"Blessed are the poor... churches..."

I rant, and I rant, and I rant. Almost every church council meeting it seems. "It's a disgrace and a shame, etc., etc. that we cannot pay our pastor. If we can't pay our pastor even just [such-and-such], we don't deserve to be in the church space God has blessed us with." Then I stop. I think. I remember.

Most problems today in churches touch on money at some point? However, a church that gives everything, and still barely keeps the lights on by the grace of God, is not subject to accusation or innuendo... very much...

Regardless, whatever eternal rewards reaped by the hours of time any church family spends serving folks of all socio-economic demographics, I must remind myself that it is only by GRACE that I am able to serve others. Furthermore, in the truism of not serving in a solely "paternal" style - serving one only who(m) I feel has no way to serve me - I must realize that those I serve touch me and serve me through their "being served" by me (i.e., the "teacher" also become the "student" to her "students").

- j