GREAT EXPECTATIONS (6 OF 9)
by Tony Thomas
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:14-26
This content is part of a series.
Great Expectations (6 of 9)
?Series: Living in the Last Days
Tony Thomas
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Recently, another congregation contacted me through the church office because they were looking for a new preacher. What they wanted was a recommendation. I recommended an associate minister in northern IN who has been with his church for about ten years because I thought that maybe he'd like to assume more responsibility. I told them, ''He's not flashy, but he has a deep commitment commitment to Christ. He also has a wonderful wife and two grown children who are active members of their church. He's a hard worker, never misses a day in the office and he's as steady as they come.''
There was a pregnant pause and then that elder said, ''Well, we were kind of hoping for someone who could provide instant offense.''
I thought for a few minutes and then said, ''I have a classmate who has a dynamic personality, but he likes to initiate change.'' There was another long pause and then that elder said, ''You got anybody else? We have a good tradition.''
Again, I had to think. Eventually I said, ''I have another friend who preaches at a large church, and he's open to a move.'' The elder asked for his age and I told him he was in his mid-50s. He replied, ''We're looking for someone who's 30-40. A 55-year-old makes more money than we can afford.''
Then he added, ''We want someone who is a dynamic speaker. Smart, but not so smart you can't understand him. Relatively young - but has lots of experience. Looks like a million dollars but lives on $40,000. Has a wife that leads worship but isn't too bossy. And, he has a nice All-American family.''
I listened to all of that and replied, ''Can I be honest with you? I think your expectations are too high. You're running eighty-five in attendance, in the middle of a cornfield, and the nearest gas station is fifteen miles away! That's not attractive to the type of person you just told me about.''
The average church expects ...
?Series: Living in the Last Days
Tony Thomas
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Recently, another congregation contacted me through the church office because they were looking for a new preacher. What they wanted was a recommendation. I recommended an associate minister in northern IN who has been with his church for about ten years because I thought that maybe he'd like to assume more responsibility. I told them, ''He's not flashy, but he has a deep commitment commitment to Christ. He also has a wonderful wife and two grown children who are active members of their church. He's a hard worker, never misses a day in the office and he's as steady as they come.''
There was a pregnant pause and then that elder said, ''Well, we were kind of hoping for someone who could provide instant offense.''
I thought for a few minutes and then said, ''I have a classmate who has a dynamic personality, but he likes to initiate change.'' There was another long pause and then that elder said, ''You got anybody else? We have a good tradition.''
Again, I had to think. Eventually I said, ''I have another friend who preaches at a large church, and he's open to a move.'' The elder asked for his age and I told him he was in his mid-50s. He replied, ''We're looking for someone who's 30-40. A 55-year-old makes more money than we can afford.''
Then he added, ''We want someone who is a dynamic speaker. Smart, but not so smart you can't understand him. Relatively young - but has lots of experience. Looks like a million dollars but lives on $40,000. Has a wife that leads worship but isn't too bossy. And, he has a nice All-American family.''
I listened to all of that and replied, ''Can I be honest with you? I think your expectations are too high. You're running eighty-five in attendance, in the middle of a cornfield, and the nearest gas station is fifteen miles away! That's not attractive to the type of person you just told me about.''
The average church expects ...
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