why do so many quit ?

[preacherchris]

As i travel i come across many who use to serve God and were greatly concerned about His will in their lives. Some to this day don't miss a service may even teach but are not preaching or whatever God called them to do. Not all people who quit are disqualified or as some would say never called. I will venture to say some got tired of defending God's call in their lives. I have been preaching over 30 years and have see many young preachers put down or destroyed for not fitting into a mold God never intented him to be in. Any thoughts on the matter.

[Jerry80871852]

I can see how truly conservatives pastors can get discouraged and quite the ministry. The church that ordained me has now gone with a liberal pastor, the whole make up of this church has forever been changed.

[George]

Preacher Chris, Jack Hykes wrote an excellent book titled "Jack Hyles Speaks on Biblical Separation." It explains a lot of what is happening today as far as conservatives. I prefer to call them fundamentalists.

The devil does everything he can to convince many, even Pastors, that it is okay to live like the world and still profess to be a Christian. I have a dear friend who professes to be a saved Christian who reads books that ought not be read, watches TV shows that ought not be watched, goes to movies (which ought not be done no matter,) Listens to music that ought not be listened to, and the list goes on and on.

If you recall the story of Lot, God was not looking for ten SAVED men in Sodom, He was looking for ten RIGHTEOUS men. There is a vast difference in the two.

When a person practices Biblical righteousness they are often labeled legalists. Of course we know that following the teachings of God has nothing to do with legalism. I know of preachers who say the do not know if hell actually has fire in it. I know of preachers who stay completely away from sermons that condemn the way people are living. It is quite a tragedy.

Ii sincerely believe the reason for the phenomenon you mentioned is that people have a tendency to want to do things that make them feel good while all the time professing a love for God. It all goes back to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

We have a Church here locally that used to be called Fundamental Baptist Church. They have changed the name to Coast HIlls Baptist Church because they did not want to be associated with the term fundamental. In witnessing to some Roman Catholic people some time back when I told them which Church I went to they asked, "Isn't that Church really strict?" I replied that if they meant by strict that we really tried our best to live the way God would have us live then yes, it is strict.

We have true freedom in and through Christ. These others who have backslidden or perhaps not even known that freedom claim that they are free to do as they choose. That is a load of hogwash! A person that uses alcohol is enslaved by that alcohol. A person who uses drugs is enslaved by those drugs. A person who listens to worldly music or even so-called CCM is enslaved by that music. The same goes for TV, magazines, movies and so forth.

The Apostle Paul wrote pretty accurately of it: "(Rom 6:16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" The freedoms these people you spoke of are not actually freedoms but enslavement. Their freedom is hampered greatly by what they choose to obey.

I believe most have forgotten the following: "(Heb 9:27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Ah, that great judgment in which we will have to give account for the things we have done in this life. There are many who claim to know Jesus but the primary questions is, does Jesus know them?

All of these factors taken into account I think the sin that is ruining our Churches and particularly our young people is the sin of not praying. Prayer will lead to answers. Did not God promise us that if we call on Him, He will answer us? First we need to be still at times and listen for the answers and then we need to be willing to follow the answers we are given.

(Mat 26:41) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

(Luk 21:36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

(1Th 5:17) Pray without ceasing.

Many people who have gotten away from righteousness and dabbled or even immersed themselves in the things of the world have forgotten one extremely important thing. "(Psa 66:18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" Not might not or possibly won't or anything like that, the Lord will NOT hear me if I regard iniquity in my heart.

(2Ch 7:14) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Enough out of me for now. this could go on and on but I am most likely preaching to the choir.

In Christ,
George

[Jerry80871852]

Amen George.

We have many Christens who know not the 1st thing that God expects of them, and they feel Christians liberty gives them the right to live life as they chose.

Ga 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

A quote I came across some time back: There can be no such thing as liberty where there is not rational reflections and choice.


Many of these people think its A OK to watch TV shows, movies, read books, that portrays and glorifies sins against God, listen to songs that portrays and glorifies sins against God, drink alcoholic beverages, attend any type of drinking establishment listen and enjoy all worldly entertainment in these drinking establishment that glorifies sins against God. These people do not want to set in a church pew each Sunday morning where a message comes from behind the pulpit that might convict them all the things they enjoy are sins against God. All they want is a feel good and prosperity message and a pat of the back telling them how good they are, If their pastor does not give them what they want he will be quickly dismissed and they will find one who will and or they will find a church that will feed them what they want.

[George]

"If their pastor does not give them what they want he will be quickly dismissed and they will find one who will and or they will find a church that will feed them what they want. "

Amen Brother, Amen!

In Christ,
George

[Mongol Servant]

preacherchris Wrote:As i travel i come across many who use to serve God and were greatly concerned about His will in their lives. Some to this day don't miss a service may even teach but are not preaching or whatever God called them to do. Not all people who quit are disqualified or as some would say never called. I will venture to say some got tired of defending God's call in their lives. I have been preaching over 30 years and have see many young preachers put down or destroyed for not fitting into a mold God never intented him to be in. Any thoughts on the matter.

I can't speculate on why some pastors or evangelists quit serving God, but have seen some of the results of their departure.

I am no expert, by any means, on missions, but can relate some of the reasons I have personally witnessed as to why missionaries either never make it to the field, or quit after a year or so, on the field. Some will be shocked at the fact, that over 55% of fundamental Baptist missionaries NEVER MAKE IT TO THE FIELD! Many of the fundamental Baptist churches in America have lost their zeal for foreign, unreached peoples of the world. The church treats a "missions emphasis" like it's a bus program or something, when scipturally it should be the very HEART of the church! A pastor doesn't have a "preaching program" or a "soul-winning program" or a "teaching program" - so, why are there "missions programs"? Missionaries are made to jump through so many little hoops, that many of them give up - their families can't endure all the "boot camp" routines they have to go through. I had a church that asked me what my wife wore to bed at night! Churches use these little "questionnares" supposedly to get to the bottom of a missionary's doctrinal beliefs, but in actuality they are used as justification for NOT getting a missionary to the field. Now, granted, some pastors have been burned by unscrupulous missionaries, but that should not be used as an excuse for every other guy that is obeying God's call to see people saved in a 3rd-4th-world country!

Then, if they make it to the field, they have to contend with some little "conviction of the month" letter from some of their supporters. Others have to battle cults, muslims, and God-haters of every sort. Their families have to sacrifice most of the "comforts of home" and yet are expected to act like they have a 7-11 down on the corner, and all the western conveniences in your neighborhood!

As Bro George stated, I'll get off my "soap box" now, before it looks as if I'm preaching to the choir. I could go on for several pages, but just wanted to drop a brief synopsis of things I've experienced. I know of many other guys that have left the field due to much of the items I've noted above along with various others, such as family problems, lack of finances, conflicts with other missionaries, etc. Most American pastors/churches have NO idea what it takes to get to the field or to stay there, but act like they have unlimited knowledge on every facet of missions simply because they took a 2-week "sight-seeing tour" or read a missions biography!!!

Finally, a missions focus, is dead in most American churches. Everything else, from the pastor building his little domain, to looking good among his peers at the monthly fellowship meeting, to getting his name and church listed in the Sword of the Lord, takes precedence over following The Lord's command to GO!

Preacherchris, in a nutshell - they are beat down by the very people that are supposed to be holding them up. They just can't take being blasted on every side. I thank The Lord everyday for His mercy on us and am glad He called and uses us for His glory; but I've cried many a tear over some of my brother missionaries that have had to endure some of the things they have. Some hang in there and get the job done, while others become casualties in a spiritual war where they have had guns pointed at them by friends and foes alike. It's a shame. We're losing over a thousand foreign missionaries per year, and they are not being replaced. I know of 12 other families that have left central Asia, just in the 7+ years that we've been here!

[preacherchris]

I started this post hope i would get some good post and also hoping to get some to open their eyes to the junk missionaries and preachers go through.

[Bro Nobody]

As a missionary I can personally relate to all these posts George and Mongol hit many good points. Satan is seeking and looks for any weakness inside or out. He will use your sin to weaken you or use others to discourage you, or a combination to stop you from giving God the glory due him. One of the lowest points in my life was when all had abandoned us, even our pastor and family members turned on us. I was ready to throw in the towel on years of ministry and even life itself. But God’s hand will stay the course if we submit to his will in it all. God is a master of taking the broken, rejected and foolishness of this world changing it to his Glory. But pride, embarrassment ect often keeps us from following Him through the deep. A righteous man will fall…but God lifts them up. You cannot be truly used of God till you have been broken by God and broken by men… For only then you’ll never look back and stay his course no matter the cost. Paul is a good example…

[George]

Bro Nobody Wrote:As a missionary I can personally relate to all these posts George and Mongol hit many good points. Satan is seeking and looks for any weakness inside or out. He will use your sin to weaken you or use others to discourage you, or a combination to stop you from giving God the glory due him. One of the lowest points in my life was when all had abandoned us, even our pastor and family members turned on us. I was ready to throw in the towel on years of ministry and even life itself. But God’s hand will stay the course if we submit to his will in it all. God is a master of taking the broken, rejected and foolishness of this world changing it to his Glory. But pride, embarrassment ect often keeps us from following Him through the deep. A righteous man will fall…but God lifts them up. You cannot be truly used of God till you have been broken by God and broken by men… For only then you’ll never look back and stay his course no matter the cost. Paul is a good example…

That is quite true Brother. It is quite interesting to me to see the difference in how both missionaries and pastors handle various situations. I personally know missionaries who have faced some really difficult situations and it has only served to strengthen their resolve and faith. I know of a young lady who, on her first deployment (if that is the correct word) to South Africa had her home broken into and everything she had was stolen and she was beaten up. I think a lessor person or possibly even the average person would have thrown in the towel and come home. She chose not to. I also know a missionary to South Africa who had his home invaded and ended up on the floor in the kitchen with a gun pointed to his head. When the assailant told him that he was going to count to three and if the missionary did not tell him where the money was he going to be shot. It got very quiet and then the missionary started counting for the man. The criminal was obviously convinced the man was crazy and took off with his accomplice. When asked about the situation the missionary related that the man was going to help him get to heaven earlier so he started counting.

Then there are the others. In the past few years our Church has had to discontinue support to three different missionaries and not for financial reasons. It was a situation in all three cases where the missionaries would not report, would not give account of what they were doing or where the money went. They were each given ample opportunity both through personal contact and through their missions board to respond yet they did not. Apparently something got in the way of their duties and they chose to not continue in the way they were going.

I know personally of Pastors who have been removed from their positions due to involvement with pornography, financial improprieties and other things including but not limited to adultery. Then I also know of Pastors who have faced incredible challenges in their personal lives and in the Church. Those have chosen to resort to prayer and supplication and have been brought through some pretty tough times.

Why a person in such a position chooses to succumb to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is beyond me. I have been through some tough times myself although I am neither a missionary of a Pastor. Each time the Lord has gotten me through them. at times it is really difficult to convey that fact to others and others accept it for what it is worth; an incredible amount to me anyway.

Perhaps those who have quit did not have the faith necessary in the first place and God is weeding them out. That I do not know but I believe the possibility exists. I do know that in my case personally when I take my eyes off the Lord, in other words my faith suffers greatly, I am much like Peter in the sense that I start sinking but each time I cry out to the Lord He does save me.

In Christ,
George

[Bro Nobody]

We got broke into and robbed during almost every church service for the first several months we were here...til I went on visitation with a 4 foot stick looking for the boys who were breaking in, to take them to the police... It subsided after that. Then we were borrowing a car that broke down every time we used it, not everyone sending support and having electric shut off, ect... Honestly though the trials on the mission field from the environment in which we place ourselves are pail to the depth of hurt that can be done ourselves or by church, family or those close to us even before we arrive or those holding the rope as we venture out. Just as a runner runs a race not all finish the course...

I know some pastors who manage to stick it out against all odds, even if there is only 2 people left in church and never change their message for the sake of a crowd. Never dip the colors of the flag or trample the grace of God underfoot. Who still tremble as they open the Bible to preach even after 50 years... To them is the crown given...Amen! Where are the preachers that tremble at Gods word? Those who are filled with fear as they preach, Not fear of man, but fear of dishonoring the very word of Life in whom they preach. That is what has gone by the wayside...
I for one am unworthy to open it pages save for the Blood of Christ and His will

[Bro Nobody]

Whenever Jesus said "oh ye of little faith" he is not talking about the size of ones faith but the duration. They believe in the presence of Jesus but the moment we "feel" he is not there, we wane in our faith and seek our will or strength to our own demise. The human frailty is that we are so limited in our vision, so limited in our mortality that we fail to keep our eyes on Christ no matter the storm. We believe a while then we don’t. Hear something else good and believe a while... then we don’t. Like a tire that leaks and must always be filled…sooner or later it blows if not fixed. As the Bible calls us leaky cisterns that hold no water…

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

So Brother George The servants of God start out in faith...but weary in the battle lose the vision
George said "Perhaps those who have quit did not have the faith necessary in the first place and God is weeding them out."
You weed out a soldier in boot camp not in the battle... there they are casualties of war. And this is where we fail much in the Fund camps. Instead of helping the fallen regardless of the injury… we shoot them.

[preacherchris]

God is good and right in what He does. Over the years I have come across many wounded soldiers that are sitting on the pews not because they were not call in the first place but because they were shot,kicked or whatever the case may be instead of someone having compassion making a difference. Many in the fundamental ranks are it seems afraid to show compassion to wounded soldiers. I bellieve many would still be in the ministry if someone had shown a little compassion in time of need.