Be Straight Up... Will Ya?
Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 10:46 PM Every now and then you run across something that makes you really think. This blog comes from www.PerryNoble.com and hits the nail right on the head. I realize at Impact we don't typically have these kinds of lingering attitudes but I have heard most of these statements. Most of those folks making these statements don't go here anymore. So here is the blog - enjoy. Do you think Perry is right on this?
What They REALLY Mean…
One of the lessons I’ve learned while being in the ministry for the past 17 years is sometimes what people say isn’t exactly true…things such as…
(WARNING…you will probably only like this post if you are a pastor or a staff member of a church!)
What They Say: “I’m looking for a church that preaches the Word!”
What They Mean: “I’m looking for a church that preaches MY view of the Word. I think the BLANK translation should be used…I think BLANK should be talked about a lot while BLANK should be ignored. And if you ever stop preaching my view of the Word I will leave and tell others that you don’t preach the Word!”
What They Say: “Lot’s of people have been coming to me and saying they don’t like is…”
What They Mean: “I basically only have three friends…and all of them think exactly like me. The other night we were enjoying a time of self righteousness because, after all, we are right about everything…and were also slandering you (in the form of prayer requests) and thought it would be wise to approach you with our pet peeve. We’ve actually talked to no one else about this but said “lots” because we wanted to validate our dysfunction.”
What They Say: “I’m leaving the church.”
What They Mean: “Beg me to stay. If you will just ask me I will share with you several ways you can compromise God’s vision that He’s given you, thus becoming nothing more than a people pleasing pastor who is more interested in popularity than obedience. If you don’t bow to my demands I will remind you that I tithe and that the church needs my money, reducing you to a mere preaching whore…one who is paid for a service for the pleasure of another person.”
What They Say: “I want a church that is more focused on discipleship.”
What They Mean: “I want a church where everyone knows me and how important I am! I don’t want to reach people who are different from me, be it economic class or race or even musical preference. I already know WAY more than I do…but I somehow equate spirituality with knowledge rather than application and I rather enjoy feeling intellectually superior to those who don’t know as much as me.”
What They Say: “Don’t take this personally…but…”
What They Mean: “I am about to lower the BOOM on you…but you can’t get angry because I told you not to take it personally. Even though you have dedicated your life to this and pretty much invest every ounce of energy you have to this cause…and I think about it once or twice a week…you need to receive my attacks, even when they are personal…and you cannot retaliate because, remember, it’s not personal.”
OKAY, that was fun! I typed it all with a smile. Trust me…I’m not mad or frustrated with anyone…I just thought a pastor or two MIGHT get a smile out of this. :-)
Reader Comments (4)
Very cool Barry and right on!!
um...not sure this is the case all the time, but I do think people can be subversive in how they deal (or don't deal) with things.
My question is: can these questions be legitimate? I guess if you have these questions it is all about your intent/heart, right?
Cindy, sure the questions CAN be legitimate. Absolutely. The problem is history. There are very few instances that people ask these TYPES of questions withouth having something else behind them. Like I said, I'm glad those types of quesitons are not common at Impact, so we really don't need to worry about it. However, I have heard them here - and, sadly, 9 out of 10 times - the above blog is right on.
Right On Barry, Great website just added it to my favorites.