tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post2390021763201175619..comments2023-05-01T05:20:32.574-07:00Comments on Observations and Opinions: 'Just' a Pastor?Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01950476090876270020noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-52224934767500935012007-12-27T07:58:00.000-08:002007-12-27T07:58:00.000-08:00shawn abigail - thanks for visiting! I agree with ...shawn abigail - thanks for visiting! I agree with your comments, and I too find that too much $$$ is spent on brick and mortar and a far lesser amount is spent on actual ministries.<BR/><BR/>Again, thanks for stopping by!Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01950476090876270020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-1854553504092428692007-12-23T13:14:00.000-08:002007-12-23T13:14:00.000-08:00I found your blog through bugblaster.Your profile ...I found your blog through bugblaster.<BR/><BR/>Your profile sounds familiar. I work in telecom, and teach in a "Brethren" church. I also serve as a Deacon.<BR/><BR/>I think the problem is one of metrics. When you are a shepherd in the Biblical sense, or a Bible teacher, it is difficult to measure success. There is no "Christian Maturity and Theological Understanding Scale" by which we can measure a congregation at the beginning and end of the year to determine the Pastor's performance bonus. 8-)<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, if a congregation grows explosively, has a new building program or if a Pastor is writing tons of books and being interviewed by the secular media, this is easy to measure and to reward.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately the most important things in life are the most difficult to measure quantitatively. And so we measure the things that are less important and hope that there is some sort of mapping to the important. <BR/><BR/>I see this in software development. The only meaningful measure of software quality is the number of bugs the customer will experience. But before we ship the product we don't know what this number of bugs is. So, we make other measures of quality and hope there is a mapping.<BR/><BR/>Finally, one side note about building programs. Why are kudos reserved for a man who convinces a church to take on more debt to build a bigger building, and we ignore those who year after year work to pay off the mortgage so that we can free up more money for missions (or for that matter, gasp, to pay the staff a living wage).Shawn Abigailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09810173103807948064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-77472979654795642772007-12-20T13:11:00.000-08:002007-12-20T13:11:00.000-08:00You too!You too!Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16625691560372353977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-23413697141591284242007-12-20T10:15:00.000-08:002007-12-20T10:15:00.000-08:00Hmmm, a tat stating 'I'm Just A Pastor'... Nope, G...Hmmm, a tat stating <B>'I'm Just A Pastor'</B>... Nope, Glore would never go for that! :-)<BR/><BR/>Have a great Christmas everyone!Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01950476090876270020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-50278838207219471932007-12-20T05:15:00.000-08:002007-12-20T05:15:00.000-08:00Hey JD, I want to add you to my list of bloggers I...Hey JD, I want to add you to my list of bloggers I have met. I think you are just a pastor too.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16625691560372353977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-50607536500164834662007-12-20T05:12:00.000-08:002007-12-20T05:12:00.000-08:00Ray, I agree with your acquaintance: you are just ...Ray, I agree with your acquaintance: you are just a pastor. From my one visit to your church it is clear that you are a beloved pastor, that you are a truth teaching pastor, and that you love your flock. You are just a pastor. I think you should get a tat that says that.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16625691560372353977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-22635575405567290362007-12-19T14:26:00.000-08:002007-12-19T14:26:00.000-08:00Dave - no matter whether or not I would ever be in...Dave - no matter whether or not I would ever be inclined, or capable, of writing a book, I will not stop being a pastor. That is what I am called too, anything else would be subordinate to that as long as the Lord has me in this role.<BR/><BR/>even-so, I actually used that example <I>(doctors and the residency model)</I>. And the doctors serving in that role work all sorts of things, giving them a rounded experience. <I>(oh, and by the way, congratulations on 68! :-) )</I>Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01950476090876270020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-44891600127727974572007-12-19T09:24:00.000-08:002007-12-19T09:24:00.000-08:00BTW, don't young Drs. have to do a "residency", wh...BTW, don't young Drs. have to do a "residency", why not spiritual doctors? Perhaps if we made seminary graduates have to go through 3-5 years of "residency" some of those who aren't actually called to this will "hang it up" before they think their smarts make them automatically qualified...Even So...https://www.blogger.com/profile/14208866122431178938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-10754576640535848512007-12-19T09:21:00.000-08:002007-12-19T09:21:00.000-08:00Well said...hey, we had 68 a couple of weeks ago, ...Well said...hey, we had 68 a couple of weeks ago, so that makes me "big time", right? Right?...Even So...https://www.blogger.com/profile/14208866122431178938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14386953.post-21645018363084096022007-12-19T07:10:00.000-08:002007-12-19T07:10:00.000-08:00Ray, don't ever write a book. If that will dimins...Ray, don't ever write a book. If that will diminsh wht you are now. You are MY pastor, and (at least to me) makes all the difference in the world.<BR/><BR/>daveinlewisvilleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com