Denbear and Pastoral Authority

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Donna Perine wrote:

> I can honestly say that our Pastor is neither pompous, arrogant
> or self exalting. An example. Yesterday was a "work day" at our church.

> The pastor was right in there laboring with the men.

We had a leadership meeting the other day with our pastor at his home.
Bro Rogers spoke of Diotrephes in 3 John, a man who liked to have
preeminence.

Bro Rogers reminded all of us that ministers are to serve.  If there's
a church work day, the leaders better be there working harder than
anybody else.  Leaders don't lead by proclamation, but by example.

One thing I was thinking of on this discussion of abused saints (and
yes, I know of some of them) was *abused pastors.*  One pastor I know
in this area is a dear man of God.  He is a kind, gentle soul.  He's a
wonderful pastor, somebody who leads by example and with compassion.
But somebody decided he wasn't good enough to be a pastor and began
speaking maliciously about him.  Pretty soon, there was a rift, a
church split which destroyed the congregation, caused spiritual damage
to all of the saints, and caused great personal heartache for the
pastor and his family.  This pastor has been working for years doing
a work of God in his city, and much of this work has been undone in
about a month's time by some gossip.  :-(

Being a pastor has got to be one of the hardest jobs around.  Nothing
you do is right.  Somebody will always find fault with you.

Anyway, Bro Rogers reminded us to just be nice to other people.  Let
them go in front of you at the grocery store.  Smile.  Give an
encouraging word.  Don't cut them off in traffic.  Don't desire
preeminence, and don't prattle off with malicious words.

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.  He
that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Peace be to you all.

Richard Masoner
Champaign Illinois USA


P.S. For those in areas using US Daylight Savings Time, don't forget to
"SPRING AHEAD" this weekend!  Set your clocks forward an hour.