What Would You Do?

[sjonathan02]

As for combining two churches, I remember a few years ago, I asked my pastor if we could invite another church to join us for our Watch Night service. I just didn't think it made sense to NOT do it together, as at the time, we had much fewer people, and they also have a small membership. Both pastors agreed to it. But it left me wondering, if churches can come together for occasions of fellowship, why not just come together period... especially if they each have 13 members. I mean, think about how many churches have just 13 members.... seriously... what on earth is your purpose? Can you just be real with yourself, oh pastor? Can you be honest and admit that the reason you want to 'pastor' is for power? money? perceived prestige? status? autonomy? authority without accountability?

Yea, I don't get it, either.  I mean the two pastors are friends...GOOD friends at that.  It just makes so much sense. *sigh*

You would THINK this would make sense, right?

Yea, I would.

[PorcenaCedrick]

As for combining two churches, I remember a few years ago, I asked my pastor if we could invite another church to join us for our Watch Night service. I just didn't think it made sense to NOT do it together, as at the time, we had much fewer people, and they also have a small membership. Both pastors agreed to it. But it left me wondering, if churches can come together for occasions of fellowship, why not just come together period... especially if they each have 13 members. I mean, think about how many churches have just 13 members.... seriously... what on earth is your purpose? Can you just be real with yourself, oh pastor? Can you be honest and admit that the reason you want to 'pastor' is for power? money? perceived prestige? status? autonomy? authority without accountability?

Oh MY GOSH! I tell myself the same thing every time. There are a whole bunch of Haitian Churches in Gwinnett ! Each and every last one of them struggling to pay their bills on time(Or pay their bills period.) I figured if the join together they can at least combine their tithe and pay their dang bills! But let's take it from a spiritual stand point. Not every church has the perfect Ministry! If a churches combine than their Ministries can work together to bring more INDIANS TO THE CAMP.

;/

[LaylaMonroe]

I was about to ask why you only referred to the Haitian churches but I just realized you have a Haitian name, so it all makes sense.

Sak pase.

[PorcenaCedrick]

HA Mwen la E ou mem ? But I've been to the American Churches and I don't ever see them stuggle as openly as the WEST INDIES churches. That's better than specifically Haitian churches

[LaylaMonroe]

Hey since we've already answered the question, and I don't think it's worth another thread, I hope you won't mind my asking a related question here.

LGM: I'm not sure if I want this to be a part of my book or a separate book, but I'm thinking of a book that answers the question: why are you starting another church? A very rough idea is to interview maybe 25-50 pastors of small, start-up churches, <10 years old, and ask them the magic question: why did you decide to start your own church and not partner with someone else?

Keeping in mind the targeted audience (pastoral hopefuls, not lay members), is that an interesting question to answer?

In fact, I just answered my own question in my head. I guess I'm just thinking aloud.... I don't think it's interesting enough to sustain a book, but it might make an interesting chapter in a book if I select maybe 10-25 pastors instead of 25-50. Any thoughts?

[LaylaMonroe]

HA Mwen la E ou mem ? But I've been to the American Churches and I don't ever see them stuggle as openly as the WEST INDIES churches. That's better than specifically Haitian churches

Byen mesi.

Trust me, the American churches struggle as well. It's a small church thing (especially in Pentecostalism), not a WI church thing.

[pastor j sands]

Ummm, LaRue, please bring OITC back.........I still have it saved as a favorite and I get a little sad when I click on the link and get nada

[LaylaMonroe]

Ummm, LaRue, please bring OITC back.........I still have it saved as a favorite and I get a little sad when I click on the link and get nada

My mom just sent me an email saying the same thing.

Pray for my focus, please. I love OITC and I loved writing for it. I just have a hard time focusing on anything long enough.... I do have two ideas in my mind right now though... do pray for me.

[nessalynn77]

It'd be interesting if they actually told the truth.  I think some don't even know the truth themselves.  A lot of the ones I know we're influenced by people to start their own church. 

[LaylaMonroe]

It'd be interesting if they actually told the truth.  I think some don't even know the truth themselves.  A lot of the ones I know we're influenced by people to start their own church. 

I think that would be the underlying goal.... to tap into what the truth really is, even if they either don't know it or aren't willing to easily admit it. I have a friend who started a church in January. He was pastoring a 100-year old baptist church and resigned (from the paid position) to start his own church (unpaid).  His son was only 7 months old. I kinda-sorta know his reasons because we had talked about it for at least two years before he really did it, but I'm going to ask him the question point blank just to get an idea of what types of answers to expect, and I'm going to ask him what he thinks about this as an idea.

[LaylaMonroe]

I feel bad, 'cause all I know how to say is "n'ap boule" lol.

That's what I was expecting him to say in return.

He went all formal on me.

[PorcenaCedrick]

That's what I was expecting him to say in return.

He went all formal on me.

You Think that's formal? Wait till you hear the french. -_-. No Such thing as slang french.