tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365559030977104894.comments2009-02-23T07:36:20.661-08:00Bill R-Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10376998029225960736noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365559030977104894.post-72322937743026611242009-02-23T07:36:00.000-08:002009-02-23T07:36:00.000-08:00It is easy to say something like "well, we don't live in the city so there are no homeless where we are". Truth, however, is that there are people who are hurting everywhere because of economic inequities in this land of opportunity. The opportunities, however, are not equal. At the very least, Jesus calls us to seek out and love those who are less fortunate.PastorMikeInStJoMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13665420888851227202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365559030977104894.post-68925642218475434352009-01-27T12:30:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:30:00.000-08:00Both comments make great points. Thanks!Bill R-Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10376998029225960736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365559030977104894.post-9640340421689660682009-01-23T17:48:00.000-08:002009-01-23T17:48:00.000-08:00Well, this may sound a little odd coming from a pastor, but I think many pastors are more worried about their jobs than serving Christ. As pastors we need to show transparency and be vulnerable, even if some in our congregations are not accepting of that. We may have a better theological education than those in our congregations but we are all on the same journey of discovering God and finding out what He would have us do with our lives.PastorMikeInStJoMohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13665420888851227202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365559030977104894.post-87627126823809186902009-01-23T08:59:00.000-08:002009-01-23T08:59:00.000-08:00I think your entire post points to a problem that has developed in the church (over the past few centuries) - the reality that pastors have been seen as the individuals in charge of the spiritual development of the congregation. In this model of church people are not responsible for their own spiritual growth.<BR/><BR/>We have had a leadership vacuum in our world for quite a while. Good leaders empower people to take responsibility for their own lives. Unfortunately we are not taught how to do this. <BR/><BR/>In a culture of blame (not a new concept - see Adam and Eve) and shifting responsibility, how do leaders teach people how to take responsibility of their own spiritual growth, development, and service? How do we change the image of "ministry" to include everything all christians do? And how do we change worship so that it encompasses all of life?<BR/><BR/>I'm glad we have such small tasks to think about :)The Story Tellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040351770519014955noreply@blogger.com