Need Encouragement?

Current Situation
It has been a rough year. I moved all the way across the country to be apart of a church that my home church originally started. I came out knowing no one and I came alone. I work with the Pastors but we have a very hard time communicating with each and end up fighting. I have been told to clean their house, watch their kids, scrub their floors with a small brush, clean out their basement, and do whatever else they need me to do. In moving out here I was told that I would be doing church admin. I even signed a contract with my home church that is paying me to do this. A few months ago the pastors at this new church changed my contract to be more of a personal assistant so they could justify me doing all of the above. It is not that I mind doing things for them but it has gotten to the point where I am working almost every saturday and a lot of evenings to try to get things done while also working a second job. No matter how much i work for the pastors I only get paid roughly $400 every 2 weeks and while putting in over 60 a week means that some of that time counts as serving, it has also exhausted me. I am in charge of most things and also have been asked to be involved in the rest so pretty much any event that takes place I have to run it and try to be apart of it at the same time....not very productive. This is causing me to only be able to do things half way and be half way invested, which I am not that person at all. I love doing a good job and working hard so it's very frustrating. I am my breaking point. I feel taken advantage of and where my church is supposed to be a place of refreshing I find it a weight. I have only been in 7 services in the past 9 months....not good. I don't know if i should tell my home pastors that this is going as I am having a hard time balancing the love that covers with the need to have things change.
At the same time my brother is facing trial in a crazy situation that could give him life in prison. He is only 22 years old. I also just found out that I have polyps in my intestines that are pre-cancerous cells so I have to under go a bunch more tests. All this to say is I am here alone, I know God is with me but it is still hard, and don't have any pastoral support. I wish I could find that community in my church but it seems like it's not there for me.
Myriah Staton 06/03/2010 19:58

Replies:
louise1 06/03/2010 21:23
I am so sorry to hear of your situation. I will be praying for you, for wisdom and discernment to see what your course of action should be. Just keep giving the situation over to God and ask for clarity. He must have put you in that place for a reason. I'll be praying.
Kelley 06/03/2010 22:27
You ARE being abused, in the name of God, no less. When they are your occupation where you derive your livlihood from you need to be paid minimum wage at least. Service time should be YOUR idea, not theirs. I hate it when Christians use God to abuse people. This is unconcionable. I am a Christian employer and make sure my staff get paid well above the going rate for similar jobs in this area. If your church can't afford it then they need more help from volunteers. Religious abuse is still abuse. Grrrrrr!
Erika 06/04/2010 00:21
I agree with Kelley, but reading your situation it sounds simular to Joseph's story. Maybe you are be tempered for greatness. When God expands your territory, you will remeber this and will bless those working under you. I will be praying for you.
Myriah Staton 06/04/2010 21:13
Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers! I am setting up a meeting with a pastor from my home church. My biggest fear is that they send someone else who has to go through what I've been going through. I also am worried because they sent me out here with a different picture in mind and I feel like they need to know they way things are going....it's a weird place to be though to finally be telling a pastor about what's been going on. I really feel like a weight has been lifted. At the same time, not to sound any way prideful, but throughout my time at this new location I have been attacked in every area of my life....I've had 6 family members die in the past 6 months along with health issues and the stuff with my brother. I really believe that God has something great in store and so I've tried to run this race with endurance but I feel like I'm off balance.
Alexandria 06/04/2010 22:28
but we are all here for u and we will back you up! God will back you up too!
Leslie 06/05/2010 12:13
I am in agreement with Alex...we are all here for you and back you up in prayer and God is too..nicely put Alex.... (: you are wise beyond your years...