Gosh I've been in a very churched world my whole life. I have been to churches where the leadership was clearly anointed and I have been to some where they have not. This is well said. I'll be praying that I grow to have discernment in this area for my own life but also for the leadership around me. Not so I can use it as a weapon but so that I can prayerfully consider my observations.
I appreciate this post. I learned early that people are often elevated to position of pastor because they have the gift of exhortation or teaching. However, these are not the same. It is my prayer that we would all be content to live within the giftings (and the anointing) that the Lord has given each of us without coveting what others have.
SO GOOD. At one of our previous churches, the pastor had more of a gifting to run a business to be a CEO than he did as a pastor. This was clearly evident and also something he admitted a few times. We ended up leaving for a variety of reasons but one of the reasons was because the church was run like a business. It's so much better to run in the pathway that God has called us to and lean into that.
What were some things you noticed specifically that shaped your thoughts on whether or not the pastors were not walking in their calling? I only ask because examples are very helpful to me as I learn to navigate and interact with different people in leadership roles. I’m in transition now with finding a church home. Also the theme of this post reminded me of the analogy of “don’t create an Ishmael while waiting on Isaac”
Great question! I hope you find a healthy church home <3 and that ishmeal and isaac point is TOO GOOD and relevant. From my point of view when it came to my specific pastor working at this specific church was seeing that he wasn't interested or invested in walking alongside people in hard things. For one of moments? sure but not in longevity or even more than once. That is what an evangelist would likely do more since they are more traveling and seeing people they may never see again. Another trait was that he committed 3 full days of the week to working on sunday sermons. I believe somene who is an evangelist or teacher would do that but a pastor would dedicate 3 whole days to being with people and pastoring them. I saw these things in the behind the scenes because I worked for the church so maybe it wasn't apparent or obvious from the outside but that's just a few examples. He also never went to funerals or hospitals when people needed it and wanted to always send someone else to do. I feel like doing that stuff isn't just pastoral but any Christian should or can do, so the fact that he didn't want to do it at all was a red flag.
This is really cool, and so interesting becasue yesterday in my study for a message on mercy - I watched the Bible Project video on the definition of sin which Tim Mackey explained is actually a word for "missing the mark." And the video went onto explain how our fleshly desires can lead us to believe we are on the right path for us, and it is only through discernment and God's awakening power that we realize that we have missed the mark - or perhaps even landed on a path that wasn't ours to begin with! I've been praying the Prayer of Relinquishment and asking God to show me what IS my work rather than just assuming a passion means "my purpose." (the BP video also distinguised sin "missing the mark" from transgression and iniquity which seem to be more intentional harm)... Love your writing and reflection Pri!
Whoa this is so good. I never thought about this concept in these terms before, I usually just jump straight to assuming someone’s a toxic person rather than considering if the role they are in is a good fit for them and perhaps playing a part in the dysfunction. Good stuff to think about!
Thanks Moriah! I used to assume the same thing too and many people will still end up being toxic if they shift and end up walking in their calling but some won't and it's just because they were walking the wrong path. One huge factor that I feel can prevent this is honest and wise community to help affirm the clear callings God has places on our life.
I agree- it’s really helpful to think of people in the wrong role as opposed to jumping to toxicity. Humbling for me and a great pointer back to the grace I have been given (& should offer others!). Differentiating between passion and anointing is so important too! Thankful that our God sees and equips. Lots to think about!
Amen! Yes, it's so important and probably not something taught about in churches a lot because there are people preaching who are actually prophets or have another anointing but there they are....Grace indeed is needed and a redirect in that grace.
Gosh I've been in a very churched world my whole life. I have been to churches where the leadership was clearly anointed and I have been to some where they have not. This is well said. I'll be praying that I grow to have discernment in this area for my own life but also for the leadership around me. Not so I can use it as a weapon but so that I can prayerfully consider my observations.
Yes friend! Not as a weapon indeed. We get to discern this to help make our Body a safer and healthier place to be - for His glory!
That's right girl!!!! this is too good. Thanks for sharing and thank you girl <3
I appreciate this post. I learned early that people are often elevated to position of pastor because they have the gift of exhortation or teaching. However, these are not the same. It is my prayer that we would all be content to live within the giftings (and the anointing) that the Lord has given each of us without coveting what others have.
Girl preach! that is indeed my prayer too <3 grateful how for you obediently walk in your gifts! <3
SO GOOD. At one of our previous churches, the pastor had more of a gifting to run a business to be a CEO than he did as a pastor. This was clearly evident and also something he admitted a few times. We ended up leaving for a variety of reasons but one of the reasons was because the church was run like a business. It's so much better to run in the pathway that God has called us to and lean into that.
What were some things you noticed specifically that shaped your thoughts on whether or not the pastors were not walking in their calling? I only ask because examples are very helpful to me as I learn to navigate and interact with different people in leadership roles. I’m in transition now with finding a church home. Also the theme of this post reminded me of the analogy of “don’t create an Ishmael while waiting on Isaac”
Great question! I hope you find a healthy church home <3 and that ishmeal and isaac point is TOO GOOD and relevant. From my point of view when it came to my specific pastor working at this specific church was seeing that he wasn't interested or invested in walking alongside people in hard things. For one of moments? sure but not in longevity or even more than once. That is what an evangelist would likely do more since they are more traveling and seeing people they may never see again. Another trait was that he committed 3 full days of the week to working on sunday sermons. I believe somene who is an evangelist or teacher would do that but a pastor would dedicate 3 whole days to being with people and pastoring them. I saw these things in the behind the scenes because I worked for the church so maybe it wasn't apparent or obvious from the outside but that's just a few examples. He also never went to funerals or hospitals when people needed it and wanted to always send someone else to do. I feel like doing that stuff isn't just pastoral but any Christian should or can do, so the fact that he didn't want to do it at all was a red flag.
This is really cool, and so interesting becasue yesterday in my study for a message on mercy - I watched the Bible Project video on the definition of sin which Tim Mackey explained is actually a word for "missing the mark." And the video went onto explain how our fleshly desires can lead us to believe we are on the right path for us, and it is only through discernment and God's awakening power that we realize that we have missed the mark - or perhaps even landed on a path that wasn't ours to begin with! I've been praying the Prayer of Relinquishment and asking God to show me what IS my work rather than just assuming a passion means "my purpose." (the BP video also distinguised sin "missing the mark" from transgression and iniquity which seem to be more intentional harm)... Love your writing and reflection Pri!
That's right girl!!!! this is too good. Thanks for sharing and thank you girl <3
Whoa this is so good. I never thought about this concept in these terms before, I usually just jump straight to assuming someone’s a toxic person rather than considering if the role they are in is a good fit for them and perhaps playing a part in the dysfunction. Good stuff to think about!
Thanks Moriah! I used to assume the same thing too and many people will still end up being toxic if they shift and end up walking in their calling but some won't and it's just because they were walking the wrong path. One huge factor that I feel can prevent this is honest and wise community to help affirm the clear callings God has places on our life.
I agree- it’s really helpful to think of people in the wrong role as opposed to jumping to toxicity. Humbling for me and a great pointer back to the grace I have been given (& should offer others!). Differentiating between passion and anointing is so important too! Thankful that our God sees and equips. Lots to think about!
Amen! Yes, it's so important and probably not something taught about in churches a lot because there are people preaching who are actually prophets or have another anointing but there they are....Grace indeed is needed and a redirect in that grace.