Am I wrong?

[Tim Bourland]

I've pastored for going on 25 years. Those assignments have run the scope of success & health. I've been in struggling places and places that experienced powerful growth and building programs.

Now I'm planting a church. Organic in nature - no core group or financial support from a sponsoring church. We are on our last year of financial support from our district. Things are going ok, but we're facing challenges just like any other congregation.

Here's where my question comes in - I see postings / news items about churches building multi-million dollar facilities and I'm thrilled for those churches. I'm also struggling with emotions - simply because these pastors (good personal friends of mine) know about my church plant and our current struggles...and have not responded to appeals for help, the most recent just a couple of months ago. I would imagine that lots of churches don't understand how just $100 a month would encourage a church plant congregation. In fact, I even asked for prayer partners in this last appeal...with no response.

I'm a little upset...a little discouraged...a little angry.

Question is: am I wrong?

[Mike Schutz]

No, you are not.

Tell me how we can prayer partner with you.

[Pete Vecchi]

I've pastored for going on 25 years. Those assignments have run the scope of success & health. I've been in struggling places and places that experienced powerful growth and building programs.

Now I'm planting a church. Organic in nature - no core group or financial support from a sponsoring church. We are on our last year of financial support from our district. Things are going ok, but we're facing challenges just like any other congregation.

Here's where my question comes in - I see postings / news items about churches building multi-million dollar facilities and I'm thrilled for those churches. I'm also struggling with emotions - simply because these pastors (good personal friends of mine) know about my church plant and our current struggles...and have not responded to appeals for help, the most recent just a couple of months ago. I would imagine that lots of churches don't understand how just $100 a month would encourage a church plant congregation. In fact, I even asked for prayer partners in this last appeal...with no response.

I'm a little upset...a little discouraged...a little angry.

Question is: am I wrong?

Only God knows if you are wrong. Many small church pastors probably think the same types of things at times. I know I've thought along those ways at times.

But each pastor is unique, as is each situation. I've personally talked to pastors of "larger" congregations about things such as church planting and small church sponsorships, and honestly, there is no one universal or "right" answer.

Some pastors just see helping a struggling congregation as helping that congregation to struggle a little longer. Some pastors don't see church planting as important as growing existing churches because their belief and experience has been that more gets done by a large church growing than gets done by a large church helping another church.

Bottom line is that I don't think there's one universally right answer. But I certainly understand your frustrations. May I suggest that being angry in and of itself is not necessarily wrong. But rather it's what we do with our anger, and why we are angry that can become wrong.

I have a feeling you're probably already doing this, but let me say it anyway: Tell God you're angry. Perhaps He'll be able to help you sort out your anger to see if it's partly self pity, if it's partly jealousy or envy, or if it is truly a righteous anger such as Jesus acted upon when clearing the Temple.

[Tim Bourland]

No, you are not.

Tell me how we can prayer partner with you.

OK...you asked for it!

* On-site ministry partners for my wife and I - we need another ministry couple to help us carry the load.
* Success for our missional community ministry
* Teen and children ministry help (both areas are experiencing good growth)
* Financial support
* We are blessed to be ministering to a few very "out" gay young people (my daughter happens to be one of them) and some of the congregation are grumbling. I need wisdom on how to "nip it in the bud."
* Protection for my family...and the specific need noted above.

Just to name a few...

Thanks for praying!!

[Mike Schutz]

Thanks, Tim. I'll be in touch.

[Susan Unger]

As God brings your ministry to mind, I will pray.

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

Tim, I will keep all this in my prayers too. Persevere and keep going on as you feel God is leading you.

[Jim Franklin]

Praying here, Tim for an outpouring of God's grace and guidance as you move forward.

[John Reilly]

Tim, you are courageous church planter. Praying for you. Seems like these are unique and difficult days for church planting. Perhaps another thread on the challenges of church planting today. WHat works and what does not work. Recently an Assembly of God church plant is using an old theater with theater seating and pop corn to attract a large number of young people to a contemporary service.

[Alisa Stoll]

Tim,
I attend a church who added an expensive addition - in order to pay our denominational assignments, our own ministries do not get funded. There simply isn't an additional $100 a month to give unless God specifically tells us to. My husband and I supply all the teen quiz materials and keep the kitchen stocked with paper products (we have a quiz lunch every Sunday). The children's quiz director made all her materials.

If you came and simply visited, you wouldn't be aware of this - so just wanted to give you a different perspective on why you might not be getting a response.

Alisa

[Benjamin Hobbs]

I've pastored for going on 25 years. Those assignments have run the scope of success & health. I've been in struggling places and places that experienced powerful growth and building programs.

Now I'm planting a church. Organic in nature - no core group or financial support from a sponsoring church. We are on our last year of financial support from our district. Things are going ok, but we're facing challenges just like any other congregation.

Here's where my question comes in - I see postings / news items about churches building multi-million dollar facilities and I'm thrilled for those churches. I'm also struggling with emotions - simply because these pastors (good personal friends of mine) know about my church plant and our current struggles...and have not responded to appeals for help, the most recent just a couple of months ago. I would imagine that lots of churches don't understand how just $100 a month would encourage a church plant congregation. In fact, I even asked for prayer partners in this last appeal...with no response.

I'm a little upset...a little discouraged...a little angry.

Question is: am I wrong?

As someone who has been a part of a similar church plant (we're now going on 9 years) I feel for you.

Don't be discouraged. We're still at the point where $100 a month is an enormous thing.

You've definitely got a prayer partner in me.