Disqus - Latest Comments for GregAtkinson

Re: CNLP 132: Greg Atkinson on The Secrets of a Secret Church Shopper: What People Are Looking for When They Come to Your Church

GregAtkinson — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 08:58:34 -0000

Ha! The good news is you and your team can read my new book before Easter. :)

Re: Are You Trying to Be a Super Pastor?

GregAtkinson — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 07:04:05 -0000

Yep. I was preaching to myself. It's easy to have my phone glued to my hand.

Re: Are You Trying to Be a Super Pastor?

GregAtkinson — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 07:03:34 -0000

Thanks, my friend.

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 22:00:37 -0000

Amen. I totally agree. God used all kind of messed up people in Scripture and you know what, He still does. Praise God. I know you get that. I, too, wonder what a watching world thinks when Christians eat there own.

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 21:59:00 -0000

I just came in after a full day of training. I want to post and then go to bed, as I have another long day of training tomorrow. I will not argue or debate. I am the Executive Director here at ExPastors.com. I made the contact with Tullian and I invited him to write for us. He didn't seek it out.

We are not getting paid anything (as someone suggested). As a matter of fact, none of us here get paid. It's a labor of love. We ask for your prayers as we minister to thousands of pastors all around the world (many with similar stories as Tullian's).

My heart hurts tonight. Yes, I am encouraged and thrilled to read the many positive and encouraging voices offering prayers and hope to Tullian. You guys truly get, understand and clearly have experienced grace. I do too, that's why I named my first-born child Grace. It's my favorite word.

To all those (and you're a minority) that seek to tear down Tullian and his story - using this forum as a place to spew vicious attacks and accusations, shame on you.

Do you know what grace means? It's unmerited favor. Unmerited. Grace is undeserved. You can't earn it. It's not performance-based. God gives us grace freely (because of the finished work of Christ on the cross) and thank God, His mercies are new every morning.

Maybe you don't need grace and mercy, but I do. I'm a sinner. I don't have it all together. I'm a work in progress. I like to think we all are.

Here's where I get upset and broken-hearted at the same time: A man - yes a flawed man, yes a former pastor - yes a sinner - a man, shared a very honest and vulnerable story of wanting to commit suicide and THEN posted his suicide note. Have you ever read a suicide note before? I haven't until now.

Do you have any idea how many people this article will help? Any idea? We get thousands of emails from hurting pastors all over the world. In the last 3 days, I have spoken with pastors in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Alaska, around the US, and right here in Charlotte, NC where I live. A pastor in my area (who found out what I was doing) - reached out to me on Facebook and said, "Greg, I'm about to be an ex-pastor. Can I talk to you?" Of course!

That's why we exist. To have real, genuine and honest conversations. NOT to judge and throw stones. Shame on you. Come on (small minority) - how self-righteous and pious can you be? Are you not aware of how you fall short? Do you know there is no such thing as big and small sins? All sin is equal at the foot of the cross. Yes, different sins have different consequences, but all of us are sinners.

I think of the Parable that Jesus shared of the Pharisee who prayed, "Lord, I thank you that I am not like this man - a sinner..." I also think of Jesus saying, "Let him without sin cast the first stone." How many stones have you thrown today? What would be Jesus' response. I know to the woman CAUGHT IN ADULTERY, he said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go sin no more." That's unconditional love, grace and mercy - and I don't know about you, but I need that daily.

I'm done preaching (forgive me, I'm a pastor and I take this ministry to the hurting and broken in our world very seriously). May we all (including me) take the PLANK out of our own eye, before even attempting to point out the speck in another's eye.

ExPastors.com has a huge mission of offering help, hope and healing to all who come here. Let's be a place that receives them well. All are welcome.

And to you, hurting pastor (maybe you too have fallen), who has silently watched all the comments go back and forth - know that I love you, we love you, and most importantly - Jesus loves you perfectly and unconditionally.

Your job as a pastor is not your identity. Your identity is that you are a dearly loved son or daughter of God. Rest in that and know that we are here for you. Just reach out. There are people who genuinely care for your health and well-being.

And negative commenters and so called "haters," we love you, too. You are welcome to disagree and voice your disagreement. That's your right. We try our best not to moderate comments unless they get vulgar or nasty. We do LOVE YOU. And you don't have to receive that or love us back. It's unconditional. You don't have to earn our love and respect. It's freely given.

I can't say this enough: If you or someone you loved shared something as personal and sensitive and vulnerable as a suicide note, I would thank you for being brave and the LAST thing I would do is criticize you. God help us. God have mercy.

Lastly, I want to ask us all to pray for Tullian. He sees these comments, too. The good and the bad. Pray that God would sustain him and draw close to him, as Tullian draws close to God. Pray that he would not fall prey to the dark and demonic voices crying out to him, attacking him and oppressing him.

And the last time I checked, we don't have to agree with someone to lift them up in prayer. Just do it. We all need prayer. Pray for us here at ExPastors.com. We have a huge calling to help the hurting. Please, please pray for us. Good night, friends. Again, I want be responding to any comments.

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 21:20:05 -0000

Amen. Thank you, pastor.

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 21:18:56 -0000

I agree, Jack. My heart hurts tonight.

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:13:12 -0000

Wow. Thanks so much for sharing a little of your story. I know many others (including myself) can relate. Also, thanks for encouraging Tullian. He really put his heart and story out there for all to see. God is a God who pursues!

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:00:27 -0000

Beautifully said. Thanks for sharing. He will restore what the locusts have eaten!

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 12:24:48 -0000

Thank you for your encouragement.

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 12:24:25 -0000

Thanks for sharing. I think that's why I resonate with this. At some level, we all can relate and that's where the empathy comes from.

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:52:10 -0000

I agree and I think so, too. Thanks for sharing. I pray God heals your wound and makes you whole.

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:10:58 -0000

Amen, brother. Amen. So glad to hear you're back in ministry today. That's awesome. I love "these word of hope," too. Thanks for commenting.

Re: The Freedom in Losing it All

GregAtkinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 10:50:25 -0000

Thanks, Mike. God bless you. You are not alone either!

Re: Why Do So Many Pastors Leave the Ministry? The Facts Will Shock You

GregAtkinson — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 12:16:05 -0000

I know this to be true, but the numbers and statistics still shock me and break my heart. I'm thankful for this resource that has helped me and others from around the world.

Re: Tate Publishing

GregAtkinson — Sun, 03 May 2015 16:11:14 -0000

Please contact me at greg(at)gregatkinson(dot)com. I feel your pain.

Re: To All disgruntled Authors

GregAtkinson — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 16:52:26 -0000

Hi. How do we know you're who you say you are? You're bio on Facebook says you work for Tate. I messaged you on Facebook and never heard back from you. If you are sincere and honest, you can get in touch with me via Facebook, Twitter (@GregAtkinson) or my email greg@gregatkinson.com.

Re: CNLP 025: The Changes You Need to Make As Your Church Grows—An Interview With Jenni Catron

GregAtkinson — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:26:12 -0000

Excellent. I have great respect for you and Jenni both. This is a great resource. Keep it up!

Re: How To React When a Pastor Or Other Leader Experiences a Serious Failing

GregAtkinson — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 17:09:05 -0000

Great post. All churches need to read this. I especially resonate with #4 and #8. I've seen churches drop the ball in these two areas big time. Thanks Phil.

Re: Why Your Boss Is The Key To Your Future

GregAtkinson — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 05:42:49 -0000

This is pure gold. Great thoughts, Phil. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Why Aren’t We Taking The Digital Mission Field Seriously?

GregAtkinson — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 14:43:52 -0000

Absolutely. I've been teaching and writing about this for years. I always exhort people that "we are digital missionaries." As a matter of fact, I'll be speaking on this at the Going Digital social media conferences around the country this year. I'd encourage your readers to come hear us both speak at this conference: http://goingdigitalforhiski...

Re: The Fancy Thought That God Loves You - Blog - Think Eternity

GregAtkinson — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 18:32:27 -0000

YES! Yes, my friends, yes! I have now experienced this. You have my email now. Please contact me. I'd love to get to know you better and share my story of how God set me free 2 weeks ago with those 3 simple words: I LOVE YOU!!!

Re: The Role of a Campus Pastor at a Multi-Site Church

GregAtkinson — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 20:36:16 -0000

Thanks, bro.

Re: The Role of a Campus Pastor at a Multi-Site Church

GregAtkinson — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 20:36:05 -0000

Great to hear from you, Peter. You can always email me at greg@gregatkinson.com.

Re: 5 Things Traditional, Legacy Ministries Must Do To Survive

GregAtkinson — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 20:47:32 -0000

Well said. I worked with an aging organization and told them very similar stuff. You must tell your story in a new way and you must adapt.