When Missionaries Call Your Church

I was born again in a Missions Minded Church (Grace Baptist Church - Syracuse, NY). My Pastor at the time was Gary Welling. Even to this day the man is a missions minded machine! That I know of - his ministry has produced 3 missionaries on the field and countless of dollars sent for the cause of Christ.

Having said that, I also consider myself a missions minded pastor. My first and only pastorate as of today was at a church that supported missionaries on a monthly basis as funds permitted. However, the history of our church's hospitality regarding housing missionaries while at our property was terrible. No, I mean it....TERRIBLE. Now that I am no longer the pastor - I cannot tell you what the church will do, nor how it will treat missionaries.

I can tell you that I have had some missionaries that have been through that cause me to wonder what exactly are we doing wrong - having attracted such men. The phone calls come in and they are scripted. Nothing is from the heart on those men. Everything is choppy and curt. They want to come in and present their calling. They do not ask how they can be a blessing to the church. They handle the objection with scripted redirects.
Me: We are not financially able to support any more missionaries at this time and we are actually in a really bad time with the finances of the church in general.
missionary: well, let me come in anyway and then you can always consider us later for monthly support.

or
Me: we are going through something right now and it wouldn't be the best time to bring in a missionary until this blows over.
missionary: well, I will be in the area for ___, _____, and _____. So, what Sunday is better for you?

or

Me: Sure, we would love to schedule you to come and fellowship with us.
Missionary: what other churches in the area would be willing to schedule me?
Me: I really don't know.
Missionary: Well, could you call them and schedule me in?

Now, I work on the side in Direct Sales - selling CUTCO Cutlery. I TOTALLY understand what they are doing. However, since when did Missions become sales?

Instead of having a missionary come in with a programmed sermon/presentation - how about learn how to minister to the Pastor - who is a missionary to THAT particular field himself? Sure, the missionary may have had a bad meeting the church before, but the Pastor and Church they are currently at has NOTHING to do with that.

Missionaries need to remember that they are MINISTERS.

I recommending you read this post by Jimmy Reagan. Excellent points!
http://reaganreview.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/missions-minded-pastor-or-tyrant-independent-baptist-truth-revolution-7/

Final Sunday At Victory Bible Baptist Church

Am sitting here in the room that was once my office. My personal possessions are all packed away in boxes. The walls are echoing emphatically that I am leaving. I am vacating the room that comforted me during some of the most difficult prayer times and personal Bible Studies as I poured my heart and mind into every sermon I prepared. The memories of praying for the church and for God's leadership and wisdom have engulfed my senses and I'm reduced to sorrowful tears. 

Today's sermon is being filed away- my last Sunday sermon as Pastor of VBBC. 1,248 give or take a few sermons have been preached, taught, studied and poured over. I thank Jesus for allowing me to be part of the ministry here in Porter Corners, NY.

My heart is exploding with joy just thinking of what God has allowed me to experience and accomplish for Him.

My heart is also breaking at the loss that I am experiencing as I say farewell to those who I have poured myself out for and with. 

This morning's sermon was "The Last Supper." Allow me to encourage you and also share with you a thought that God gave me yesterday as I was typing out my outline:

It was in regards to the Passover supper in Luke 22-

"Today is a day of Celebration – we again see the power of our God that can uproot the satisfied saint and implant in him the desire and drive to forsake all that he has known for years – all that he has embraced- all that he has labored for and with and in – and move him across the country or across the street or across the world – because of his leading. His POWER. HIS PERSUASION. Is God dead? Is God powerless? Is God DONE with a person or a place? God forbid!
God IS NOT done with Victory Bible Baptist Church - he is weeding one pastor out and bringing another in!
God is NOT DONE WITH TIM DELELLO! God is weeding him out and preparing him for another place of service!! - Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God THEY (HE) ARE THE SONS OF GOD."

what a great assurance of salvation and of SELECTION it is when you are led by the Spirit of God- even if it is to leave all you have known to do what you don't know yet."

10 indicators you are dealing with a master manipulator

signs you are dealing with a master manipulator:

1. They take their time sinking their tentacles around you

2. They isolate you from any other positive life source 

3. They camouflage the hangmans noose as it were by puffing you up rather than building you up. 

4. They give false hope and a lulled sense of security/ acceptance

5. They never reveal their "full hand" even though they press you do show your heart, intentions, desire, passion, mistakes, failure, thought, etc. 

6. If you DO escape- they blame you and mark you off as insubordinate or rebellious or uncommitted. 

7. Everything around them is a masquerade - painted tombstones- smoke and mirrors

8. They don't have plans- they have agendas

9. They are personally cold hearted and often feigning hardship to draw others in who seek to help the hurting only to ensnare them

10. Bitterness. Their life is full of bitterness- always made up of those who have escaped the clutches of their agenda and control. It's never their fault. It is always the fault of the one that saw the "man behind the curtain."

They become tools of their experience of how to manipulate the next victim. 

They are master scholars. Always finding ways of communicating their special brand of poison.