Comments on: Responsibility Versus Freedom

By: bob werner

bob werner — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:38:31 +0000

Craig, On Monster energy drink : Notwithstanding the effect of 160 mg of caffein per 16 oz can, current vibes swarming suggest implicaitons of its logo ( three hebrew alphabet Vav’s ( three 6’s ). What would your reaction be, or suggest doing, if you walked into a church and found this logo replicated on the bass drum head of the drum set upon the church’s altar ? A corporate logo, neither coke nor pepsi, nor charagma for IBM or Verizon, but this one which youth in that church fully understand as having suggested nefarious implications. I would simply appreciate your reaction. ( By the way, though in Florida, I have attended your church several times in both Edmond and on the NW expressway in Okc ( recall the movie series ). I have enjoyed several of your video packages, including Chazown and comparative religions. Thanks for your response.

By: Randy Dunning

Randy Dunning — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:09:38 +0000

Mark,

Then what is your take on coffee? I’m guessing, if you’re a coffee drinker, that you’d have to ask the same questions about that beverage.

And they are absolutely great questions to ask.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:34:06 +0000

The drinking or not drinking thing can really get people. I always ask myself why I need to drink?? For the taste, or is it to relax me or make me happy. What is my motivation behind drinking alcohol? If I am finding something in alcohol that I’m not finding from God then something is wrong..

By: Clayton Bell | Online » The Hot Links! 01.17.09 Edition

Clayton Bell | Online » The Hot Links! 01.17.09 Edition — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:24:31 +0000

[...] The Swerve blog discusses Christian freedom vs. responsibility… [...]

By: Jimmie Davidson

Jimmie Davidson — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:54:29 +0000

I had to post! I drive a 1989 Olds Buick. Ok that can be pride too. I get a kick out of watching folks response when they see mr mega pastor in a clunker. One young guy shouted out to his mom and dad, look pastor jimmie drives a piece of junk! I love it. I do love nice cars. If a totally restored trans am showed up in my drive way, let’s say 77, dude I would probably wind up in jail driving my dreams. I do want to live out Humility, Integrity and Generosity! For others that would look different so it’s not one size fits all. Thanks Craig for your life and ministry. jimmie

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:21:41 +0000

This is a tough issue for all pastors. When we planted our church we always said we wanted to pay people well, as most pastors have to deal with a financial burden as well as a spiritual one. Although I am always more busy than I care to mention, I always struggle with receiving a decent salary. Craig, any thoughts about pastors or church staff salaries…and have you ever struggled with this?

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:10:25 +0000

DuAnne, I’m not sure what I would have done. I might have offered an explanation.

On the other hand, a pastor friend once confronted me for explaining “why” I had something nice. He asked me if I’d apologize for the blessings of good health or a great marriage. Of course I wouldn’t apologize or explain those away. Then he asked me why I felt I had to offer an explanation for a material blessing.

That conversation gave me a lot to think about.

By: Tom E. Snyder

Tom E. Snyder — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:45:31 +0000

Jared B,

Knowing Craig like I do I feel certain he would choose your second option. In fact, I think he does the same as you.

By: DuAnne Seeley

DuAnne Seeley — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:37:24 +0000

Craig, Thank you for bringing up this topic. We recently had a team from an inner city (4 pastoral staff, 4 lay leaders) who wanted to come to NYC on Staten Island where we minister. We rent a very beautiful home that God provided for us from a desperate person who had it on the market for almost 4 years and has not been able to sell it. We rent it for less that we could a two BR apt. We served and fed the team for a week and they constantly critisized us and judged us for so many things, what our home looks like and our furniture,clothing,etc. We did not tell them that 80% of our furniture came from the Salvation Army or donated to us.They went so far as to question why our family would not choose to live in the inner city to minister to those who need it most. We are church planters and were very discouraged and exhausted when they left. We don’t feel we should have to defend ourselves. What would you have done? We love having folks in our home and constantly do so. Last week was such a difficult experience that we are hesitant about doing this again. Any advice?

By: Brandon Duff

Brandon Duff — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:48:45 +0000

Hey Craig,
Now that we are a Network church and you do the preaching I only work a half day on Sunday! LOL
Now I can really feel guilty about time off.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:11:34 +0000

I loved this post. This is something that I struggle with on occasion. I currently am planting a church, and work outside the church. I work as a financial director for a company.

I bought a house this year in a very nice neighborhood. I used Dave Ramsey’s advice and bought the cheapest house in the nicest neighborhood I could find. It was all the rage about 10 years ago.

I did this for 2 reasons, I felt like I had the freedom and it was responsible buying a newer home that my family would not have to struggle maintaining.

As soon as I did, I had several members comment that I must make a ton of money since I work, and get paid by the church. It was difficult. Most of our body knows I draw $0.00 salary from the church and that we only own one 3 year old car so that we can steward our money. I ride a bike to work and back as much as possible to save on money.

This ministry thing is messy, and hard work! Praise God I get to be a part of it!

By: Responsibility vs. Freedom « Real Life . . . Real Answers

Responsibility vs. Freedom « Real Life . . . Real Answers — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:44:10 +0000

[...] Responsibility vs. Freedom By mec5462 Craig Groeschel, pastor of LifeChurch.tv out of Oklahoma has become one of my favorite pastors to read and follow through his blog. His writings are always inspirational and challenging and he is on the cutting edge of church life today. This morning I came across his blog entitled Responsibility vs. Freedom. Where do we draw the line between freedom and our responsiblity to not cause others to stumble. How far do we go when weighing our choices. I encourage you to follow this link and read this entry. It is written to pastors but is applicable to all Christians. The link is: http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2009/01/14/responsibility-verse-freedom/ [...]

By: Jared B

Jared B — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:08:32 +0000

I have also been struggling with the car situation…I’ve had people tell me that I need to be an example of Christians being able to have nice things (i.e. a nicer car), but my own thoughts are sacrificing and using the overhead for missions.

The question to me is: Are we denying God’s blessings to us by constantly giving them away or are we doing exactly what He hoped we would?

Craig what would you say? (if you don’t mind me asking) I’d love to hear other thoughts too!

By: Clif McKinley

Clif McKinley — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:53:12 +0000

By: John Behl

John Behl — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:09:41 +0000

I’m not a Pastor, but I serve closely with one. I strongly believe the Church side should be run as a ministry to others, but the Administrative side should be run as a business. Any other non-profit that pays those in leadership roles don’t have to live differantly just because the money comes from donations.

Simply saying if you run any organization, the President/CEO/Pastor should be paid according to their qualifications. Experience, Ability to lead people, Fiscal Responsibilty and able to achieve the goals set on an anual basis. So your pay should be comenserate of what you would be payed in your field of expertise.

The way we live our life, whether Pastor or a Christian, shouldn’t change. As followers of Christ we are all “an open epistle read of all men”. We must live our lives to glorify God and to draw people into his kingdom.

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:48:47 +0000

DJ, Tomorrow’s post is about pastor’s kids and families. I’d love to hear your thoughts as we discuss this tomorrow.

Jon, Never read the message’s version of that verse. Thanks.

By: Dj Berges

Dj Berges — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:28:34 +0000

How about us son’s of Pastors?
We also go through this issues as over us is this invisible rule that “we have to be perfect”.

Now, a Pastor should teach that every person should deal personally with the thoughts of judging the pastor’s actions.
This is not a green light to do anything we want.

I think that if we ask God and we “receive” a green light for everything, we should question who’s giving us the answer, there will be times where HE will say NO to us, and its my opinion, it should be 50/50.
Too many yes can make us think we “deserve” and too many no’s will make our lives miserables, including our family.

Blessings from El Salvador.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:20:22 +0000

I like the way the Message says I Cor. 6:12 “Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate.”

I have struggled with these questions as well. However, I am not the head Pastor but an associate. As an associate I feel you must submit to those who rule over you and to live by the rules they have set out. If you don’t agree then find a spiritual authority you agree with. Don’t live in rebellion of your leadership.

By: Tim Taylor

Tim Taylor — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:11:13 +0000

The challenge as I read this post is getting so consumed with what “other people” think rather than what God thinks or wants. We wrestled with the house that we just purchased. It is way over our league in looks and location. We wondered why we were even looking. What would the people in the community think of us? We were afraid of becoming consumed with “stuff” to compete with our neighbors. AND THEN WE PRAYED. We had it so backwards. We have already seen why we are where we are at. We paid less for the house than any house that was “in our league” but God clearly had opened the doors for us to move. When I move off of ME and OTHERS so much and seriously seek the heart of God I don’t have to worry as much about the other things. I have seen God take care of that for me. I have allowed Him to be my defender. I like it that way.

By: Frank Lott

Frank Lott — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:58:03 +0000

I have to always balance the secular and kingdom worlds in my family’s life. This is even more so now that I have a teen. The “How” people see the clothes we wear or music or what movies we go to. My son hate to be told his clothes, hair and music is not Godly enough……I have to correct some for speaking out of term to my family and others because of be in the Golden years we just smile and promise to consider it next time….. How do you guys handle that?