When We Missed the Writing on the Wall

Church van with characteristic minor fender damage

Since the Rachel Held Evans piece in CNN's Belief Blog last month, there has been a sudden sense of urgency in the church-related blogosphere to add new hands to the joint wringing session. Young adults have left the church and most likely aren't coming back. Blame is being assigned to everything from weak discipleship programs to the unintended consequences of 'cool' youth groups. There are plenty of mourners who are pointing out the problems and tacking on a few tepid (and typically unbiblical) solutions, but I would argue that statistics involving young adults and the local church are similar to other discouraging stats involving Millennials, including things like frighteningly high unemployment rates and general unhappiness with life. These trends are interrelated. We are the most entitled (some might argue spoiled) generation in history, yet we are also deeply unhappy, as best seen in our suicide rates which far eclipse all other forms of injury-related death among young adults today.

I've always wondered when reading these kinds of articles: why aren't the parents on the hook? We blame everything from social media to discipleship for our struggles, but those who were called by God to raise this generation seem to get a pass. We know that the Scriptures are quite clear that parents (most notably fathers) are designed by God to lead their families in areas of spiritual and physical well-being. When this began to falter, that's when the church (as well as the other quantifiable aspects of our society) began its rapid descent. So I don't blame 'cool' worship services nearly as much as I blame 'cool' parents who let their little children decide whether or not they would go to church. To borrow from C.S. Lewis, spiritual malnourishment is often like pride: those who suffer from it are usually the last ones to know. Parents should have been caring for their kids in ways the church never could.

Case in point: we should have seen the writing on the wall a generation ago when van ministries started sweeping the church as a crucial form of children and youth outreach. Every child we picked up was one more child that had to make the very adult decision of whether or not to go to church. It should be no surprise that the vast majority - not all, but most - of those kids have left the church. Van ministries are good and beneficial to the church, but they could never have been an authentic replacement for godly parenting.

That is now the past. We should focus on winning these young adults back as they are waffling through life. Millennials crave love and stability and, I believe, a sense of life discipline. Further, Ms. Held Evans is wrong: Millennials need to listen more than they opine. This is a weakness for the generation, but someone has to tell us to get over it...might as well be the loving Body of Christ. 

Yes, there will be difficulty in integrating new forms of community (e.g., the virtual world) into the traditional congregational experience, but this shouldn't compromise our essential doctrine or core beliefs. We should also focus on ensuring that the remnant Millennials who are true to the Bride make their homes a sanctuary of Christ. The home is where it begins and ends, not the youth room, not even the church sanctuary. Young families don't have to reinvent the wheel. We just have to carefully (but quickly!) rebuild the walls torn down by neglect and outside attack.

Book Review: Why Revival Tarries

Why Revival Tarries
Leonard Ravenhill
$9.99 @ CBD


What can be said about this little classic that hasn't already been said? Ravenhill was the Jeremiah of the Twentieth Century American evangelical church, calling on leaders to reject the allure of modern excess while embracing the scandal of the cross. For this reason alone, Why Revival Tarries is every bit as offensive as it is beneficial, like an overweight person visiting with a personal trainer. There is no target too sacred: itinerant evangelists, theologians, and ordinary pastors are all called to account.

The book definitely has a dated feel to it: a mention of expensive $3 steaks and the recurrent theme of the twin evils of television and Communism help us place it chronologically (first published in 1958). There are some matters that Ravenhill examines which seem almost foreign today, such as the following: "We may have an all-time high in church attendance with a corresponding all-time low in spirituality."

Yet even in reading such a dated sentence, I'm reminded of the real value of this book. Like any true prophet, Ravenhill's warnings are realized today because his message has gone unheeded. The things Ravenhill strongly speaks against characterized the evangelical church in America during the years of economic Cold War prosperity: revival evangelists became wealthy on the foundation of souls saved, pastors built their nest eggs as the spiritual fervor of their congregations declined, and education of the mind continued to replace (rather than complement) the experience of the spirit. Two generations removed from Ravenhill's strong words, where have we landed? You can answer that.

Yes, the book has its theological blind spots (Calvinists will particularly struggle with some parts of the book). Ravenhill also has a confrontational edge to him which will be difficult for many to get past. But what else should we expect from the Jeremiah of the Twentieth Century? The truth is still the truth, and Leonard Ravenhill is a man of the truth.

What Millennials Really Want

      There's been a lot of chatter lately about my generation. 1 out of 3 of us who are over 25 are still living with our parents. Over 50% who have a college education can't find work in our fields of study. We apparently have a strong distaste for convention, but a strong desire to be individualistic. We are Millennials, what will likely be remembered through history as the Forgotten Generation. So, at the risk of painting with a really broad brush, what do Millennials really want? Crack this code and you might be the next Steve Jobs.

-        Unlimited entertainment which is highly personalized (thorough, usually free access to all the songs/movies/programs/books which the individual desires)

-        Educational advancement primarily for the sake of being educated, frequently with no vocation/career-oriented goal in mind. Best if the cost of education is able to be indefinitely deferred or eliminated

-        To be religious, but not preachy

-        Active social justice involvement which costs little besides a small financial burden, typically with an immediate benefit connected to the act of altruism (Things like wine tasting for refugees or TOMS or donating $10 to the Red Cross via text during a crisis concert)

-        Instantaneous communication with others in an easily manipulated virtual world

-        To think church attendance could be beneficial, but not if the church makes them uncomfortable through exclusivistic doctrine, old fashioned biblical interpretation, time requirements, social commitments, or the threat that some kind of lifestyle change might be requested 

-        To be missionaries of non-judgmentalism to those they judge to be too judgmental

-        Forgiveness without change, license which presents itself as love, and the right to blame others without the balance of potential culpability

-        A furnished room at mom and dad’s house, just in case things don’t go according to the plans they haven’t made

What Churches Really Want

This morning I was perusing our state Baptist newspaper and worked my way to the classifieds section to get a quick check of the available ministry positions across our state. I don't read the classifieds because I'm disgruntled or upwardly mobile or afraid I'm about to need a new job -- I do it because this is my line of work and I like to check the pulse of where jobs like the one I have are headed.

There were the typical bi-vocational ads, mostly for youth and music positions (bi-vocational employment is what most folks call a part-time job; others might call it ministerial moonlighting). Most pastors who are under, say, 50, have cut their teeth working in bi-vocational roles, and we understand the joys and the pitfalls of part-time ministry.

For my own part, part-time music ministry was a great experience: every Sunday I was able to lead people into the presence of God through our common experience of praise. This was a joy for me, something I looked forward to each week. Other pastors started out in more difficult areas such as youth ministry, which is usually a much harsher experience. The average youth pastor stays at a church for about 18 months, as a toxic mixture of high expectations and low appreciation (see: financial compensation) tends to lead to quick burnout.

But we're beginning to see something more curious building lately across professional (forgive me as I call a spade a spade, Bro. Piper) ministry: full-time pastors are fading out, burning out, and heading for the exits at alarming rates. In seminary we learned that 50% of us would quit ministry within 3 years of leaving the school. Can you imagine how much of a public crisis it would be if those numbers carried over to graduates of law schools or medical schools?

And I'm not sure my denomination has ever commissioned a study on full-time pastoral stays lately - and they probably don't want to do so - but I've read and heard about some surveys which show that the average pastor remains at a church for merely 3 years. That is shockingly low, and is yet another symptom of our changing cultural ethos impacting the church.

But why is this the case? This brings me back to the classifieds of the Baptist paper. One specifically caught my eye:

"...a small rural, traditional Southern Baptist church...is seeking a full-time pastor-wife team, age 35-55, married with children, college graduate with Baptist seminary courses desirable, 5-plus years of experience in preaching, pastoral care and administration with a vision for growth."

Such a wish list would be kind of funny it weren't such a strikingly honest portrayal of every pastor search committee's desires in the history of pastor search committees. Let's briefly consider the highlights...

Churches Really Want to Employ Both the Husband and the Wife as a Package Deal
You're only gonna get compensated for one employee in the household, mind you, but churches hire married men with the expectation that their wives will get seriously involved in the inner-workings of the church. This includes volunteering in the nursery, working with the children's church, and greeting visitors...all while also being a visible part of public worship (double points if she can play the organ). She must be able to teach VBS, lead a ladies' prayer circle, and take criticism with a pleasant smile.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give to young ministers who are going before a search committee is to take your wife with you. With the possible exception of politics, there is no other comparable field where your spouse is as important to procuring employment as in the ministry.

Churches Really Want Middle-Aged Pastors
Congregations desire that sweet stretch of time between too young and too old. You get stuck with a pastor too young and you have to grow with him. That can be trying at times for congregations; all pastors make mistakes...young pastors make a lot of mistakes. On the other hand, you get stuck with the man who has grown old in the ministry, and you might be led to believe that your church will be unattractive to visitors and young families.

As full-time ministry positions dwindle, the field will become even more crowded with older men (even now fewer than 50% of Alabama Baptist churches have even one full-time staff member to begin with). As a result, full retirement will become increasingly rare. I recently saw that a man in his mid-70s left our state missionary board after 50+ years in ministry. In his last column to Alabama Baptists, he reassured us that we shouldn't worry about him; he has a nice nest egg to live on during his sunset years. That's great for him...but most of us under 60 won't have the same luxury. This will mean that middle-aged men will become even more desirable, and the young will be battling the old for the very few full-time positions which remain.

Churches Really Want the Pastor to Have Kids at Home
As a new father, I can attest that many mysteries become more understandable once you become responsible for a family. Fathers teach their children, but children have a strange way of also teaching their fathers. Having children tends to make you more patient, understanding, and wise. I imagine it also makes the pastor more likeable to guests and visitors who have kids. It gives more of the kind of homespun sermon illustration material which many congregants love to hear. And, yes, often times a new pastor with three kids will incidentally grow the children or youth departments by leaps and bounds.

But, let's face it, having children also places a burden on the pastor's time and energy. I wish churches could understand this: the finest pastor out there will have you as his third priority in life behind his God and his family. If he has children in the home, the gap between second and third place should be Grand Canyon-like. As with many things in life, desiring to have a pastoral leader committed to his wife and children will likely be a mixed bag. There will be plenty of sour along with the sweet for both the church and the pastor's family.

Churches Really Want a Pastor Who is Educated
I recently sat down with a young man who feels called into the ministry. I simply asked him, "What do you want to do in ministry?" Full-time senior pastor. "So where are you going to seminary?" Hadn't really thought about it being necessary; maybe to an online school. I paused for a second and said, "Listen, the most important ministerial decision you will make is where you go to seminary. Don't take it lightly, and don't settle for online courses when you can actually grow with others -- you know, that's what a seminary is...a place of growth. Besides, there was a day when a young man with a calling and giftedness could get his foot in the door of a church and become senior pastor without a formal education...those days are as gone as rotorary telephones. Go to seminary."

I've learned in a short amount of time that people who love Jesus also love to learn about Scripture. The least a church can ask out of its pastor is for him to be a competent and educated minister. Soul care is every bit as important as physical care, and we expect our physicians to be well-educated and committed to growing in their knowledge. Pastors must do the same.

Churches Really Want a Pastor Who Can Do it All
Churches want a pastor who has years of experience in preaching, counseling, managing, and casting visions. I don't slight this church above for listing these things out one-by-one. I credit them for being honest. Churches don't want their pastors to wear many hats, but to wear one giant hat which would thoroughly engulf any man who was not divinely set apart for such a task.

I recently had a week where I spent over 70 hours at the church in six days. One of those days began at 3am and concluded at 9:30pm. That day included every single aspect listed in the advertisement: preaching preparation, counseling a grieving family, administrating typical church business, and crafting an ongoing vision with the deacon board. While you don't have to be an expert at everything to make it in the ministry, you do have to be proficient at a lot of tasks, many of which go unnoticed by the congregation. Ministers become accustomed to demanding expectations of our time, talents, and efforts while being able to handle criticism and suggestions about the things we should be doing.

So why is there so much pastoral burnout? Ministry is demanding and difficult. As I tell folks, there are weeks which are a breeze...then there are weeks which are grueling. And usually the grueling weeks were not planned that way, but happen because of the naturally fluid nature of ministry. Local church expectations of ministers often threaten the pastor's home life and personal walk with the Lord. All leaders - spiritual or otherwise - face this type of challenge.

But ministry leadership has one key distinction when compared with other types of professional leadership, and I believe it is the #1 reason for pastoral burnout: compensation. No one called of God goes into ministry for the money, but they do anticipate that the congregation will support their family. As offerings dry up and churches cut back, the minister's modest salary and benefits become a topic of conversation around dinner tables and Facebook messages. And then the pastor wonders: is it worth it?

The days of financial security has concluded for most ministers; a conclusion which coincides with much higher pastoral demands and fewer available positions. During my seminary years I had friends in the law and pharmacy schools...many of them are now earning six-figure incomes, while most of my seminary buddies have yet to find a church to minister at on a full-time basis. Some of the few who are full-time are struggling in different ways. They are likely wondering: is it worth it?

Praise God it is worth it, and while the financial security of today is evaporating, the treasures are still being laid up in heaven. Hopefully I can write more about this side of ministry before next July.

Lessons from a Deer

Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. (Isaiah 35:6)


My relatively short drive into work each morning is rarely boring, and today was no different. Just as I was turning the corner on a back street that I take, a doe suddenly jumped from behind a bush and out into the road. I slammed on the brakes while quickly thinking, I’ll bet there’s another one nearby.

Sure enough and right on cue another beautiful doe appeared from behind the bush, briefly shocked by her close proximity to my car. She hesitated about whether or not to follow her sister, but decided to run back towards the field from where they came, making what had to be a 10 foot leap into the air over an embankment and a barbed wire fence. While that deer’s initial hesitation was hilariously goofy, her graceful jump which followed reminded me of the agility and power of this skittish creature.

In Acts 3, Peter and John went to the temple in Jerusalem to pray; that’s what they did everyday. Outside the temple there was a lame beggar, ironically and strategically located at a gate into the complex called “Beautiful”. He was doing what beggars do; that’s what he did everyday.

But this particular day wasn’t like any other day which had come before it, because Acts 2 had happened. As the beggar turned to Peter and John for a charitable contribution, Peter said to him (and I paraphrase), “Give us a minute of your time. We just started and haven’t been able to establish a church benevolence fund yet. No food pantry or clothes closet or job training facilities exist just yet. Here’s all we can offer you today: in the name of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

Not only did the lame beggar walk, but Acts 3:8 tells us that he was walking and leaping and praising God! Luke, the author of Acts, is making a point here: the promises of Isaiah 35:6 were being fulfilled in the presence of those Apostles. Not only had the Messiah come, but he had given a precious gift to the church – the body of Christ – the Holy Spirit. Now the blind might see, the deaf might hear, the mute might talk, and the lame might leap like a deer…graciously, powerfully, and magnificently.

My, how dreams have changed!

On Saturday the president issued a statement reaffirming his personal commitment to ensuring abortion rights. The last line reads as follows:

I hope that we will recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, the same freedoms, and the same opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.

What an antiquated notion! That a fetus stands in the way of a woman being able to fulfill her dreams is the same tired, selfish claptrap which was the battle cry of the liberal feminist of the Baby Boom era. That a sitting president would echo that battle cry reveals an awful lot about the man and his principles.

Sadly, both sides of the debate have largely packaged this issue so cleverly for so long that now far too many see abortion as nothing more than a political issue among so many others. Case in point: last week was the Martin Luther King holiday. What did we hear from the traditional black leaders on this day? Most significantly, anger over students making up missed classes on the holiday due to weather postponements. The week prior, a NYC Public Health report was released which found that 60% of pregnant African American women in New York City had undergone an abortion in 2009. That is eye-popping stuff; that if you're a black fetus in NYC, you only have a 2 in 5 chance of making it to your birthday. Nationally, black women, who make up about 7% of the population, account for nearly 40% of legalized abortions. (The total national average for aborted pregnancies in still over 20% for all races.)

What we're seeing in NYC and throughout the nation is Racial Genocide 101, and what do we hear from black leaders on the subject on the day when we ironically honor a man who most famously conveyed the dreams he had for his children? Nothing. Not a peep. Other than "Jane Roe" herself, Jesse Jackson is probably the most famous flip-flopper on abortion in our nation's history. Roe became convinced of her error in desiring to abort her unborn child; Jackson, meanwhile went from an eloquent defender of the right to life to an ultra politically-motivated man on the wrong side of the aisle to be both pro-life and politically successful. He chose to enmesh himself in the latter, and now he has no moral foundation to even stand upon when speaking about a subject such as the out-of-control abortion rates among minorities in this nation. So instead he talks about kids making up snow days (which, incidentally, he is right about).

It is a shame of the highest proportions. Even conservative statistics concerning legalized abortions in the nation since 1973 show that this national right has now claimed more lives than some of the most liberal estimates of the lives senselessly claimed under the leaderships of people like Mao and Stalin. And where's our president on this? Unequivocally connecting the termination of an unborn child to a woman's "dreams". What a sad departure this type of dream is from the famous dream of the man honored last Monday.

What's Up, Doc?

Undoubtedly most of us are now familiar with the firestorm created by the freshly minted governor, Doctor Robert Bentley, when - on his inauguration day - he gave what is tantamount to an altar call at a famous black church in Montgomery. The fact that I first came upon this news on the front page of Yahoo.com rather than the local newscast is evidence that the national media ate this thing up in a hurry, causing many residents of our state to bemoan the specter of being represented by yet another prominent state politician who not only suffers from foot-in-mouth disease, but who also wants to take advantage of valuable opportunities to cram his brand of fundamentalist mumbo-jumbo down our collective throat hole.

Could it be that Doctor is a dreaded, fundamentalist, evangelical Christian who has actually been listening to and internalizing the messages he's heard throughout his life as a churchgoer? Could he actually believe that Jesus meant it when he claimed that the only way to the Father was through the Son? In other words, that all of humanity can in fact be separated along familial lines based on faith in Jesus Christ? I dunno, maybe the Doc has read through Ephesians and actually believes that true unity comes only through Christ, not through ethnicity or culture or even bloodlines...that blood is, in fact, not thicker than the water of our unique baptism.

So the Huntsville Times had an article the other day which sought to settle the issue by asking local "faith leaders" of their opinion on the uproar. Outside of a strikingly honest assessment by the token Jewish leader, it was the familiar quotes one expects in articles such as these. You can come to your own conclusions, particularly those who might explain to me the reason Weatherly Heights Baptist Church still has anything to do with the Southern Baptist Convention.

And now, just as predictably as the reactions, here came the retraction from GDRB the other day. This is a much bigger slip-up than what he said on Monday, because now it all reeks of politics. I mean, does such an apology (which, to be fair, is one of those non-apology apologies) show that Doctor Governor is placating the media or politicizing his faith? How are we supposed to interpret all this?

I'm afraid that Bentley has learned a valuable lesson of politics which he carefully avoided throughout his peculiarly anonymous state legislative career: namely that when a person in power speaks or takes a stand of consequence, folks tend to listen. When you speak about faith, amplify that tenfold. As a man of faith I hope he'll eventually also come to this conclusion: don't apologize - never, ever! - for presenting the hope of salvation to a captive audience. There are Christians around the world who would be willing to literally give their lives for such an opportunity.