Comments on: What Do You REALLY Want? http://www.ecclesianet.org/what-do-you-really-want/2010/06 a missional church network Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:51:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Greg Evans http://www.ecclesianet.org/what-do-you-really-want/2010/06#comment-78 Greg Evans Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:14:19 +0000 http://www.ecclesianet.org/?p=771#comment-78 Bob~our ministry has been a financial struggle most of its history. We have just started the 25th year of our church plant in an area that is oppressed economically and spiritually. Yet God has so blessed my wife and I financially, and I believe it's because of the strength He has given us to persevere. I have always been a bi-vocational pastor (it has advantages and disadvantages) but God knew it was the only way we as His servants would be provided for. We are going into our 25th year with many financial short falls, and only about 15% of our people giving. At 48 years old I find myself in seminary, the very job God provided has me feeling trapped for at least 9 more years until I can retire, thus freeing us up financially anyway to explore new avenues of ministry. I've been questioning if this is the moment to step aside for younger leadership, but then again, we have a new group of younger Christians and seekers that need mature leadership. I guess I've told you all this not to hopefully discourage you but to let you know we have endured and God has provided into this new season of study and ministry. Our goal is to finish well. Even as we fight through frustration, discouragement,and burn out in a place where people's apathy is so overwhelming. You have a tremendous attitude that is sensitive to God, may this obedient and integrity check find you faithful to the task. Bob~our ministry has been a financial struggle most of its history. We have just started the 25th year of our church plant in an area that is oppressed economically and spiritually. Yet God has so blessed my wife and I financially, and I believe it’s because of the strength He has given us to persevere. I have always been a bi-vocational pastor (it has advantages and disadvantages) but God knew it was the only way we as His servants would be provided for. We are going into our 25th year with many financial short falls, and only about 15% of our people giving. At 48 years old I find myself in seminary, the very job God provided has me feeling trapped for at least 9 more years until I can retire, thus freeing us up financially anyway to explore new avenues of ministry. I’ve been questioning if this is the moment to step aside for younger leadership, but then again, we have a new group of younger Christians and seekers that need mature leadership. I guess I’ve told you all this not to hopefully discourage you but to let you know we have endured and God has provided into this new season of study and ministry. Our goal is to finish well. Even as we fight through frustration, discouragement,and burn out in a place where people’s apathy is so overwhelming. You have a tremendous attitude that is sensitive to God, may this obedient and integrity check find you faithful to the task.

]]> By: stanley foong http://www.ecclesianet.org/what-do-you-really-want/2010/06#comment-75 stanley foong Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:20:41 +0000 http://www.ecclesianet.org/?p=771#comment-75 You are a great servant of God and serving Him faithfully.It inspires me to do my part too, to bring more into God's kingdom whenever and wherever I can. May the joy of the Lord be your strength,peace and comfort. God bless you Bob, and Amy,Jack,Jane n Josie too, Stanley You are a great servant of God and serving Him faithfully.It inspires me to do my part too, to bring more into God’s kingdom whenever and wherever I can. May the joy of the Lord be your strength,peace and comfort.

God bless you Bob, and Amy,Jack,Jane n Josie too,
Stanley

]]> By: Ken Harbour http://www.ecclesianet.org/what-do-you-really-want/2010/06#comment-74 Ken Harbour Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:28:15 +0000 http://www.ecclesianet.org/?p=771#comment-74 Bob ~ I enjoyed reading of your experience and the insight you have. In 1980, I started tent-making to get to China ~ it was an out of the box thing. People thought I was nuts. 26 years later I exult in the path the King allowed me to walk. At 58, the Gospel of the Kingdom is probably the most important concept in my thinking ~ and each year I see Jesus more and more in new and challenging ways. Thank you for your honesty. Ken Harbour L.Ac. www.bluecraneacupuncture.com www.globalgifts.org Bob ~ I enjoyed reading of your experience and the insight you have. In 1980, I started tent-making to get to China ~ it was an out of the box thing. People thought I was nuts. 26 years later I exult in the path the King allowed me to walk. At 58, the Gospel of the Kingdom is probably the most important concept in my thinking ~ and each year I see Jesus more and more in new and challenging ways. Thank you for your honesty.

Ken Harbour L.Ac.
http://www.bluecraneacupuncture.com
http://www.globalgifts.org

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