Perfect Pastor? (fwd)

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Forwarded over dozens of lists, thought I'd send it here for you enjoyment
too ;-)

Richard

****************************
The following fictitious chain letter contains some guidelines for churches
looking for a pastor:

   The perfect pastor preaches exactly fifteen minutes.  He condemns sin but
doesn't upset anybody.  He works from 8:00 a.m. until midnight and is also
the church janitor.
   The perfect pastor makes $50 a week, wears good clothes, drives a good
car, buys good books, and gives about $50 a week to the church.
   The perfect pastor is twenty-nine years old and has forty years of
experience.
   The perfect pastor has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends
most of his time with senior citizens.  He makes fifteen calls a day on
church families, shut-ins, and the hospitalized.  He spends all his time
evangelizing the unchurched and can always be reached in his office when
needed.
   If your pastor doesn't meet these expectations, simply send this
letter to
six other churches that are tired of their pastor too.  Then bundle up your
pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list.
   After three weeks you will receive 1,643 pastors.  One of these should be
able to meet the needs of your church.


We laugh at such ideas, but combining every church member's requests, that
list could well describe the standards a church unintentionally imposes on
its pastor.

If ever there were a perfect pastor, it must have been the apostle Paul.  He
certainly tried to be all things to all people.  But even Paul had to scold
the Corinthians for fighting among themselves about which preacher they
preferred.  He was obviously not everyone's favorite.

Paul gave the Corinthians some advice.  He reminded them that pastors need
love and support if they are to be effective leaders.  "We are not
withholding our affection from you," he said, "but you are withholding yours
>from us."  (2 Cor. 6:12).

If we think a pastor is so close to God that he doesn't need our
encouragement - and always offer in its place our "constructive" criticism -
then we're letting down our end of a God-ordained partnership.

Have you met your pastor's needs for friendship, financial help, and prayer?
 Or are you still waiting for Pastor Perfect?  If so, then this chain letter
is your only chance.  But there's a catch:  only perfect people are eligible
to participate.

Written by:
Vxxxx Hxxxxxx
Hxxxxxxx, AL