Comments on: Dangers for Seasoned Veterans

By: The Marshian Chronicles » Short Rounds #72

The Marshian Chronicles » Short Rounds #72 — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:23:37 +0000

[...] Dangers for Seasoned Veterans - I can really relate to this one - Clayton is right on the mark here! [...]

By: New Blog «

New Blog « — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:15:27 +0000

[...] Anyway, he has two awesome corresponding posts that were great for me and I wanted to pass them on. THIS ONE talks to the dangers of seasoned veterans in ministry and THIS ONE warns young guys in [...]

By: John

John — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:48:58 +0000

Hi Clayton!

First of all, brilliant observations and so true. One thing I have noted is that physical longevity has little to do with spiritual maturity, and many of the issues you bring up concerning these “seasoned veterans” is a self-same failure to to mature spiritually. For example, how many churches have you been in where you know more than the pastor? Even the “seasoned one”?

Understanding true warriors may be a good step toward understanding if someone is a spiritual warrior or just a “service man.” I know miliatary men who are true warriors and they would do it even if they weren’t paid for it. This takes care of your points 1-3, in that a true spiritual warrior could care less about his pay, and truly apply: 1Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

When a man is functioning in the spirit, it is the spirit of God that sustains AND does the work, and that supply is endless. Doing the work of God in our own might and power will bring about the burnout and fatigue you mention. This applies to many of the points you make (ie. 4,6,8, etc).

Clayton, structure of the body has everything to do with the problems in the church today. Many good and godly men go into the ministry for the right reasons, but the way we have done things for 2000 years does everything to make them in the image of those you mention in this post and in the “young lion” post. Interested in hearing more?

John

By: dees

dees — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:07:16 +0000

thanks for this post. I am recovering slowly from spiritual fatigue and have made careless mistakes that I have paid for and will continue to pray for. It is a thing that we have to really listen to ourselves. My soul begged me to slow down my pace for months and I didn’t. New opportunities to bless and build the Kingdom came my way and I should have had the discernment to refer them to someone else and slow down. I am writing a post at The Master’s Artist for Christian Artists to recover. I am thankful for running across your article. Be encouraged.

By: Jim Evans

Jim Evans — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:17:18 +0000

Brother, your list should be a wakeup call to seasoned veterans and a rescue call to young lions. I am a seasoned veteran who burned out in ministry in Florida. Your list includes many of the issues I faced. I moved to the Myrtle Beach area to be near my son and his family; uncertain if I would every minister again. A young lion, Clay NeSmith, and the vision he is fulfilling has been used of the Lord to renew me. I am now as excited and strong as ever and see the days ahead as the most exciting of an already great life of ministry.
A note to young lions: Don’t be intimidated by old veterans and don’t write them off. And for any seasoned vets that might be reading blogs (not the norm), partner with the young lions and guard their vision. You can be the link that unites a body of young and seasoned saints to advance the kingdom in a generationally challenged culture. Thanks Clayton.

By: » Dangers for Seasoned Veterans

» Dangers for Seasoned Veterans — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:08:19 +0000

[...] You can read the rest of this blog post by going to the original source, here [...]