I still feel empty

[Screeny]

Despite being a very successful pastor for over 20 years, with a big car, a big home and having planted churches in so many villages, I don 't feel that everything is right.

I regret that I never went to a bible school. Now when I teach others, I sometimes wish that I had training. I had attended a bible school, but dropped out because I was already a pastor at the time and I didn't like other teachers correcting me.

I also feel fake sometimes. I never admit my weaknesses to my congregation, but sometimes I feel that people may discover what I really am inside. I confess that I am often very arrogant and boastful and I don't like it when my congregation talks to me like I'm an equal. I also recognize that I'm too money-minded. I wish I knew what my congregation thought about me.

I realize that I need help. But where do I start?

Pst Screeny

 

[seeingeyes]

Despite being a very successful pastor for over 20 years, with a big car, a big home and having planted churches in so many villages, I don 't feel that everything is right.

I regret that I never went to a bible school. Now when I teach others, I sometimes wish that I had training. I had attended a bible school, but dropped out because I was already a pastor at the time and I didn't like other teachers correcting me.

I also feel fake sometimes. I never admit my weaknesses to my congregation, but sometimes I feel that people may discover what I really am inside. I confess that I am often very arrogant and boastful and I don't like it when my congregation talks to me like I'm an equal. I also recognize that I'm too money-minded. I wish I knew what my congregation thought about me.

I realize that I need help. But where do I start?

Pst Screeny

Not one word about God, so I would start there.

What do you think about Jesus?

 

[Cernunnos]

Sounds like a great time for a major life change.

Go on sabbatical, start Bible School, learn.

Alternately, consider other professions, things that pay better than pastoring .. . .

 

[pyramid33]

Despite being a very successful pastor for over 20 years, with a big car, a big home and having planted churches in so many villages, I don 't feel that everything is right.

I regret that I never went to a bible school. Now when I teach others, I sometimes wish that I had training. I had attended a bible school, but dropped out because I was already a pastor at the time and I didn't like other teachers correcting me.

I also feel fake sometimes. I never admit my weaknesses to my congregation, but sometimes I feel that people may discover what I really am inside. I confess that I am often very arrogant and boastful and I don't like it when my congregation talks to me like I'm an equal. I also recognize that I'm too money-minded. I wish I knew what my congregation thought about me.

I realize that I need help. But where do I start?

Pst Screeny

The Holy Spirit is the guide of all that are in Christ. It is not some common thing known to mankind, it God Himself. I have found many that are forced to be pastors, thinking that is what they need to be because mankind demands them to be such. Christ was not against the world and it's ways for nothing. When asked to pay a tax to caesar, Christ did not have a bag full of coins to pay it. He said to Peter, in faith, go and catch a fish, and you will find a coin in it's mouth, give it for you and me to the tax collectors.

Go and sell all that you have and give it unto the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. It is only by faith that we are saved. You may have heard that by faith we are saved, blah blah. It is only true in those that actually live by it.

I can claim to be this or that and I can teach to be this or that, but only if I actually live by that true faith, can I represent it the way it is meant to be represented. If one is called to be a teacher of God, that one must give all in order to follow God. God is the prize, not worldly possessions.

The righteous shall be filled.

 

[LilLamb219]

Jesus taught His disciples and trained them for 3 years. Go to school. Take the corrections in stride and not with pride. Don't be so focused on money but back to Christ, the cross and forgiveness of sins.

 

[Quasicentennial]

Even the school system itself cannot fully expect success from every student, only because our earth-born mind limitations must be replaced with genius-intelligent minds of Christ from Jesus Christ himself, who will return in his victory-given Second Coming, where Satan realizes that his future defeat cannot be prevented:.
Only then will Jesus, having the supernatural power of Creation in his hands, transform us with genius-intelligent minds of Christ and youthful perfectly-shaped bodies:.
Mankind's science and technology, is the forerunner or ongoing evolution to God's ultimate science and technology on a supernatural level, where our present "time-locked" 21st century minds must be transformed in order to fully understand and use the futuristic wonders inside our future-coming kingdom of God:.
That's why our material possessions such as our modern homes, home appliances and modern car - are ancient museum pieces compared to the supernatural-made material possessions inside the kingdom of God .;'*';.
Rev 21:2

 

[FlameAlchemist]

Despite being a very successful pastor for over 20 years, with a big car, a big home and having planted churches in so many villages, I don 't feel that everything is right.

I regret that I never went to a bible school. Now when I teach others, I sometimes wish that I had training. I had attended a bible school, but dropped out because I was already a pastor at the time and I didn't like other teachers correcting me.

I also feel fake sometimes. I never admit my weaknesses to my congregation, but sometimes I feel that people may discover what I really am inside. I confess that I am often very arrogant and boastful and I don't like it when my congregation talks to me like I'm an equal. I also recognize that I'm too money-minded. I wish I knew what my congregation thought about me.

I realize that I need help. But where do I start?

Pst Screeny

1) "Big car, big house" they mean nothing.

2) "I regret never going to Bible school" then go to Bible school, if you think it will help you be a better pastor.

3) "I also feel fake sometimes" You aren't fake, I have no doubt in my mind that you are very sincere in your commitment, we all feel this way sometimes.

4) "I don't like it when my congregation talks to me like I'm an equal." Ah, but you are an equal. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." ~Galatians 3:28

If you are interested in doing a more relaxed version of Bible school, and sharing this with your congregation, I would highly recommend, doing a satellite program at your Church through Faith Bible Institute. You wouldn't have to go anywhere, you can share it with your congregation, and it's VERY informative. What if you could offer a Bible college for your own church members?

 

[parsley]

I have had pastors who completed degrees while they were working. Many churches allocate educational funds each year, so pastors can attend workshops or take a class. I know it is a terribly busy job, especially if you planted churches. And if a church is poor, it is better that you pay for education yourself.

On faking, the important thing is that you don't make others feel incapable while you're trying to look capable.

If you are in a group, and someone asks you a question you don't know, use that time to build others up. Ask if anyone in the group would like to answer the question. The point of your work is that they grow, so give them opportunities. (And what better times than when you need a relief pitcher!)

When you do this, you do not need to show weakness or fumble -- you just firmly pass the attention to someone else, and not feel guilty about it.

 

[Kyle Arn]

Dear brother and pastor in Christ. I want you to first realize that many people feel the same way you do. It is because the word of God is powerful and God is speaking to us allot. Even when he says nothing he is still teaching us. But see when God does not speak he is testing your faith. Most desire something that is tangible something we can touch. However this is the time that you must not keep silent. Many people stray of course from the path you are on today. It looks like you crave to do something crazy for Jesus. Well i will give you a challenge everywhere you go for the next 5 months do something for the cause of Christ. Pray for someone, Give them something. Pray for the sick and expect a healing. The only way you will survive is if you thrive. Look at what the disciples did in the book of acts. And learn from them. Challenge your church as well. Take all the personal money you have and give it to the poor. Yes this challenge may seem difficult but nothing worth doing is easy. Many men say i must provide for my family. God has promised he is the provider. Your job is to train your kids up in the way they should go. Do you want to make them world changers like you can be in the next 5 months. Don't have any kids. Your church will follow you. You are responsible for your city. Many blame God for the way the world is today. They say God why don't you do something. But God says i did i created you. Now go and change the world one person at a time.

 

[Mediaeval]

Book recommendation: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together.

 

[Pal Handy]

Despite being a very successful pastor for over 20 years, with a big car, a big home and having planted churches in so many villages, I don 't feel that everything is right.

I regret that I never went to a bible school. Now when I teach others, I sometimes wish that I had training. I had attended a bible school, but dropped out because I was already a pastor at the time and I didn't like other teachers correcting me.

I also feel fake sometimes. I never admit my weaknesses to my congregation, but sometimes I feel that people may discover what I really am inside. I confess that I am often very arrogant and boastful and I don't like it when my congregation talks to me like I'm an equal. I also recognize that I'm too money-minded. I wish I knew what my congregation thought about me.

I realize that I need help. But where do I start?

Pst Screeny

Sounds like to me you are an honest man who is just looking closely at yourself in the hope
that you may improve so that you will not fail those God has entrusted into your care.

Ask Christ to come and make up the lack in your life and to inspire, empower and guide you so that
you can be a blessing to His people and God will make up any lack or short comings you may have.

Christ is our source, not ourselves.

Lean heavily upon the Lord and he will give you what you need
to do His will and to bless His people.

“When a man is getting better he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him" C.S. Lewis

 

[tturt]

Someone posted about selling everything. You know that there's hundreds of Scripture about money including save for your children children's inheritance (Prov).

What does your congregation think? Can only tell you that I think more of a pastor who admits their weaknesses than one that doesn't.

Also, in regards to feeling empty that's a different issue than not achieving educational goals, etc. Know sometimes that ministers spend so much time preparing for sermons, counseling, administering, etc. that time needs to be set aside to minister to Yahweh. We need to set aside time to deliberately focus on Yahweh
- thanksgiving, praising Him,
- play some music that's about Him,
- think about some of His titles, names, and attributes and
- sing a song to an audience of One (can change a song's lyrics or make up the lyrics), etc. yet listening.

There's joy in His presence Psa 16:11 also I Thess 5:17; John 4:24; Psa 46:10, 69:30; 71:23; and 100:4.

 

[paul1149]

I would start in two places - the parable of the sower and James 4. The externals are unimportant. What matters is the condition of the heart.

 

[Albion]

Despite being a very successful pastor for over 20 years, with a big car, a big home and having planted churches in so many villages, I don 't feel that everything is right.

I regret that I never went to a bible school. Now when I teach others, I sometimes wish that I had training. I had attended a bible school, but dropped out because I was already a pastor at the time and I didn't like other teachers correcting me.

I also feel fake sometimes. I never admit my weaknesses to my congregation, but sometimes I feel that people may discover what I really am inside. I confess that I am often very arrogant and boastful and I don't like it when my congregation talks to me like I'm an equal. I also recognize that I'm too money-minded. I wish I knew what my congregation thought about me.

I realize that I need help. But where do I start?

Pst Screeny

It shouldn't be too hard to quash the feeling that you are superior to your congregants and therefore bristle when they approach you as....well, approachable.

I have observed that many of the most respected clergy are the ones who impress by their work (and you say that you've been very successful in that regard) BUT do not act like they expect too many formalities as a result. I do know clergy who resent it when they are called "Tom" by their congregants, but I almost never see any signs that those people do it out of disrespect. On the contrary, it's because of affection.

 

[jsimms615]

Sounds like deep down you have self-esteem issues and need counseling to me.

 

[susyan]

"I still feel empty"

only your relationship with Jesus can fill that void.

Jesus said His bread is to do the will of the Father who sent Him.

I suggest u be honest to Jesus about everything u shared here and ask Him to satisfy you. Maybe His calling for u is different than what u r doing now? or ask Him if there is anything hindering your relationship with Him which is causing u discontent.

 

[znr]

They probably think you're a big phony, but they're holding on, hoping that God is going to bless their tithes. Of course at some point they'll catch on and just leave. Then you'll figure out what they thought of you.

 

[Follower3]

I would start by trying to scrap the arrogance, and try to humble your self, if you are a pastor I shouldn't have to tell you why. A good pastor doesn't need bible school, but if it something you feel you want than why not go for it?
Be honest with your self, and your congregation.

 

[ForJesusChrist]

being a very successful, with a big car, a big home and having planted churches in so many villages, I don 't feel that everything is right.

In my opinion, I think you are too caught up in your riches, and you only need to worry about your soul and place in God's heart.

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

Despite being a very successful pastor for over 20 years, with a big car, a big home and having planted churches in so many villages, I don 't feel that everything is right.

I regret that I never went to a bible school. Now when I teach others, I sometimes wish that I had training. I had attended a bible school, but dropped out because I was already a pastor at the time and I didn't like other teachers correcting me.

I also feel fake sometimes. I never admit my weaknesses to my congregation, but sometimes I feel that people may discover what I really am inside. I confess that I am often very arrogant and boastful and I don't like it when my congregation talks to me like I'm an equal. I also recognize that I'm too money-minded. I wish I knew what my congregation thought about me.

I realize that I need help. But where do I start?

Pst Screeny

shift your focus from yourself to God, without focusing on Him you're nothing but an empty tomb, no matter how good you look on the outside

Mat 7:20-23
(20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.