(Thanks to Ken DeMaere)
Friday, September 28, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Lilly approves second SHAPE grant
I have previously indicated my enthusiasm for SHAPE, and its culture-transforming effect within the Church of God. Good news was just announced a few days ago: The Lilly Endowment has approved a continuation grant (a rarity for Lilly!) of $827,000 to allow us to further expand and integrate SHAPE across North America. Praise God!
I believe SHAPE is one of the critical pieces of the solution puzzle to address the challenges that many in vocational ministry are facing today (see "Burned" and "Burned II")
I believe SHAPE is one of the critical pieces of the solution puzzle to address the challenges that many in vocational ministry are facing today (see "Burned" and "Burned II")
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Burned II
Following up on my previous post, Burned:
Today our district had the opportunity to have Al Ells with us for a LAMP training workshop related to credentials and SHAPE. Al heads Leaders that Last Ministries, an organization that "equips Christian leaders to finish well". He has done extensive work recently across the Church of God, especially as it relates to SHAPE.
Here are some statistics (applying to all churches across the U.S.) that he shared with us today:
Within 5 years of graduating from Bible College or Seminary 80% have left the ministry.
The average tenure of a pastor in a church today is only 3 years.
The average tenure of a pastor's ministry career is only 14 years.
Are we getting the message yet?
Today our district had the opportunity to have Al Ells with us for a LAMP training workshop related to credentials and SHAPE. Al heads Leaders that Last Ministries, an organization that "equips Christian leaders to finish well". He has done extensive work recently across the Church of God, especially as it relates to SHAPE.
Here are some statistics (applying to all churches across the U.S.) that he shared with us today:
Within 5 years of graduating from Bible College or Seminary 80% have left the ministry.
The average tenure of a pastor in a church today is only 3 years.
The average tenure of a pastor's ministry career is only 14 years.
Are we getting the message yet?
Friday, September 07, 2007
Burned
This past weekend my wife and I took a mini-vacation to visit family and friends. It was good to get away and to see people we haven't seen in quite some time.
It was also disturbing.
Among the many people we visited were two couples who had been previously in Church of God ministry. Because of some negative experiences, they are now only loosely connected to a local congregation and, in both cases, outside our movement. There is still hurt, frustration and even disillusionment.
One individual served in what once was a strong congregation. Because of some serious flaws in the church's organization structure, coupled with just plain sinful attitudes, an unhealthy political situation developed which led to his departure. At that time, several years ago, my wife and I walked alongside them in this painful journey. It is distressing to see such gifted individuals still negatively impacted by all that happened.
The other person was even more disrupted by his experience. In his view, the district of which he was part let him down, never really validating his ministry. Today he has lost his heart for ministry, and it was apparent by his body language and speech that he is need of much prayer and healing.
On the same weekend, we also heard about another ministry couple we knew very well. Apparently their marriage has dissolved.
All these experiences in a short period of time provoke a wide range of thoughts and feelings in me. I am thoroughly disgusted with the way some churches have treated their pastors, and I also am alarmed that some ministers have not done enough to safeguard their personal lives and families.
We must work to change this. Nothing less than a cultural change within the church is needed, brought about God's leading, renewed theology, and healthier relationships.
It was also disturbing.
Among the many people we visited were two couples who had been previously in Church of God ministry. Because of some negative experiences, they are now only loosely connected to a local congregation and, in both cases, outside our movement. There is still hurt, frustration and even disillusionment.
One individual served in what once was a strong congregation. Because of some serious flaws in the church's organization structure, coupled with just plain sinful attitudes, an unhealthy political situation developed which led to his departure. At that time, several years ago, my wife and I walked alongside them in this painful journey. It is distressing to see such gifted individuals still negatively impacted by all that happened.
The other person was even more disrupted by his experience. In his view, the district of which he was part let him down, never really validating his ministry. Today he has lost his heart for ministry, and it was apparent by his body language and speech that he is need of much prayer and healing.
On the same weekend, we also heard about another ministry couple we knew very well. Apparently their marriage has dissolved.
All these experiences in a short period of time provoke a wide range of thoughts and feelings in me. I am thoroughly disgusted with the way some churches have treated their pastors, and I also am alarmed that some ministers have not done enough to safeguard their personal lives and families.
We must work to change this. Nothing less than a cultural change within the church is needed, brought about God's leading, renewed theology, and healthier relationships.
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