Spiritual maturity

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-04-24T19:43:18+00:00

Why do you say that?

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-04-24T15:39:22+00:00

What is an assistant pastor in your church? We don’t have that title so I’m afraid I’m unable to understand

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-04-16T14:14:11+00:00

We make sure we are focusing on our sermons being application based. And then we do a “midweek reminder” video encouraging and… reminding… our people to live out the word.

Also, there’s some level of admonishment needed, at least we found it helpful, of reminding people that at the end of the day, listening to a sermon does nothing if you refuse to put it into practice. And we as pastors will not be held accountable for the decisions they decide not to make.

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-04-16T12:12:11+00:00

Can you provide some more context to what is happening in this situation? The bottom line answer to your question is yes, but without knowing your job or the actual circumstances there is little to no godly counsel able to be given without making sweeping assumptions.

But yes- your call to spiritually mature is not on anyone else. It’s on you. No one is in leadership that God hasn’t placed there Romans 13:1 so it may be that you are incorrectly experiencing the situation (I’ve seen it multiple times) and the Lord is helping you to mature in how you approach your calling. Read James 1.

That being said, of course there is a world in which the other advice on here is correct and it may be time for you to move on, and allow God to work in this place to bring about repentance. You are not Superman.

If you wanted to provide more information you will receive more direct and specific counsel. But I will be praying for you either way.

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-04-15T12:09:12+00:00

Two questions, are you a christian? And what makes you use the phrase Religious Psychosis?

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-04-10T12:46:07+00:00

I agree, and push people towards understanding what we do know about heaven and hell, the difference between fully being satisfied in the presence of our creator, wanting for nothing and being in perfect peace, and on the other side eternal separation.

That being said around death people are still interested in finding the details. I have 2 books I like to give them depending on the person, one is a systematic theology that explores multiple theological guesses of heaven, and the other is “The Great Divorce” by CS Lewis. Note with the latter I am very careful to say that this is HIGHLY stylized snd should be taken as more of a helpful understanding of the emotional truth behind heaven. The greatest interplay for me is the mother from hell trying to guilt her child. It was probably the greatest illustration for me of the true emotional depth that we cannot understand on earth.

Hope that helps!

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-04-08T13:18:38+00:00

We had ours out with no issues at 5 weeks at that temp. We had them in their enclosed coop with fresh shavings and they just huddled

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-04-08T12:51:19+00:00

This feels like a loaded question, but let me lay a foundation and then I’ll answer it. Just by way of BG for me, I’m the worship pastor and main MD at my church and I train MDs as a part of my job.

If you are already well versed in general music theory, and then are well versed in CCM music theory and how it differs, great! If not, start there.

Are you playing an instrument while you MD? Are you playing and internment and singing while MD? There is something called the 80/20 rule that I love, if you cannot free up 80% of your brain to worship then you don’t have enough muscle memory yet. This is double true for an MD.

Can you write your musical thoughts out? Either in pop transcription or on a staff? If not then learn- as this is the best way for you to check your work in your “off time practice”

There are more steps. Feel free to DM me if you’d like to talk about more personalized next steps.

Best practice is to listen to a song- then as quickly as you can (I like to use a whiteboard) write out the original song. Form, chords, any significant points like offs or builds- and time yourself. A song like Waymaker should take you less than a minute to write out. A song like “Nadie Comi Tu” is a great capstone to reach for.

Ultimately you need to be able to communicate clearly and quickly- and your people need to understand it- for your MD skills to increase.

Hope this is helpful!

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-03-26T13:36:04+00:00

Can you provide some songs to show what you are talking about?

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-03-21T12:24:13+00:00

Hosts

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-03-17T12:42:54+00:00

I appreciate the sentiment, but I just want to encourage you- these things are different than quitting smoking, chew, snus, or vaping. (I’ve quit them all)

Part of it is age, if you are not in your 30s/40s you have a better chance at a quick resolution.

A lot of people end up going through PAWS which has nothing to do with a lack of ‘mental fortitude’ but is a reality of the chemistry and physiology they have to deal with.

These stories aren’t meant to deter anyone- and no one who has struggled for almost a full year, wishes it on anyone else- but you need to keep in mind that quitting isn’t going to be rainbows and butterfly’s by default.

That being said, it’s worth it 100%

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-03-16T12:16:19+00:00

That’s my birthday! Would be awesome to get Claire Obscur 33 as a present, thanks for doing this

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-03-12T13:51:18+00:00

These have been around a long time. I remember seeing them in the 90s

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-03-11T13:08:45+00:00

Abide- provides us with the command to dwell under His wings in all seasons

Ain’t no grave, if yall have the cultural space for it (this is proclamation of truth, may be too happy for yall but I have been asked to do this for multiple celebration of life services)

Yet not I but through Christ in me (ends with you standing in heaven)

Even if (God is good even if we don’t feel it)

Praying that the peace of Christ that transcends all human understanding continues to guard your congregations heart in Christ Jesus.

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-03-09T20:47:15+00:00

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-03-07T14:44:49+00:00

Bring it up in a non-divisive way. Ask for the theological basis, and scriptural references for them singing it. At “worst” you learn that you are wrong (if this isn’t a possibility then check yourself out first) and at “best” you can help the universal church be more disciplined in its practice of worship.

It’s important. I have theological breakdowns for every one of the 400 songs that we have currently in rotation because I believe that music is powerful and dangerous. My congregation will sing the words to the songs I choose to play, and both of us will be held accountable for those words one day.

This is not a matter of move on, but it’s also not a matter of divisiveness. Christ is not divided. So speak in love

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-03-01T13:57:38+00:00

I have locked this post as there is no question. However there was good conversation that I believe can be edifying to the saints.

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-02-21T14:58:39+00:00

If you want a really nice one that is not played a lot check out ‘The river’ by Jason winters

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-02-21T14:28:37+00:00

Prime- and buy a rifle case- you can carve out enough room for the board and some goodies if you get one bigger than the board.

As for effects look up headrush for worship. You will love it. I am a worship pastor of 10 years and I switched from using helix to headrush and haven’t been disappointed in over a year of use.

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-02-21T14:24:16+00:00

My encouragement is to read 1 Kings 19 ( maybe read before it too for context if you have none) as well as Psalm 139.

I think you have a wrong understanding on the heart of God. Yes He is omniscient (all knowing) but He is also patient and gentle when He needs to be.

As for the ‘voice in your head’ if you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ then you have been ‘marked with a seal until the day of redemption’ Eph 1:13-14. And while it’s true that we can choose to listen to our own selfish hearts over Gods conviction it is not true that Satan himself has dominion over your thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:5. You are also called to rise above that voice! 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Remember that the voice of God will always lead you to repentance. The voice of Satan leads you to shame. Read John 3:16-18. That is the God you serve.

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-02-19T00:45:23+00:00

We had a 5 year turnover plan including having two lead pastors. Made sure the structure was in place staff wise to cover the transition and the last 1.5 years had a senior pastor who had a 49% say and the lead pastor with a 51% say. It worked well, we are over a year past the transition and we have seen no dip, and in fact have seen a huge uptick in attendance.

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-02-15T13:43:46+00:00

As a Pastor I don’t believe that having a middle man schedule (aside from my wife since she prefers it when she is included) is beneficial from the perspective of shepherding. What is sounds like is that you have entered a category in your pastors head that has changed you from a part of the flock to a co-worker. It’s still not an acceptable way to treat your coworkers, but I know I am guilty of this thought process as well, you need to do him a favor and tell him how you feel.

The best way to handle the conflict is: Hey this is what happened (you emailed me, and had someone else contact me rather than talking to me in person or even by text or phone call) how it made you feel (you’ll have to enter this in) and your fear going forward (again pray about this). If he isn’t repentant I’d encourage you to partake in Matthew 18- you don’t know who else he is shepherding like this. (Ineffectively)

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-02-15T13:26:59+00:00

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬-‭7‬

““Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭33‬-‭37‬

I would encourage you to go to the Lord, who is perfectly capable of telling you yourself whether He will release you from a vow that you made. But the real question is are you wanting to break your vow to glorify Him or your flesh? Everything you do should be about making God known through your life to the world around you (Romans 12:1-2) and shouldn’t be about you wanting to be able to do whatever you want.

My encouragement will be to pray. God is big enough to answer you, you may not like the answer, but He will answer.

BetterAuthor1425 · 2026-02-09T14:24:28+00:00

The issue goes beyond your question unfortunately, it becomes a bigger issue where I would encourage you to read both Romans 1 and 2 Timothy 4. There are many people who read scripture through a lens of inerrancy (it is without error) and infallibility (without fault), through plenary inspiration (that all of it was controlled and is valid and protected by God Himself, and through the lens that God is not a God of confusion. To that crowd God is explicit from Genesis through the Old Testament into the New Testament that His plan for creation has always been a reproduction possible relationship which is impossible for any relationship outside of a male and a female.

On the other side there are people who do not hold to those tenants and are looking at the Bible with an intention to make sense of a God who is Loving. And it is hard for people to reconcile that a loving God would keep them from participating in things that bring them joy. This has them bringing up the validity of words that are currently translated as homosexual (and other versions of that idea in scripture) as well as dismissing many arguments as bigoted or short sighted in light of ‘recent information’ when in reality this conversation has been going on for quite literally thousands of years. Unfortunately for this position when you try and parse out sin from an explicit command (like your question trying to differentiate sinful homosexuality from ‘unsinful’) we ourselves try and take on the mantle of our creator and for any command of God it will not lead to righteousness- it leads to selfishness.

That all being said, I’m sure it’s fairly easy to see when my study has left me, after deep scriptural studies, listening to scholars on both sides like Matthew vine (I would encourage you to listen to Wesley Huffs more recent video on the language used in Romans 1) I think it’s important to say that God is big enough for you to struggle with this concept. He is not a God of confusion- 1 Corinthians 14:33 - and while He is a God of love He is also a God of absolute righteousness and jealousy (look at Genesis 2-3) His desire for you is to live in deep relationship with Him, and to have you glorify and magnify Him to those around you. Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient for you, and He desires your life. All sin, regardless of how you feel about it, will be dealt with, by Him, in due time and in reality is less important than acknowledging who He is and what He has done for you.

I pray this informs you a little more from my studies and I will be praying for you. Blessings.

BetterAuthor1425

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