tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post2068353775683439329..comments2023-10-24T07:03:42.942-05:00Comments on vtmbottomline: ON BEING A TRUE PASTORPaul Burlesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-54950308799008804302009-09-23T15:46:55.446-05:002009-09-23T15:46:55.446-05:00Ed,
There is a big difference in "incivility...Ed,<br /><br />There is a big difference in "incivility" and your kind of "outrage." The former is aways angry, attacking, and demeaning of people. The latter is passion and conviction but with ideas, peoples actions and differing opinions. It can even have anger in it but it will never be demeaning of people or shameful in it's performance.<br /><br />I've seen none of the former in you but share the latter with you often. Let's both always do that. Keep up the good work.<br /><br />[All that said, I think "outrage" COULD become something more and slide into something harmful such as vigilantism if not checked. Our's won't. :)]Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-23863795931717534432009-09-23T13:48:35.853-05:002009-09-23T13:48:35.853-05:00Paul,
Do you think my outrage of the day is anti...Paul, <br /><br />Do you think my outrage of the day is anticivility.<br /><br />EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-19520656061229516752009-09-14T14:50:39.335-05:002009-09-14T14:50:39.335-05:00Paul,
I'm sorry to read about Bill's deat...Paul,<br /><br />I'm sorry to read about Bill's death, but what a privilege to lead a celebration of the life of a saint who has such faith and assurance. It causes me much joy just thinking about it.<br /><br />I trust the day will be one of great blessing to yourself and those gatheredAussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-64416503307712194072009-09-14T05:05:40.490-05:002009-09-14T05:05:40.490-05:00Bob, Aussie John,
You guys have "carried the...Bob, Aussie John,<br /><br />You guys have "carried the load" as to comments. Sorry I've been away. I've spent the last several days cleaning sheds and backyard office but have just accomplished a fifteen year late job. Yuk!!<br /><br />I've also just received word of the death of one of my board members [Vital Truth Ministries] who was my friend and the chairman of the pulpit committee that called us to the First Baptist Church of Borger Texas in 1972. Bill Willard is his name. He also served on my board from it's creation in 1982 until the present.<br /><br />When I talked to him a couple of days ago [I was planning to travel to Texas today to see him for the last time.] he said the doctors had given him ten days to live and I asked how he felt about it and his answer was, and I quote, "I'm excited."<br /><br />His memorial celebration service will be September 17th in borger and I will be there to lead it and preach the message. I will be away from the blog for the next several days.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-9017112915323482932009-09-12T15:34:35.614-05:002009-09-12T15:34:35.614-05:00Paul,
As you have already guessed from my comment...Paul,<br /><br />As you have already guessed from my comment to the first part, I had read those words, and knew what was coming.<br /><br />They are words which need to be compulsory reading for any who want to become a "professional" pastor as many do. They would probably change their mind.<br /><br />This post brings tears to my eyes as I remember,the joy of such visits and seeing the fruit in the months afterwards.<br /><br />I believed from the outset of my ministry that it was my responsibility to know, as far as humanly possible, where every member of the congregation was spiritually, and respond to them appropriately.<br /><br />Personal visitation is the only way that can happen.<br /><br />Without personal knowledge of the congregation, through visitation, much preaching becomes nothing more than an oratorical exercise, no matter how sincere one is. <br /><br />Sharing spiritual truths in the home, face to face, as a friend and equal, not as a superior,saw a man who had been a deacon for 26 years, who was an encyclopedia of Biblical knowledge, a day later, come to my office as a broken man, but a new man in Christ, a fact which was greatly evidenced in the months following.<br /><br />Bob. It is my firm opinion that if a church is too big for one man to personally, and regularly visit every member, it's time to split and plant a new congregation.<br /><br />Personally, I would be expectinging EVERY member to be living out the "one anothers", and helping to "carry the load" as you say.Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-16119423540451571332009-09-12T10:23:08.370-05:002009-09-12T10:23:08.370-05:00Paul, this is such simple yet strong stuff. Thanks...Paul, this is such simple yet strong stuff. Thanks for putting it up.<br /><br />I wonder if this puts some sort of cap on church size .. the number of folks the pastor can personally shepherd .. or whether it establishes the absolute need for a pastor to develop, among is flock, a cadre of people who can help carry the load. <br /><br />I think either option works, as long as one of them is chosen, and action taken to accomplish it.Bob Clevelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06110395869562328309noreply@blogger.com