Abominations 'r us...

[SOB]

If you do, I'll kick you in the groin.

[Saintaw]

[Hangtime]

Then Saint'll be Holden McGroin.

..did I just say that?

[Skydancer]

MMM Maverik!

No comment

[Staga]

I know I'm late (story of my life...) but I think Hangtime is selling "Power from Jesus" batteries

[Saurdaukar]

Originally posted by Saintaw
Right... the opposition should not be allowed to post, so you can have a nice monologue & pat eatch other on the back.

Do I dare use a rolleye?

Youre a big, tough man, Mr. Opposition!  Fight the power!

This is what your fighting against...

Originally posted by Seagoon

I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I read the paragraph above. Would that it were in any sense true.

Hang, forgive me for asking, but when was the last time you officiated at a funeral, grieved with the relatives, sat with a dying man in hospital and held his hand as he passed away, counseled  couples tearing each other apart, discovered terrible addictions in the life of one of the members of your congregation and then met with them weekly (at no charge) to counsel them and move them towards recovery, gone through the awful trial of necessary church discipline, spoken again and again with wives and children terribly wounded by the infidelity of husbands, carried food to the sick,  taught two bible studies, a Sunday School, a childrens catechism class, and prepared and preached two sermons every week of the year with only one "day off" a week - that usually got interrupted? I ask because that's just a small part of the pastoral ministry that I and countless other men are committed to performing.

As for high status or esteem, that I suppose would be nice, but the average low view of Pastors (your opinions above, especially amongst young people in the Western world, are depressingly common) at least keeps one humble and committed to the idea that rewards are not something to be found or desired in this present evil age.

As far as legal privilleges and immunities, please tell me what they are? I pay taxes on the sales, local, state, and federal level as a self-employed worker. I know of no privilieges I enjoy that are not open to any member of the congregation. In fact as members of the military, they often have privileges I don't (comissary, BX/PX, discounts offered by merchants, etc.) Oh, wait, I do remember one, I have a couple of "pastors" parking slots at the local hospital when I am making visitations to the sick. Usually  a non-clergy member has already scooped it up because everyone realizes there is no fine like there is with the handicapped spaces.

As far as not getting paid a salary to do what I do, that would also entail being starving and homeless. I spend more time at work now than I ever did working in advertising, retail, or computers, and there have been far more times in this job I've simply thought I was going to crumble entirely, particulary last year when several families in our church went through some awful crises and we were going through the minor hell of trying to renovate a building according to the draconian "assembly code."

Additionally, in the secular world my family was under far, far, less stress. I can't really think of one thing that is "easier" since I decided to go to seminary (except maybe falling asleep). But hey, I was warned about counting the cost ahead of time and told "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" so I am not complaining, merely trying desperately to share with you the actual shape of a Pastors life.

Then again, I accept that you believe that my job consists largely of peddling silly and offensive fairy tales and brain washing poor uneducated people for a few minutes each Sunday and that in between that I spend my time sitting around like Smaug on the big pile of mega-bucks I am raking in.

Well sincere apologies to all for being a big downer in what I hoped was a humorous thread.

- SEAGOON

Bet your mother is proud.

[RedTop]

Your original post was funny. Sad you got blasted for it.

Do you have a place to hear your Sermons online?

I ask because the church I am a member of has it. Not that that has any relevance. My brother is a minister. He spoke last Sunday.

My maternal grandfather and ferternal grandfather were both ministers. My brother is. Both uncles are deacons and on the church board. My wife and I work in the youth ministry. Although as of late we have spent MUCH more time at home on sundays with my Mom who has cancer.

Sometime I would like to hear you speak.

Take care

[Seagoon]

Originally posted by RedTop
Your original post was funny. Sad you got blasted for it.

Do you have a place to hear your Sermons online?

I ask because the church I am a member of has it. Not that that has any relevance. My brother is a minister. He spoke last Sunday.

Hi Redtop,

9 of my sermons are currently available online at the sermons section of our site  here

I would recommend starting with the "Castles made of Sand" Sermon which is fairly recent and representative.

We are planning on moving to Sermonaudio.com which will allow us to host all of our sermons online - we are currently getting killed by bandwith overage charges.

I'd be very interested in hearing your brothers sermon if you have a link.

Thanks,

SEAGOON

PS: Sorry to hear about your mother, please send me her first name and I'll add her to our prayer list.

[Toad]

Keep up the good work, Sea.

[RedTop]

Originally posted by Seagoon
Hi Redtop,

9 of my sermons are currently available online at the sermons section of our site  here

I would recommend starting with the "Castles made of Sand" Sermon which is fairly recent and representative.

We are planning on moving to Sermonaudio.com which will allow us to host all of our sermons online - we are currently getting killed by bandwith overage charges.

I'd be very interested in hearing your brothers sermon if you have a link.

Thanks,

SEAGOON

PS: Sorry to hear about your mother, please send me her first name and I'll add her to our prayer list.

My Moms name is Wanda. That would be really appreciated Sea.

My Church is http://www.churchofthehills.org There you will find the sermons.

I'll listen to yours...Be very inetrested in them for sure. Thanks

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

The humor was obvious, at least to me. But then I'm a neoconservative, overly religious, fundamentalist Christian,
rightwing gun nut.

Having seen what true servants of God go through, and how well they are compensated in this life, I don't expect to see that new Cadillac in the driveway of your 3000 square foot  five bedroom two story for a few more weeks. I hope the staff is adequate to take care of you and your family, since you have nothing to do except for Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night, I'm sure you will all get bored.

[Nash]

Originally posted by Seagoon
Hi Redtop,

9 of my sermons are currently available online at the sermons section of our site  here

I listened to the Castles made of Sand one.... and echo Toad's sentiment. Very good!

I dunno... There's a certain sort of.... It's not crusty, nor is it hyper, and it's not lofty...

It's kind of.... of my generation or something. It sounds real.

Nice stuff.

[Staga]

Originally posted by Nash
I listened to the Castles made of Sand

Hendrix knows... errr knew his stuff

[Seagoon]

Thanks Nash, I am sincerely heartened, that is encouragement indeed.

BTW - just out of interest, arising from when you said "my generation" I always imagined us to be about the same age - I'm 35 (36 next month - time flies, hair falls).

Soli Deo Gloria,

SEAGOON

[Nash]

Originally posted by Staga
Hendrix knows... errr knew his stuff

sigh....

Yep.

Dead too early.