Churches Not Good About Answering Messages

Union With Christ

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The insult was intended as a rebuke and it still stands. You come across as demanding - wanting things when you want them. I doubt you will ever find a church able to fulfil that need except for short periods and after a while the pastor will realise that there are greater needs than yours and with more chance of fulfilling them. Email and even things like forums are the worst way to get answers in the sense that it is way too easy for people to take offence at the way you say something.

Pastors are not necessarily teachers and so matters of doctrine may not be their forte. If you have a small church you may not find anyone who has that kind of mindset. Larger churches will usually have someone who is theologically trained or has an enquiring mind.

You also have the internet at your disposal so should be able find answers somewhere else rather than bothering an overworked pastor.

My Pastor has a masters degree from Concordia Seminary and he is currently working on his doctorate part time so he is well versed in church doctrine.

Not every answer is available online so that doesn’t really apply to my situation.

The Pastors job is to shepherd the flock and if he’s too busy to answer my questions he should find an associate Pastor who can tend the sheep.

As an update he did contact me and he said that it is his job to answer these kinds of questions but he has been really busy and he will answer me as soon as possible.
 
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Tropical Wilds

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The six emails were sent over a period of two weeks.

Yeah, Dude... That’s a lot of emails and a lot of attention required over a short period of time on issues that are not that hugely critical. You need to understand that you are the center of your world, but not everybody elses and that you do not have realistic expectations.

If he disregards my email and never answers it that is not called being patient.

It is the very definition of being patient, actually. Understanding that responses come not on your timeline of want, but on their timeline of availability.
 
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Union With Christ

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Yeah, Dude... That’s a lot of emails and a lot of attention required over a short period of time on issues that are not that hugely critical. You need to understand that you are the center of your world, but not everybody elses and that you do not have realistic expectations.



It is the very definition of being patient, actually. Understanding that responses come not on your timeline of want, but on their timeline of availability.

He emailed me and said that my questions are important and that it is his job to answer these kinds of questions on theology.
 
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Tropical Wilds

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He emailed me and said that my questions are important and that it is his job to answer these kinds of questions on theology.

So you’re upset he didn’t email, but he emailed to tell you to tell you your questions were important...?
 
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Tropical Wilds

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I still haven’t received a response from the other two churches.

Ok. So continue to patiently. Extend Grace. Understand that they don’t owe you more than they can give at the moment. Seek other resources. Wait. Or consider hiring a personal spiritual coach for more immediate answers. People you specifically contract to your service will inevitably give you more immediate attention.
 
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Union With Christ

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Ok. So continue to patiently. Extend Grace. Understand that they don’t owe you more than they can give at the moment. Seek other resources. Wait. Or consider hiring a personal spiritual coach for more immediate answers. People you specifically contract to your service will inevitably give you more immediate attention.

The Pastor is paid to be a spiritual advisor that is his position.
 
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Tropical Wilds

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The Pastor is paid to be a spiritual advisor that is his position.

To you and everybody else in your church. He is also in charge of other things beyond answering emails. And, as he is human, he only has the same number hours in a day the rest of us do. It is not reasonable given his responsibilities and the needs of others that he should drop everything and focus on you especially given that you demand constant attention. If you want that kind of service and attention, schedule a private session, hire a personal wellness coach/spiritual advisor, or research the answer on your own.
 
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Union With Christ

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To you and everybody else in your church. He is also in charge of other things beyond answering emails. And, as he is human, he only has the same number hours in a day the rest of us do. It is not reasonable given his responsibilities and the needs of others that he should drop everything and focus on you especially given that you demand constant attention. If you want that kind of service and attention, schedule a private session, hire a personal wellness coach/spiritual advisor, or research the answer on your own.

I shouldn’t have to hire someone else. This is the job of the Pastor. Researching it on my own is not an option as the answer cannot be found online. I’m not interested in scheduling a private session. You retain much more from the written word and email is my preferred method of communication. Why would the Pastor have an email address if he is not going to respond?
 
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Tropical Wilds

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I shouldn’t have to hire someone else. This is the job of the Pastor. Researching it on my own is not an option as the answer cannot be found online. I’m not interested in scheduling a private session. You retain much more from the written word and email is my preferred method of communication. Why would the Pastor have an email address if he is not going to respond?

So if you choose to be so closed off to how you will receive information, you also choose to limit how you get information. If you don’t want to schedule a time or try to find the answer you want on your own or hire an adviser to help you, so the issue can’t be all that important. The pastor responded to half of the 6 emails you sent, which averages to one email every other day, so it’s not like you’re being ignored.

And he has an email so that everybody, not just you. It is his email, not your personal bat signal.

Be patient. Practice a less self-centered, more gracious and understanding mindset.
 
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Union With Christ

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So if you choose to be so closed off to how you will receive information, you also choose to limit how you get information. If you don’t want to schedule a time or try to find the answer you want on your own or hire an adviser to help you, so the issue can’t be all that important. The pastor responded to half of the 6 emails you sent, which averages to one email every other day, so it’s not like you’re being ignored.

And he has an email so that everybody, not just you. It is his email, not your personal bat signal.

Be patient. Practice a less self-centered, more gracious and understanding mindset.

Well I am in the process of church shopping and if I don’t get answers I will not know which church to attend.
 
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Union With Christ

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Again, not an urgent issue. Hire a spiritual coach or advisor for more direct and expedient help.

I’m not rich I don’t have the money to hire a life coach. That is why I have a Pastor. I already give money to the church so the church should be able to answer my questions. Just three weeks ago I went into the church office and handed them a hundred dollar bill. Why should I take up the added expense of hiring a spiritual coach when the Pastor should just do his job and answer my questions?

On a side note the two other churches that I contacted still have not answered.
 
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Tropical Wilds

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I’m not rich I don’t have the money to hire a life coach. That is why I have a Pastor. I already give money to the church so the church should be able to answer my questions. Just three weeks ago I went into the church office and handed them a hundred dollar bill. Why should I take up the added expense of hiring a spiritual coach when the Pastor should just do his job and answer my questions?

On a side note the two other churches that I contacted still have not answered.

It’s a church, not a nightclub with a long line where you slide the door person some cash and get your way.

If you’re going to give money to the church but then expect that it gets you something, it is no longer a tithe or donation done altruistically, but an attempt to bribe or buy special treatment. As Han Solo said, “That’s not how The Force works.”
 
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DamianWarS

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I’m not sure what you are trying to say here.

A Pastor’s job is to be a shepherd and teach sound doctrine.

If I can’t receive answers from churches on doctrine that is unacceptable.
They are also people and will respond better to the things they enjoy the most. Some may love teaching doctrine, others may love people and others still may love preaching but quite dislike email. You can try and frame the question in a way that stimulates their natural bend and if they don't like email then ask it where they like it. Their job may be to shepherd and teach sound doctrine but that's not really your problem is it? but you don't want to be shepherded or taught, you want to know something you can probably look up in their statement of beliefs and this probably doesn't excite them. What you are describing is really your problem, not theirs. It's too bad the world doesn't turn the way we want it too but if it doesn't adjust your expectations and try a different approach.
 
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Hazelelponi

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Well I am in the process of church shopping and if I don’t get answers I will not know which church to attend.

Visit the churches.

You say email is your preferred method of communication yet your attending a church where you will be hearing the pastor.

This pastor is working on his PHD according to you, likely has a family and children, has an entire church with a great many responsibilities everything from visiting the sick to preparing for and preaching sermons to counselling those having various life difficulties and more.

His plate right now is extremely full, and is still doing his best to answer you.

Yet, when your sitting in a pew listening to the pastor speak how often will this burning question even come up?

Do you expect this question will affect other areas of teaching and preaching?

Or does this amount to a vain doctrinal dispute?

We won't always agree with everything a church preaches, but we don't have to either..

As for your tithes, they are given to God in order the Gospel be preached and His will be done. The church isn't your employees, they are His workers laboring in His fields.

I understand you have a need, but you need to figure out just how important this matter is, and if it is salvific, or of little matter.

If it's not salvific, perhaps you need to not worry about it so much.
 
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