2009 has really gotten off to a BUSY start. Even the snowfall of this week has not enabled us to be still enough to "catch up." It was beautiful though--a true indication of the handiwork of God!
This week we witnessed a historic event as a nation. What once seemed completely impossible in our society has, in fact, now taken place. We should be much in prayer for the new administration as he seeks to lead our nation.
As I was updating our e-zines, websites, and blog tonight I realized that I had not stayed true to my vision for this blog. I want it to be a true help to our pastors and staff members as they seek to be agents for the building of the Kingdom and the strengthening of the church.
Right now, I encourage you to check back often to see what helps might be available to you. It is my prayer to offer good information that will help you in your capacity as a pastor/leader in our member churches.
Already there are some good links you should be using on a regular basis. I encourage you to do that. Beginning next week, I hope that I will have more and more that will be of help to you.
Showing posts with label Pastors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pastors. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Call To Action As Pastors/Church Leaders
I posted a similar post on my TRBA blog this AM. I decided to also post on the "Pastors' blog" as an encouragement to you - as ministry leaders - to both join me in prayer concerning this matter and to lead your church (by example and practice) to become stronger in the Lord.
As a pastor, I often used the time between Mother's Day and Father's Day as an emphasis on the family. There is an "expectation" to at least hit the topics of motherhood, fatherhood, and "apple pie" type stuff on some occassions. About half way in the middle is an emphasis on high school and/or college grads. So - why not spend some time and effort to preach and teach some solid stuff on the family, placing God first, etc. in place of the "apple pie."
As I was reading through my mail this morning I noticed a card promoting 'PROJECT FATHER'S DAY." Normally - like you, I would have just trashed it as an advertisement. You and I get a mountain of such mail promoting some emphasis for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Race Relations Sunday, etc. all the time. There is no way we can keep up with all the promo materials we receive, so - we chunk a lot of it in "file 13."
BUT -- you will note that I said, "I NOTICED....." The "headlines" for the promotion were compelling. Sure - it is advertising a Father's Day promotion in the local church (you can go to www.maninthemirror.org and get the details). And yes - I am facilitating a men's group at my church right now with one of the books they are highlighting. And truly it is a way to "Reach every husband, father, and son in your church this Father's Day for about $1 each," BUT the words leaped from the page to my heart strings and I felt compelled to both pray over these facts in our member churches and to write this blog asking you to pray with me.
Think for a minute with me. If the men of our churches experienced the transforming power accessible to them through the Holy Spirit as a result of our fervent prayer, there would be "revival in our land." Imagine the possibilities for renewal in the homes of our church members (and thereby our churches themselves) if we "picked up" more men who would "get right with Jesus" and begin to live in obedience to the call of God as leaders in their homes, the local church, and the community.
There is an argument to be made that we - even as pastors - might need to devote time and energy to leading men (our women are engaged in Beth Moore studies galore - compare women's studies to anything for men and most of our churches come uup lacking in the men column). I would encourage you to prayerfully consider what direction you need to lead your church in its discipleship efforts for the men of your church.
What was the compelling information that was shared in this promotion? Please read it with an awareness in our churches and throughout our communties:
For EVERY 10 MEN in YOUR church.......
10 are STRUGGLING to balance work and family,
9 WILL HAVE children who leave the church,
5 will have a SERIOUS problem with pornography,
4 WILL GET divorced, and
ONLY 1 has a biblical worldview.
These facts are alarming!!!! 100% of us (and I would say this is true for men and women) are STRUGGLING to "balance" work and family. Who doesn't say 100 times a week "I am so busy" in some fashion. Our wives need us---our kids need us---and we don't have time (or energy) to devote to their needs. Our families are weakened, and - as a result - our churches are weakened and society as a whole is weakened.
I have heard for years that there is an ALARMING problem with internet pornography. To realize that 50% of the men in our churches have a SERIOUS problem with pornography (that does not include those with a "little problem" or curosity with pornography). Couple that with the statistic that between 40 - 65% of pastors throughout the United States have viewed pornography on the internet in the past week - and we see a real problem developing.
Certainly time management (or lack thereof) and problems with pornography contribute greatly to those other stats of children leaving the church; divorce rates higher than the non-churched rates; a lack of a biblical worldview, etc. As leaders in the church, we need to take note; make it a matter of prayer; and TAKE ACTION to strnegthen His Church!
With Christ as Savior and Lord - our lives are empowered through the Holy Spirit to be "more than conquerors." Yet - only 1 of 10 in our churches would even think in that frame. Serious problems exist within our curched families (hear me -- CHURCHED families) that are tearing families apart and lending itself toward an ever increasing divorce rate. 50% of our men have a SERIOUS problem with pornography (and this includes laity and clergy) that both reflects dissatisfaction and problems in their life and contributes to an abundance of other problems that exist within our homes and churches (and society as a whole). Our daily struggles to balance the demands of life rip into our marriage relationships; our relationships with our children; affect morale and productivity in the work place; other interpersonal relationships, etc. etc.
I am not writing this to encourage you to participate in
"PROJECT FATHER'S DAY. However, I am writing you to encourage you to join me in praying for this situation. I am also asking that you commit with me to be men of faith; striving to live in accordance with a Biblical worldview; and striving to balance our lives by seeking FIRST and FOREMOST -- above EVERYTHING else - His righteousness. The key to strengthening our churches lies in our personal relationships with the LIving Lord being strengthened.
Personally devote MORE TIME to "being still" and LISTENING to God in the midst of your day. Corporately - lead your church to face the realities before them and sure them up to be beacons of hope in the midst of chaos, turmoil, and despair. Pray WITHOUT CEASING -- but understand the prayers of a "righteous man" (or woman) "availeth much." So -- we begin with OURSELVES and not the church in total. Just some thoughts to consider as you prepare for a season where many churches emphasize the family - that time between Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day.
I may write more later. I just wanted to share some of my heart with you this day.
As a pastor, I often used the time between Mother's Day and Father's Day as an emphasis on the family. There is an "expectation" to at least hit the topics of motherhood, fatherhood, and "apple pie" type stuff on some occassions. About half way in the middle is an emphasis on high school and/or college grads. So - why not spend some time and effort to preach and teach some solid stuff on the family, placing God first, etc. in place of the "apple pie."
As I was reading through my mail this morning I noticed a card promoting 'PROJECT FATHER'S DAY." Normally - like you, I would have just trashed it as an advertisement. You and I get a mountain of such mail promoting some emphasis for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Race Relations Sunday, etc. all the time. There is no way we can keep up with all the promo materials we receive, so - we chunk a lot of it in "file 13."
BUT -- you will note that I said, "I NOTICED....." The "headlines" for the promotion were compelling. Sure - it is advertising a Father's Day promotion in the local church (you can go to www.maninthemirror.org and get the details). And yes - I am facilitating a men's group at my church right now with one of the books they are highlighting. And truly it is a way to "Reach every husband, father, and son in your church this Father's Day for about $1 each," BUT the words leaped from the page to my heart strings and I felt compelled to both pray over these facts in our member churches and to write this blog asking you to pray with me.
Think for a minute with me. If the men of our churches experienced the transforming power accessible to them through the Holy Spirit as a result of our fervent prayer, there would be "revival in our land." Imagine the possibilities for renewal in the homes of our church members (and thereby our churches themselves) if we "picked up" more men who would "get right with Jesus" and begin to live in obedience to the call of God as leaders in their homes, the local church, and the community.
There is an argument to be made that we - even as pastors - might need to devote time and energy to leading men (our women are engaged in Beth Moore studies galore - compare women's studies to anything for men and most of our churches come uup lacking in the men column). I would encourage you to prayerfully consider what direction you need to lead your church in its discipleship efforts for the men of your church.
What was the compelling information that was shared in this promotion? Please read it with an awareness in our churches and throughout our communties:
For EVERY 10 MEN in YOUR church.......
10 are STRUGGLING to balance work and family,
9 WILL HAVE children who leave the church,
5 will have a SERIOUS problem with pornography,
4 WILL GET divorced, and
ONLY 1 has a biblical worldview.
These facts are alarming!!!! 100% of us (and I would say this is true for men and women) are STRUGGLING to "balance" work and family. Who doesn't say 100 times a week "I am so busy" in some fashion. Our wives need us---our kids need us---and we don't have time (or energy) to devote to their needs. Our families are weakened, and - as a result - our churches are weakened and society as a whole is weakened.
I have heard for years that there is an ALARMING problem with internet pornography. To realize that 50% of the men in our churches have a SERIOUS problem with pornography (that does not include those with a "little problem" or curosity with pornography). Couple that with the statistic that between 40 - 65% of pastors throughout the United States have viewed pornography on the internet in the past week - and we see a real problem developing.
Certainly time management (or lack thereof) and problems with pornography contribute greatly to those other stats of children leaving the church; divorce rates higher than the non-churched rates; a lack of a biblical worldview, etc. As leaders in the church, we need to take note; make it a matter of prayer; and TAKE ACTION to strnegthen His Church!
With Christ as Savior and Lord - our lives are empowered through the Holy Spirit to be "more than conquerors." Yet - only 1 of 10 in our churches would even think in that frame. Serious problems exist within our curched families (hear me -- CHURCHED families) that are tearing families apart and lending itself toward an ever increasing divorce rate. 50% of our men have a SERIOUS problem with pornography (and this includes laity and clergy) that both reflects dissatisfaction and problems in their life and contributes to an abundance of other problems that exist within our homes and churches (and society as a whole). Our daily struggles to balance the demands of life rip into our marriage relationships; our relationships with our children; affect morale and productivity in the work place; other interpersonal relationships, etc. etc.
I am not writing this to encourage you to participate in
"PROJECT FATHER'S DAY. However, I am writing you to encourage you to join me in praying for this situation. I am also asking that you commit with me to be men of faith; striving to live in accordance with a Biblical worldview; and striving to balance our lives by seeking FIRST and FOREMOST -- above EVERYTHING else - His righteousness. The key to strengthening our churches lies in our personal relationships with the LIving Lord being strengthened.
Personally devote MORE TIME to "being still" and LISTENING to God in the midst of your day. Corporately - lead your church to face the realities before them and sure them up to be beacons of hope in the midst of chaos, turmoil, and despair. Pray WITHOUT CEASING -- but understand the prayers of a "righteous man" (or woman) "availeth much." So -- we begin with OURSELVES and not the church in total. Just some thoughts to consider as you prepare for a season where many churches emphasize the family - that time between Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day.
I may write more later. I just wanted to share some of my heart with you this day.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
An Appeal To Participate In Guidestone's Retirement
I have been “off line” for a couple of weeks. Decided I would send out one more writing for BOTH blogs. After that, I will divide efforts to the one related to general association and the other to pastor helps. if you have specific areas, you would like me to cover, please contact me and I will attempt to respond ASAP.
What I want to share with you are the benefits of pastors and church staff participating in Guidestone’s retirement. Due to a “partnership” with BSCNC, ANY contribution in the name of a qualified, W-2 staff member has benefits that no church can afford to be without. In reality, it is both a PROTECTION for the pastor/staff member AND for the church.
A contribution in ANY amount in the name of the pastor/staff member on a MONTHLY basis generates the following benefits:
1. A Disability benefit of $500 per month in addition to any other disability coverage the pastor/staff member might have.
2. A survivor benefit – based on age – of between $100,000 for the younger guys and $10,000 for those over 70 (and yes – interims can and should participate).
3. If the pastor/staff member is able to contribute over $52.50 per month, BSCNC will contribute $1.00 for every $2.00 up to the staff member’s monthly contribution of $105.00. Effectively, this is a 17% annual earning on all contributions for the year – and you cannot get that anywhere else! In addition, both the contributions and then the withdrawals can be tax exempt.
If your church is not contributing for your pastor and staff, they could be at risk. The death of a staff member in service at the time of his/her death is devastating. The church may take up love offerings to assist, but they most likely cannot raise $100K. How much help the church can be by insuring the pastor/staff participates monthly in the Guidestone Retirement System.
Despite all my sharing of this information, fewer than 35 TRBA churches are enrolled in Guidestone. Please prayerfully consider protecting your pastor, staff, their families, and the church by contributing to their retirement in Guidestone.
I will be happy to talk with you further if you have questions/concerns. May God truly bless you as you seek to be the church God has called you to be.
In His Service,
Dougald
What I want to share with you are the benefits of pastors and church staff participating in Guidestone’s retirement. Due to a “partnership” with BSCNC, ANY contribution in the name of a qualified, W-2 staff member has benefits that no church can afford to be without. In reality, it is both a PROTECTION for the pastor/staff member AND for the church.
A contribution in ANY amount in the name of the pastor/staff member on a MONTHLY basis generates the following benefits:
1. A Disability benefit of $500 per month in addition to any other disability coverage the pastor/staff member might have.
2. A survivor benefit – based on age – of between $100,000 for the younger guys and $10,000 for those over 70 (and yes – interims can and should participate).
3. If the pastor/staff member is able to contribute over $52.50 per month, BSCNC will contribute $1.00 for every $2.00 up to the staff member’s monthly contribution of $105.00. Effectively, this is a 17% annual earning on all contributions for the year – and you cannot get that anywhere else! In addition, both the contributions and then the withdrawals can be tax exempt.
If your church is not contributing for your pastor and staff, they could be at risk. The death of a staff member in service at the time of his/her death is devastating. The church may take up love offerings to assist, but they most likely cannot raise $100K. How much help the church can be by insuring the pastor/staff participates monthly in the Guidestone Retirement System.
Despite all my sharing of this information, fewer than 35 TRBA churches are enrolled in Guidestone. Please prayerfully consider protecting your pastor, staff, their families, and the church by contributing to their retirement in Guidestone.
I will be happy to talk with you further if you have questions/concerns. May God truly bless you as you seek to be the church God has called you to be.
In His Service,
Dougald
Monday, October 23, 2006
The "Purpose-Driven" Pastor
This post "steals" a term much used in church circles of today. We deal with the PURPOSE of one who serves as pastor. We have already dealt with the fact the we, who serve as pastors, have been called by the Soverign LORD to the highest calling as a pastor. That fact must always be before us.
As one called to this high calling, we must also note that it is God who gifts us to the task He has called us to do as pastors. The same Soverign LORD that calls us to this task equips and gifts us to accomplish the task he has placed before us. We have to always keep that focus as well.
Sometimes when sharing my testimony or sharing what I "do," I use the terminoology "my ministry." Col. 4: 17 details that we receive our ministry from the LORD, therefore there is really no such truth as "my ministry." In "my ministry" I work diligently for the applause of man. In the "ministry I received from the Lord" I strive to be obedient to His calling upon my life. My prayer is that I will receive His ministry and always forsake that whoich I consider "mine."
O. S. Hawkins wrote, "The pastor's calling is to "serve God's pupose" and glorify His name in the process." That fact should be what drives those of us who seek to serve as Pastors.
Hawkins goes on to relate how we can know with certainty that God has called us for a certain purpoose or to a certain place. Listed below are several things that he posted:
1. God Implants A Desire In Your Heart: Ps. 37: 4 reads "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." I don't believe God calls us to a task we do not want to do. We could probably debate the way I word this, but I am trying to say that when God called you to preach, you have a genuine desire to preach.
2. God Presents The Opportunity For You To Accomplish What He Has Called You to Do: In seeking God's will, desire is not enough. We must have the opportunity. God presents the opportunity for us to be faithful to the call He sets before us.
3. With the Implanted Desire and The God-given Opportunity, Keep On Walking in Obedience To God and Trust Him To Open The Doors: Acts 16 provides an example of this to us. Paul had the desire to go to Asia but the opportunity was not afforded him. He kept walking in obedience. His opportunity to fulfill the desire of his heart was afforded him in the Macedonian Call. There God used him to accomplish his purpose.
Once we have sensed the call of God to preach; have found the place of service; then it is essential for us to understand our role as a God-called pastor. 1st. Peter 5 lays out the role of a God-called pastor:
1. The Spiritual Leader: 1 Peter 1: 1 - one that is spiritually mature (nothing to do with age)
2. A SERVANT Leader: 1 Peter 5: 2 - one that is to lead, feed, and protect God's flock that is under his care
3. Senior Leader/Overseer: 1 Peter 5: 2 - implies that there are indeed administrative responsibilities to the role of pastor
When we operate from a sense of God's calling upon out lives, there is a huge difference. The church should not view or treat the pastor as a "hireling." The pastor should never see the church he serves as a "stepping stone" or anything less than God's flock that is currently his place of service for the Living Lord Jesus Christ.
As one called to this high calling, we must also note that it is God who gifts us to the task He has called us to do as pastors. The same Soverign LORD that calls us to this task equips and gifts us to accomplish the task he has placed before us. We have to always keep that focus as well.
Sometimes when sharing my testimony or sharing what I "do," I use the terminoology "my ministry." Col. 4: 17 details that we receive our ministry from the LORD, therefore there is really no such truth as "my ministry." In "my ministry" I work diligently for the applause of man. In the "ministry I received from the Lord" I strive to be obedient to His calling upon my life. My prayer is that I will receive His ministry and always forsake that whoich I consider "mine."
O. S. Hawkins wrote, "The pastor's calling is to "serve God's pupose" and glorify His name in the process." That fact should be what drives those of us who seek to serve as Pastors.
Hawkins goes on to relate how we can know with certainty that God has called us for a certain purpoose or to a certain place. Listed below are several things that he posted:
1. God Implants A Desire In Your Heart: Ps. 37: 4 reads "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." I don't believe God calls us to a task we do not want to do. We could probably debate the way I word this, but I am trying to say that when God called you to preach, you have a genuine desire to preach.
2. God Presents The Opportunity For You To Accomplish What He Has Called You to Do: In seeking God's will, desire is not enough. We must have the opportunity. God presents the opportunity for us to be faithful to the call He sets before us.
3. With the Implanted Desire and The God-given Opportunity, Keep On Walking in Obedience To God and Trust Him To Open The Doors: Acts 16 provides an example of this to us. Paul had the desire to go to Asia but the opportunity was not afforded him. He kept walking in obedience. His opportunity to fulfill the desire of his heart was afforded him in the Macedonian Call. There God used him to accomplish his purpose.
Once we have sensed the call of God to preach; have found the place of service; then it is essential for us to understand our role as a God-called pastor. 1st. Peter 5 lays out the role of a God-called pastor:
1. The Spiritual Leader: 1 Peter 1: 1 - one that is spiritually mature (nothing to do with age)
2. A SERVANT Leader: 1 Peter 5: 2 - one that is to lead, feed, and protect God's flock that is under his care
3. Senior Leader/Overseer: 1 Peter 5: 2 - implies that there are indeed administrative responsibilities to the role of pastor
When we operate from a sense of God's calling upon out lives, there is a huge difference. The church should not view or treat the pastor as a "hireling." The pastor should never see the church he serves as a "stepping stone" or anything less than God's flock that is currently his place of service for the Living Lord Jesus Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)