How can we reduce the “poimacide” rate (read Part 1) in modern church life? In Avoiding Poimacide (Part 2) I suggested two areas churches must seriously and urgently consider to do so. In this installment I offer three more. 3. Markeplace mentality. The church-at-large must confess and repent from a systemic addiction to a marketplace mentality. Instead of a community of other-Kingdom exiles, the church has become a business or brand […]
Previously on Blind Man’s Fancy: Poimacide (Part 1). Surveys show that 90% of pastors will not retire as pastors (see Poimacide (Part 1)). Pastors do get burned out and found out, but most often get run out. Most Western, affluent churches do not have a sterling track record of treating their pastors well for a long time. We must reverse this trend. The church cannot afford to lose any more […]
Our pastor reminded us last night about a harrowing statistic. Only one in ten pastors will retire as pastors. Read that again. Nine out of ten pastors (90%) will leave vocational ministry and retire from some other career. This statistic is part of broad research on the pastoral ministry, which references even more comprehensive research. Obviously, not all of that 90% leave for the same reasons and no pastor is […]
PFC Bradley Manning was convicted as a national traitor for leaking classified military information. He faces 35 years in prison. Or does “he”? It seems Private Manning has now declared himself to be Chelsea Manning, his long-time inner and true identity. This week he released this statement: As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I […]
Sunday evening assemblies have grown rare. If you can find one, there will be a fraction of the Sunday morning attendance. Church members declare Sunday night optional for them. Baptizing their decision in the name of “family time” is more likely football time, movie time, pool time, or get-ready-for-work time. Since Scripture nowhere prescribes a Sunday night service there is no biblical injunction to participate. It’s legalistic to expect folks […]
“. . . and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (Jn 10.3). “Shepherd the flock of God among you” (1 Pt 5.2). Our local paper recently reported on the uptick of home sales in our metropolitan area. It is good to see real estate moving again. Hopefully, there is a corresponding increase in employment and social stability. Memphis needs it. The article charted one of […]
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (Jn 3.16) I was recently reading a cartooned Scripture memorization pamphlet to my 5-year-old daughter. It was a story written to help her memorize John 3.16. The pamphlet was nicely done and broke the verse down in digestible parts. As we worked on the first […]
“He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one’s regret, and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings” (2 Chron 21.20). Imagine strolling through a common cemetery when an ancient tombstone catches your eye. You brush off the weeds and dirt to read: King Jehoram Son of Jehoshaphat […]
“Here, then, is the sovereign power with which the pastors of the church, by whatever name they be called, ought to be endowed. That is that they may dare boldly to do all things by God’s Word; may compel all worldly power, glory, wisdom, and exaltation to yield to and obey his majesty; supported by his power, may command all from the heights even to the last; may build up […]
“…if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron 7.14). It is not uncommon to see 2 Chronicles 7.14 boldly displayed on billboards and church marquees. It is the clarion call to all citizens to pray for political, moral and […]