Comments on: Missionary Defined http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/missionary-defined Everything a missionary isn't supposed to say. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:35:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: C. Holland http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/missionary-defined/comment-page-1#comment-39 C. Holland Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:02:46 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=25#comment-39 @otiusanc: I have to agree with you. Consider a famous singer (or writer or actor or whatever); do we refrain from calling them a singer just because they haven't released an album in years or aren't currently touring? At what point would their definition as a singer be revoked? A good friend of mine knew he was called to be a preaching pastor at an early age. He served diligently in other ministry roles while he was preparing, so he wasn't called "pastor". However, when he started actually pastoring in a non-paying role, he was called the "fake pastor"; I suppose pay=real? Even when he was between church pastor positions, he still considered himself a pastor. But many, unfortunately, did not. @otiusanc: I have to agree with you. Consider a famous singer (or writer or actor or whatever); do we refrain from calling them a singer just because they haven’t released an album in years or aren’t currently touring? At what point would their definition as a singer be revoked?

A good friend of mine knew he was called to be a preaching pastor at an early age. He served diligently in other ministry roles while he was preparing, so he wasn’t called “pastor”. However, when he started actually pastoring in a non-paying role, he was called the “fake pastor”; I suppose pay=real? Even when he was between church pastor positions, he still considered himself a pastor. But many, unfortunately, did not.

]]> By: otiusanc http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/missionary-defined/comment-page-1#comment-38 otiusanc Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:45:58 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=25#comment-38 This is a perplexing question. I have found myself somewhat battling with my "home" church in precisely this area. I have been in a time of transition moving from what is considered full-time missions into study. My church no longer considers me a missionary because I do not fit their concept of one - in essence I am not out there "doing" missions, therefore I no longer am a missionary. This seems rather limited and short-sighted. I consider myself to be a missionary because that is precisely God's call on my life - to be a missionary Bible Teacher. I'm current'y pursuing studies so I am better equipped etc... does this mean I am no longer a missionary? I personally don't think so, but the church considers me not worthy of support any longer. It is a hurtful and isolating experience. http://otiumsanctum.com This is a perplexing question. I have found myself somewhat battling with my “home” church in precisely this area. I have been in a time of transition moving from what is considered full-time missions into study. My church no longer considers me a missionary because I do not fit their concept of one – in essence I am not out there “doing” missions, therefore I no longer am a missionary. This seems rather limited and short-sighted. I consider myself to be a missionary because that is precisely God’s call on my life – to be a missionary Bible Teacher. I’m current’y pursuing studies so I am better equipped etc… does this mean I am no longer a missionary? I personally don’t think so, but the church considers me not worthy of support any longer. It is a hurtful and isolating experience.
http://otiumsanctum.com

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