Business plans with too much detail, books with too much proof, politicians with too much granularity… it seems as though more data is a good thing, because data proves the case.
In my experience, data crowds out faith. And without faith, it’s hard to believe in the data enough to make a leap. Big mergers, big VC investments, big political movements, large congregations… they don’t usually turn out for a spreadsheet.
The problem is this: no spreadsheet, no bibliography and no list of resources is sufficient proof to someone who chooses not to believe. The skeptic will always find a reason, even if it’s one the rest of us don’t think is a good one. Relying too much on proof distracts you from the real mission–which is emotional connection.
It’s weird and fun being on the other side of local church leadership… it is making for some helpful and new insights. Through my new experiences being an attender at local churches I have been able to identify a few basic items that make a for a healthy and successful church. Of these, probably one of the most basic and controllable aspects is friendliness.
It doesn’t matter what size the church. Big or Small, it is easy to be friendly. However, most churches fail this simple test. Leaders and regular attenders are too concerned about their needs, jobs, and preparations to stop and connect relationally with people… the very people they so desire to reach and have stay at their churches.
If you attend a church or lead a church, here is something VERY SIMPLE that you can do to help your church grow (spiritually, communally, numerically)…. Take the 15 minutes before the service starts and walk/talk through the worship center. Say ‘hi’ to people. Engage them in 3-5 min. conversations. Look for faces you don’t recognize or don’t know very well (don’t talk with your regular ‘friends’). If you could just get just 2% of your congregation to lead on this level I am confident you would experience a whole new attitude in your church within 2 months.
@xxxchurch.com got an email from somoene inside the adult industry who wanted out; he left us his phone number & email. I decided to call… this is important. The journey of his struggles has taken him to rock bottom. His friend had told him about us. His basic question… “Do you help people like me?” We had a great talk and then I got ‘Joe’ connected to one of our volunteers & bloggers named Steve-Ohh who only lives about an hour away from where he lives. They met up last week and wanted to share this request with you all.
A few weeks ago through XXX Church I was contacted about a man who lives about an hours drive from me who wanted help getting out of the sex industry. I have talked with Joe (not his real name) on several occasions via phone and email. Last week I had the privilege of meeting Joe in person for the first time. It is one thing to talk to someone over the phone but to actually sit across from this man and see the pain in his eyes was something else. He is broken.
Joe and I talked for hours about how he got into the industry and why he wanted to get out. We talked about his family, the hurts from his past and what is in store for him in the future. Joe is out of the industry. He is working part time about 10-20 hrs a week at a very small salary. He has turned his car over and purchased one he could pay for. Joe is looking for full time employment, in these days is a struggle in itself. Joe needs a fresh start. I am working on getting Joe connected with a local church that may also assist in counseling and the job search.
Being that Joe has given up his previous job he is having a hard time making ends meet. He is behind on child support and is not going to be able to make next months rent. I know that you are hit hard this time of year with requests to help those in need. What I would like to do is show Joe some much needed LOVE. I would like to raise enough money to make 2 months rent for him which would be around $1200. I thank you for your prayers as we continue to minister to Joe and help meet his needs.
You can give online using our donations page or Paypal. Just mark on the donation “Esther Fund”. Thanks so much for coming alongside of this man.
Let me lead with — I have been both fat and a pastor. Unfortunately, no one really ever thought to tell me I was fat, although a few buddies teased me.
Stolen stat: 73% of pastors are overweight with 50% more than 30 lbs overweight.
At one point I was 230lbs. Today I am 190 on my way to 185 after 1 long year of hard work, exercise and eating real sized portions. Hold me accountable if I ever top 200lbs again.
Did a quick internet search… 2 top results; this one is worth the read, the other is apparently doing something about it.
Here is why I think most (not all) pastors get fat. You choose the priority order. My hope is that we would all strive to lead healthy lives in every area.
Pastors get fat because:
Typically they work over 50 hours a week and leave no time or energy for being physically healthy.
Pastors value meetings; either with people from their churches or with their staff for ‘ministry projects’… this leads to a LOT of sitting. (Pointer based on experience - learn to talk while you walk)
Most churches have expense accounts for meetings which get used for meals. Not bad in themselves, but when combined with sitting and given that most pastors are underpaid, free meals become VERY attractive. (Pointer - order from the lunch or appetizer menu; share meals when out with your spouse)
Physical health, exercise and ‘play’ is not seen as a spiritual value. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
The United States church culture is more likely to address porn as an issue than it is obesity, however, pastors struggle with both.
This was an incredible project. The best part about it has to be the ongoing relationships that Jessica is building on behalf of the ministry and Christ. Many people struggled with the concept leading up to the project cause they couldn’t wrap their minds around the idea of loving prostitutes through giving a huge gift that makes their ever day lives better. From first hand experience I can tell you that the gift was received as tangible expression of how great God’s love is for them and for all of us.
hrs a week at a very small salary. He has turned his car over and purchased one he could pay for. Joe is looking for full time employment, in these days is a struggle in itself. Joe needs a fresh start. I am working on getting Joe connected with a local church that may also assist in counseling and the job search.
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