You are What You Do

Posted on June 3, 2011 by dkoop

“Do well in school!  Behave yourself!  Do your best.  Eat your vegetables.”  Did you hear statements like that?   Did you believe, “if I perform well then I have value?”   I did.  This lie affected me for years.    

I felt I mattered when I was doing well in baseball, which meant playing well, winning, making the all-star team.   In Boy Scouts I earned all the Skill Awards so my belt would look full.  “Surely someone will think I worked hard,” I reasoned.    The same was true for school, and other parts of life.  I believed I had to do well to be successful.  Do to be.  

I would guess that when you are doing well at work, making the good paycheck, getting that promotion, then you feel alright.  But if you don’t deliver then you feel like a loser.     When my kids are behaving, it’s easy to think, “I’m a decent parent.”  If they are bad, “my spouse is a bad parent!”    

We often judge how we ARE, by how we are DOING.    Don’t get me wrong; what we do is very important.  

10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

I really struggled with how to communicate: what we do is important. What we do does NOT totally define us.  As I wrestled with these two sides of the same truth, I feel God gave me a visual illustration to help explain this fine balance.   

Forest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates”    I think like is like a Fruit Basket.

Do you ever feel like a basket case?   A bit fruity?  I do from time to time, especially when I view life in this first way.

1. “Life is about what I do.”  You think, “I am judged by how I perform”

Apple – this could represent work.  You may even work with an Apple computer.  Any new person you meet will ask, “so what do you DO?”  We judge each other by our work. 

Orange – this could represent your marriage.  People look at how you are doing there.  The common question, “How many years have your been married?”   We judge marriages as, “good or bad.”

Banana – Parenting: Your kids are monkeys right! They drive you bananas!  How we perform as parents is on display no question.     

You could add other things in the basket, such as how you DO with money, friends, hobbies, or spirituality.  Your life of doing that is one view, or the better view….

2.  Life is about what God says.   You are more than what you’ve done. You more than what you do. You are more than what you will do.   You are who God says you are.    Let’s look at each fruit differently:

Banana – God created you. He’s bananas about you! He made you in His image -Genesis 1:27 .  You are fearfully and wonderfully made – Psalm 139:14.  He put you together piece by piece – Psalm 139:13.  You are his masterpiece – Ephesians 2:10. You are his child – 1 John 3:1

When is the last time that you reflected on the fact that you are God’s creation?  No one else is made like you.  You are His masterpiece, His child.

Apple – We all ate from the forbidden fruit of the garden (like Adam or Eve).   That’s the bad news, the good news? God redeemed you! This means he paid your ransom.    If you want to know the value of something just watch what someone will pay.  God paid a great price to set you free – I Peter 1:18-19    He sent Christ to die in your place- Galatians 3:13. 

Have you admitted you bit the apple (sinned) and asked Jesus to be your redeemer?  If so, have you been so busy doing and doing that you forget to absorb all that it means to have a God who loved you so much he paid your ransom?    

When I mistakenly think life is just about doing, I become a human DOING, not a human being.  God says, “Be still and know that I am God – Psalm 46:10   When I take time to reflect that I am God’s creation, that I have been redeemed at a great cost, then I can BE.  Be still before God.  Be whole, be healthy and be balanced.  

Our being (His Creation, His Child, His Redeemed) should direct our doing.   Now we can talk about doing.

Orange – You were created for a purpose.  You have put on this planet to do the things he created for you – Ephesians 2:10.   This includes the job he has for you, marriage, and parenting as well being a vital part in the body of Christ (involved in a church).

If you are stressed all the time with too much to do; it’s very likely that you doing more than God would have you to do.  

Trying to do too much is also indicates that you are trying to please too many people.  Life should be lived for an audience of one (Christ).  Do it all for Him and you will have just enough time for His will.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus… Colossians 3:17

To learn more on this subject or about letting God decide what you do and don’t do, check out Sunday’s message, Lies You Believe – You are What You Do: www.ridgefellowship.com/messages/singlesermon/10118.html

Darrell

Posted in Lies You Believe | Leave a comment

You Cannot Change

Posted on May 25, 2011 by dkoop

This series has caused much discussion.  It’s great to see God at work!    Here’s a recap from week 1:

Have you ever said, “I’ll never get out of debt?”  “I can’t lose this extra weight!”  “My marriage will always be bad.”  “I cannot seem to stop this addiction.”

Why do we say things like that?   We know people who have quit smoking, gotten out of debt or turned their marriage around.  Do we really believe we can’t change?   Yes we do and it’s a lie we tell ourselves.

Here are three biblical truths to keep this lie in check:

1.       Stop Every Thought that is a Lie

Whenever you think, “I can’t….”  “I’ve tried but…” “I guess I’ll never change…” That’s just the way I am…”  Catch yourself in mid thought!  Look what the Bible says,

We take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.1 

Don’t let a lie become your reality.  The lie may be how you feel, but it is not what is true! Don’t let the lie dictate your direction.   Catch the thought that is a lie and “make it obey Christ.”   For you Christ followers, the truth is, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!2”

Who are you to say you can’t when God says you can.  

 2.      Start Thinking Thoughts that are True

Our thoughts are powerful.  They drive our feelings and actions.  If we think, “I can’t” it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.  

Fill your minds with those things that are good… things that are true… right, pure and honorable.3  

Speak words that are in agreement with what God says.  “I can through Christ who gives me strength4.”  “I am an over comer by the blood of the lamb5”   “If God is with me who can be against me!6”   I can overcome this addiction!  I will get out of debt!   These are truths to start thinking.

Change is not easy but possible.  But we must avoid the extremes.  First extreme, “it all depends on me, if I am really committed, if I have enough will power,” etc.  Second, “God will do it all, I will do nothing.”   “I pray, presto, it must happen!” or “I will just wait on God to do it for me.”    

 In reality, the truth is in the middle. 

 3.      Stay Dependant on His Strength while using your Effort

 Huh?   Sounds confusing but that’s exactly what the Bible tells us.

I struggle, using the mighty strength which Christ supplies and which is at work in me6

It’s both.  Struggling while using the strength Christ gives!  

Let me illustrate all three points from just one thing I have struggled with, weight.  I was 20 pounds overweight for over about ten years.  I tried diets in that time which were successful at first then I would gain the weight back in a few weeks.  I literally began to believe, “I can’t do this.”  I was right!

I knew what to do to lose weight but lacked the power to actually do it.    It wasn’t until I said, “I can’t on my own” and said, “I can with Christ’s help.”   I began to pray each day, and throughout the day while struggling to eat better and exercise.  I needed his help with my addictions to sugar and coffee.  I would often send up a prayer before exercising or going out to eat!   Christ gets all the glory now, because it’s been over a year and the 20 pounds are still gone!

October 2009

 

April 2011

 I wish I could say, “It’s easy.”  It’s not.  But I know I can still depend on Him each day for strength.  Now I know there’s hope as I tackle other lies I have believed.  Will you join me?

Darrell

For more on this message go to http://www.ridgefellowship.com/messages/singlesermon/10116.html

All verses are from the Today’s English Version of the Bible

End Notes:

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:5b
  2. Philippians 4:13
  3. Philippians 4:8
  4. Philippians 4:13
  5. Revelation 12:11
  6. Romans 8:31
  7. Colossians 1:29
Posted in Lies You Believe | Leave a comment

Pastor Statistics (US)

Posted on May 16, 2011 by dkoop

Here are the statistics on pastors that I refer to from time to time.  There is much reason to be concerned based on this information.  Personally I feel God has called me to be a pastor for life and to serve at The Ridge Fellowship (www.ridgefellowship.com).  This information serves as a bull horn to remind me to take the necessary steps to be healthy and balanced.

Statistics on Pastors – from the Francis Schaeffer Institute

We found that over 70% of pastors are so stressed out and burned out that they regularly consider leaving the ministry

From our recent research we did to retest our data, 1050 pastors were surveyed from two pastor’s conferences held in Orange County and Pasadena, Ca—416 in 2005, and 634 in 2006 (I conducted a similar study for the Fuller Institute in the late 80s with a much greater sampling).

  • Nine hundred forty-eight (948 or 90%) of pastors stated they are frequently fatigued, and worn out on a weekly and even daily basis (did not say burned out).
  • Nine hundred thirty-five, (935 or 89%) of the pastors we surveyed also considered leaving the ministry at one time. Five hundred ninety, (590 or 57%) said they would leave if they had a better place to go—including secular work.
  • Eight hundred eight (808 or 77%) of the pastors we surveyed felt they did not have a good marriage!
  • Seven hundred ninety (790 or 75%) of the pastors we surveyed felt they were unqualified and/or poorly trained by their seminaries to lead and manage the church or to counsel others. This left them disheartened in their ability to pastor.
  • Seven hundred fifty-six (756 or 72%) of the pastors we surveyed stated that they only studied the Bible when they were preparing for sermons or lessons. This left only 38% who read the Bible for devotions and personal study.
  • Eight hundred two (802 or 71%) of pastors stated they were burned out, and they battle depression beyond fatigue on a weekly and even a daily basis.
  • Three hundred ninety-nine (399 or 38%) of pastors said they were divorced or currently in a divorce process.
  • Three hundred fifteen (315 or 30%) said they had either been in an ongoing affair or a one-time sexual encounter with a parishioner.
  • Two hundred forty-one (241 or 23%) of the pastors we surveyed said they felt happy and content on a regular basis with who they are in Christ, in their church, and in their home!

Here is research that we distilled from Barna, Focus on the Family, and Fuller Seminary, all of which backed up our findings, and additional information from reviewing others’ research:

  • Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
  • Fifty percent of pastors’ marriages will end in divorce.
  • Eighty percent of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastor.
  • Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
  • Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
  • Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression.
  • Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.

Most statistics say that 60% to 80% of those who enter the ministry will not still be in it 10 years later, and only a fraction will stay in it as a lifetime career. Many pastors—I believe over 90 percent—start off right with a true call and the enthusiasm and the endurance of faith to make it, but something happens to derail their train of passion and love for the call.

Focus on the Family has reported (http://www.parsonage.org/) that we in the United States lose a pastor a day because he seeks an immoral path instead of God’s, seeking intimacy where it must not be found. F.O.F. statistics state that 70% of pastors do not have close personal friends, and no one in whom to confide. They also said about 35% of pastors personally deal with sexual sin. In addition, that 25% of pastors are divorced.

Out of the 1050 pastors we surveyed during two pastors conferences held in Pasadena, California, 825, or 78% (326 in 2005 and 499 in 2006) said they were forced to resign from a church at least once. Sixty-three percent (63%) said they had been fired from their pastoral position at least twice. In the survey, we asked why they were fired—from the reasons given by the church board versus what they felt the reason was. We laid out 15 categories with a blank space to fill out what we may have missed: poor leadership, conflict with key staff or lay leadership, gossip, lack of funding, doctrinal divide, hardship on family, not connecting with membership, power plays, church council refusing to resolve conflict, resistance to their teaching, resistance to their leadership style or vision, failure to teach biblically, poor people skills, failure to follow job description, inappropriate relationship, or other sin. They gave us a top five main explanations on a scale of one to five, with few (8%) reporting on any of the other categories. These stats are based on number one response; at the same time, over 70% of pastors stated three of these five reasons. Here is the order (these findings have been retested and back up in internet polls done since 1998, and church survey studies done since 1980:

  1. Four hundred twelve (412 or 52%) stated that the number one reason was organizational and control issues. A conflict arose that forced them out based on who was going to lead and manage the church—pastor, elder, key lay person, faction, …
  2. One hundred ninety (190 or 24%) stated that the number one reason was their church was already in such a significant degree of conflict, the pastor’s approach could not resolve it (over 80% of pastors stated this as number 2 if not already stated as number one, and for the rest, it was number 3!).
  3. One hundred nineteen (119 or 14%) stated the number one reason to be that the church was resistance to their leadership, vision, teaching, or to change, or that their leadership was too strong or too fast.
  4. Sixty four (64 or 8%) stated the number one reason to be that the church was not connecting with them on a personal level or they could not connect with them, or the church over-admired the previous pastor and would not accept them.
  5. Forty (40 or 5%) stated that the number one reason was not having the appropriate relational or connecting skills as a pastor.
  6. The other significant study of pastors that held similar results as ours was conducted by psychologist Richard Blackmon (with ties to Fuller Seminary and Dr. Archibald Heart), also reported by the Los Angeles Times newspaper. In 1985 as well as more recently too, Blackmon surveyed one thousand pastors from four major denominations in California, USA. His research, which was ongoing up to 2004, revealed that over 75% of ministers are extremely or highly stressed. He even found that 31.75% of the clergy surveyed had sexual intercourse with a church member—who was not their spouse! In addition, he found that 30% to 40% of ministers ultimately drop out of the ministry. His research goes on to say the average insurance costs to churches for dealing with mental breakdowns with clergy is four percent higher than any secular industry. Blackmon states that the significance of the stress is mainly based in the areas of personal finances, church finances, building issues, recruitment of volunteers, counseling issues, and visitation. Sermon preparation and teaching seem to be last on his list!

The stress, according to Blackmon, is a primary result of the continual, intense, care responsibility of pastors compared to a medical doctor who will see a terminally ill patient for an hour or so, then see them again in a few weeks. He suggests that the pastor must set personal limits for himself to maintain balance, develop relationships outside of the church, and to be in a support group with other pastors. Very good advice!

 Source:  Francis Schaeffer Institute, Statistics on Pastors, By Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

For more see:

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=36562

Posted in Current Events in the US Church | 1 Comment

Church Decline Statistics (US)

Posted on May 16, 2011 by dkoop

• Approximately 4,000 churches close their doors every year while only 1,000 new churches are opened!

16% of churches received no new members. 13% even reported having no children as members!   HALF the churches in the US did not reach one person for Christ in the last year!

• From 1990-2000 the US population increased 11.4% (24,153,000) yet the combined membership of Protestant denominations decreased by 9.5% (4,498,242).

Every mainline Protestant Church in the US is in decline in the past 20 years:

  • Presbyterian  -24%  (for example in 1995 alone they lost 100,000 members)
  • Episcopal   – 20%
  • United Methodist     – 16%
  • Church of Christ  -15%
  • Even the Southern Baptists who had been growing until recently, as of 2013 have declined 5.5%.
  • Except the Assemblies of God membership which grew by 1.4% in 2013

(Keep in mind that natural church attrition is -10%.  People die, move and stop coming.  For The Ridge – www.ridgefellowship.com   to grow by 10% we have to really grow by 20% due to natural attrition.)

• Not a single county in America has a greater percentage of “churched persons” than 10 years ago!

• In 1900 – 27 churches for every 10,000 Americans.
• In 1950 – 17 churches for every 10,000 Americans.
• In 2000 – Less than 11 churches for every 10,000 Americans.

18.0% of Americans attended in church in 2002.   Soon, we can catch up with Europe, which is currently “enjoying” two to four percent of its population in regular Church attendance.

The United States now ranks third (3rd) following China and India in the number of people who are not professing Christians; in other words, the U.S. is becoming an ever-increasing “un-reached people group.”

Isn’t it time to reverse these statistics?  Will you join with me in prayer, fasting, and hard work to reach our country for Christ?   Darrell

Sources:

Hartford Institute for Religion Research. “Fast Facts about American Religion” 01 Jan. 2008

Home Missions Agency of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. “Church Growth Statistics” 01 Jan. 2008

Lindner, Eileen W. 2007 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches. Abingdon Press. Nashville, TN. 2006

Marshall, Peter and David Manuel. The Light & the Glory. Fleming H. Revell Co. Old Tappan, NJ. 1977.

Phillips, Timothy R. and Dennis L. Okholm. A Family of Faith: An Introduction to Evangelical Christianity. Baker Academic. Grand Rapids, MI. 2001.

R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development © 2007 (research from 1998 to 2006)

White, James Emery Rethinking the Church, 2003

http://www.charismanews.com/us/39838-southern-baptist-churches-growing-in-numbers-declining-in-membership  (1/20/13)

Click to access Online%20Stats%202013.pdf

Posted in Current Events in the US Church | 5 Comments