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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation (Rev 5.9). Last week was a study in contrasts for me. The church we attend has very lively music. They have a full “swaying” choir with an R & B swagger. They […]
We all love a good miracle, don’t we? Honestly, I can’t say I’ve ever witnessed a miracle in the biblical sense. I’ve seen God provide in remarkably timely ways. I’ve seen God use the ordinary means of grace in powerful ways. I’ve known God to act in ways that leave me saying, “There are no coincidences.” In those cases, perhaps throw around the word “miracle” for lack of a better […]
“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward. . . . But Jesus kept silent” (Mt 26.59-60, 63a). Trayvon and Zimmerman are now household names for most Americans. For many, justice was served. For many others, […]
In Part 1 I suggested an important of the glory of our Trinitarian God is the humility he displays withing the Godhead itself. He puts that humility on display in the church, where members of the Trinitarian community interact with each other in joyful submission. I would like to press into this idea further by considering what this means specifically for pastors. God’s Trinitarian imprint on the church means the pastor’s […]