Ouch!
Ok, I am going public. I have never claimed to be a scholar. All I have ever claimed is that I love Jesus and I love people. I am just a music guy God called to preach. I am fully award of my lack of understanding and abilities. Every week when I stand to deliver God’s word I do so with great fear and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Moving to Tallahassee I have been exposed to the “go deeper” crowd. I have caught criticism for being “fluffy”, shallow, and ignorant. This criticism has wounded me. The sad part is that I have allowed it to do so. The saddest part is that it has come from people who don’t know me nor love me. The ones who have made comments are fellow pastors and this is troublesome. Their harsh words have influenced some believers to avoid me and what God is saying through me.
On Friday I was talking to my sweet daughter, Calah, about this and she just gave me some great insight. I have asked her to be a guest blogger on this topic. I look forward to what she says and what you think.
I have made a vow to not to react nor lash out. These people who are being harsh to me are my brothers and I will be a brother to them. I know God is teaching me through this process. I realize that I am just a music guy God called to preach. God shows off best in weak people. Unity in the body reveals the power of God. I always need correction but I don’t really need or enjoy criticism. Ok, I feel better!
Moving to Tallahassee I have been exposed to the “go deeper” crowd. I have caught criticism for being “fluffy”, shallow, and ignorant. This criticism has wounded me. The sad part is that I have allowed it to do so. The saddest part is that it has come from people who don’t know me nor love me. The ones who have made comments are fellow pastors and this is troublesome. Their harsh words have influenced some believers to avoid me and what God is saying through me.
On Friday I was talking to my sweet daughter, Calah, about this and she just gave me some great insight. I have asked her to be a guest blogger on this topic. I look forward to what she says and what you think.
I have made a vow to not to react nor lash out. These people who are being harsh to me are my brothers and I will be a brother to them. I know God is teaching me through this process. I realize that I am just a music guy God called to preach. God shows off best in weak people. Unity in the body reveals the power of God. I always need correction but I don’t really need or enjoy criticism. Ok, I feel better!
Labels: self leadership
posted by Scott Weatherford at
11:56 AM
4 Comments:
Hey Scooter! Sorry to hear about your pain. I just don't get people sometimes. Without a doubt the single most important decision a person can make one's life is to accept Christ as their savior. Beyond that discipleship is important but also seems to feed into our competitive nature of who can go deepest. Wow! I just don't think that's what Jesus had in mind as he roamed and rambled the fields and shores.
I knew I couldn't handle the kind of stuff your dealing with and that's why I think God led me into dealing with people at the finest housing projects and mobile home parks in North Florida (where I do a good bit of my in-home counseling from referrals from DCF).
I feel you brother.
Pablo of the Nachos
By
paul, At
June 19, 2008 9:48 AM
Scott,
Even if you only ever saved one sinner from the fire of Hell, isn't all the criticism worth it?
Never forget that there are many flavors of ice cream and everyone has a different favorite. They are all basically milk and sugar.
How deep can you go into Love God and Love your neighbor. Perhaps to what is the definition of Love?
The gospel as you know is about Christ, his suffering, death, ressurection, ascension and future return. Again, "simple" stuff. What should we go deep into?
In business they teach you to K-I-S-S. Depending on your school of thought either, keep it stupid simple or keep it simple, stupid.
The bible is a book of stories. These stories about history teach us about God and life, but the commission was to go and make believers of all people. Not to go deeper and deeper.
God is the authority, the Holy Spirit is our guide, each believer is a priest/priestess.
I pray you are encouraged by my words to stand a little taller and preach a bit more fervently.
I don't know all of the specifics about your struggle, but I do know we are brought into one another's lives for a reason. Perhaps you do need to go deeper in some area. But the opposite may also be true, those other pillars of faith may need to lighten up and put more faith in the power of the Holy Spirit and less brain power into a deep theological or biblical disection or scripture.
My biggest problem is men translated these writings, and men decided what would go into the Bible, how can we trust those men, all who fall short of the glory of God, are perfect?
I don't know. Just be careful of that 'go deeper' comment. I could be looking at this out of context but I just can't recall anywhere in the Word of God a direct command to "go deeper".
Much love, Dana J.
By
danamj79, At
June 19, 2008 7:17 PM
DEAR PASTOR SCOTT WEATHERFORD:
Satan's voice comes from unexpected places and out of unanticipated mouthes... You have many strong years of "standing tall in the saddle" for Christ. These critical voices have lost their blessing because they could have been edifying you to new heights of ministry and courage. Your track record SPEAKS FOR ITSELF to both God and man. You KNOW I love you and pray fervently for your ministry... bot now and in the future.
Your Loving Brother in
Christ... HULAN HOWELL
By
hulanh, At
June 20, 2008 10:01 PM
Saturday Morning Greetings to Pastor Scott: By way of more tangible encouragement to you, I want you to know that we (Parkway Deacon Screening Team) have just certified 11 really fine men of Godly character to be ordained by our church this coming Sunday afternoon @ 4PM. I've got to tell you that several who shared their personal testimonies of both Salvation/baptism/ and relationship growth in Christ testified how YOU were the catalyst element that made it all come together for them in their beginning walks with Jesus. I thought you should know that these "1st fruits of the Spirit" are now taking a huge step of service to the next level as leading, working, praying ordained deacons of Parkway. THANK YOU SCOTT WEATHERFORD for these seeds that you have sown that are even now bearing abundant new fruit for our Lord. Parkway has bounded back from a really tough era in Her history to a whole new arena of unity, service, and commitment... thanks largely to the "new fruit" that(coming from spiritul seeds that you sowed) is now bearing when it is most needed. Even our new Senior Pastor, Bro. Mike Hurt, who is now powerfully and skillfully leading our church in love and UNITY, can be attributed to your early leadership in his life when he first entered the "youth pastor ministry" under your wing of protection.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY and may great comfort and JOY be shared in your heart, Pastor Scott, for your steadfast commitment and spiritual vision.
Your Brother in Christ,
HULAN HOWELL
By
hulanh, At
June 21, 2008 9:11 AM
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