MINISTERS MATTER

CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH - October

I will post thoughts on Twitter throughout the month of October describing my appreciation for pastors everywhere. You are my heros!!!

You can find my Twitter page at: http://twitter.com/bboucher

WE APPRECIATE AND HONOUR OUR PASTORS!

Why is it appropriate to set aside a special time each year to give recognition and affirmation to our clergy and their families? How are their needs and circumstances different from those of carpenters, grocers or dentists?

One distinction lies in the nature of the service these leaders provide. God has entrusted to them one of the most precious of assignments—the spiritual well-being of His flock. When a pastor becomes ineffective, the very souls of his or her parishioners are endangered. When eternity is in the balance, we should all be concerned.

Another problem lies in the expectations placed on pastors. Numerous surveys have found that a very high percentage of pastors feel pressure to be the ideal role model of a Christian family—which is impossible, of course. As a result, four out of five pastors feel their families are negatively impacted by unrealistic expectations—whether self-imposed or congregation-imposed—and that ministry is an outright hazard to the health of their families. Indeed, the “pedestal” is not all it’s cracked up to be.

As pastors and their families try to please the God who called them to ministry while also trying to meet the expectations of their congregations, one result is dangerous stress. In fact, 75 percent of those surveyed reported experiencing a significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.

Then, of course, there is the “fishbowl” aspect of ministry, whereby the entire lives of pastoral families seem to be on public display. Every private family situation quickly seems to become a congregational or community issue. This anxiety can only be heightened when financial pressures also come to bear, which is common since pastors typically make substantially less each year than their own board members and deacons. Nearly 70 percent of pastoral spouses work outside the home, most often due to financial need.

No one would choose to live life under these conditions unless they felt obliged to a higher, divine directive. Unfortunately, all too often, these are exactly the conditions under which pastoral families serve.

The good news is that we can make a difference! Clergy Appreciation Month is an attempt to counter the negative erosion in the lives of our spiritual leaders with positive affirmation.

PASTOR, YOU ARE APPRECIATED!

Why is clergy appreciation month necessary?

The nature of the service provided by pastors and their families is unique. God has entrusted to them one of the most precious of assignments — the spiritual well-being of His flock.

When a pastor becomes ineffective, the very souls of his or her parishioners are endangered.

When eternity is in the balance, we should all be concerned.

Pastors and their families live under incredible pressures. Their lives are played out in a fishbowl, with the entire congregation and community watching their every move. They are expected to have ideal families, to be perfect people, to always be available, to never be down and to have all the answers we need to keep our own lives stable and moving forward. Those are unrealistic expectations to place on anyone, yet most of us are disappointed when a pastor becomes overwhelmed, seems depressed, lets us down or completely burns out.

That's why God has instructed us to recognize His servants.

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching" 1 Timothy 5:17.

The good news is that we can make a difference!

Clergy Appreciation Month is one way we can counter the negative erosion in the lives of our spiritual leaders with the positive affirmation they need.

Over the month of October, I encourage you to consider how you can show appreciation to your pastor.

PM OF ISRAEL SPEAKS AT THE UN - Follows Iran & Libya

PROPHETIC WORD TO LIFECENTRE

You can hear this read live today or go to www.lifecentre.org and download a pdf of it. A word received for Lifecentre. Enjoy!

Fresh Hunger from Lifecentre.org on Vimeo.

Another one of those stories we need to read as church planters and pastors. This one comes to us from LifeWay with Ed Stetzer. Enjoy.

I've seen many leaders, including those who would be considered successful, and those whose work failed to produce lasting fruit, crash and burn while doing the very thing God called them to do. If you're planting, or thinking of planting, these words are for you.

Alan (not his real name) started a successful church in a large Northern California community. He worked hard, built up his core group and drew over 300 people to his launch service. By the end of his first year, Alan's church averaged over 200 in worship. By the end of his second year, his church averaged nearly 400. Alan became a hero to his local denominational leaders. Northern California is difficult soil and Alan's new church was their most successful start in over 20 years. His ministerial star was rising. Then Alan resigned at the end of his third year. He was not leaving to lead another church. In fact, he was completely leaving professional ministry to enter the management trainee program with Taco Bell Corporation. People were shocked.

His friends, colleagues, and even a few fans tried convincing Alan into giving ministry another chance. Their reasons were admirably motivated: God equips gifted people like him to advance the kingdom. Alan understood and appreciated their concerns. But he was not budging. The reasons he cited are all too familiar. The pressures to succeed made him miserable, the church increasingly demanded more time away from his family, and he felt spiritually barren. Furthermore, Alan did not like what he or the church had become. The church was like a spoiled child demanding their needs be met and giving nothing back. Alan drew a large crowd, but felt like he was doing it alone. He was seeing very little life change in an outwardly growing crowd on Sundays. Physically, emotionally and spiritually disillusioned, he had enough. He wanted out, so he quit.

Most, if not all, church planters wrestle with at least some of the issues Alan faced. Admittedly, most don't quit. But many limp along nearly broken under the pressures to succeed. Some church planters so singularly focus on the task of creating a congregation that they forget to build a church and guard their own spiritual lives. When this happens, both the planter and his church suffer. Let's look at two practices that can help planters avoid a spiritually dry and disillusioned ministry.

Spiritual Renewal

I know this sounds basic, but many church planters neglect fundamental spiritual disciplines. An informal survey of Nehemiah Project church planters (North American Mission Board) revealed their greatest challenge was spending time with God. I talk to church planters all over the country from many denominations and I am amazed at how many find it difficult to maintain a quality relationship with God. They love God and trust him for the future of the church plant but for most it has become a long-distance relationship.

Church planting is a rigorous task that leaves planters physically, emotionally and spiritually drained. Church planters are busy and stressed. The inherent instability of church planting places constant pressure on these Alpha-leaders to excel. They feel that every sermon, every service, every advertisement, every contact, and every event must be exactly right for them to succeed. Performance pressure overwhelms their theological moorings as to who they are in Christ creating an incessant anxiety which drives them even further into the work that drains them. It's a vicious cycle.

Finding rest in the presence of God is the only answer. But rest rarely comes when the planter's mind is a vortex of what must be done next. "Next" becomes the enemy of God's work in their lives "now." Consequently, the planter's relationship with God gradually erodes over time leaving him spiritually dry and empty.

If you find yourself enslaved in the vicious cycle, there is only one answer-stop! Now, I don't mean push the "Pause" button on the church plant. But you need to put some of the responsibilities into the hands of others (even if they will not do it as good as you think you will) and give yourself more time for with God. Guarding your life with regular times of prayer, solitude, and Sabbath where you sit unhurried before God will ensure a rich and abundant reservoir of spiritual life and power. Planters who fail to keep their time with God a priority will invariably suffer in their personal walk and the church plant will feel the profound effects as well.

Theological Reflection

Eugene Peterson makes an interesting observation in his introduction to "Working the Angels." "The pastors of America have metamorphosed into a company of shopkeepers, and the shops they keep are churches. They are preoccupied with shopkeeper's concerns-how to keep the customers happy, how to lure customers away from competitors down the street, how to package the goods so that the customers will lay out more money." 1

Many pastors are feeling the pressure to attract spiritual customers, but at what price? Megachurch pastor Walt Kallestad reveals similar feelings in a recent Christianity Today article, "Showtime No More."

On the surface, all was well. I was a megachurch pastor with invitations to speak at conferences, write books, and mingle with dignitaries. Our church had state of the art facilities next to a major freeway. But that was on the surface. Deep down inside, I was mortified at what we'd become. We had to change. We just couldn't keep going like this. Not anymore. 2

Obviously, church leaders feel a tension between numerically increasing their congregation and increasing biblical maturity among the members. The conflict has always existed-just read Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Planters in particular feel the pressure because new churches must grow to survive!

By overemphasizing aggressive outreach, risk taking and innovative methods, planters can easily become preoccupied with numerical growth and fail to exegete everything from methods to culture. Having prepared for years to plant a church, their livelihood, personhood, reputation, hopes and dreams all ride on the success of the plant. Some church planters like Alan focus so much on outward success that they never personally reflect on God's work in the details of people's lives. Ultimately, they live in disappointment about themselves for not attaining every goal.

Planters must practice theological reflection to maintain biblical integrity in their perspective of ministry. Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."3 I wonder if the unexamined church is not worth starting. Integrating theological reflection into the vision and methods of a church plant will help both the leader and the people.

Ask questions like: What is the purpose and mission of the local church? What does it mean to be a Christian? What does a genuine disciple look like? What is authentic worship? What does Christ require of us, and what does faithfulness to Christ look like? How do we implement these biblical mandates successfully in our cultural context?

These and other like questions form a biblical baseline for planters. Then the baseline becomes the goal rather than building up one's personal sense of fulfillment. Plus the baseline keeps the pressure off of the planter and on the vision to keep the church on course.

One of the planter's most important roles is leadership. Wise leaders understand their role in shaping the vision and culture of the church. They also understand the need to remove oneself from the pressures of ministry and experience renewal and reflection. Planters who do this are personally and professionally healthier than planters who do not. And, they lead healthier, more biblical and more sustainable churches.

Being tired is just part of planting a church. Burnout and disillusionment don't have to be. Put your spiritual life in order first and a fresh wind of leadership will follow.

AN INTERVIEW WITH TED HAGGARD

JTALK had the chance to interview former senior Pastor of New Life Church Ted Haggard.

In 2006 Ted Haggard's name was widely spread in the media with his admitted sexual encounter with a male prostitute and the use to Methamphetamine.

Ted Haggard was also head of the National Association of Evangelicals and founder of the Association of Life-giving Churches. Mr. Haggard resigned from his pastoral position in 2006 and since has been on a road to recovery.

Now in 2009 Ted is again speaking in churches and sharing God's amazing grace. It's awesome to see what God can do with a repentant heart. This is my interview with former Pastor Ted Haggard. Enjoy and be encouraged!

JTALK: Mr. Haggard thank-you so much for this opportunity to interview you. The last few years must
have been a real challenge and growing experience for you and your family. In 2006 you were senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, founder of the Association of life-giving Churches and leader of the National Association of Evangelicals. All of this ended when in November of 2006 you admitted to soliciting a male prostitute and the use of methamphetamine. This must have been a very difficult situation to go through, especially because of your popularity in the Christian world and your influence. My questions is this...Looking back upon this event, did you see this fall and media embarrassment as God's grace on your life instead of getting away with it without anyone knowing?

HAGGARD: Yes, I had been praying for God to do whatever it took to set me free. When the scandal broke, I lied the first few days while adjusting to the reality that everyone knew what had been a deep secret in my life, but when that adjustment happened, the Scripture that resonated most often in my mind was that God would complete the work that he began in me. With that assurance, I knew that he would work everything to the good because I have always loved him and I am called according to his purposes.

JTALK: Since these events you have been through much restoration in both your personal life, your spiritual life and your marriage. Can you tell us about what God has been doing in your life in the last few years?

HAGGARD: My eyes have been opened to the strength of the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, the sovereignty of God, and the weaknesses in the body of Christ. Jesus is in fact the gentle restorer, and he has been more than gracious. People have been more than kind and helpful as well. Interestingly, though, faith wasn't the determining factor that indicated who would be helpful to me and my family. God used many secular people to help me and my family through this process just as he has used some Christian people. This disappointed and saddened me. I was in hopes that believers would have been more proactive and redemptive than the non-believers, but that hasn't been true in my case, which has strengthened my confidence in his sovereignty.

JTALK: Recently you have been back in churches speaking, do you find some resistance from people,
or you do you find most people are willing to listen to what God has done in you since 2006?

HAGGARD: No resistance at all. Actually, they are more attentive, interested, kind and responsive than before the crisis. Gayle and I have been overwhelmed every time we visit a church by the gracious love, kindness, and generosity they demonstrate toward us. Before they saw me as a religious leader, now they see me as a gratefully redeemed sinner. It seems as though they like redeemed sinners more than they like religious leaders. I must note, though, that this only happened after HBO, Oprah, Larry King, Dan Harris at ABC and Harry Smith at CBS took the risk and gave me a platform to speak for myself and express my repentance. Then the churches that could courageously see me through the lens of the gospel started calling. It's been an exciting progression.

JTALK: You started New Life Church with 22 people in your basement in 1985 and then twenty-two years later it grew to fourteen-thousand, an incredible growth! You have also had a voice in the White House, been the leader of the National Association of Evangelicals and have authored many books. Mr. Haggard with all this success in your ministry and personal life...to being exposed on national television and having to resign from being senior pastor...how have you kept your passion and hope alive? Were you tempted to just quit?

HAGGARD: Yes, I have been tempted to quit. It's difficult to try. It's much easier to give up. Many in the church wanted me and my family to just disappear, but the resurrection life within me wouldn't allow that. Now many in the gay community are angry that I love Gayle and have stayed married, and that my family is intact. But I don't believe any of us should let sin either define us or end our story. So Gayle and I, along with our growing number of genuine friends, are united together to let my story end with resurrection rather than failure. There are still those who prefer failure in my life, but I know resurrection is going to win in me.

JTALK: Your wife Gayle has stood by your side through all of this, which is a great testimony to what God is doing in your marriage. What would you say was the key to keeping your marriage alive?

HAGGARD: Gayle explains her role in her book "Why I Stayed," which comes out in January. My role was to take responsibility, make the tough decisions and do everything I could to build trust in Gayle, then my family, then in the friends who wanted to stay in relationship with us, and now in my new friends. I tweet every day so everyone who wants to know where I am and who I'm with can know. I also post on my facebook every day so people can hear from me, see and/or hear the interviews I've been doing, and read the blogs, etc. that my hosts have been writing. I think both Gayle and I have been proactive during this time to make right decisions.

JTALK: Ted, there are many men who visit this website and have struggled with sexual immorality. Some may have been publically exposed like yourself and some may be hiding in the shadows privately struggling everyday. From your experiences what would you say to these men who want to overcome?

HAGGARD: Spiritual life provides inspiration and a vision for God's best, but it's often qualified counseling that helps us work through the incongruities in our lives in a practical way. I suggest that people see a licensed counselor, at least masters level, who is a Christian and is also certified in EMDR. EMDR is the trauma resolution therapy that completely removed all unwanted intrusive, compulsive thoughts and thus, compulsive actions from my life. I tried to solve my problem through spiritual solutions for 30 years without the success I desired. I believe EMDR was God's way of healing me. I'm grateful to be where I am today.

JTALK: What are you doing now? What is God doing in Ted & Gayle Haggard in this season of your life?

HAGGARD: Gayle just finished writing her book that will be out in January. We are both traveling and speaking and thoroughly enjoying it.

JTALK: Mr. Haggard, thank-you so much for your humility and honesty! I pray that yours and Gayle's testimony will touch many lives in the years to come! May God richly bless you and your family!

You can check out Ted Haggard's website by clicking the following link... www.tedhaggard.com

ALAN HIRSCH - another speaker from the Nines.

Alan has written a number of thought provoking books and the one I enjoyed the most is called Re-Jesus. Here is his talk from the Nines. Enjoy!

TokBox - Free Video Chat and Video Messaging

This is Ed Stetzer's comments today on the Nines - a collection of about 70 leaders from across the Body of Christ speaking on subjects of interest to them and what God is speaking to their lives about at this time. Enjoy!

Here is Ed's outline.

Mission, Self, and God's Mission Mission is the opposite of self.

We have to remember to make it about God and not about us. Even pastors struggle with the reality that the heart is an idol factory.

Your heart is an "Idol Factory" constantly creating things other than God to worship. We must resist the pull of idols and live the mission-- to make it about God's Glory and His agenda.

We pastors too often consider ourselves as "religious professionals who can put on a show" rather than people transformed and sent on mission.

1. Those on mission focus on God's glory and His agenda (Isaiah 6:1-8).

2. Those on mission reflect being with God (2 Corinthans 3:16-18). Trying to get people on mission who haven't been transformed by the gospel is a fool's errand.

3. Those on mission no longer live for themselves (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). It's not about thinking less of you it's about thinking of you less.

Ed Stetzer - The 9s from LifeWay on Vimeo.

HEAL FROM OLD WOUNDS IN YOUR MARRIAGE

Get yourself a glass of water. Really! Don't  just read on; first get a glass of water.

Got it?

Okay. Now, hold the glass of water in your hand and pick it up.

Are you holding it up?

Now let me ask you this: How heavy is the glass of water?

What do you guess it weighs? 1 pound? 2 pounds? Less than a pound?

Keep holding the glass up. Don't put it down yet.

What do you think it weighs?

As you continue to hold the glass of water, you'll notice that its real weight doesn't matter as much as how long you hold it. The longer you hold the glass of water, the heavier it feels, right?

If you hold the glass of water for minute, it's not a problem. It's not heavy.

But if you hold the glass of water for an hour, your arm might start to ache. Eventually the glass of water will feel like a ton of bricks.

The weight of the glass of water is always the same. But the longer you hold it up, the heavier it gets.

That's the way it works in your marriage too. Things are bound to happen between you and your spouse that will weigh heavy on you and your spouse's heart. But the longer you "hold them in," the heavier the burdens gets.

I can't tell you how many times I'll discover in private sessions that the source of someone's anger or bitterness is something that happened 15 YEARS AGO!

"Did you ever discuss what happened with your spouse," I'll ask.

"No."

In an effort to make sure I understand I'll ask, "You never talked it through? You never processed with your spouse at all?"

"No."

Rhetorically I'll ask, "This has been building up inside you for 15 YEARS and you never said anything?!"

"That's right," is the response.

Do you hear that? It happened 15 YEARS AGO! And it still plagues them TODAY. In fact, as I illustrated above, the burden gets worse not better.

But do you know what always amazes me? The burden gets worse for the person who's holding it in. But their spouse forgot about the incident 15 years ago. They're clueless that the pain even exists. They would be SHOCKED to learn that their spouse still remembers what happened no less that it pains them and remains in their heart.

Do you know what's bothering your spouse? Do you know the root of their frustration? Do you know what they just can't let go of? And most importantly, do you know how to draw it out and how to help them finally heal?

Most people have something that continues to bother them, something that happened years ago that they never let go of, something that they never "moved through" with their spouse. And there it sits; getting heavier and heavier as the years go by. Until finally it comes out as, "I'm not happy" or "I want a divorce" or "I don't love you anymore."

Old wounds that don't get treated aren't really old; they remain fresh. They're still open sores that eat away at your marriage from the inside without you even knowing it. How do you stop the bleeding? How do you finally let bygones by bygones and move on in your relationship in a healthy productive way?

Considering a marriage counselor or a marriage family counselor?

By Mort Fertel