I came across some interesting statistics that our youth guy shared with me. My understanding is these come from Barna Research group and was sponsored by Focus on the Family.
PASTORS
- Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
- Fifty percent of pastor's marriages will end in divorce.
- Eighty percent of pastors and eighty-four percent of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
- Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
- Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
- Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression.
- Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
- Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.
PASTORS' WIVES
- Eighty percent of pastor's spouses feel their spouse is overworked.
- Eighty percent of pastor's spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession.
- The majority of pastor's spouses surveyed said that the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry.
If they 'stats' are adequate then no wonder our churches are in conflict and/or struggling. What does this say about the state of our minister's and their families?
Friday, August 24, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Churches in Conflict
Churches are in the news, but not with good news. I read yesterday about a Tennessee pastor who is being accused of the church paying for his daughter's wedding reception. There are some other accusations that have come to the surface, but that were proven false. Then last night on our local news station there was a story of a pastor who had resigned his church because money mismanagement.
I am not accusing either one of these ministers of anything. I think it is sad when churches are the news, instead of sharing the news - the Good News. What concerns me is churches are in conflict around the country. It is not just these two ministers, or these two churches, churches as a whole are experiencing conflict.
This week in our Bible Study we are studying Acts 20. In this passage, the Apostle Paul is speaking with a group of leaders from the church in Ephesus. Paul says to these leaders: "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers." The apostle literally says: "Pay attention to what is happening in your lives."
As leaders we must guard our hearts and lives, because Satan is a devouring lion who is seeking someone to destroy. If he can destroy the witness of one Christian then he is successful. If he can destroy a pastor or church leader then he has caused serious damage to a local church, a ministry, and to the Kingdom of God.
Later in that same passage Paul says: "So be on your guard!" As leaders we must not just "keep watch over the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers;" we must first "keep watch over yourselves." The writer of Proverbs 4:23 puts it like this: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." In The New Living Translation that verse reads like this: "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
We must be men and women of integrity or we will never be able to reach the world for Christ. We must guard our hearts.
I am not accusing either one of these ministers of anything. I think it is sad when churches are the news, instead of sharing the news - the Good News. What concerns me is churches are in conflict around the country. It is not just these two ministers, or these two churches, churches as a whole are experiencing conflict.
This week in our Bible Study we are studying Acts 20. In this passage, the Apostle Paul is speaking with a group of leaders from the church in Ephesus. Paul says to these leaders: "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers." The apostle literally says: "Pay attention to what is happening in your lives."
As leaders we must guard our hearts and lives, because Satan is a devouring lion who is seeking someone to destroy. If he can destroy the witness of one Christian then he is successful. If he can destroy a pastor or church leader then he has caused serious damage to a local church, a ministry, and to the Kingdom of God.
Later in that same passage Paul says: "So be on your guard!" As leaders we must not just "keep watch over the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers;" we must first "keep watch over yourselves." The writer of Proverbs 4:23 puts it like this: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." In The New Living Translation that verse reads like this: "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
We must be men and women of integrity or we will never be able to reach the world for Christ. We must guard our hearts.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Keith Green
July 28, 2007 marked the 25th anniversary of the untimely death of Keith Green. Keith was a Christian musician and songwriter who died in a plane crash, which also took the lives of his two oldest children and nine others.
There are two reasons for writing about Keith twenty-five years after his death. One, I read recently about his wife, Melody, who is releasing some of Keith's songs. Because of new technologies, she is releasing some of Keith's songs that have never been made public. She will be releasing the music on itunes.
The second, and the most important of the two, is a quote from Keith. It is worth pondering. Keith said: "I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into godly jealousy or to sell out more completely to Jesus!"
Those are words worth reading and re-reading. But more importantly, we should, like Keith, be able to say that our lives provoked others to sell out more completely to Jesus."
There are two reasons for writing about Keith twenty-five years after his death. One, I read recently about his wife, Melody, who is releasing some of Keith's songs. Because of new technologies, she is releasing some of Keith's songs that have never been made public. She will be releasing the music on itunes.
The second, and the most important of the two, is a quote from Keith. It is worth pondering. Keith said: "I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into godly jealousy or to sell out more completely to Jesus!"
Those are words worth reading and re-reading. But more importantly, we should, like Keith, be able to say that our lives provoked others to sell out more completely to Jesus."
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Worship Leaders Conference
This week I volunteered at the National Worship Leader's Conference that was held in Austin. The conference, which featured several top worship leaders and speakers, had an attendance of over 1500 people from all over the U.S.
Some of the musicians for the week were Jeremy Riddle, Mac Powell, Fernando Ortega, Philips, Craig and Dean, GB5, Jeff Deyo, and Ana Laura to name a few. Some of the speakers who spoke this week were Scotty Smith, Marcus Witt, Steve Berger and Francis Chan.
As a volunteer, my "job" was to pick up some of the "artists" at the airport and take them to the hotel and to transport one back to the airport. Monday night I picked up Marcus Witt at the airport and then took him back Tuesday (after he spoke). Marcus is the pastor of the Spanish congregation at Lakewood church in Houston, the largest Spanish congregation in the world. He is also a musician traveling around the world singing and ministering to thousands of people. He recently sang for 15,000 at the Staple Center in L.A. He also has sung in Mexico and Latin America. Marcus, besides being a gifted speaker and musician, owns the largest Spanish record company in the world.
Marcus spoke from Revelation 4 about and to worship leaders. He had good insight into the scripture. Steve Berger brought a message about character and how we are to fear God. Then today, Francis Chan brought a stirring message from Revelation 3 (primarily). He challenged the church to live what the Word of God teaches. The church, for too long, has been "hearers of the Word" and not "doers of the Word."
It was a very good week, even though I didn't get to attend all the sessions. I was able to make much of the week. I was challenged by the speakers I heard. I was also blessed by some of the finest Christian musicians. It's always good to hear and worship with Philips, Craig and Dean.
Some of the musicians for the week were Jeremy Riddle, Mac Powell, Fernando Ortega, Philips, Craig and Dean, GB5, Jeff Deyo, and Ana Laura to name a few. Some of the speakers who spoke this week were Scotty Smith, Marcus Witt, Steve Berger and Francis Chan.
As a volunteer, my "job" was to pick up some of the "artists" at the airport and take them to the hotel and to transport one back to the airport. Monday night I picked up Marcus Witt at the airport and then took him back Tuesday (after he spoke). Marcus is the pastor of the Spanish congregation at Lakewood church in Houston, the largest Spanish congregation in the world. He is also a musician traveling around the world singing and ministering to thousands of people. He recently sang for 15,000 at the Staple Center in L.A. He also has sung in Mexico and Latin America. Marcus, besides being a gifted speaker and musician, owns the largest Spanish record company in the world.
Marcus spoke from Revelation 4 about and to worship leaders. He had good insight into the scripture. Steve Berger brought a message about character and how we are to fear God. Then today, Francis Chan brought a stirring message from Revelation 3 (primarily). He challenged the church to live what the Word of God teaches. The church, for too long, has been "hearers of the Word" and not "doers of the Word."
It was a very good week, even though I didn't get to attend all the sessions. I was able to make much of the week. I was challenged by the speakers I heard. I was also blessed by some of the finest Christian musicians. It's always good to hear and worship with Philips, Craig and Dean.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Psalm 17
Today I was reading a short commentary on Psalm 17. It is written by one of my favorite authors, Warren Wiersbe. Dr. Wiersbe is the author of the "Be" series; commentaries on several books of the Bible. He presently lives in Lincoln, Nebraska where he is still writing.
Psalm 17 is one of the many psalms written by King David. Dr. Wiersbe says the psalm can be summarized in three words: "hear me, hold me, and hide me." It is the last of those that I want to center my thoughts. David writes in Psalm 17:8: "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."
A shadow is not very good protection. It does provide some shade on a hot summer's day, but it doesn't provide protection. But notice that David doesn't ask for any shadow, for he says: "hide me in the shadow of your wings." These are not just any wings, it is the shadow of God's wings; on that you can depend.
Dr. Wiersbe says that these wings were the wings of the cherubim in the Holy of Holies. David was saying, "I'm coming into the Holy of Holies. I'm coming to the very throne of God. Please hide me and hold me and hear me."
The image that David is using is the image of a bird, who provides shelter and protection under it's wing for it's young. Wiersbe says: "God's protection has far greater purposes than helping us avoid pain; it is to make us better servants for Him. God also protects us by guiding us through painful circumstances, not only by helping us escape them."
Deuteronomy 32:27 says: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasing arms."
David concludes the psalm in verse 15 by saying: "And I - in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness." David found protection and provision for his every need in the "shadow" of God's "wings." That protection and provision came in the presence of the "eternal God," in the Holy of Holies.
Psalm 17 is one of the many psalms written by King David. Dr. Wiersbe says the psalm can be summarized in three words: "hear me, hold me, and hide me." It is the last of those that I want to center my thoughts. David writes in Psalm 17:8: "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."
A shadow is not very good protection. It does provide some shade on a hot summer's day, but it doesn't provide protection. But notice that David doesn't ask for any shadow, for he says: "hide me in the shadow of your wings." These are not just any wings, it is the shadow of God's wings; on that you can depend.
Dr. Wiersbe says that these wings were the wings of the cherubim in the Holy of Holies. David was saying, "I'm coming into the Holy of Holies. I'm coming to the very throne of God. Please hide me and hold me and hear me."
The image that David is using is the image of a bird, who provides shelter and protection under it's wing for it's young. Wiersbe says: "God's protection has far greater purposes than helping us avoid pain; it is to make us better servants for Him. God also protects us by guiding us through painful circumstances, not only by helping us escape them."
Deuteronomy 32:27 says: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasing arms."
David concludes the psalm in verse 15 by saying: "And I - in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness." David found protection and provision for his every need in the "shadow" of God's "wings." That protection and provision came in the presence of the "eternal God," in the Holy of Holies.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Of the World
I have begun reading a new book. I try to always find something to blog about when I'm reading. The new book is: "Comeback Churches -How 300 churches turned around and yours can too."
In the first chapter of the book, while the authors are trying to lay the foundation, I read this sentence. "It's ironic that most evangelical churches are filled with people who live very much like the world but look different from it. It should be exactly the opposite. We should look similar to those in our community but act differently."
Those lines immediately struck a chord with me. I stopped reading further and reread those lines. The authors go on to comment that our church members "engage in the same lifestyles and sins as the unchurched." The church today has ceased to follow biblical commands.
We can't tell the difference between the churched and the unchurched, so how are we as the church supposed to be able to reach the unchurched? The Bible says that we are to be "peculiar" people. We are to live differently so the unchurched can see the difference Christ has made in our lives. When our lifestyles are the same as the unchurched then Christ can't be seen.
Is it any wonder why our churches are not growing? How can the church reach the unchurched when the church acts like the unchurched? She can't!
Evangelical churches need to become just that - 'evangelical.' The world needs to see that we live and act differently; then and only then will they be able to see Jesus and the change that He can make in their lives.
In the first chapter of the book, while the authors are trying to lay the foundation, I read this sentence. "It's ironic that most evangelical churches are filled with people who live very much like the world but look different from it. It should be exactly the opposite. We should look similar to those in our community but act differently."
Those lines immediately struck a chord with me. I stopped reading further and reread those lines. The authors go on to comment that our church members "engage in the same lifestyles and sins as the unchurched." The church today has ceased to follow biblical commands.
We can't tell the difference between the churched and the unchurched, so how are we as the church supposed to be able to reach the unchurched? The Bible says that we are to be "peculiar" people. We are to live differently so the unchurched can see the difference Christ has made in our lives. When our lifestyles are the same as the unchurched then Christ can't be seen.
Is it any wonder why our churches are not growing? How can the church reach the unchurched when the church acts like the unchurched? She can't!
Evangelical churches need to become just that - 'evangelical.' The world needs to see that we live and act differently; then and only then will they be able to see Jesus and the change that He can make in their lives.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Wedding
I survived! That is my response to the weekend. For those who don't know, Megan and Clay tied the knot this past weekend. What a interesting and stressful time it has been in the past several months. I have tried to keep my mouth shut, which has been a very difficult thing to do. Needless to say, it has been stressful around the house.
The wedding and the reception were beautiful, if I must say so myself. I can say that because I had so little to do with it. The only thing I had to do was show up at the wedding and keep my mouth shut. Everthing went off without a hitch.
One of the good things about the wedding was being able to visit with family and friends that we don't get to see often. I was able to visit with some friends that we haven't seen in several years. One of those was my old roommate from college days. I was able to visit with him, his wife, one of his daughters and his niece. Even though it was a short visit, we enjoyed the time.
It was also good to visit with some former church members who have moved to other places. It was good to see some of these former members. We have lost touch with some of them, so the short visit was good. All of these former members are educators who have moved on to bigger and better things.
On a personal note, I must confess that my daughter was a beautiful bride. I already knew what a pretty girl, now young lady, she is, but to be able to walk such a beautiful bride down the aisle was an honor. I also made it though most of the weekend without too many tears.
I also must confess that when I received a text message from her on Father's Day, it brought tears to my eyes. Just knowing that she took time between flights to send me a text, made Father's Day very special. I also got to spend some time with my son Sunday afternoon. Just driving to and from Austin was a special couple of hours with my son.
I am a fortunate man to be able to have two such great children. My wife and I are trully blessed by God.
The wedding and the reception were beautiful, if I must say so myself. I can say that because I had so little to do with it. The only thing I had to do was show up at the wedding and keep my mouth shut. Everthing went off without a hitch.
One of the good things about the wedding was being able to visit with family and friends that we don't get to see often. I was able to visit with some friends that we haven't seen in several years. One of those was my old roommate from college days. I was able to visit with him, his wife, one of his daughters and his niece. Even though it was a short visit, we enjoyed the time.
It was also good to visit with some former church members who have moved to other places. It was good to see some of these former members. We have lost touch with some of them, so the short visit was good. All of these former members are educators who have moved on to bigger and better things.
On a personal note, I must confess that my daughter was a beautiful bride. I already knew what a pretty girl, now young lady, she is, but to be able to walk such a beautiful bride down the aisle was an honor. I also made it though most of the weekend without too many tears.
I also must confess that when I received a text message from her on Father's Day, it brought tears to my eyes. Just knowing that she took time between flights to send me a text, made Father's Day very special. I also got to spend some time with my son Sunday afternoon. Just driving to and from Austin was a special couple of hours with my son.
I am a fortunate man to be able to have two such great children. My wife and I are trully blessed by God.
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