I am in a dilemma of sorts. Two years ago our church began a Pathfinder club, under my leadership. This year, as I am expecting my first child, the club is under new leadership. I fought for the right to remain on staff at the time of nomination and won, however, having been pregnant for the past 5.5 months, I realize that I don't actually have the energy to do much beyond what needs to be done at work and at home. In addition, they have changed the meeting day from a weekday to Sabbath, and I have a conflict about Pathfinders meeting on Sabbath on both a personal and a spiritual level. (I truly believe our youth/children need a source for Christian fellowship outside of Sabbath.) On a personal level, that is the day my husband and I truly rest from the world and from work. It is the one day a week that the computer gets turned off, the world is excluded and we rejuvenate our relationships with God, each other and occasionally other friends.

My problem is that the Pathfinder club has been my passion for two years and still is. There is a spot in my heart for those kids that is held just for them. How can I balance my needs and my family needs with my passion to work with the Pathfinders? I honestly cannot see myself being of much use should I decide to be a Pathfinder Counsellor, but I feel as though I would be letting down the new director and the club if I do not help out.

Your 2 cents worth would be appreciated as soon as possible! Thank you

Prayer! Your continued prayers are and will continue to make a difference in your necessary absence! Maintain your connection to the kids in other ways - phone them at home and encourage them to walk closer with Jesus, greet them enthusiastically at church, send them cards in the mail, email them, etc....

To add to what Mike said, I am hoping that there is no rule against a Counselor meeting with her wards outside of regular club meetings.

As Dr. Laura would say - "Your first obligation is to your family." And after that is taken care of, then feel free to follow what Brother Mike mentioned. And I second your concern with Sabbath as a meeting time for Pathfinders.

Thank you all for your advice and words of encouragement. As I said before, this is not an easy decision for me, but one that must be made.

It is true that just because I am not there every week, that doesn't mean that I cannot be involved in their lives in another way, so I intend to do just that. After two years, there is a bond there that cannot be easily broken anyway.

Thank you.

Two things flagged me about that first post. One, the phrase "I fought for the right" and two, the phrase "I have a conflict about Pathfinders meeting on Sabbath on both a personal and a spiritual level".

Here are my questions:
1. In a volunteer position within an independent, church based organization, do we have any "rights" at all. If so, what are they?

2. What, exactly, is the nature of your conflict with having Pathfinders on Sabbath? (ie: why is that a problem.)

Let me take a stab at answering Durk's questions.

#1 - Sarah said she fought for the right and won that right apparently by convincing the Nominating Committee.

#2 -

quote:

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Posted by Sarah:
I have a conflict about Pathfinders meeting on Sabbath on both a personal and a spiritual level. (I truly believe our youth/children need a source for Christian fellowship outside of Sabbath.) On a personal level, that is the day my husband and I truly rest from the world and from work. It is the one day a week that the computer gets turned off, the world is excluded and we rejuvenate our relationships with God, each other and occasionally other friends.

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I believe Sarah had already answered the 2nd question from what I bolded above in Sarah's post.

From once being involved with Pathfinders myself as a leader, we did activities during a week night that we couldn't have done during the hours of the Sabbath, therefore, I agree with what Sarah said in relation to Pathfinders being held on the Sabbath.

Durk, re: Question 2: As Daryl pointed out, the issues I have with Pathfinders on Sabbath are summarized by the statements I made in my first post. To extend on that, our children and youth deserve to be given a break from wordly pressures and have a time of fellowship with other Christians in the midst of the week - just like adults do when they come to prayer meeting. As Pathfinders previously ran on the same night as prayer meeting, it was intended to help encourage attendance at both meetings for both age groups. I also feel that much of the preparation for Pathfinders can cause the leaders to break the Sabbath rest in order to be ready for the meetings. As Daryl also pointed out, some of what happens at Pathfinders is not necessarily of a spiritual nature, and therefore you are limited in what honours, etc. you can teach prior to sunset, and I believe that can encourage an attitude of "I can hardly wait for Sabbath to end so we can get on to these other things". It also means that if you cannot accomplish what you want/need to on Sabbath/Saturday evening, you have to reschedule another date during the week or on Sunday to do it. If you go camping, you lose one week of preparation time for the trip (especially when your trip is planned very close to the beginning of the year). And there are other reasons, but I think the above illustrates my objections a little more in detail.

As to question no. 1, I believe we do have "rights" (although that may be the wrong word) when we are doing the Lord's work. If God has called you to do something, you have the obligation to fight for the right to do it if there are people trying to get in the way of your being able to accomplish His plans. When you beileve God has given you passion, talent and gifts to do a job, it is your responsibility to follow up and plead for the chance to do that job. When people start making decisions about your life (not about your ability to do the job) without consulting you, I believe you need to fight to correct the situation.

Regarding responses to question two, they strike me more as offending your personal Sabbath observance traditions rather than legitimate arguments against holding Pathfinders on Sabbath. Basically it comes down to the fact that this is not the way YOU want to spend Sabbath. And there is nothing wrong with that, don't get me wrong. You can do anything you want. You can hold any beliefs you want.

To me the problem with the above is this: when the church as a whole has decided to have Pathfinders on Sabbath (or any other decision someone may object to) and someone ceases to participate because they have a doctrinal objection to the decision, they essentially place their authority above that of the church. (Whether or not THAT is a problem is also open to discussion. )

The real bottom line question here is WHO WIELDS AUTHORITY??

Point number one. (which is actually question #2) IMNSHO, you have as many rights as the church wants to give you, in the areas they decide. (see bottom-line-question above.) And if you have a problem with "When people start making decisions about your life (not about your ability to do the job) without consulting you,."
then you need to immediately distance yourself as far as possible from...well, let's just say "social organizations".

What does any of this have to do with your dilemma? Let's get right to the point. You're fighting a losing battle. Go do something else and enjoy the three-score and ten that the Lord gave you; it's all you've got.

Sara I can just imagine what a hard decision it must be for you to make. However I do believe like the others have said you can still keep in touch with them at other times. You and most of the others are very correct in that Pathfinders should not be held on Sabbath. You and Daryl gave some excellent reasons why they should not.

With the love and passion you have for Pathfinders I know with prayer and letting God lead you will find a way that will work for you and your family.

Just a side note: Just because the whole church passes a certain thing does not mean that what has been passed is right. If what has been passed is not right and a person decides not to participate in this then Praise God they are standing for what it right and not just blindly following after what the church has all agreed to do. Our only authority comes from what God tells us to do. We should of course follow what the church has set down, as long as it correct. We do know that before it is all over that the majority of the world will be against us. Who knows that maybe some of us will have to be tested on deciding to obey God or obey what the "church" says.

Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.