This letter came accross my desk well worth the read DMC

Without arguing IF someone is called. . . assuming you are called, there is tremendous prejudice in the church for gender, age, education, experience, doctrine, etc. It seems that pulpit committees are not trying to find the right person, but rather the person who meets the criteria of their little club.

Oops, didn't mean to sound bitter! My husband and I have been called to the pastorate. We both have many years in non-pastoral church leadership. I have a Ph.D. in theology. My husband is a successful marketing man with a wonderful track record in church growth. I am, according to my students, an excellent Bible/Doctrinal teacher.

We have, between us served in all areas of the church. We have helped three new church plants get started. We 'aced' a church planters boot camp. Although we have made it through several rounds with pulpit committees, we are ultimated not chosen and have been told it was for the following reasons:

1. They don't accept female pastors. (Me)
2. They don't accept older men as pastors. (My husband is 61)
3. They don't accept charismatics. (Even though we're considered conservative and balanced in application of the holy spirit in church services)
4. They don't recognize the institution where I received my degree.
5. They don't want the wife to be so involved, just the husband. (We are a pastoring couple, co-pastors)

The American church is extremely divided for too many reasons. We're all about rejecting what God has accepted. Seems like the same problem Peter had. So, we work tirelessly building and growing ministries and churches for others, never receiving an opportunity to do exactly what we are called to do. . .Pastor.


This, we believe, is the reason so many independent non-denominational churches have started in this country. The church won't let us in, but we must do the work to which we are called.


by Dr. Linda Smith and Robert Smith

I may raise a few eyebrows with this one. But here it comes.
I don't think I have posted this thought on this web site yet. So here it is. I hope to get some feedback on it.
We hear these words said at funerals, weddings,birthdays, and just about any gathering of people. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We know that the Father and the Son are HOLY SPIRITS, but what about the third person of the Trinity?We don't know the name of or the gender of the third HOLY SPIRIT.
When Jesus said: ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.The two shall become one flesh,{duh} offspring right? Now that's a pretty good description of a spiritual Trinity isn't it? Not as Holy and pure as the masters Trinity. But the next best one I'd think.
Now let's take this conversation about the Holy Spirit farther back in the Bible. Back to when Gabriel spoke with Mary.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The HOLY GHOST shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Why would God send an angel to announce his plan, but not use the same angel to fulfill it? Unless the Holy Spirit that Gabriel spoke of was the only entity that could perform THIS miracle. The two angels sent to Lot didn't need help. The angel that wrestled with Jacob didn't need help to use a few examples.
THANK YOU,
NIGHTMAN
P.S. You guys are Pastors. What does Jesus say about the one unforgivable sin. Not the Father or Son, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable!

My current understanding is that the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was directed against those Jew's living in the time of Christ, who attributed to the devil the works of God (Christ). It was a different dispensation and while I'm not absolutely sure I would say that you can not blaspheme the Holy Spirit today.
Differing opinions?
Love,
Denis