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FAQ: How Do I Politely Tell Former Pastor to Mind Her Own Business?
- 8-20-2009
- Categorized in: Blogs
I am one of the pastors of a congregation and I have been assigned the task to train and teach in our church. I have a small group of armorbearers that are being influenced in a negative way right now by someone in the church that was once a Pastor (different church.)
How can I deal with this situation without it appearing as if I’m jealous? This person is always trying to get involved with the armorbearers and to tell them how to serve. I have a problem with this because it is not their job number one and two they have no idea what my wishes and desires are. Please help!
Hello Pastor: Thank you for your recent email. We commend your desire to shun all appearances of evil.
VARN:
If not already, we recommend our book In the Spirit of Armorbearing for further training of your Armorbearers. By no means, are we suggesting you haven’t been respectful or courteous. But I encourage you to continue to be courteous. Continue to be respectful of this former pastor in your midst. Besides knowing its Christ-like and what we should do, consider this he/she may have strengths and talents that God wants to implement to help you. So guard against allowing the enemy to distract you into making this person into an enemy.
EARMA:
Hi Pastor. I recognize the enemy’s hand that’s always working to undermine our ministry efforts or get us engaged in a tug of wills that drains our energy and spirituality. I agree with Varn about being gracious toward the former pastor. Also, another reason we suggest further training (meeting or class) is in the training atmosphere you can bring correction to this behavior without even mentioning the person’s name.
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QUICK TESTIMONY FROM EARMA: I was conducting a small group church meeting with about 20+ people. In a brief get-to-know each other time, I allowed each person 1-2 minutes to introduce themselves. An elderly gentleman stood up who was twice my years, twice my experience, and maybe even twice my ability. He began to tell about himself and how he thought the meetings should go, etc. - taking up a lot of the time I had allotted for everyone’s introduction. When talking to Varn later about it, I explained why I had to be rude and take back the floor and how I almost wished he might not show up at the next meeting. Before, I could finish my complaints Varn encouraged me with, “Don’t shut him out. Be patient. I believe he has a lot to offer your group. Partake of all those years of experience and wisdom he has…” By the next meeting, the Holy Spirit had shown me where I could plug in his strengths and gift of gab. In my introduction of him, I told the group how happy I was (actually meant it) to have a man with such wisdom, age and experience be a part of us... |
I know you know where I am going with this by now. In the same way, we encourage you to take another look at the former pastor. Pray about it and look for ways you can use this person’s strengths with the Armorbearers. If this dear one is not contentious, maybe you can allow them to participate in some way with the training – advisor, honorary Armorbearer…Something where he/she reports to you.
Pastor, we are praying for you, your family, your team and church. We hope our words are helpful to you. May God’s richest blessings rest upon you throughout the year.
Helping leaders and supporters in the local church,
Varn and Earma Brown
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