Pathways

How does one find God? Clearly, not everyone does and there is not just one way. Even among Christians there are many ways in which we come to experience God’s presence in our lives. Some of us are very relational and find God’s power and presence as we interact with other believers, some of us pursuit our spiritual adventure through intellectual pursuits, or service to others, perhaps simply in contemplative silence.

Years ago while serving at a church I determined to take on the mindset and endeavor of the Romans. They said, all roads lead to Rome and we determined to design all our services, programs, outreach, paper, websites and media so that all roads lead to Christ.  In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by me”. We believe that to be true and that Jesus’ very being, human life, sacrifice, resurrection and ascent safeguarded and blessed all of humanity with this joyous journey’s end.

It is important for each one of us to explore (leisurely and intently) as well as advance (by assent and constancy) our spiritual pathway. This is no easy journey and though millions of books and articles have been written on the subject, there is no solitary path or answer to how we might best take the journey. We are each unique individuals with different histories, personalities, gifts, strengths and spirituality. Some get lost in the mire, on dark nights of the soul or by a mirage that confuses our soul with its intrigue. So I urge you, do not give up and do not rush along too fast; take time to enjoy the vistas and valleys and watch your step.

In one way or another, most people search to find a “spiritual home” a place (however real or existential) of nourishment for their being.  Along the journey you may find that other pathways cross yours. Each of these experiences is wonderful as it gives us the opportunity to gain new perspectives. This is how I like to think about my participation in my local congregation. Some find it hard to tell stories of their faith journey and harder still to believe and respect the pathways of others.  Jean Pierre De Casaude, one of my favorite unknown authors who wrote Sacrament of the Present Moment, would urge us to consider that even your time at the local cafe is God’s time for you – A time to seek God, a time to be blessed by God, a time to bless another person through your smile, your words, actions, prayers, or conversation.  This is why I sign most of my letters and email corespondence with these final words…

Seek the Blessed and be a blessing to others.

KindleJoy – Online Prayer Community

After nearly two years of dialog and prayer with Robert Yang, the creator of KindleJoy we are glad to welcome this revolutionary ministry and online prayer community into our family of ministries at WIA.

Robert and I met at a conference called Church 2.0 that was facilitated by Greg Atkinson. From the beginning I knew there was something special about Robert. We connected. We both attend mainline churches. We are both passionate about prayer recognizing that despite ourselves, our abilities and ability to foul things up, God is in control and able to work through anyone and redeem any situation.

KindleJoy is an online prayer resource for individuals and groups. It can function as your prayer journal or as the central communication center for the Prayer Chain or Intercessory team at your church, small group or ministry.

Over the years serving on the pastoral staff of churches and ministries I’ve been a part prayer chains and prayed with people in my office and around town. At one church we received prayer cards at every service – usually 100-200 cards each week. Our Intercessory Prayer Team met in the chapel after every service and prayed over the members concerns, prayers and requests. On Monday morning the prayer cards were divided up and provided to each of the pastoral staff so that we could take an hour to pray for the congregation before the staff meeting. – It was a great system. It kept us all connected with the hearts of our members.

KindleJoy is much the same except that it allows members to publish their prayers, privately or publicly, to their prayer journal or to a group (such as the church). Additionally, for those who use Twitter and want to broadcast out their prayer concerns (e.g. for the Nation, the hungry, the orphans, the jobless, etc.) they can link their own twitter account and publish the prayer instantly. Now unlike our prayer cards KindleJoy also allows others to “spark a prayer”.  Like lighting a candle it is a visual reminder of encouragement to our friends and the family of Christ that others are in fact praying for them.

In the future you will hear more about the future development of KindleJoy. For now I would invite you to:

1. Join the prayer network.
2. Follow @KindleJoy on Twitter
3. Create a prayer group for your church or ministry (free) and embed the free group widget into your website.

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To support KindleJoy financially please send @kindlejoy a twitter message or contact WIA (a registered nonprofit ministry).

Ministry in Mbuya Uganda Growing

Pastor Samuel writes us this week to share a ministry update, “Its calm here in Uganda after a season of unrest and tribal riots in different parts of our nation that claimed over 20 lives and property destroyed.” He is referring to the land disputes and tragic deaths that broke out in West Africa after the surprising discovery of oil.

Pastor Samuel is leading a remarkable ministry in Mbuya, Uganda that is meeting the needs of families, orphans and men and women. His family is in sincere need of your prayers and your financial support. Not only would it help provide the necesary assistance but it would give him great encouragement.

He writes, “Firstly, we could use your prayers as a nation that we will live beyond our tribal differences and work together to build our nation. Secondly, I believe that it’s only through the gospel that tribal lines are washed away.”

I agree with him, your partnership to our ministry in Uganda will help Samuel continue to support the team of pastors he has trained, help strengthen their ministry and advance the Gospel of peace.

There in Mbuya at New Hope Church, all the tribes of Uganda are represented and remarkably gathering in peace for worship week after week. “We have people from different tribes all coming together to worship Jesus under one roof. Some from Northern Uganda, others from East, South and the West.” shares Samuel in his most recent letter.

Samuel’s family is relying on God to provide for their young family. Please stand with them as their family serves there in Uganda. You can help Samuel and this marvelous ministry as an individual, a family or a church on a monthly basis or a one time gift.

When you make the gift via the church website please indicate “Family”. Their monthly budget is very reasonable:  Rent $250, Food $200, Electricity and Water $30, Internet $40

Your partnership in prayer and financial gifts is helping us make a difference in this community. We look forward to hearing from you, - Samuel

His Saving Grace Outreach Ministries

Another choice is to sponsor a child. Education is key in the development of a nation. Here at New Destiny we believe that every child deserves a right to education and an opportunity to achieve their dreams. You can help us make that possible by sponsoring a child for $30 a month. If you want to sponsor a child, indicate “Sponsor a child” when you give.

Pray Sterling – One Body in Christ

Have seen the most recent article in Loudoun-Times Mirror about Transformation Forum? If not here is a reprint of the article.

Transformation Forum is a ministry of WIA and we celebrate both the launch of the newest prayer team of Transformation Forum and the work of God among you!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 2009

Pray Sterling – Saturday, September 12

Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise Street

Bringing unity to our communities through the power of prayer and blessing

All were invited to join local pastors and laymen in praying for Sterling. The kick-off prayer gathering took place at the Sterling Community Center on Saturday from 2:30 PM until 5 PM. The gathering discussed how Pray Sterling can bring elected leaders, public safety personnel, business leaders, pastors, youth and schools, to join us as the Spirit leads.

Four pastors — all from different churches and denominations in Christ – took a stand in Prayer for Sterling this past Saturday. An additional two pastors and one Messianic Rabbi also support Pray Sterling, bringing a total of six pastors and one Messianic Rabbi in full support of the birthing of Pray Sterling. This number is expected to grow.

The call is for all people- government officials at the local level, school board members, principles, teachers, police, emergency services, pastors, ministry leaders, intercessors, business, the arts, faith-based non-profit organizations and all who desire to pray for Sterling – to become involved in community service projects that positively transform and impact our town.

The intent is having weekly meetings at a time and place to be determined. The plan is to communicate this weekly meeting to the entire community. Pray Sterling is seeking pastors and layman that have a vision not only for their churches and congregations, but for the entire community of Sterling with a commitment to working and praying together across denominations. The pastors and market place leaders should consider themselves as elders of the city who meet at the city gate each week to pray for their city.

On September 12, thirteen people met for the first time to initiate Pray Sterling.

• Brenda Baker – Heirs of Abraham Outeach Ministry, Sterling
• Lucie Brackett (accompanied with her husband Bob) – Kehilat Sar Shalom, Sterling
• Minister DR. Bob Franks – Philadelphia Christian Church, Baltimore
• Mark Gunderman – Community Lutheran Church, Sterling
  
• Pastor Cary E. Johnson – New Life Church, Sterling
  
• Pastor Ron Klabunde – Restore Church, Sterling
  
• Carol Mclaughlin – Restore Church, Sterling
  
• Jeff Pittinger – Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg
  
• Jack Stagman – Purcellville Baptist Church
  
• Reverend Dr. Alvin Thomas – Oak Grove Baptist, Sterling
  
• Joy Trickett – Dranesville Church of the Brethren
  
• Bessie Trickett – Dranesville Church of the Brethren

The Guest Speaker was Reverend Dr. Jack Stagman – President Transformation Forum. Jack also serves as Marketplace Chaplain for the Christian Business Forum and is a missionary to the US from South Africa. He has lived in Purcellville with his family for the past eight years.

Jack told us how his faith in Jesus Christ brought him and his family out of South Africa to the United States, and gave him the vision of changing lives through the transforming of the mind and heart through Jesus Christ.

Reverend Stagman informed Pray Sterling that through the process of transformation we can become agents of positive influence and change through prayer, blessing and community service for the purpose of impacting business, ministry, government, education, media and the arts.

Transformation Forum’s vision is to establish an influential and united partnership with marketplace and church leaders where the central focus is prayer. The objective is to promote change for the spiritual climate through prayer, fasting and transforming the people and institutions of Loudoun County with practical demonstrations of love and acts of compassion. According to Reverend Stagman, Transformation Forum’s definition of Marketplace/Church leaders is “believers who are leaders in business and government who share the vision and mission. These marketplace leaders function as equal partners together with church leaders, working together as one, with a passion to transform and impact society through their spheres of influence.”

We are entering the next phase of what God is using to teach us about His purposes. We have gone from intimacy in the beginning, to separation, the tabernacle, the cross, the Body of Christ, to building churches, to denominations, to Christian organizations, and now to Kingdom. Our focus must be on Him and His Kingdom alone and not our own.

The September 12 Pray Sterling Agenda was as follows: Sounding of the Shofar as a praise offering for Jesus Christ; Opening prayer for Sterling; All attending had the option to speak about any concerns and issues they thought were pertinent to improving the local church networking, public safety and business environment for Sterling.

The group reviewed the DVD Elk River, Minnesota Story regarding the process of successful transformation in that city. Testimony was given by the residents of Elk River noting that a decrease in teenage suicides was 20% after the launching of their Prayer Teams! When prayer becomes a united community commitment in Sterling, we too will see a positive transformation before our eyes because God promises that He delights in giving to His Children, to prosper them, and fulfill their needs and pour out His spirit on our sons and our daughters.

The group was provided a briefing of the current status of transformation efforts in Purcellville, Leesburg and Ashburn.  The group received information about the role of the Transformation Forum nationally. Reverend Stagman provided a comprehensive report about the Transformation Plan which has three components: prayer, community service and Christian Business Forum (CBF).

The immediate focus for Pray Sterling will now be to pray for Sterling and building relationships within the community. The next step will then be to prepare the group to move to another level by including community service which gives impetus to our prayers. The future may provide Pray Sterling the opportunity to host the first business luncheon to launch the Christian Business Forum.

Pray Sterling believes Christian society has yet to comprehend the importance prayer has in releasing the Will of God. We need to educate believers with the fact that one has to pray for change in this world by committing all things to prayer. Jesus Christ always went to pray to the Father for guidance and comfort.

For more information about this exciting event, email Brenda Baker @ heirsofabrahammin@verizon.net or call 540-907-5115.

Believe in the “unity among elders” to start this revival and the gathering will duplicate what was said of the early Church in Acts 4:32: “Now the multitude of those who believed was of one heart and one soul.”

One Bread, One Body

One of my favorite songs then and now is “One Bread, One Body” by John Michael Talbot (www.johnmichaeltalbot.com).  As a troubadour and follower of Christ, John Michael Talbot has captured in this peaceful song the marvelous truth that the Church in America and around the world needs to grasp.

Listen to a the contemporary rendition of the song and contemplate the words to the refrain:

One bread, one body,
one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many,
throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

In the mosaic of the Church around the world and throughout time, there are many expressions of worship, many sure methods of discipleship, evangelism, service, devotion and prayer. Over the last few thousand years, and even today,  the Church to be her own worst enemy.  Why do we bicker about the right way, the best way? Why do we fail to work ecumenically or even more diligently within our own denominations to further the Gospel and intention of God among our communities?

Please consider meeting for prayer with other ministers of the Gospel in your community each month. If you are ready to transform your community for Christ, if you need a guide or want to learn how to go about creating Community Prayer Groups feel free to contact us.

Tools for Churches | Church Health Survey

Between 1986 and 1995 a series of research projects fueled a scientific study of over 1000 churches in 32 countries and resulted in the publication of Natural Church Development: A Guide to Eight Essential qualities of Healthy Churches by Christian Schwarz.

The International Research Project (which included 1000 churches in 32 countries on 6 continents) identified eight universal characteristics that seem to be more developed in churches that are showing empirical signs of growth. Reportedly more than 45,000 churches from over 70 different countries have applied these principles.

WIA affirms these 8 characteristics. You can obtain the official “quality index developed by Natural Church Development” or consider developing your own based on the NCD principles. WIA does offer such an tool. Our online Church Health Survey can be incorporated into an online learning community for your congregation allowing members and staff to dialog about what they are discovering, publish related documents and much more to further discipleship an the health of your congregation. To learn more about this service please contact our administrative office.

The basis for the 8 characteristics was discovered during the International Research Project (which included 1000 churches in 32 countries on 6 continents).  Because the church is the body of believers it is reasonable to not simply measure your congregation (diocese, simple church, organic church, etc) by these  elements but our own lives as well.  Christian A Schwartz identified these characteristics or elements as these:

Empowering Leadership
Leaders of growing churches concentrate on empowering others for ministry. They help others to attain the spiritual potential God has for them. This factor considers the extent to which leaders equip, support, motivate,
and mentor individuals in their organization.

Gift-based Ministry
The gift-oriented approach to ministry reflects the principles of stewardship and interdependence. The role of church leadership is to help is members to identify their gift and to integrate them into appropriate ministries. When Christians serve in their area of giftedness, they generally function less in their own strength and more in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus this factor measures the extent to which people know their gifts, and serve in an area of their giftedness.

Passionate Spirituality
Years ago there was a book called Contagious Christianity, this factor the measures the extent to which members of the church are enthusiastic about their own spiritual journey, spiritual matters, and the faith story of other members. This quality is reflected in living committed lives, and the enthusiasm and joy that comes from a dynamic relationship with God and respect for one another.

Effective Structures
While structures and methods may change, the reality of this factor is that it helps a church establish a culture that fosters the environment, management and preparedness of the congregation to adapt to ongoing growth and future shifts. Examples include leadership structures, programs, facilities, meeting times, etc. Changing (or eliminating) any institutional structures that do not fulfill their purpose keeps the organization moving forward, and helps avoid traditionalistic ruts that hinder growth and development. This factor measures the extent of forms and structures in the church and if they fulfill their purpose or not.

Inspiring Worship Service

Worship, true worshipers worship in action and heart.  Style is secondary. Services might be geared toward Christians or non-Christians, they may be liturgical, reflective, celebratory or free, their language and setting my be churchy or secular. It makes no difference for church growth. This factor measures the extent to which worshipers experience a joyous and inspiring time with God that generates a noticeable effect upon the atmosphere of the faith community and the soul of the individual.

Holistic Small Groups
Small groups have a positive effect on the individual as well as the quality and numerical growth of a church. This factor measures the extent to which small groups provide a sense of intimate community, practical help, and intensive spiritual interaction for personal discipleship.

Need-Oriented Evangelism
While only 10% of Christians have the gift of evangelism it is the task of each Christian to use his or her gifts to serve the purposes of God. Arguably the foremost concern of God is to seek and save the lost, and abide in communion with every believer by grace through faith.  The key to church health is that it’s evangelistic efforts address the local needs of non-Christians.

Loving Relationships
Healthy churches also express the qualities of love. This factor measures the extent to which relationships in the faith community are characterized by  love. Examples include the desire to spend time with one another, exchanging compliments, awareness and concern for individual problems and needs and the enjoyment of personal relationships.

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WIA is a nonprofit ministry that helps further the Kingdom of God, by embracing your dreams and call for ministry or church planting and by providing resources that foster healthier faith communities around the world.

Some of Our Services and Resources:

* Ministry Incubator and Church Planting

* Church Health Survey

* OrgSync – Online Social network for your seminary, church or group of churches

* UniquelyYou – Gifts and DISC survey. WIA is a certified trainer and consultant.

* PhoneVite – The most affordable Phone Tree solution

* KindleJoy – The Online Prayer Tree (a free web tool and ministry of WIA)

* Fundraising Strategies and Tools – AlumniFidelity and Simple Savers

Contact us…
www.worldwideinterfaith.org
gtroxell@worldwideinterfaith.org
408-540-6223

The History and Destiny of America

America – A land whose name and namesake destined it for leadership, faith & freedom. #AFFM http://ow.ly/iQgI

THE HISTORY AND DESTINY OF AMERICA
Amerigo Vespucci the man who name became synonymous with AMERICA, was born in 1454 in Florence. According to the official record “Amerigho” was baptized as an infant a “Christian” (one belonging to, dedicated to or a person who adheres to Christ; disciples and followers of Jesus Christ). He was named after his grandfather, as indicated in the baptism register of his church in Florence: “Amerigho et Matteo di ser Nastagio [his father] di ser Amerigho [his grandfather] Vespucci.”.

Interestingly the name “Amerigo” derives from an old Gothic name, Amalrich. In all its forms found in Europe (Greek “Aimulos,” Latin “Aemelius”) the underlying meaning was that of WORK and LEADERSHIP. Amalrich, which literally meant “work ruler”, “designator of tasks” or “master workman”. Old German forms of the name were Amalrich, Almerich, Emmerich; the Spanish form was Almerigo; in England it was Almerick, or Merica in old families in Yorkshire. It appeared in feminine forms in Amelia and Emily; its masculine forms were Amery, Emeric, and Emery.

A map created in 1507 by Martin Waldseemüller (a map-making cleric) was the first to depict this new continent with the name “America,”. He included on the map data gathered by Vespucci during his voyages of 1501-1502 to the New World. The U.S. Library of Congress recently completed the purchase of the only known extant copy of this map for $10 million, thanks to the generosity of the U.S. Congress, Discovery Channel, Gerald Lenfest, David Koch and several other donors. Vespucci’s first name was Latinized to “Americus” and then feminized to “America.”) The act of naming was apparently Waldseemueller’s alone; there is no evidence that the term was in use at the time, though there have been claims that Cabot popularized the name of America in England for the namesake of a Bristol merchant, Ameryk. Historians today agree that Vespucci, was unaware of Waldseemüller’s project in Lorraine and had nothing to do naming the New World named after himself. Nonetheless, the name AMERICA spread throughout Europe and quickly.

So what then can be said about AMERICA? We should always be a land devoted to science, discovery, faith, freedom, humility, service, work, and leadership.

American Faith and Family Ministries will be conducting a Million Family and Faith March in DC (August 2010) A brief introductory video can be seen here: http://ow.ly/iGpk

Please join us. Follow me on Twitter or search for #AFFM or #MFFM on Twitter to learn more and stay up to date with the latest news, rallies and events.

@gtroxell
Greg Troxell
www.worldwideinterfaith.org
www.millionfamilymarch.org

Sources:
1) http://ow.ly/iQ9K
2) http://ow.ly/iQ9P
3) http://ow.ly/iQaU
4) http://ow.ly/iQbw
5) http://ow.ly/iQei
6) http://ow.ly/iQet
7) http://ow.ly/iGpk

Ministry in Liberia

Pastor Jeremiah J. Nimely, Sr. feels an immense burden and calling by the Lord  “to do the work of the ministry and to take care of orphans and less fortunate”. After a bloody civil war in Liberia which lasted 14 years, much of the country’s infrastructure still lays waste. But there are people like Pastor Jeremiah Nimely who stand out, who raise up others and serve whole heartedly with faith in God and the church community.

Since 2000 they have been able to:

• Planted three congregations in surrounding villages bringing the Gospel and discipleship to about 255 people.
• Support affiliated pastors and their church plants in Liberia and Sierra Leon, a neighboring country in West Africa.
• Train 16 individuals to become pastors and assistants in the growing ministry.
• The ministry also works with orphaned children and street kids and youth. The ministry provides the children with education, vocational training, and a feeding program.
• The prayerful intention is of all these programs is centered on the Gospel and the desire to prepare the children to be God’s future leaders for the church.

A few years back the church at which I served mobilized a team to provide relief to another orphanage and school. It was astonishing that the Nations Capitol City was without power in the downtown corridor until 2006.  Our mission there was a success, helping rebuild the center, encourage the staff and volunteers and open the eyes of our ministry team, congregation and community to the pressing needs of people in other parts of the world. Over the course of three years more than $100,000 was invested there to bring, water, new roof, clothing, medical supplies, library books and school supplies, mold removal and new paint, and finally solar power.

Pastor Nimely’s vision and needs are just as large. Our goal that by the end of 2010 we will have deployed 25 missionaries to bring $1500,000 in financial aid, education, supplies and relief  to the mission.

Pastor Jeremiah intends to develop establish viable local, national and international Christian businesses and sustainable agricultural solutions so that the mission will not always be reliant and asking America for help. In an interview with Jeremiah he said, “the church should not be a beggar” referring to the need to develop a sustainable ministry, people and nation. In Liberia the basic infrastructure was destroyed,  the population and families were killed and torn apart. “The church” says Nimely, “she is supposed to have witness and give hope to those that are outside of the church”.

The ministry also involves an adult literacy educational and several vocational programs. Jeremiah knows that investing in the adults of the community will help raise the potential of Liberia and prevent further dispair to his people. Last year the ministry was able to purchase an acre of land where they want to build a new orphanage home and develop some organic farming plots to provide more of their staple food items. The picture below show some members school and a few members of the church family.

the children & orphans of the school - I.D.T.

Pastor Jeremiah, his wife Pastor Roseline, have three children. Jeremiah, John & Jereline. Their family and the mission would be blessed by your financial support, sponsorship of children, service and partnership with WIA. Pleasse consider what you can do and contact our office in San Jose, Ca.

Greg Troxell
WIA, Overseer

Pastor Jeremiah’s Strong & Inspiring Personal Testimony (his words and prose):

“I came to the Lord when my mother and father die and my brother die also. I had no one to take care of me. I then went in the street because I felt that there was no hope. I did not care what was going to be. I did real inhummuine labour for people..I then worked in a coco plantation for a year, but the labour was more severe, and later I took my little wages and tighten my stomach from food, and made it to the capital city to find another change for living that was another 50 times more severe A lady help me for high school but I was not authorized to eat any meals in that house, because she was sending me to school. So I beared it and used to go in the street after selling for her at midnight…a distance like 5 to 6 miles walk from where I was living…to look for food.. I use to go to the cook shops to wash the cooking pots, and then will eat the rice crust from the pots …Before I get home the doors will be locked and I have to sleep in the street. It was risky, and in all of this I was unconscious and felt like dying and to follow my dad and mom in the grave. “But there was a friend who met me one day, talk to me about Jesus, and invited me to a Christmas night. I really went there because I knew that there will be lot of food …but when I went there I heard Christ preached by the pastor. He preached about how Jesus died for me and was bruise because of my sin and took away all my deeds/sins. He is willing to accept you with what you are and have right now. “I was ashamed to go for an alter call because my heart was to the bread and tea, but with the choir singing, I was moved to the alter by some kind of way that I did not understand, and then, I was led to Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. I was taught through a baptismal class and was baptized by immersion and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. And now I am His one of His disciples who is making disciples for Him. Then I assist pastors for 13 years in church planting and discipling. Now I am pastoring a church that was planted by me and my wife today. What a great change that the Lord has done for me and is using me as one of His blood purchased servant through His death and resurrection. I am alive and not dead, praise God. After more than 14 or 15 years of the bloody civil war in Liberia, I who was suppose to have been dead, the Lord delivered from men’s/rebel’s hell, and I am alive again…Let God take the praise and glory ever and ever.”

Pastor Jeremiah Nimely and his wife Roseline

Ministry Burnout – what should be done?

Chad Estes (@Chad_Estes) has published some telling statistics about the state of ministry leaders’ lives these day. This summary comes from the blog of Alan Fadling* (@alanfadling). The statistics come from from The Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc:

* 90% of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week.
* 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families. Many pastor’s children do not attend church now because of what the church has done to their parents.
* 33% state that being in the ministry is an outright hazard to their family.
* 90% feel they are inadequately trained to cope with the ministry demands and 50% feel unable to meet the demands of the job.
* 70% say they have a lower self-image now than when they first started.
* 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
* 40% report serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
* 33% confess having involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church .
* 50% have considered leaving the ministry in the last months.
* 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years.
* 94% of clergy families feel the pressures of the pastor’s ministry.
* The profession of “Pastor” is near the bottom of a survey of the most-respected professions, just above “car salesman”.
* Over 4,000 churches closed in America last year.
* Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year.
* Over 1,300 pastors were terminated by the local church each month, many without cause.
* Over 3,500 people a day left the church last year, over 1.25 million people.

Questions to Consider and Discuss:
1) How do these stats compare with your experience and perspective?
2) Which of these is stirring you to change your ways?
3) What would you like to do about the situation?

Source Blog: http://alanfadling.com/2009/06/03/ministry-burnout-stats/

Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc

Virtual Presence

Have you heard he old adage, “you are what you eat”? Have you considered that in this digital age of social media with Twitter, Facebook, Linked IN and the like you might soon be hearing…

“You are what you tweet”. A company call Tweetstats will give you a quick picture of your Twitter Cloud (a visual representation of the words you tweet most).

You are what you Tweet

1. What does your cloud say about you?
2. Does your public image represent the real you?
3. Are you satisfied with your twitter cloud?