Fresh Ministry Ideas

10 Alarming Stats Concerning Teens & Porn

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:44:00 +0000

(Information courtesy of CovenantEyes)

5 Tests of a Church's Generosity

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:59:00 +0000

Are the needs of members met? A generous church does not have members who are homeless, starving, or destitute. (that initially feels like a strong statement, but I'm gonna stick with it)
Are the needs of the community met? The manner in which a church stewards its resources (lets be honest, the building is usually a big one), particularly in regards to the external community, says a lot about its generosity level.
What's the EQ? - Every church has an "entitlement quotient" that mirrors the generosity level of the congregation. One way to gauge EQ is to measure how often "I", "my", and "mine" appear in conversations.
Are the needs of the pastors met? Sure, this feels self-serving; but I'll bet most pastors could tell you pretty easily (if they were willing to be honest) whether or not they feel that their church invests in their well-being.
Are the needs of outsiders met? A generous church is a wonderful church to visit. How people feel after they visit a church gathering for the first time is a super indicator of the church's generosity level.

(ht: David Rudd)

The 3 "Be"s

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:02:00 +0000

Talent is God-given: be humble.
Fame is man-given: be thankful.
Conceit is self-given: be careful.

11 Signs of Burnout

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

#1 – You begin to despise the people you are called to love and minister to.

#2 – You often allow your mind to drift towards what else you could do OTHER than ministry.

#3 – You feel like a “ministry machine” that does what you do out of guilty obligation rather than out of an overflow out of your own intimate walk with God. (In other words, as Bill Hybels says, “the rate at which you are doing the work of God is destroying the work of God in you!”

#4 – You begin to make decisions based on what is the easiest rather than what you KNOW God wants you to do.

#5 – You become increasingly critical of churches, people and ministries that you feel God is blessing more than you.

#6 – You can’t remember the last time you actually opened your Bible to comune with God rather than trying to find a sermon/Bible study.

#7 – Your begin to view the staff you serve with as your servants rather than God’s servants.

#8 – You use delegation as an excuse to be lazy.

#9 – You can’t remember the last time you and your spouse had a conversation that was not church related.

#10 – You can’t remember the last time you spent time with your children…and enjoyed it.

#11 – You begin to doubt the power of God in your life and the life of others.

(ht: Perry)

7 Characteristics of a Cowardly Leader

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:24:00 +0000

1. Intentionally or unintentionally lives a life centered around self-preservation.
2. Engages conversations seeking approval.
3. Absorbs credit for their subordinates work in front of their superiors negating the opportunity to spotlight those they lead.
4. Avoidance of hard areas they are weak in.
5. Seeks and internalizes pre-emptive positions that deflect responsibility for future problems and challenges they are unwilling to engage.
6. Adapts to their superiors position on issues they are personally against or have no confidence in without honesty or confrontation.
7. Works hard to avoid work.

(ht: Chad)

7 Things That Are True of You Being In Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

#1 – That God’s plans for your life are greater than yours…and success is not found in control but rather through surrender! (Ephesians 3:20!)

#2 – That if God brought you to it then He will lead you through it…He always finishes what He starts! (Philippians 1:6)

#3 – That there will be times in your life that you are going to have to leave your comfort zone and step into the unknown! (Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6)

#4 – That we cannot do life alone…and God places people in our lives to both encourage and challenge us! (Hebrews 10:24-25)

#5 – That God really does work out ALL THINGS for His glory and our good! (Romans 8:28)

#6 – That you cannot separate yourself from the love of God…He doesn’t love us based on our performance but rather our position as His children! (It is an overwhelming thought when we consider that we cannot out sin the grace of God!) (Romans 8:38-39)

#7 – That you CAN DO what you think you CAN’T DO but feel like He keeps telling you that you’ve GOT TO DO! (Philippians 4:13)

Free Porn ....not really!

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:53:00 +0000

I am sorry, that was a typo...it should have read, "Freedom from Porn" -but chances are you arrived here searching for porn.

Perhaps you've been dabbling...or maybe you are addicted to porn. Either way, the Internet has introduced unprecedented challenges, and the potential threats can change daily. Being in full-time ministry, I see all the time, the challenges of pornography toward Christians and their families.

Did you know...?
Every second - $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography
Every second - 28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography
Every second - 372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines
Every 39 minutes: a new pornographic video is being created in the United States

As a reader of Fresh Ministry Ideas, I am committed to helping you be resourced and educated in order to protect yourself and your loved ones online.

Therefore, I am pleased to offer the latest educational resources from Covenant Eyes. All of them are completely FREE. I know you will find these informative guides helpful and valuable, and I hope you will share them with your friends and family. Check them all out HERE!

But don't just read the information and resources that CovenantEyes has to order, but avail yourself of the best resource to protect and guard you from the dangers of the internet, it is more than just a filter!

21 Things Pastors Need To Know About Porn

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:38:00 +0000

Here some thoughts on what Pastors (and you, too) need to know about pornography.

It’s sin. It’s lust. Lust is sin. It’s mental adultery.
It’s everywhere. Half the men in your church are likely exposed to it every week, and some of the women too.
It’s a ruthless slave driver and traps people in shame and secrecy.
NOT talking about it with your people does NOT help them.
The porn industry is a dark and twisted place, filled with people with souls whom God deeply loves.
People who act in pornographic films are people whom God loves.
People who produce pornography are people whom God loves.
It does NOT encourage more intimacy in marriage – on the contrary, it destroys it.
It is NOT victimless. Broken marriages and shattered lives are all around us as evidence.
The internet has exploded the number of porn addicts, offering the three deadly “A’s,” making porn accessible, affordable, and anonymous.
Pornography is a drug. It triggers chemicals in the brain that create addictions. It offers a temporary high, followed by a crash into guilt and shame. And one kind of pornography is almost always a gateway into something worse.
The younger you are when first exposed, the more susceptible you are to addiction as an adult.
Pornography WILL cause you to treat people (especially women) like objects and not living souls.
Pornography WILL harden your heart.
There is hope.
Consumers and producers of pornography can find forgiveness of sin in the blood of Jesus and be made righteous and pure by the saving power of God.
Those trapped in pornography addictions can be forgiven of what they’ve entertained themselves with.
Breaking the cycle is possible, but extremely difficult, as with any addiction.
The cover-up is always worse than the crime.
The cost of recovery is high, but the cost of not recovering is much higher.
You need help. You need help and accountability, without question.

(ht: Voppa)

5 Reasons to Pray for Your Enemies

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 03:12:00 +0000

As difficult as it can be, each of us must take special care to pray for our enemies. In fact, if there is anyone in this world for whom you really should make a point of praying, it’s your enemy. Here (and this is primarily directed toward Christians) are some reasons why:

1. Jesus unequivocally told us to. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, “But I tell you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you … .” And in Luke 6:27-28, Jesus says, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” So. There it is.

2. We’re supposed to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Matthew 17:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, …. ”) Obviously, we’d rather someone pray for our well-being than we would pray for … well, for the sorts of things we tend to wish upon our enemies during our less charitable moments.

3. It greatly enhances your understanding of the situation between you and your “enemy.” For reasons and in ways we mortals will never understand, prayer creates miracles. One of the miracles it creates is emotional and mental clarity on the part of the one praying. And if ever any of us are in need of that clarity, it’s when we’re suffering through stress engendered by a conflict with another person. Praying for your enemies — really specifically praying that good things happen to them, that they prosper, that God fills them with his holy peace — creates in you that clarity, that wisdom, that perspective you’re often otherwise lacking. That’s a beautiful thing to have come over you when you’re all tangled up in knots over someone with whom you’re at odds.

4. It relieves stress. This one’s connected to #3. As these days it’s safe to say everyone knows, stress is positively lethal. Being angry is one of the most stressful things you can do to your body. Really want to irk someone with whom you’re in conflict? Pray for their health and well-being. You’ll end up being healthier and living longer. That’ll show ‘em!

5. You want to be a good example of Christianity. Anyone can have a great personality when things are going well for them. It’s when things go sour that a person’s character really shows. Remember that if you’re a Christian, you’re not out in the world as just yourself. You’re also — and even primarily — out in the world as a representative of Christ. Non-Christians — and especially non-Christians with whom you’re in conflict — willnotice every measure of discrepancy between your professed values and what you actually do and say. Praying for your enemy allows the Holy Spirit to figure into your relations with the person you’re praying for, which then allows you to behave toward that person in a way that will mark you as someone they can, at the very least, respect. More importantly, it allows Christ to see you as someone he’s proud to have representing him here on earth. The way not to let Christ down is to pray for your enemies.

(ht: John Shore)

3 Big Lies That Become Barriers To Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 15:55:00 +0000

Negative View of Conversion
Sometimes we find ourselves wanting to talk to people about Jesus and the benefit of having him in our lives, but we know we are different from other people, so who knows if it’s something they’d be into or need?

Loss of Free Time
Since being on mission means spending time with other people, we can feel like we won’t have time to ourselves to enjoy.

Lack of Common Interests
One barrier we can experience when reaching out as a missionary to people who are unlike us is we can feel as though we have nothing in common with them.

(read the whole post at Resurgence)

10 Principles For Church Music

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:54:00 +0000

Love is indispensable to church singing that pleases God.
Our singing is for God’s glory and the edification of the body of Christ.
We ought to sing to the Lord new songs.
Church singing should swim in its own history of church singing.
Sing the Psalms.
We should strive for excellence in the musicality and the poetry of the songs we sing.
The main sound to be heard in the worship music is the sound of the congregation singing.
The congregation should also be stretched from time to time to learn new songs and broaden its musical horizons.
The texts of our songs should be matched with fitting musicality and instrumentation.
All of our songs should employ manifestly biblical lyrics.

(ht: Reflections from Kevin DeYoung (part 1 / part 2))

5 Ways to Lead Like Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:44:00 +0000

1. Jesus prayed and fasted all night asking God who He should bring on His team.

2. Jesus chose the “uneducated and untrained.” He didn’t choose leaders, He built His own.

3. Jesus trained His followers by example, and then empowered them to do the same.

4. Jesus expected those that were with Him, would do greater things than He did.

5. Jesus gave His life to and for those that were with Him.

(ht: Artie)

8 Reasons Your Church is STUCK!

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:10:00 +0000

You lack a leadership empowerment plan. We have failed as leaders in the church if we do not embrace the unique gift-mix that God designed. And we won’t fully know the power and impact of the local church until people are empowered to be the people God wired them up to be.
You are unclear about your vision and mission. There are lots of churches with vision statements, but I don’t think there are very many churches that really have a vision statement that clarifies who they are as an organization. A clear vision that is properly communicated will both rally and repel people.
You blame outsiders and external factors. Victim-thinking will only lead to bitterness and competition. Leaders who blame outsiders and external factors actually are confessing their own failure to think creatively and inspire their team.
Your structure inhibits growth. One of the attributes of a church in decline is a complex structure. The natural tendency of organizations is to add complexity to their structure and systems. The longer an organization exists, the more complex it typically gets.
You worship your past success. Our past successes can be one of the greatest contributing factors to our future demise. When organizations stick to “the way we do it,” the safe approach of avoiding innovation and change becomes the riskiest approach.
You focus on activities instead of outcomes. While many church leaders are full of vision and passion, they lack an effective strategy to accomplish their mission. That leads to a feeling of disorganization, and ultimately they become stuck.
You fail to equip God’s people. For whatever reason, smaller churches I work with have a tendency to rely on the pastors and paid staff to carry the ministry load rather than equipping lay people.
Your ministries ignore people outside the church. When churches become inward-focused and start making decisions about ministry to keep people rather than reach people, they also start to die.

(ht: Tony)

How to Erase Your Mistakes

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:13:00 +0000

Failures are NOT fatal!

Acknowledge Them
Learn from Them
Make Restitution, if necessary
Let God use your failures to bring about humility, dependence and ministry to others.
Cling to the Gospel that reminds you not defined by your successes or failures

4 Signs That You are a Christian Consumer

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:14:00 +0000

Here are a couple attitudes that show we are relating to our church as consumers:

Consistently dwelling on the thought, “Is this church the right fit for me?”
Having an attitude that says, “If the leadership would just do ______________ better, then I would be happier.”
Comparing the offerings of your church to another church.
Seeing things that need to be improved in your church but taking no responsibility to do anything about them yourself.

(ht: Resurgence)

12 Reasons To Give Up Porn

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 22:24:00 +0000

If you are looking for help or are in a position to help someone who is using pornography, Tim Chester's book Closing the Window is very useful. In it, Chester discusses twelve reasons to give up porn:

It wrecks your view of sex.
It wrecks your view of women.
It wrecks women's view of themselves.
The porn industry abuses women.
It's a sin against your wife.
It wrecks families.
It is enslaving.
It erodes your character.
It wastes your time, energy, and money.
It weakens your relationship with God.
It weakens your service.
God's wrath is against people who use porn.

Also, it is important to take tangible action and next steps to bring into your life accountability, consider using Covenant Eyes - a unique program that encourages accountability and provides filtering as well.

(ht: 9Marks)

15 Accountability Questions That Must Be Answered

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Sat, 28 May 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Having an accountability partner is only successful if you consistently meet, are brutally honest, and ask the right questions. Ed Stetzer has compiled a list of 48 accountability questions used by leaders such as John Wesley, Chuck Swindoll, Neil Cole, and Church Multiplication Associates. For my own use, I’ve adapted these questions into my top 15 personal accountability questions. (via Kent)

Spiritual

#1 - Did the Bible live in you this week?
#2 - Do you give it time to speak to you everyday?
#3 - Are you enjoying prayer?
#4 - Do you trust God?
#5 - When did you last speak to someone about your faith?

Relationships

#6 - Have you been honoring, understanding, and generous to your family and important relationships?
#7 - Have you damaged another person by your words, either behind their back or face-to-face?

Lust of the Eyes (Generosity)

#8 - Have you been materialistic or too focused on having something?
#9 - Have you been generous?

Pride of Life (Humility)

#10 - Have you been proud or too focused on being something?
#11 - Are you giving God the glory?

Lust of the Flesh (Integrity)

#12 - Is God honored in the way you eat and drink?
#13 - Are you improving your health through nutrition and exercise?
#14 - Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not your spouse this week?
#15 - Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?

10 Simple Things That Good Pastors Say

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Sun, 22 May 2011 02:56:00 +0000

1. Please forgive me.

Better than "I'm sorry," which can often be followed with an "if" or a "but," these words indicate a humble heart. Bad pastors hide their faults behind the cloak of their authority, practice self-defense against all charges, and basically pretend. Good pastors know they're sinners and admit it.

2. You're right.

Good pastors know they're not always (not usually?) the smartest, most "spiritual" person in the room. They are zealous to give credit and acknowledge achievement and intelligence, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it encourages and empowers others.

3. You're wrong.

Bad pastors chicken out when it comes to calling people on sin or biblical ignorance. Good pastors brave potential conflict and hurt feelings and say "You're wrong" in gentle but firm ways when necessary.

4. Jesus loves you.

Why did we stop saying this? I think because it became cliche. I'd love to see a recovery of the art of "Jesus loves you." Strategically said at times of others' admissions of failure, sin, or trouble, "Jesus loves you" is a fantastic way to speak the gospel into people's lives.

5. I love you.

I think one reason we stopped saying "Jesus loves you" to people is because we don't really love them ourselves. Might as well save the hypocrisy, eh? But good pastors lay their lives down for the sheep. Telling people you love them is a reminder to them and to you that sacrificial love is your calling.

6. Me too.

7. Any time.

8. Thank you.

9. Grace is true.

10. You're approved.

(read the full post at Jared's blog)

29 Reasons Why You Don't Serve

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 19 May 2011 23:40:00 +0000

I’m not a Christian – I’m checking Christianity out.
I’m a member of another church – I come here for more teaching/to meet other Christians.
I’m too busy with work.
I’m too busy with family commitments (we have kids).
I’m too busy with family problems (e.g. my sister’s sick).
I’m too busy with other things (e.g. preparing to get married).
I’m married to an unbeliever who doesn’t like it when I go out.
My husband/wife and I don’t get to spend much time together so the week nights/weekends are precious to us.
I don’t know what opportunities are available.
I don’t have enough information about the available opportunities (e.g. what would be required of me to serve on a fair trade market?).
I don’t know what gifts God has given me.
I don’t have the skills required to serve in the available areas (e.g. I don’t know how to use the computer to operate PowerPoint)
No one asked me.
I’ve come here from another church because I’m burnt out. I just need to be fed for a bit.
I’m serving in other ways outside of church.
I don’t want to commit to anything in advance (I’d like to keep my options open).
I live too far away and it’s a struggle to get to church outside of service times.
The staff team is paid to serve so I don’t have to.
I don’t know anyone who’s serving in the area I would like to.
I serve the people I know by encouraging them in their faith.
I’m generous in other ways (e.g. with my money).
Serving is what the young people do – they’ve got the time and energy.
We’ve just got married and we’re concentrating on our marriage for the first year.
Everything seems under control – I’m not needed.
I offered to serve, and no one followed me up.
I offered to serve, but I wasn’t needed (e.g. I was told the ministry was full).
I served for a while, but I felt unappreciated and no one thanked me.
I don’t get anything out of it.
I just don’t want to.

(ht: Communicate Jesus)

10 Things I Believe About The Church

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:59:00 +0000

#1 – I believe the potential for the local church to do good and create positive change in the world is greater than it has ever been.

#2 – I believe that the ROOT of the desire to do good and create positive change in the world HAS to be the GOSPEL…and if it isn’t what will develop is cool ministry fads and ideas…but nothing revolutionary that will impact the world.

#3 – I believe that some of the greatest Christian leaders that the world will ever know are currently in elementary school, middle school and high school…thus making youth and children’s ministry one of the greatest mission opportunities that the local church can invest in.

#4 – I believe that more and more church leaders are going to begin to take radical steps of faith rather than trying to repair broken systems.

#5 – I believe that more and more church leaders are going to continually put personal preferences of ministry aside and work together with other people to accomplish more ministry than they could have ever done alone.

#6 – I believe that we’re going to see some of the greatest moves of God this world has ever seen in the next 20 years…MOST of them happening because the local church finally decided to step up and be the church.

#7 – I believe God wants to use your church to do unbelievable things in the community in which HE has planted you.

#8 – I believe the key to a healthy church is healthy church leadership…leaders cannot fly at the speed of sound and expect to hear God’s still small voice. The healthier we will get the healthier our churches can be.

#9 – I believe that if ALL leaders took the advice God gave us in Galatians 6:9 that we would see breakthroughs like we’ve NEVER seen before.

#10 – I believe God has called the church to CHANGE the world…not complain about it!!! We are an empowered body of believer whom He has called to attempt the “impossible” so that people can see HIM!!! (So…what is that thing that you know you should do next?)

ht: Perry Noble

5 Ways to Make Your Kids Hate Church

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:54:00 +0000

1. Make sure your faith is only something you live out in public

Go to church... at least most of the time. Make sure you agree with what you hear the preacher say, and affirm on the way home what was said especially when it has to do with your kids obeying, but let it stop there. Don’t read your bible at home. The pastor will say everything you need to hear on Sundays. Don’t engage your children in questions they have concerning Jesus and God. Live like you want to live during the week so that your kids can see that duplicity is ok.

2. Pray only in front of people

The only times you need to pray are when your family is over, Holiday meals, when someone is sick, and when you want something. Besides that, don’t bother. Your kids will see you pray when other people are watching, no need to do it with them in private.

3. Focus on your morals

Make sure you insist your kids be honest with you. Let them know it is the right thing for them to do, but then feel free to lie in your own life and disregard the need to tell them and others the truth. Get very angry with your children when they say words that are “naughty” and “bad”, but post, read, watch, and say whatever you want on TV, Facebook, and Twitter. Make sure you focus on being a good person. Be ambiguous about what this means.

4. Give financially as long as it doesn’t impede your needs

Make a big deal out of giving at church. Stress the need to your children the value of tithing, while not giving sacrificially yourself. Allow them to see you spend a ton of money on what you want, while negating your command from scripture to give sacrificially.

5. Make church community a priority. As long as there is nothing else you want to do

Hey, you are a church going family, right? I mean, that’s what you tell your friends and family anyways. Make sure you attend on Sundays. As long as you didn’t stay up too late Saturday night. Or your family isn’t having a big bar-b-que. Or the big game isn’t on. Or this week you just don’t feel like it. Or... I mean, you are church going family so what’s the big deal?

ht: Take Your Vitamin Z

3 Drifts To Avoid

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 03:44:00 +0000

1. We have to be careful of the drift toward insiders and away from outsiders

“People who don’t come here don’t call and complain”. Its too easy to spend all of your time handling the squeaky wheels and no time reaching people who don’t know Jesus.

2. The drift toward law and away from grace

When we develop lots of policies and begin to think of people in the context of categories (tax collector, adulteress, sinner, lost,) grace begins to slip away.

3. The drift toward preserving rather an advancing

When you have nothing but vision, and nothing to lose, you take risks in trying to reach people. When you get bigger the drift is toward preservation, many times at the cost of advancing of the Kingdom.

Are you a drifter?

ht: Andy Stanley

250 Bible Verses on Money

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:41:00 +0000

The Bible has a lot to say about money...here is only a sampling:

Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, sluggard; consider her ways and be wise; who having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 27:23
Know well the face of your flocks; and pay attention to your herds.

Luke 14:28-30
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he may have enough to finish it; lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all those seeing begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish.

Deuteronomy 15:6
For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

Deuteronomy 28:12
The Lord will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

(read them all HERE)

Top 10 Things That Cause Stress In A Leader

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:30:00 +0000

I actually believe the church is MY church and not HIS church…and that I am in control rather than HIM! (See Matthew 16:18)
I do not trust the people who I delegate authority and responsibility to and actually begin to believe the lie that, “if I want something done right then I must do it myself.”
When I know without a doubt what God has spoken to me to do…but I begin to listen to the “experts” who tell me that the very thing God has called me to do is an impossibility.
When I try to explain myself to those who don’t really want an explanation…they just want to argue.
When I refuse to take some time to disconnect and rest, claiming that the devil never takes a day off while not understanding that the devil isn’t supposed to be my example.
When I begin to take on the “Messiah complex” and begin to think about how much the church needs me rather than how much I actually NEED CHRIST!
When I worry about results more than obedience!!!
When I focus on the size of the problem rather than the size of God!
When I fail to share my worries and concerns and admit my mistakes to others for fear that it may make me seem weak and stupid. (When…the opposite is the case, those around me actually love and respect me more when I ask for help!)
When I become unaware of HIS presence every single minute of my life!

(ht: Perry)

6 of the Scariest Trends of Christianity in America!

noreply@blogger.com (Bill Reichart) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:16:00 +0000

In their 2010 year-end report, the Barna Group identified six major patterns emerging among Christians in America:

The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.
Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.
Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life.
Among Christians, interest in participating in community action is escalating.
The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church.
The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible.