tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post3219391119075046141..comments2023-10-11T03:54:58.698-06:00Comments on Randall Friesen: Pastorally speakingRandall Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112919973262687369noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-47484656172629213602007-11-19T02:37:07.000-07:002007-11-19T02:37:07.000-07:00Thank youRandall.I am glad that you are our/my pas...Thank you<br><br>Randall.<br><br>I am glad that you are our/my pastor.Janetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-38996780642504390682007-11-19T06:26:48.000-07:002007-11-19T06:26:48.000-07:00"Rich and compelling" - Ron BurgundyRand..."Rich and compelling" - Ron Burgundy<br><br>Randall, I also want to point out that 4/5 of your prophecy from Refresh has come to pass. If the Riders win next weekend I won't have to ignore your entire message. At least if the Bombers lose they'll have a good excuse and can save face, though I doubt they realize that the validity of a pastor's words is riding on their loss.Mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-8631849696014439952007-11-19T00:28:10.000-07:002007-11-19T00:28:10.000-07:00Thank you. You convey God's love to us by car...Thank you. <br><br>You convey God's love to us by caring so sensitively for all of us.Lineahttp://linealanoie.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-80288700453741760952007-11-19T02:54:36.000-07:002007-11-19T02:54:36.000-07:00Randall, I had a strange longing as I read your re...Randall, I had a strange longing as I read your remarks about your "flock" this morning. I longed for the day when our pastor was a part of our family life, knew what issues we were dealing with and cared to ask how things were going.<br> Our church has grown large, remote, weak and lonely, superficial even. I feel lost and alone even though I have attended for 28 years. I am dissapointed in our leadership who have let us down morally . Yet I stay because there is much invested and it is my family. Any advice? <br>Is this the price of fast growth or wrong emphasis? What do we do when our board makes comments that make us feel out of step with modern growth methodology?<br>Your congregation is so fortunate to have a pastor who is open and real. Have a day of blessing....Linda HildermanLinda Hildermannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-44298513318723422722007-11-19T03:08:32.000-07:002007-11-19T03:08:32.000-07:00Your job is vital and important but it is not like...Your job is vital and important but it is not like a project that you can complete and then staple and hand in as finished. It is unlike any other job and you are so needed and vital to those of us who call on you for spiritual guidance and some strength when ours is low. You do a great service sir and I thank you.Dorothynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-30460224753478251202007-11-19T04:28:13.000-07:002007-11-19T04:28:13.000-07:00Dorothy, I think you are on to something there, it...Dorothy, I think you are on to something there, it isn't like another job. I get into trouble when i start to compare my time commitment or financial renumeration with other "jobs."<br><br>That just leads me down roads I don't want to go down.<br><br>It is a work that I do, but when we try to measure it or classify it in ways that help us understand it better, sometimes we begin to expect too little, calling it a job or giving it time limitations of however many hours a week.<br><br><br>Linda;<br><br>I feel for you. It is REALLY hard when the group you've helped create and poured yourself into, changes. That's one reason I've let people here push against changes I've wanted to bring into place, trying to give them time to process the changes...<br><br>But, if a church is going to grow and sustain itself, you probably don't want a guy like me in charge. I'm the guy who is busy caring that all the people are still with us. I'm the guy who often won't move if all the people can't move along with us.<br><br>It's great for helping with personal growth, but lousy in the numbers growth area.<br><br>So we have sustainability concerns. I can probably care for X number of people during a year. You know, be aware of their needs, pray for them by name, give them a call, that kind of thing. I can care for more if they are healthy individuals, less if they are unhealthy individuals.<br><br>But the bottom line might be that we will only grow the size of the number of people I can give care for.<br><br>Some churches wish to grow larger and so they need pastors and leaders who are big picture, visionary types, who set up processes and programs for people to be cared for.<br><br>They are wise if they have Pastor/Shepherd types caring in the church for the people, but sometimes that gets forgotten.<br><br>Is it better to effect 10 people deeply or 50 people thinly? I don't suppose they are mutually exclusive, but rather go together, depending on the gifts of the leaders and the context of the church.<br><br>But I hear your heart. That's where I live too, smaller, able to care groups are what keeps me interested.<br><br>As for advice, can you connect with smaller groups of old friends and others who you can meet with regularly to worship and pray and care for one another? I guess I'm thinking that within the context of that church. On an evening, meet as a small part of that larger church? and that can become your main point of connection and relationship in that body?<br><br>God be with you and yours Linda, and he will. And may he give you your hearts desire.Randall Friesenhttp://randallfriesen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-29890698296586672882007-11-19T05:04:49.000-07:002007-11-19T05:04:49.000-07:00thanks Randall.thanks Randall.lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-51809493945783962612007-11-19T07:34:21.000-07:002007-11-19T07:34:21.000-07:00Matt, there's nothing like an Anchorman quote ...Matt, there's nothing like an Anchorman quote to brighten up a person's day, is there?<br><br>Time to musk up...Marchttp://theeagleandchild.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-8383493061317791172007-11-19T08:54:43.000-07:002007-11-19T08:54:43.000-07:00Sweet Lincoln's mullet that made me laugh.yeah...Sweet Lincoln's mullet that made me laugh.<br><br>yeah, that prophecy... if it comes to pass I'll have to listen to myself much more. Maybe set up a booth at the fair or something.<br><br>Kinda weird that it's playing out like it is. Against all the odds.<br><br>But yeah, if it comes to pass you should take what I said with deep consideration.<br><br>:)<br><br>Still in a glass case of emotion!Randallhttp://Randallfriesen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-49754791014073565902007-11-19T13:38:35.000-07:002007-11-19T13:38:35.000-07:00randall friesen you are an awesome dude, this post...randall friesen you are an awesome dude, this post was really good. i can't wait to be home in p.a. at christmas and hear you hear speak again. i'll also try and get those sermons from refresh burned for you asap.mark jensennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520413.post-35895171051883667672007-11-19T14:24:11.000-07:002007-11-19T14:24:11.000-07:00Mark, your cheque is in the mail.Mark, your cheque is in the mail.Randall Friesenhttp://randallfriesen.comnoreply@blogger.com