Recruiting Forum Off-Topic Thread II

Status
Not open for further replies.
#2,051
#2,051
VolGee4 said:
Thank you, sir. It's interesting that you mention membership at your past church. Mine is currently around 3500. It grew quite a bit in the last 15 years. When our current pastor came on about 6 years ago, he realized that membership was a "revolving door." He did a survey and found that people quit attending within 3 months of becoming a member. They weren't assimilating.

Our pastor has now required taking a couple of classes and meeting certain staff members before becoming a member. It allows new members to understand the foundation of the UMC and encourage attendance at SS and other activities. Membership is probably slower now, but obviously, the hope is to gain folks who will remain committed.

I always enjoy reading what you post. I don't always agree, but I respect it. No offense to your age, but I consider you one of our "senior members" who I like to read on the many subjects on this forum. God Bless.
Click to expand...

Thanks, friend. I'm not always right, but I am usually convinced I am. lol.

Your pastor is doing it the right way IMO. our congregation was smaller, but probably a good example of what you are describing. When our former church was doing it well and growing (600+ members), there were over 250 core members that were very active in many areas and the average worship attendance was over 70% for several years. We had the membership classes as well (important). Had over 100 Jr/Sr high youth in average attendance. You can get a lot done in your community in terms of outreach when the congregation is on the same page and committed to the Lord's cause. You said it - assimilation is key.

Relating to membership; every year we would cull the rolls of members. This also drove that average worship attendance up and gave the senior pastor and lay leadership a better picture of the health of the church. If there was no record or knowledge of attendance of a member over a three year period, we would make every sort of attempt to contact to ask if they wanted to remain on the roll, including asking the congregation for assistance at the annual church conference. If no response we moved it to the Year 2 list. If contacted we would do as requested. When the year 2 list came up, we would go through the same process and move the non-contacted to the Year 3 list. Rinse and repeat Year 3 list. If unable to be located, the person was then removed from membership. At the time, the conference and district appropriations were partially based on total membership. Due to our actions, the Bishop had the methodology changed for the entire conference because it was catching on with other churches and they were paying lesser appropriations. :)
 
#2,053
#2,053
bignewt said:
I always thought people join the methodist church so they can still drink beer.
Click to expand...

This may be something that Vols4us and I disagree with. I respect people who don't drink. But, I do drink alcohol, and many in my church do as well. My tastes have changed over the years and have gotten into craft beer. But as with anything else in the world, moderation is key.
 
#2,054
#2,054
Wow..the most members I have had to work with is 140-50. Even then only about 15-20 were really committed to service. Now I feel like I have been given my hardest task. I have less than 20 members and none of them supposedly have any time to devote to service. I have almost 0 resources outside of what little talent I have. No available funds above just paying the bills, and no creative talent in any one willing to use it. I am in a place ravaged by poverty and drug abuse. So many need help. And the county has got 250+ churches. It is extremely difficult to get people T even think about going somewhere besides the church they grew up in, even if that church has had no effect on them spiritually other than to shun them. But with the Lords help I will continue to do my best. Little is much when God is in it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#2,055
#2,055
VolGee4 said:
This may be something that Vols4us and I disagree with. I respect people who don't drink. But, I do drink alcohol, and many in my church do as well. My tastes have changed over the years and have gotten into craft beer. But as with anything else in the world, moderation is key.
Click to expand...

Actually, we do agree. Moderation, as well as not influencing a weaker brother/sister into sin is in play for me. I had to stop drinking alcohol to become the man called me to be, however, that was just me. There was a pattern of alcohol abuse within my family and circle of friends that I needed release from to improve as a husband, father and friend. For many that is not a problem and alcohol is clearly in play in scripture.
 
#2,056
#2,056
I along with millions take anti depressants. It certainly alters my mind, but not in a negative way. I believe it is the same with alcohol. Drinking is fine as long as it doesn't cause you to become addicted or behave badly.
 
#2,057
#2,057
SUPER OT! If anyone plays PC games, click this link for discounted games! It's legit, I just bought Warhammer Total War for 15 dollars off :) And they say PC gaming is expensive...

https://www.g2a.com/r/datboi

BTW, if you have an account post it here. If someone clicks on your link and buys a game at any point afterwards, you make money!

Sorry if this sounds spammy lol
 
Last edited:
#2,058
#2,058
VolGee4 said:
This may be something that Vols4us and I disagree with. I respect people who don't drink. But, I do drink alcohol, and many in my church do as well. My tastes have changed over the years and have gotten into craft beer. But as with anything else in the world, moderation is key.
Click to expand...

I'm with you. I drink some. I don't think it's sinful to drink unless you do it too excess.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#2,059
#2,059
Catbone said:
I along with millions take anti depressants. It certainly alters my mind, but not in a negative way. I believe it is the same with alcohol. Drinking is fine as long as it doesn't cause you to become addicted or behave badly.
Click to expand...

I apologize for rambling a bit with this post, however, your post prompted me to relate something that may benefit you and others on here.

In our DivorceCare and GriefShare support groups we highly advise participants to work with their physicians for help in the cases of depression or other mood issues. In our view it can only help their situations. Many that drink that are depressed do not realize they are doubling down on more depression by drinking. Anti-depressants used properly can be life savers.

Mark 7:15 - Jesus states, "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.” We haven't made ourselves sinners; sin is what's already inside us. The heart of our problem is the problem of our hearts.

When I drank too much or too often my heart was revealed and it wasn't pretty. It was nothing like I hoped it would be and nothing like I saw myself when sober. I had to take bigger steps toward Jesus and admit my need for him. I learned that once you do, all the stuff you hate about yourself can go there to die. He performs surgery on the cancers (sins) and condition of your heart to heal you and set you free.

That is how a person changes. It had nothing to do with drinking or not drinking. It had everything to do with me. The alcohol just made it easier for my demons to have their way with me. Fast forward to over 20 years later; a physician recommended both my wife and I to have a glass of wine with dinner for the health benefits. As we age our bodies get a little testy at times (lol). So we tried it. It was a really good test for me. My demons did not return and I found I had no unhealthy desire for the wine. So Mark 7:15 had been tested by me and found to be true as Jesus said. We did not continue drinking wine as we found over time we experienced no real benefit from it. Yet, I can see how it would be of benefit to others.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#2,060
#2,060
Ulysees E. McGill said:
Wow..the most members I have had to work with is 140-50. Even then only about 15-20 were really committed to service. Now I feel like I have been given my hardest task. I have less than 20 members and none of them supposedly have any time to devote to service. I have almost 0 resources outside of what little talent I have. No available funds above just paying the bills, and no creative talent in any one willing to use it. I am in a place ravaged by poverty and drug abuse. So many need help. And the county has got 250+ churches. It is extremely difficult to get people T even think about going somewhere besides the church they grew up in, even if that church has had no effect on them spiritually other than to shun them. But with the Lords help I will continue to do my best. Little is much when God is in it.
Click to expand...

Amen. You are added to the prayer list. The church we recently joined is about 450 members with about 225 average worship attendance. However, it is beginning to grow strongly.

It is a hard thing to be a pastor committed to doing the Lord's work in difficult circumstances. You may never see the fruit you hope to see. However, you may be planting seeds that come to fruition in a different place and time. Your know this already, but your calling is to just be faithful and feed his sheep. Hang in there, brother. It will be revealed in his time.

I had always found the most success in my secular career doing things and working with people that everybody else ignored or did not want. Which is probably why that when it came to our calling he provided the opportunity to assist those going through divorces and the deaths of loved ones. We found the niche that fit the people's needs, his calling, and our gifting. Since it honored him and helped disciple others it has been blessed beyond anything we could hope to see. As an example in the last few weeks one of our separated participants in DC reconciled with her husband and they chose to rededicate their lives to Christ and join the church along with adult children on both sides. All praise and glory to him, the great Redeemer. :)
 
#2,061
#2,061
Vols4us said:
Amen. You are added to the prayer list. The church we recently joined is about 450 members with about 225 average worship attendance. However, it is beginning to grow strongly.

It is a hard thing to be a pastor committed to doing the Lord's work in difficult circumstances. You may never see the fruit you hope to see. However, you may be planting seeds that come to fruition in a different place and time. Your know this already, but your calling is to just be faithful and feed his sheep. Hang in there, brother. It will be revealed in his time.

I had always found the most success in my secular career doing things and working with people that everybody else ignored or did not want. Which is probably why that when it came to our calling he provided the opportunity to assist those going through divorces and the deaths of loved ones. We found the niche that fit the people's needs, his calling, and our gifting. Since it honored him and helped disciple others it has been blessed beyond anything we could hope to see. As an example in the last few weeks one of our separated participants in DC reconciled with her husband and they chose to rededicate their lives to Christ and join the church along with adult children on both sides. All praise and glory to him, the great Redeemer. :)
Click to expand...

My dad asked me a question years ago that has always stuck with me. If you were to spend the rest of your life in service to Jesus, sacrificing almost everything material, and helped ONE person find the Lord and therefore eternal life..wouldn't it be worth it?. When I simplify everything down to that basic truth, all the trials and sacrifices seem so small. The answer is eternally yes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#2,062
#2,062
Ulysees E. McGill said:
My dad asked me a question years ago that has always stuck with me. If you were to spend the rest of your life in service to Jesus, sacrificing almost everything material, and helped ONE person find the Lord and therefore eternal life..wouldn't it be worth it?. When I simplify everything down to that basic truth, all the trials and sacrifices seem so small. The answer is eternally yes.
Click to expand...

Your dad is a very wise man. To that I reply with a hearty and loud, AMEN! :hi:
 
#2,063
#2,063
Ulysees E. McGill said:
Hence the doomsday scenario I posted a while back that has got me roasted unmercifully. If we don't win "big" this year. Butch will be toast eventually. It sucks too. There shouldn't be that much pressure on this season. There should be great recruits getting on board anyway. The program is obviously in better shape. It is not the dregs anymore, recruits should see a great opportunity to play for a really good program. It should not be this..meh..now.
Click to expand...

I don't see how anyone can really argue with that. As for the roasting, if you post anything remotely questionable, butchna and his army of henchmen come and mock you. It's just the VN way :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#2,064
#2,064
Catbone said:
I don't see how anyone can really argue with that. As for the roasting, if you post anything remotely questionable, butchna and his army of henchmen come and mock you. It's just the VN way :)
Click to expand...

"And my army" :lol: "henchmen" :w00t: Damn, you make me sound powerful buddy. :aggressive:
 
#2,065
#2,065
butchna said:
"And my army" :lol: "henchmen" :w00t: Damn, you make me sound powerful buddy. :aggressive:
Click to expand...

I think he was being a little smartastic.. :) at least I hope so. It made me chuckle. I had a mental image of a pack of Schnauzers and Dachshunds with little guns chasing me around..I just chuckled again :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#2,066
#2,066
Catbone said:
I don't see how anyone can really argue with that. As for the roasting, if you post anything remotely questionable, butchna and his army of henchmen come and mock you. It's just the VN way :)
Click to expand...

What if it's secretly MY army, and Butchna is just my 1st Lt waging the war, while I clandestinely lay low behind the lines... :wink2:
 
#2,067
#2,067
Catbone said:
I don't see how anyone can really argue with that. As for the roasting, if you post anything remotely questionable, butchna and his army of henchmen come and mock you. It's just the VN way :)
Click to expand...


Nah, we just don't have time for posters who post the same negative sh*t that we've already heard. You make Butchna and his army sound like geniuses so who's really the one getting "mocked"? :zeitung_lesen: :question:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#2,070
#2,070
VolFreakJosh said:
Nah, we just don't have time for posters who post the same negative sh*t that we've already heard. You make Butchna and his army sound like geniuses so who's really the one getting "mocked"? :zeitung_lesen: :question:
Click to expand...

Butchna has ordered you to attack me! He's really brainwashed you guys! I see what's happening here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#2,072
#2,072
nicksjuzunk said:
Stick around. You are the best UGA poster by far on this site :hi:
Click to expand...

Lol, tallest guy in a room full of midgets.

FTR, I like good rival posters like HG. Adds good, different perspective and provides info from another side. As long as a rival comes to the board with the respect that they are on a rival board and behave accordingly, I really enjoy their conversation.
 
New posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
Advertisement



Back
Top