You said:
Frankly I think it would be good if preachers had to earn a living like the rest of us. They might get some idea of what life is like.
==The preacher should be supported by his local church. They don't have to have "secular" jobs in order to "get some idea of what life is like" they know all too well what life is like. They see it every day. Most pastors do more than preach seromons. They handle weddings, funerals, administration of the church, some even do church cleaning. I know one pastor who did a wedding and a funeral in the same week. What is so weird about that? They both had the same focus, the bride.
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You said:
This does not mean that I believe the church should not support the preacher for expenses incurred as he fulfills his calling.
==A career is a calling. If you think God only calls pastors you are being highly unBiblical. How about we only pay you for the expenses you rack up while fulfilling your calling. You know gas, food, supplies, etc, and required you to get another job to support yourself. What is the difference? There is none.
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You said:
Furthermore, I believe that chuches showld be sufficiently small that we can know every brother and sister in the congregation.
==I wish for world peace and no war. Reality is reality and we must face things as they are. There have always been and there will always be large and small churches.
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You said:
These mega churches are becoming ridiculous. There is such a thing as starting mission churches.
==How many have you, or your church, started? The mega church I use to belong to has started several. Are you practicing what you are preaching? Btw small churches should start new churches as well.
This is what is wrong with many in our churches. They want pastors to be on call 24/7 for them, they want their pastors to have a message from God every Sunday morning, evening, Wednesday night, at every funeral, and speical function. However they don't want to support their pastor financially (them want him to get a, "real job") but they also want all of the above. What these people need is superman not a pastor. Or maybe they should be a pastor for one week and see if they can be a full-time pastor, support a family, and hold down a "real job" all at the same time. I doubt they can.
Martin.