Pushy?

[jackie d]

I was approached Sunday by one of our church ladies. She asked me to be involved in a specific ministry. Really, I was thinking that I did not want to be involved and especially when being put on the spot about it. Could I have said no? (this isn't really a question). I find that rude and pushy. If a person wants to be involved in something, they will be involved. She said that she just wanted me to get involved. It kind of makes me mad. I guess it's just pride on my part.

I think it's partly because I got burned at my last church. I did get involved in a lot of things (because I wanted to, not expecting anything in return). Yet, when I had a problem after 9 years of being faithful I felt that my feelings were very much discounted. Should I take this out on the new church? I suppose not, but I am just not much into being pushed around right now.

Then they ask me why I wasn't at some ladies meeting and I told them why and they dismissed my reasons and feelings about it. I don't need someone else telling me how to think or feel or act.

What are your opinions about it all?

Greetings,

For as many as are led by the Spirit of Elohim, they are the sons of Elohim.

Led, that is the operative word, not pushed and certainly not driven, led.

Slaves are pushed or driven and because they know no difference they in turn push others.

Have you ever marvelled at those who lead in the buildings they call church, why it seems they are out of their depth?

Blind leaders of the blind, crossing sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him two fold more the child of hell than yourselves. Strong words?

To strong? Words of warning, its well worth doing a study on proselytes, with reference to how they reacted to the sound of the evangel in the early Eclessia, they hated it because they had relied on their works and the law.

If your being led of the Lord follow, if it

[speckles]

Kabowd pretty much said it all. No I don't like being approached, esp when I'm already doing stuff, but if the Lord has laid it on the hearts of these older women to get everyone n the body involved...it's just as valid as "waiting for the lord to direct me" on the topic. This could be the Lord directing you. I'm sure you heard the story about the flood and the guy on the roof waiting for God to save him, right?

[Annette443pink]

20% of the Church does 80% of the work.

When faced with those numbers, I help where ever I'm asked. I also work in the nursery on a weekly basis.

Oh yes. I'm well aware of those numbers! I've been in church since '97 afterall. I've also seen people pushed into stuff and often they end up quitting anyway. They weren't cut out for it or weren't spiritually strong enough at the time or whatever. Sometimes the task turns into a burden instead of what it should be.

I remember I was very inspired by one lady in church because I saw her involved in everything.

[Annette443pink]

It's not easy for everyone to go up to someone at church and say "I want to serve, where do you want me".

It's good to ask so people like me feel needed.

The word of church needs can be put out without approaching one person alone. For instance: announced from the pulpit or call for a short meeting right after church or announced from the Sunday school class or a sign up sheet.

I guess it depends on the person that you are thinking of asking. I, personally, don't like to be put on the spot.

[Annette443pink]

I was approached Sunday by one of our church ladies. She asked me to be involved in a specific ministry. Really, I was thinking that I did not want to be involved and especially when being put on the spot about it. Could I have said no? (this isn't really a question). I find that rude and pushy. If a person wants to be involved in something, they will be involved. She said that she just wanted me to get involved. It kind of makes me mad. I guess it's just pride on my part.

I think it's partly because I got burned at my last church. I did get involved in a lot of things (because I wanted to, not expecting anything in return). Yet, when I had a problem after 9 years of being faithful I felt that my feelings were very much discounted. Should I take this out on the new church? I suppose not, but I am just not much into being pushed around right now.

Then they ask me why I wasn't at some ladies meeting and I told them why and they dismissed my reasons and feelings about it. I don't need someone else telling me how to think or feel or act.

What are your opinions about it all?

Well, Annette,first off, welcome to Worthy...hadn't seen you before...

Ok, here's my take: if a church asks you to get involved and you don't feel the call of God, don't. Trust me, you would be miserable. If they get upset with you, remember that there is a ministry of helps mentioned (1Cor 12:28) and yes it's a good idea if you get involved with your church, but only if the Lord leads you to. Like for example, I'm in Bible school. They have most of us on a rotation in the ministry of helps, so that we can learn each area. Some are greeters, some ushers, some help with the TV ministry (like me), still others work in the nursery. Some of us are called to those areas and have an anointing on their lives to fulfill them.

The people in your church that ask you to help in an area that needs help need to pray to the Lord to fill those posts with anointed people. Sometimes it takes a special anointing to be able to do some of those jobs, like cleaning a toilet. Now THAT takes anointing!!!! Or changing a diaper. Who knows, you could be changing the diaper of the next Billy Graham. No one knows.

If they are upset about your not attending the ladies meeting, sounds to me like you should find another church that won't be upset about your not being there. This is just my thinking here.

We have learned that the ministry of helps is a supernatural ministry and it takes anointed people to fill those posts. Read over Acts 6:1-7 and you will understand what the qualifications of a person who is anointed in the ministry of helps really are....

Anyway, that's my five cents...Inflation, ya know....

Anita & Chikachu

I appreciate the scriptures. I did look them up.

[Annette443pink]

We're all called to serve. While I would agree, no one should be manipulated or "pushed" into anything...at the same time, a healthy body of believers should not have to manipulate or push people into serving. I'd say this could be a little pride along with some bitterness on your part, because you've been wounded in the past (which is understandable). But, it might be time for you to re-evaluate what church is about. Do you think it's there to meet your needs, fill you up, and/or just be a blessing to you? Or is it's purpose to be a place where you can exercise your gifts, where you can be equipped and where you can be a blessing to others? Ideally, it should be both, but too often people forget the latter part. Alot of churches now are filled with self-centered people who focus only on their own desires (i.e. what kind of worship style they like, how big of a church they want to attend, does it have enough programs for their kids, etc).

Personally, I think serving should be a requirement, not an option. I think if you're going to identify yourself with a body, you should invest in it and commit to it. I think your involvement should be based on your gifts and interests, but at the same time, I don't think only people with children should have to work with children. We need to remember that the Christian faith is all about sacrificial love, grace and giving. We should be emulating that.

Yea, I know what the church is there for. I've learned a lot about church in 9 years and have not forgotten. I think serving should be voluntarily. Not that it should be a requirement. Maybe it should be required to be serving before you join the church. I don't know. If a person is right with God, they will find a way to serve Him. You are right. Christian faith is about sacrificial love, grace and giving.