what do you do when you dont like your pastor!!??
821590
find out where they went and go with them.
296621
You can let them know that they are offending you and try to fix it ,or if you don't want to risk conflict ask someone to be a go between,or pray and ask god to take the resentment you feel away.
26410
you mention satan, for christmas, get them some christian focused presents, besides that, what can you do? you are you and shouldnt change because someone else doesnt like you, i dont like the whole confrontation thing either, i wouldnt speak ill of them, ever, that way, if they do speak ill of you in front of your husband, he will start to think they are aholes
332261
Well, even pastors are humans who have their own issues they need to work out. \nHowever, I did get upset at one once. He was making everyone in the audience feel like crap about themselves, while he had that "holier than thou" attitude about himself. He was making it out as if everyone was imperfect while he was perfect. That annoyed me because it was obvious he indulged in gluttony (one of the seven deadly sins)...to the extreme.
1146272
I think you are exactly right.  You either accept him or reject him and I chose to accept him.  When I answer most of the bible based questions, I also mention that they should talk to someone in person because I think a conversation is better than a written response.  That way they can ask questions and the pastor/whomever can answer what they do not understand.  God Bless You.
1115904
You are asking the wrong people, talk to your pastor.
352241
Spank him. That should be sufficient to bring back all the religious school nightmares and butt ramming at the hands of priests. He may even say, "Thank you sir, may I have another?" over and over again.\n\nShould be good for a chuckle among your coworkers.
1132925
The best advice I will give is to live your Christian life openly. Don't be judgemental or intolerant. As my youth pastor used to say "you may be the only Bible some people ever read." So keep that in mind as you go about your day. Stay focused on practicing your religion. Take the time to listen to your family members about what they believe and how they experience God. Just listen. There is a great value to listening, so many people forget that. A lot of people have more respect for people who take the time to listen and get to know what they believe. If you don't understand something they are saying, it is okay to ask for clarification, but don't judge or put down their beliefs. Just listen. Keep doing this. Eventually they'll start to ask you what you believe if they're curious. If they've been watching you and how you live and go about your life, they may start to get curious. When beginning to start to tell them what you believe (when they ask...remember no one likes to have someone tell them information they haven't asked for) make sure you make it clear that this is what you believe. What I mean is, don't make references to what they believe. Just state what you believe. This keeps you from showing signs of intolerance, disrespect, or that you are judgemental. Continue to take the time to listen to them. Ask them about their beliefs, why they believe it. Ask them about their spiritual experiences. That sounds odd, but all of us have them in some form or another. Sometimes we can explain them through our religion, and sometimes we cannot. You are getting personal with them and building trust between them and yourself. Be willing to answer questions about yourself, but never feel like you have to defend your believes or offend others. If all goes well, they will start to inquire more and more, they may start to go to church with you, they may want to read the Bible and that will open even more questions for you to answer from them. Don't always be so quick to answer questions. Sometimes you'll be asked questions that if you answer right away you might later regret answering the way you did. If you feel like you need more time to ponder a question, be honest and let them know that you'd like to think of how to give the best possible answer to their question. Most people will be understanding. DO NOT GET INTO RELIGIOUS ARGUMENTS. I can't stress this enough. Most religious arguments are not actually about spirituality, they are about ego. Be strong enough to step away from them.\n\nThis is my advice to you as a former Christian missionary turned Hindu (coincidently). What I have told you I have found to be much more effective at helping people in their spiritual life and helping them look more closely at what they actually believe. As a Christian I'll admit that I did get into trouble with my church who was more interested in gaining more members for revenue than it was about truly helping people spiritually (I took the words of a pastor there to heart when he said that "a hospital is a place where people go when their physical bodies are sick to get treatment, a church is a place where people go when their spiritual bodies are sick to get treatment.") I also still am friends with a great many Christians. They are all very tolerant and respectful of other people's beliefs. It is not that they do not want to 'save' people, they just have realized that being judgement, intolerant, and condemning people or even trying to provoke fear in them doesn't really seem to very effective. Respect, patience, and tolerance seem to work a lot better (remember tolerance means that you acknowledge their religious beliefs, it does not mean that you accept them).\n\nAnd most importantly, pray for your family. Be thankful for them, but also ask Christ to help you. Take time to not just pray in the sense that you do all the talking, but also take time to sit
85008
u should tell him frankly that u dont like him. truth always works and creats little problem rather than lie.
895870
Tracy, unfortunately it sounds as if you have gotten a preacher who has other things on his mind than ministering to the whole flock. A good pastor shouldn't care about the financial or social standing of his congregation. He should love,honor,respect,guide, and comfort every member of his church regardless of their social standing or financial wealth. The fact that he failed to lend comfort and support to the church members who had deaths in their families is unacceptable. Perhaps the deacons and the other church elders need to get together and decide what must be done about him. Good luck and God bless.
299144
I'm confused, is this guy a member of the church or is he simply a crazed homeless guy living in his van?\n\nLook, I dont know, im really bad at this "subtle revenge" thing.\nYoure trying to avoid his "conversion"? Tell him youre gay. Christians hate gays.\n\n:UPDATE:\nBut whats his prime objective in watching you and your friends? Is he trying to turn your friends into members? What does he want from you? Figure out what it is he wants, once you have the right question than you can get the right answer.\n\nALSO\nIs he clean cut? or very ragged and shabby looking? Do you get the impression that hes been using drugs?\n\nO, in that case youre dealing with a sociopath. Well, if he has threatened you than a restraining order will be easy to get. It might be best if you beat him at his own game, I wouldnt damage his car or fuck with his property as it might just escalate into something you could regret later. You gotta beat him at his own game, recruit some friends to confront this asshole.
400011
As a Pastor I have experienced the same thing and even thought that perhaps God was just cleaning house for some new arrivals. In all honesty after I got my pride and bull headiness out of the way I realized that I had made mistakes in the way I treated people. I was to busy judging them instead of sharing God's Word with them and letting the Holy Spirit do HIS JOB. I naturally don't know if this is the problem at your church or not, however I would suggest some deep soul searching and prayer to find out what GOD wants for your church.  May God Bless.
525318
Luke 15:10\n"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."\n\nREPENT:\nTo reconize the wrong in something you have done and be sorry about it. To feel regret about a sin or past action and change your ways.\n\nYour friend along with the married man has committed and act of sin. While the man in this case is still trying to contuinue, she is not. It is not enough just to stop and act as if nothing has happened. That would be further lying, and more sin. Because she is an officer in the church, a question of integrity has come into play and has to be addressed. To continue fellowship at this church, the matter should be brought before the pastor. Under his councel they can together map out a plan to both stop it and prevent it from taking place again. There are no easy answers. Feelings will be hurt. Problems have already been created, and consequences will come to bear. This is the result of giving in to the lusts of the flesh. Christ came for the unrighteous, as a redeemer. Trust in His saving grace and mercy to see you through.\n\nActs 26:18\n"to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."\n\nTell your friend not to beat up on herself. She is not alone in sinning, many others have done the same act. Not one of us is perfect... no not one. While we have life in this body, we have hope in Christ Jesus! All of you will be in my prayers.\nMatt.
604641
well, it kinda depends on what your issues with that church were.  Is it a church where you feel that you are being spiritually led and where you feel the leaders of the church including the pastor are looking for God's will in the church?  Those are the most important things...if you feel God's sincere presence there and that they are doing God's work.  Then you can overlook or work with them to solve other petty problems.  Good luck and God bless.
318660
No, what kind of example is that?  You should record him and play it back to him, maybe he gets so caught up in his sermon he doesn't realize what he's doing.  Or play it back to him with several people present who are decision makers within your church.
426659
You need to find a church that makes you feel comfortable and welcome.  You might need to try many.  I think that it is very important to find a church with a pastor that teaches from scripture.  There are so few out there anymore.  So many churches water down the teachings from Christ and put their own spin on the Bible.  How can you learn from God if you are not getting the teachings that he provided for us?  Don't let people bring you down, remember that just because someone believes in God it doesn't make them perfect, we are all sinners and fall short.  It is in our nature to fall short, that is why we need God.  Please don't let your disapointment in a person affect the way you see Christianity.  Pray about it and soon you will find a church home that is right for you, God Bless.
582307
I'd say to note all of the people you used to know, talk about how good it is to see them and comment (positively) on any changes you notice. Perhaps you could tell humorous or heart-warming anecdotes about the pastor, deacons, other leaders or other members, depending on your relationship with them. etc. And if you're uncomfortable, you can always just say no...