Angry/Mean Streak and a True Calling at the Same Time?

[saturneptune]

It seems to me that a calling from God to be a pastor would be quite clear to the person being called. It is quite clear to me that I am not called in this manner, as if this was so, would have gone to seminary. Also, the way I react to a demanding public in the few jobs I have had dealing with them tells me I would not have the temperment to be a pastor.

Is it possible for a person who is a pastor to have a true calling if all (or most of )their interaction with others is either negative, sarcastic, or taking joy in the misfortune of others?

Everyone gets angry at times, but would not think this would be a predominate characteristic. For example, I would think the majority of posts from pastors on this board would be edifying. How could a negative post rate of 90%+ be a pattern of a true calling?

I am not a pastor, so would appreciate any insight from those who are.

 

[Jim1999]

Therule of thumb for entering the ministry is, "IF you can do anything else, do it!"

Many have full qualifications and education to do other things and may even worked at it. I have a licence in architecture and did do drawings to supplement my wages. I have also done drawings to help people out. Could I do architectural work for my living the rest of my life? Yes I could from an academic viewpoint.

Within my being, however, there was an uneasiness about me. Happy with my work, and if I must say, did it well. This nagging inside never went away, so I entered Bible College which led to pastoring small churches at the same time. Everything seem to fall into place, so I went to serve in the army as a chaplain. After 8 years of service, I continued in a pastoral ministry and more schooling. Pastorates opened for me. I never had to apply for a church. This I considered as evidence of God's calling and continued in ministry for over 50 years.

There seems to be a combination of "feelings", circumstances and personal convictions. The academics may come on either side, and sometimes men carry on with ministry without theological academics....At least in the early days this was so.

We all bring individual personalities to ministry. Some of us wrestle more with the downside than the ever bubbly and happy go natures. Not everything is a bed of roses and some even go through many resignations,,even if only in mind.

Some allow temper to get the better of them, and some even demonstrate weakness when it comes to other people. This too is ministry. Hopefully we all learn from God and improve as we journey along His paths in our lives.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Amy.G]

I believe that pastoring is a calling from God and those who are not called, will not do a good job of it because they are outside of God's will.

My pastor was preaching one day and made a comment about being called to pastor. He fought it for years though, but God pursued him.

He said if you ever want to know God's will, try not doing it! :laugh:

He is a wonderful pastor and person.

 

[canadyjd]

Everyone gets angry at times, but would not think this would be a predominate characteristic. For example, I would think the majority of posts from pastors on this board would be edifying. How could a negative post rate of 90%+ be a pattern of a true calling?

I am not a pastor, so would appreciate any insight from those who are.

It does seem that the relative aninimity of the internet brings the worst out of folks at times.

I hope you are not asking this question concerning a particular person on the BB...perhaps someone that you disagree with frequently?

Just curious. I didn't know the mods kept records of every post and labeled them "negative" or "positive" so that you say someone has a "negative post rate of 90%+".

peace to youraying:

 

[LeBuick]

Everyone gets angry at times, but would not think this would be a predominate characteristic. For example, I would think the majority of posts from pastors on this board would be edifying. How could a negative post rate of 90%+ be a pattern of a true calling?

I am not a pastor, so would appreciate any insight from those who are.

Kind of sad that God called MEN to lead his earthly institution. We wouldn't have this problem had he of chosen Angels or kept his Son here on earth... :godisgood:

 

[Crabtownboy]

.

Is it possible for a person who is a pastor to have a true calling if all (or most of )their interaction with others is either negative, sarcastic, or taking joy in the misfortune of others?

I do not see any of those attributes you stated in the life Christ lived on earth. His example is quite the opposite.

The only people he came down hard on were those who misused religion.

 

[Spinach]

Is this a real question or a passive aggressive scolding?

Pastors, preachers, missionaries...... they all carry around this filthy, dying flesh. They have a hard time sometimes. They deal with loneliness. They deal with rejection. They deal with criticism, even when they are doing no wrong. It gets frustrating. Hopefully when a man stumbles and lashes out in anger, he will ask for forgiveness of the people and it will be given. A certain amount of understanding should be available to him.

If a minister is constantly angry, however, I think he should either try to do something else, or have a serious heart-to-heart with the Father! His anger does not benefit him or the people.

 

[mcdirector]

Can people be called who carry around any habitual sin? Well, I believe they can. Will any individual be as effective as he/she can be until that sin is recognized and surrendered at God's feet? No.

I carried anger with me for a long time. I was raised by an angry parent. I didn't know I was angry. It was too much a part of me. It took God's conviction and me being humbled beyond belief. It still raised it's ugly head periodically for years.

One thing I know for certain is that men can't convict - only God can. God may use men in the process, men can help change behavior, but my heart was changed by God.

 

[drfuss]

mcdirector writes:
"I carried anger with me for a long time. I was raised by an angry parent. I didn't know I was angry. It was too much a part of me. It took God's conviction and me being humbled beyond belief. It still raised it's ugly head periodically for years. "

drfuss: The above sounds like my wife's testimony. After a few years of marriage, my wife lived with her parents for six weeks while I was on a work trip. She was again exposed to living in an angry home. She was determined not to be like that and to be more considerate of others. She is now a very sweet person (My hero).

 

[Dr. Bob]

I have felt the call of God for vocational ministry. Does that mean pastoring? Perhaps, but the call is much broader than this.

Could God "call" a person whose nature is to be critical, negative, or down? Yep. HIS "call". Think Elijah or Peter - I wouldn't want a pastor like either.

But God didn't call them to "pastor", just to be a cog in the overall ministry of the plan of God.

 

[MB]

It seems to me that a calling from God to be a pastor would be quite clear to the person being called. It is quite clear to me that I am not called in this manner, as if this was so, would have gone to seminary. Also, the way I react to a demanding public in the few jobs I have had dealing with them tells me I would not have the temperment to be a pastor.

Is it possible for a person who is a pastor to have a true calling if all (or most of )their interaction with others is either negative, sarcastic, or taking joy in the misfortune of others?

Everyone gets angry at times, but would not think this would be a predominate characteristic. For example, I would think the majority of posts from pastors on this board would be edifying. How could a negative post rate of 90%+ be a pattern of a true calling?

I am not a pastor, so would appreciate any insight from those who are.

I'm not a minister either nor do I care for those who act like the world and hold such a position. Being arrogant, mean, and sarcastic, is being like the world, all of it pride and vanity. There are a lot of pastors who are what they are not because they were called to be that but because they went to school for it and nothing more. I know some will say nothing can come of them but I don't believe that. There are far to many Benny Hinns in the world for me. Give me a pastor who strives to be Christ like.

MB

 

[Spinach]

Peter and Elijah were good examples.

 

[HankD]

What saith the Scripture?

2 Timothy 2:24

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.​

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.​

What does the infallible inerrant Word of God say?​

1) The servant of the Lord must not strive.
2) He must be gentle towards ALL.
3) He must be patient.
4) He must instruct others in all meekness to all men.
5) He cannot speak evil of any man.​

Yes, many take exception by claiming Jesus and/or His Apostles were oft times rough in their treatment of others.​

In fact, it almost is a badge of honor to be divisive among many of those who cause strife.

But why not obey the Holy Scriptures since none of us are Apostles?​

HankD​

 

[thegospelgeek]

Is it possible for a person who is a pastor to have a true calling if all (or most of )their interaction with others is either negative, sarcastic, or taking joy in the misfortune of others?

According to scripture the answer would be no.

1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

(1Ti 3:7) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Not to mention the verses listed by HankD.

The example of Peter doesn't work. He was filled with the spirit on the day of pentecost and never exihibited (sp) the negative characteristics again. Elijah was never a pastor of a New Testament church.

Maybe one with such character could be an evangelist but never a pastor. Also, I'm not saying that a pastor is perfect, just that he must be of a good character and reputation, as well as loving the flock of God he is called to care for.

 

[HankD]

Also and IMO,

That is not to say that a pastor cannot defend his flock against error and show a little emotion but that is different than being mean-spirited.

Sometimes it is necessary to be blunt and straightforward but that is different than being obnoxious.

Sometimes names MUST be named but that is different than name-calling.

HankD

 

[drfuss]

Also and IMO,

That is not to say that a pastor cannot defend his flock against error and show a little emotion but that is different than being mean-spirited.

Sometimes it is necessary to be blunt and straightforward but that is different than being obnoxious.

Sometimes names MUST be named but that is different than name-calling.

HankD

drfuss: If a person gets personal sarisfaction out of being blunt and naming names as indicated above, then that person is mean spirited. I knew a minister who used to get personal satisfaction out of being mean; he called it righteous indication.

 

[HankD]

drfuss: If a person gets personal sarisfaction out of being blunt and naming names as indicated above, then that person is mean spirited. I knew a minister who used to get personal satisfaction out of being mean; he called it righteous indication.

But I said "sometimes" not "everytime". Sometimes.

"personal satisfaction" for making a blunt statement or naming a name does not make it sin. A pastor is an under-shepherd and sometimes has to name the wolf in sheep's clothing to protect the sheep by letting them know who it is that wants their blood. I'm sure that such a pastor gets personal satisfaction out of the fact that he has done his duty of love in protecting the Lord's flock.


HankD