is, it sure releases a lot of stress and pressure. There is a God and it’s not me. Thank God!!

]]> By: julie http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10226 julie Tue, 11 Apr 2006 03:21:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10226 Mike, I loved your cult comment. It gave our family a chance to laugh about that word and they confusion and pain that it has caused recently. As soon as the word was out of your mouth, Mary Kate and Tim leaned forward and looked at me and we laughed for several minutes. You were standing right in front of us while we were laughing and I was afraid that would hurt your feelings. We just kept shaking for several minutes. You know that kind of laughing that you can't look at each other or you will lose control. Mike, I loved your cult comment. It gave our family a chance to laugh about that word and they confusion and pain that it has caused recently. As soon as the word was out of your mouth, Mary Kate and Tim leaned forward and looked at me and we laughed for several minutes. You were standing right in front of us while we were laughing and I was afraid that would hurt your feelings. We just kept shaking for several minutes. You know that kind of laughing that you can’t look at each other or you will lose control.

]]> By: neal w. http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10225 neal w. Tue, 11 Apr 2006 02:41:01 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10225 Lord, Be near Sam and Beverly and their entire family during this terrifying time. Give them peace and strength and faith and good results from these tests. Hold them close and don't let go. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on this family. Amen Lord,

Be near Sam and Beverly and their entire family during this terrifying time. Give them peace and strength and faith and good results from these tests. Hold them close and don’t let go. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on this family. Amen

]]> By: Greg Sallas http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10224 Greg Sallas Tue, 11 Apr 2006 02:22:40 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10224 Beverly: You don't know me, nor I you, but I have a 15 year old and a 17 yr. old. You and Sam will be in my prayers. Beverly:
You don’t know me, nor I you, but I have a 15 year old and a 17 yr. old. You and Sam will be in my prayers.

]]> By: Beverly http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10223 Beverly Tue, 11 Apr 2006 02:03:38 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10223 so..Sam has a bone scan in the morning and I am scared to death.. so..Sam has a bone scan in the morning and I am scared to death..

]]> By: Kate http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10221 Kate Mon, 10 Apr 2006 22:49:46 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10221 Terry Rush, at a Tulsa International Soul Winning Conference, preached a super sermon on resting being a Biblical concept. He helped us see we don't have to do everything that is available to do as members of the Lord's body. In fact, we are called to rest, he said, and he had us chuckling at all the examples of what we don't HAVE to do. One I remember is, "The preacher's wife does NOT have to attend every baby shower". I believe if you spread yourself too thin, you can't be your best in anything you do. I'm amazed at what you do, Mike. I can't fathom being able to be in all the places you are and do all the things you do. You are definitely kin to the Energizer Bunny. I hope you decide to take at least one day every week to do nothing. Jesus promised rest for the weary. Kate Terry Rush, at a Tulsa International Soul Winning Conference, preached a super sermon on resting being a Biblical concept. He helped us see we don’t have to do everything that is available to do as members of the Lord’s body. In fact, we are called to rest, he said, and he had us chuckling at all the examples of what we don’t HAVE to do. One I remember is, “The preacher’s wife does NOT have to attend every baby shower”.

I believe if you spread yourself too thin, you can’t be your best in anything you do.

I’m amazed at what you do, Mike. I can’t fathom being able to be in all the places you are and do all the things you do. You are definitely kin to the Energizer Bunny.

I hope you decide to take at least one day every week to do nothing. Jesus promised rest for the weary.

Kate

]]> By: Ty Lovell http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10220 Ty Lovell Mon, 10 Apr 2006 22:30:27 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10220 Praise God!!! Death to the Super Pastor!! I love this post... Praise God!!! Death to the Super Pastor!! I love this post…

]]> By: Jane http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10219 Jane Mon, 10 Apr 2006 22:23:48 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10219 Craig, I stick by my assessment that all "Supers" are ego-driven at the core. When we are focusing on being "supers", our focus is not on God but on ourselves and our own importance or our own way in whatever the plan is (home, church, etc). This is coming from an avowed recovering "super-everything" and it took decades for me to see that selfishness was at that core. Also, taking care of oneself is not the same as denying our own selfish desires. We must do the former (spiritually, physically, emotionally, psychologically) in order to be a viable servant. The latter is what the "ourselves last" is referring to. The book you refer to sounds good. Who is the author? Craig, I stick by my assessment that all “Supers” are ego-driven at the core. When we are focusing on being “supers”, our focus is not on God but on ourselves and our own importance or our own way in whatever the plan is (home, church, etc). This is coming from an avowed recovering “super-everything” and it took decades for me to see that selfishness was at that core. Also, taking care of oneself is not the same as denying our own selfish desires. We must do the former (spiritually, physically, emotionally, psychologically) in order to be a viable servant. The latter is what the “ourselves last” is referring to. The book you refer to sounds good. Who is the author?

]]> By: SuperDeana http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10218 SuperDeana Mon, 10 Apr 2006 21:59:49 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10218 A new superhero for churches of the future: It's... SLACKER PASTOR! Able to "work at home" three days a week Able to plan "spiritual renewal" retreats in Vegas Able to fast daily -- from midnight to 6 a.m. It's an unreturned phone call! It's a dark office in the middle of the day! It's... SLACKER PASTOR! A new superhero for churches of the future:

It’s… SLACKER PASTOR!

Able to “work at home” three days a week
Able to plan “spiritual renewal” retreats in Vegas
Able to fast daily — from midnight to 6 a.m.

It’s an unreturned phone call! It’s a dark office in the middle of the day!

It’s… SLACKER PASTOR!

]]> By: Craig http://preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10217 Craig Mon, 10 Apr 2006 20:42:21 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/10/killing-superpastor#comment-10217 Sometimes Superpastor is not doing so for ego. They are trying to be servants like Jesus, but may be a little off. Remember JOY? Jesus first, others second, and ourselves last. I lived by that mantra for so long that I neglected (and still do) self-health. Your book recommendation of a couple of months ago, The Emotionally Healthy Church, has been of great value in realizing that. Thanks! Sometimes Superpastor is not doing so for ego. They are trying to be servants like Jesus, but may be a little off. Remember JOY? Jesus first, others second, and ourselves last. I lived by that mantra for so long that I neglected (and still do) self-health. Your book recommendation of a couple of months ago, The Emotionally Healthy Church, has been of great value in realizing that. Thanks!

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