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Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 8:01:10 AM
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Math2237
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I've been preaching/teaching for close to 10 years. The lead pastor where I currently go to church constantly brings his current personal woes and concerns about him and his family as well as the troubles of the church (no names) into his sermons that don't necessarily correlate to the subject of the sermons.
The lead pastor is a very good preacher/teacher, mixing biblical facts with everyday experiences. (Just what you want to hear on Sunday's). The church is going through a transition time with staff and so on. So on one hand it is good that he is open to the congregation, but is it healthy for him or the church to have this done 90% of the time?
Looking for experiences, benefits, pitfalls.
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 8:15:51 AM
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ffbruce
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The appropriateness of bringing personal anecdotes into sermons is very difficult to determine.
Are you able to be more specific, or is that something you're not comfortable doing.
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 8:24:06 AM
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rcjames
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The Pastor may see the revelance between his examples and the points he is trying to make through the sermon.
Some of the folks just might be missing it.
Then there is always the possibility that he is over burdened with problems and really needs counsel vs. trying to give it.
Some examples would be nice.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 1:32:03 PM
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sgpianoman
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I agree with RC
A lot of times pastors want to show that they experience the same burdens and hardships that the lay people experience. We think or at least want to believe, sometimes, that they are immune and are never weak.
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In the words of Bill Gaither...."WHY NOT??"
myspace.com/sgpianoman
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 9:41:52 PM
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PopsiLufsJesus
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Personal examples are awesome. It says we overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony. However, we should make sure the experiences that we share are relevant for the sermon and we do that by being led by the Spirit of God that is within us.
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
~ Romans 12:12
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 9:45:01 PM
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Math2237
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Thank you all for your comments.
With any life situation you can in some round about way correlate any topic from the Bible. Believe me you should have heard some of my early sermons, you are talking about Mr. Fantastic stretching to put the examples and topics together. But his don't have a direct correllation. The sermons basically end and this is when he will start on say the problems he and his wife are having or him and a member of the church have had difficulty. The woes of the church are also mentioned a lot, finances, new building etc.... All prefaced with being open and honest.
I wonder if these types of thoughts would be better in a prayer or a business meeting atmosphere not Sunday after Sunday if he feels the need to continue to address them publicly.
With the church having recently gone through some tough times, I am sure this is a way of release for him but I wonder if the tough times are because of these add-ons?
I pray for him and the church continually and have kept these thoughts to myself. Just thought I would send it out to cyberspace to see responses.
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 9:53:00 PM
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nicole6598
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We get that a bit in our church by a few pastors. It kind of makes you feel a little depressed and down after that happens, sometimes even guilty.
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 10:23:16 PM
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colliefan
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In the sharing of personal issues, the pastor needs to have the OK of all involved before the sharing of any details.
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 11:31:25 PM
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crankius
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quote:
but is it healthy for him or the church to have this done 90% of the time?
quote:
The sermons basically end and this is when he will start on say the problems he and his wife are having or him and a member of the church have had difficulty. The woes of the church are also mentioned a lot, finances, new building etc.... All prefaced with being open and honest.
I don't think it is healthy.
Are there other elders at the church? Other men in leadership to walk beside him? They should have a long discussion about this with him.
He should not be discussing private matters in public. IF he is doing this, he needs to stop. Even if he doesn't name names, people are smart and those involved can figure out who he is discussing, and it can foster gossip.
The "woes of the church" might be applicable once in a while in a sermon, but if he is discussing them during nearly every sermon, then probably there are issues that need to be worked through and resolved/reconciled.
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/23/2008 11:38:40 PM
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crankius
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Question--Does it appear to be manipulative?
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/25/2008 2:51:24 PM
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PastorPatricia
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There is a fine line between personal antidotes and using the pulpit as a vehicle to air personal problems, our family has a major personal problem right now which I've shared with a few prayer warriors but I would never dream of using it in a sermon. People in the congregation have shared with me that they enjoy hearing some personal antidotes but it seems to me that it is wise to seek God about what you can share and what isn't wise to share.
_____________________________
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Is. 12:24
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/25/2008 8:38:29 PM
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Lady_of_Faith
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Oh my, I wonder if we attended the same church?!  This sounds exactly like the previous church I went to.
The pastor may be going through something, he's human of course and perhaps for him to incorporate his personal issues with his sermons is therapeutic for him, I suppose. The sad part is you have those few non-Christians who know exactly who he's referring to thus using it as the topic of a Sunday afternoon discussion and joking about it.
Maybe someone should speak with the pastor. Some people may feel uncomfortable about the route his sermons are taking. Usually, if there's a deacons board, it's taken up with them, though they are more then likely aware of it.
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/26/2008 1:40:23 PM
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redeemedsaint
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In a church where I was at 20 years ago, this kind of thing happened after those people left. The church wound up having a split and they are no longer together. If you have a beef with someone, you need to go to that person, not make it a sermon.
_____________________________
Woody
Get off the track cause the freight train is coming - Coach Bobby Lee Duke from Facing the Giants
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/26/2008 2:01:41 PM
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buckifn
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I don't think it is biblical to bring private disagreements public from the pulpit. If he is talking about a specific sin and using it to honor God's grace in his life by saying how he overcame that sin then yes....but even then using the pulpit for his own personal need is not advisable.
Some things are better left to be dealt with in private. IMO the Sunday message is to 1. Draw people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, teaching them how to accept Him and 2. To edify and encourage believers.
If those 2 are the main focus I believe the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.
My thought would be have the Elder's pray with the pastor about the matter and ask the Holy Spirit's direction.
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/27/2008 12:44:58 AM
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bravjim
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Does he have someone to lean on? Perhaps a subordinate or deacons, or perhaps a fellow pastor from another church who can talk to and unload on? If not, he may just be trying to get something off of his chest because he is feeling overwhelmed by some of the things that are going on. If he doesn't, then maybe you should ask for volunteers to help ease the burden on him. If there is, perhaps you can talk to one of them and let them know about your concerns. Sometimes a pastor might need a pastor or counsellor too.
_____________________________
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 10/27/2008 2:25:53 AM
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1love1God1way
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quote:
ORIGINAL: colliefan
In the sharing of personal issues, the pastor needs to have the OK of all involved before the sharing of any details.
I second this.
In addition, I think sometimes pastors want to be "transparent" but they don't know how to put up the correct barriers in it.
_____________________________
love.ben
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 11/19/2008 6:05:08 PM
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hjemerson
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Well I do not if this is Off Topic but last sunday our pastor showed up in tears, we have a pray before SS for the teachers and leaders and any other to pray for the up commming hours of service .He was so upset that he could not lead it so that was ok, some one did , after SS we started service as nomal, the pastor was late coming on the platfom , fine, when it was his turn to do announcements, He had the deacon do it , ok but again the pastor was in tears, As he did start the sermon nothing was said, but we all could see,feel and understand how sad he was, Now after the service MY HB when to talk with him but talked with the Deacon (we only have one and him and the pastor or best friends) Is Pastor ok? The answer was he will not share with me the problem , We left and had pray for Him all day that night was not in tears but still a cloud o sadness over the service. The day was to be a great happy day we had a planned a bastism of 3 of our youth people and have several family menber that will not come back for many or any things as this , , Should Pastor shared somthing? Or maybe just had pray and just did the bastims. So in a way I wish and sure severaal of us wished he had share some of his heaveness with us, We are a very small pray fill church , ,
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RE: Personal problems during Sermons - 12/4/2008 12:53:07 PM
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IMA_CHRISTIAN
Posts: 1700
Joined: 1/23/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Math2237
I've been preaching/teaching for close to 10 years. The lead pastor where I currently go to church constantly brings his current personal woes and concerns about him and his family as well as the troubles of the church (no names) into his sermons that don't necessarily correlate to the subject of the sermons.
The lead pastor is a very good preacher/teacher, mixing biblical facts with everyday experiences. (Just what you want to hear on Sunday's). The church is going through a transition time with staff and so on. So on one hand it is good that he is open to the congregation, but is it healthy for him or the church to have this done 90% of the time?
Looking for experiences, benefits, pitfalls.
Those might be considered "topical" sermons, which are way LESS helpful than exegetical where Scripture is examined.
Also, personal anecdotes should be used sparingly, as we should be focused on GOD'S WORD - SCRIPTURE, not personal anecdotes. Especially if you are feeling un-fed spiritually, this shows they are NOT helping. they point to man, We should be pointed to God and spiritually fed.
If you see this, it is a sign that is bad preaching.
_____________________________
Just give us peace, Lord.
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