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Have any of you of mainline churches ever felt dominated or snubbed by Baptists or evangelicals in your local youth ministry networks?
Before you start throwing things at me, I'm not trying to slam evangelicals. I grew up and was ordained in the Baptist church. Now I'm serving in a Methodist church and while our beliefs on the major stuff is pretty much the same, the approach to a lot of things is different. At our local youth worker network meetings I have been frustrated because I feel like my voice isn't heard or that my approach to ministry is too different from my colleagues. I'm not asking you to fix it. I'm asking if any of you have faced a similar situation? I believe strongly in unity. I just think that an interdenominational organization should act that way. Please advise.
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- jasonbh...
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- 1 year ago
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Just wanna say that even at my church, between our sister churches there are differences in several areas. Just to name a few - style of worship, the way in which the youth program is being directed (or if there even is a leader/YP to direct), and/or the doctrinal health of each church. I think it would be (or is) even tougher to find unity when we try to unify different denominations, which would require different churches to conceed different doctrinal issues which would clash with one another. That being said, I agree that the best you can do is communicate your feelings and outlooks, and try your best to serve with humility. And like some have expressed already, focus on the purpose which is to reflect and preach Christ. |
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Who is the leader of this group? perhaps sitting down with this group leader (defacto or political) and sharing him with your feelings. Sometimes it takes time for the new guy on the block to have his ideas heard. It sounds like you are also having philisophical differences as well. Not sure how to fix that, but look also for what you can take. I know I'm only getting one side of the story, but perhaps getting feedback from the group on how they percieve you would help. Are you new to the area? Sometimes churches have this been there done that mentality, or approach things differently because they work better doign certain things differently in that community... |
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I have shared your experience & it nearly had me giving up hope on the church. Then one day I heard a message titled, "It's okay to give up on the church when Jesus gives up on the church!" This convicted me & my heart began to change. I've always felt strongly about unity within the church. I would encourage you to share the story of Nehemiah. It's a story about unity and love where the people were drawn to the heart of God. I believe this story demonstrates a Kingdom principle: We are called to unity. Jesus prayed, "Father may they be one as you & I are one, so the world will believe in their message." If we're not one, the world will not know. Take heart my friend. You're not alone. |
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Sorry that you have had some bad experiences with Baptist/SBC/other denoms. A network should be about praying for each other, loving on each other's ministry more than anything else. In 17 years of ministry I have seen that it is mostly personalities and lack of communication rather than denominational lines that cause trouble. I network all over the place and that is not the place to "pimp" your events, it should be a place of solace for guys on the ground. Share your thoughts and communicate with the group, no one has a perfect plan, be humble and focus on Christ and students. Making fun or causing conflict is easy, making peace and unity is paramount. Link Details: 1 year ago
Yeah, the thing is, I don't even think they realize they are doing it. The only way they know how to approach ministry is their way, so trying to do things my way or our way is like talking in a new language. These are good guys with great hearts...they just are very limited in their perspectives. |
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I cant stand southern baptists, and I work at a southern baptist church. I grew up non-denominational and some of this crap annoys me to no end. I would say any youth pastor not willing to listen to a different approach to youth ministry is probably struggling wondering why kids wont come to his "free pizza night" so he can share the gospel with them after. I too am non-denominational and while I agree that "denominational differences" can sometimes cause friction, I completely disagree with classifying all "Southern Baptist Churches" (or any other denomination) together in likeness. |
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I grew up Southern Baptist and still consider myself a part of the denomination. But I definitely have more faith in the generation of the leadership in the SBC to come than I do the current leadership. If you follow the SBC at all, you know a lot of what they're trying to do within their organization is good and Biblical, but it's a slow process to weed out all the legalistic morons that have been working at SBC churches for the past 20 years. There I said it. Be a part of the process of change. Arkansas has a great Southern Baptist Convention, not perfect by any means. As youth pastors there has been a grass roots effort to be a part of the solution, not the problem. No attendance or not speaking your mind takes away your voice. I have criticisms a mile long, but I chose to be a part of the solution. Slowly we are changing the stereotype of our faith, be know for what we are for, not for what we are against. Keep it up Terry, the future is bright. Yeah, I went to Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Ft. Worth, but it was the only school at that time within 200 miles that had a degree for Christian Education. Now, I wouldn't go back. I'm glad some things seem to be changing for the better. |
