Believing the Disgruntled

Have you been in the situation where someone who was disgruntled with the church try to convince you to leave as well? I have seen it too often in my years of being active in the church. Some leave because they don't like the pastor, or because they did not mention Aunt Betty in the announcements, or because there is not a real good kids program. The list could go on forever!!!!!! Then they tell someone else and try to use the power of persuasion to get them to feel the same way. The fact is if everybody left the church because they did not like the pastor there would be three or four big churches and no little ones. If the announcements were filled with Aunt Betty's we would not have time for worship. If there is not a real good kids program, start one!!!! or better yet, help those who are trying their best to get the one they have better. We become disgruntled but look to compounding the situation by our tongues instead of doing something about like getting involved.
But lets get back to the disgruntled. Disgruntled people are sometimes the worst at over-exaggerating why they left! They make it about them! Guess what, The church is not about you! Its about worshiping our Lord Jesus!!!Its about leaving ourselves at the door and making it all about Him plain and simple!!! I once preached a sermon on "its not about me". I told the congregation that this church is not about me even though I was the spiritual leader of the church but it was about Jesus! Sometimes churches wrap themselves around the pastor that we forget that the church is not about the pastor its about the church, its members and nonmembers but most of all its about Jesus! Folks its time to put our petty differences aside and start making a difference for Christ. I loved my church in Ada. I did not always agree with the pastors I had there but the church was not about the pastor and I helped make a difference there. When I became a pastor myself, I was appointed to a small church in Fitzhugh, OK. I did not always agree with the members but I continued and I listened to the congregation. I am currently a member and employee of First United Methodist Church in Duncan and I don't always agree with Rev. Tolle but its about making a difference where we are planted!
My final thought is this......Don't listen to the disgruntled, make your own determinations and most of all Serve Christ Faithfully! Just the ramblings of a former pastor.

Blessings to you

Steve