A bit about music exams in UK and France
They're really different. I think I have already mentioned that while in the UK people generally find a private teacher for their instrument, or do it through a school scheme, here there are municipal music school, conservatoires and so on. The situation is a little more complex than I had first understood, because the schools vary in the rigidity of their organisation: the most, the conservatoires, next the municipals, then the associations. Our music school is an association, but it tends to apply the standards of the municipal schools with its programme of cycles, etc. Britain - grade 1 to 8, grade 8 being roughly equivalent to A-level, pre university/conservatoire. France - 3 cycles, each taking about 4 years, with 3ème cycle being roughly equivalent to grade 8. Theory of music - UK to take grade 8 you need theory grade 5. In France you study theory alongside your instrumental studies, very slowly. Catrin's flute music is MUCH more difficult than the stuff she does in theor
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It would be good to have a list of ten ways the congregation can encourage the Pastor.
Is it right to tell him, 'That was a wonderful sermon.'? Has Satan already told him that? What about 'Thank you for your ministry'?
Perhaps just getting on with things and not making a fuss?
Should we then just accept everything unquestioningly?
Yes, perhaps somebody could tell us how to encourage the Pastor, or is there no deffinitive answer?
Probably top of the list will be,
'Stop asking stupid questions!'
1) I don't think "good one this morning" is all that likely to be the thing that plunges your pastor into pride, apostasy and perdition.
2) Even better, discuss something from the sermon with him, but try not to choose either the place where he shouted loudest because he thought it wasn't very convincing, or the place where he missed the obvious exegetical point that a two-year old could see (especially if you are that two-year old).
3) Now and again take him out for a coffee, or babysit for him to go out with the missus, or take him to browse a bookshop and talk avidly about the cricket, the family, anything other than the church..
4) Most important - grow as a Christian. He'll put up with anything joyfully if he can see people coming to faith and growing.