1. Well, it’s true. Let the West Virginia jokes roll.
2. There’s been a lot of talk about Barack Obama’s work as a community organizer. To find out more check this out.
3. Here’s a good article on teen pregnancies.
4. By now, I’m sure you’ve heard about the remarks made by the host of MTV’s VMA’s. Three questions-does anyone watch this awards show anymore? Does anyone even care about MTV anymore? Does Britney Spears have 9 showbiz lives or what?
5. With the average Wesleyan church size being between 60 and 80, most churches can’t afford multiple(if any) full-time staff. This is a harsh reality for young students who graduate expecting to find a full-time staff position. Older students with familes(27+) tend to plug in with churches either as senior pastors or volunteer staff. They go to school, work a “secular” job, and minister in a local church while raising a family. The churches they take aren’t the easiest ones to work at. Giving is low, growth is slow, and the people are old. I think the younger students look at their situations and think, “Not for me dude!” What’s happening is the younger people are looking outside the denomination for work while the older graduates are serving at churches that are in decline. Our denomination’s problem isn’t a lack of gifted ministers, but how to best utilize the talented ministers we have. I don’t have THE solution but here are four things I think would get us started: 1. Close churches that are having no impact in their community. 2. Better prepare ministerial students for the reality of bi-vocational ministry. 3. Pair younger and older students as church planting teams to replace the closed churches. 4. Every minister committing themselves to excellence and integrity because the Lord has to work in us before he can work through us. Your thoughts?
I totally agree about our local churches… What future does the Wesleyan church have? The district could also have the smaller church members join with other medium-large churches in the area. That would be a big change for many people though. Just my 2 cents.
I really appreciate #5. I have been thinking a lot about this issue, since I am in the middle of the struggle. Bethany is a good school, I am glad that I had the chance to study and earn a degree from there. Bethany has a great reputation and grads tend to go on to do great things. With respect for the school, I have to say a Bethany degree is meaningless beyond the church doors, at least in my experience. I have no outstanding skills, talents or education for work out side of the church. Because of that, I am glad to have found a job as an Applebees cook, as a I serve in a church. Would I love to have something better? yes! Is my situation making me trust in God more and more? yes! “Giving is low, growth is slow, and the people are old” describes my church, but my senior pastor and I are seeing the church give in ways never thought possible before. Instead of shutting down and moving on, we have a strategy of pleasing the congregation we have while seeking to develop a whole other congregation. I get in discouraged moods and look at places to send my resume. But is that what I should do, give up? Give up, on something God has led me to. I hope that I am part of a rising breed of pastors that does not feel that they deserve everything this world has to offer but serves a God that deserves our everything. The situation I’m in allows me to see miracles and gifts from God in my personal life, I think witnessing that prepares me to see great things happen at the church where I serve. I’m really glad this topic was brought up and I hope that real discussion is made. I think I am going to either find or create a FaceBook group of bi-vocational Wesleyan Pastors. Sorry for the long response.
I lost my comments, will re-write later.