During the past few months, much attention has been paid to the worrisome economic issues of our day. Jobless rates are on the rise as are taxes. Worse, government is taking over huge portions of the private sector, having squandered billions in public trust funds—even to the exhaustion of the Social Security system.
There is also widespread concern in the Church. Ministry leaders worry that reduced “monies” (giving) will greatly hamper the impact and effectiveness of local congregations. However, an article this week in ChristianPost.com challenges that assumption:
“A recent ‘Lean Staffing’ survey — conducted by Leadership Network, partnered with Christianity Today International's Your Church magazine and Leadership Journal — discovered that it is possible to do ministry on less. The survey was conducted in January, 2010, and polled 735 leaders from Protestant and evangelical churches across the United States with attendance ranging from 52 to 28,000. Of that, the study separated 539 respondents to generate the ‘lean staffing’ comparison. Fifteen percent of that group spends less than 35 percent of its budget on staff, while the rest spend between 35 percent and 65 percent.”
“Warren Bird, director of research with Leadership Network, notes that, based on the survey's results, he was encouraged to see ‘lean-staffing churches spend a higher percentage of the budget money outside of their wall. ... It can be done.’… However, what the survey doesn't reveal is a recipe showing precisely how those slim-staffed churches do it.”
“Bird did say some general patterns from the ‘Lean Staffing’ survey can help churches begin evaluating their thinking now. In particular:
• Lean-staffed churches averaged one paid staff member per 86 attendees compared to a 1-to-70 ratio for those that spend more on staffing.
• Lean-staffed churches generally spent 18 percent of the budgets on outreach, such as missions and community aid, compared to 15 percent by the other group.
• Based on those numbers, church leaders can determine their staff-to-attendee ratios and the percentage of the budget spent on outreach, and then evaluate how much, if at all, they want those numbers to shift.”
“Overall, churches with lean-staff budgets do more with volunteers and lay leadership development, outsource certain staff jobs, tend to have poorer congregations and have extra income sources beyond donations from members. And, to a lesser extent, they are larger in size (attendance), growing, younger in average attendee age, younger in age as a church, located in an older residential area and using at least three part-time staff for each full-time staff.”
Simply put, our faltering economy could force more lay leaders and volunteers to shoulder the “Ark of the Gospel” as is the case in other global regions where the Good News is spreading rapidly.
And the downside?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Men of Intemperate Minds
Many leading conservatives look to former Democrat campaign strategist Dick Morris for political insights and forecasts. In his Newsmax piece this week titled “Obama Support Crumbling,” Morris wonders…if the Chief Executive seems in over his head, what were voters expecting when they elected him? Morris writes:
“One of my favorite quotes about politics comes from Henry Kissinger in his book "Years of Upheaval," his memoir of the Ford presidency: "A statesman's duty is to bridge the gap between his vision and his nation's experience. If his vision gets too far out ahead of his nation's experience, he will lose his mandate. But if he hews too close to the conventional, he will lose control over events." Now, at once, we see both happening to President Obama.
His healthcare proposals obviously ran afoul of the first of Kissinger's warnings. By pushing for changes that conflicted with America's values, common sense, and experience, he lost his mandate. In that disastrous push for an elusive goal, he ruined his own presidency… Indeed, his push for health legislation, in the face of rapidly eroding public support, ranks with the war in Vietnam, Watergate, and, of course, Clinton's healthcare initiatives as the most costly to their respective political parties.
But now, as he faces threats from Iran, domestic terrorism, continually high unemployment, and the swollen deficit, he also is violating the second half of Kissinger's warning: His politics are too passive and too conventional and, as a result, losing control over events. In the phase of presidential dithering in the aftermath of the Scott Brown victory in Massachusetts, there is no clear presidential message, no coherent strategy and, even, no identifiable program… He is experiencing both ends of the Kissinger prediction.
Republicans and independents are still in shock from his headlong rush into socialism while Democrats are increasingly restive and disillusioned by his failure to lead. And the entire country is worried at his passivity in the face of domestic terror threats and the rapidly growing Iranian momentum toward the acquisition of nuclear weapons…
Seemingly paralyzed by adversity, President Obama and his advisers are showing a lack of resilience in the face of reversals that is perhaps the inevitable outcome of his smooth rise to the top in 2008… All this might be what happens when you elect a state senator whose U.S. Senate career was consumed with his presidential campaign as president.”
Whether the actions of the President have caused an erosion of support for his administration or not, a majority of Americans sense that long-held rights and privileges are being chiseled away—and someone is to blame.
Englishman Edmund Burke (1729-97) identified a culprit. He reasoned that “Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites....Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere; and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.”
Something libertarians might ponder.
“One of my favorite quotes about politics comes from Henry Kissinger in his book "Years of Upheaval," his memoir of the Ford presidency: "A statesman's duty is to bridge the gap between his vision and his nation's experience. If his vision gets too far out ahead of his nation's experience, he will lose his mandate. But if he hews too close to the conventional, he will lose control over events." Now, at once, we see both happening to President Obama.
His healthcare proposals obviously ran afoul of the first of Kissinger's warnings. By pushing for changes that conflicted with America's values, common sense, and experience, he lost his mandate. In that disastrous push for an elusive goal, he ruined his own presidency… Indeed, his push for health legislation, in the face of rapidly eroding public support, ranks with the war in Vietnam, Watergate, and, of course, Clinton's healthcare initiatives as the most costly to their respective political parties.
But now, as he faces threats from Iran, domestic terrorism, continually high unemployment, and the swollen deficit, he also is violating the second half of Kissinger's warning: His politics are too passive and too conventional and, as a result, losing control over events. In the phase of presidential dithering in the aftermath of the Scott Brown victory in Massachusetts, there is no clear presidential message, no coherent strategy and, even, no identifiable program… He is experiencing both ends of the Kissinger prediction.
Republicans and independents are still in shock from his headlong rush into socialism while Democrats are increasingly restive and disillusioned by his failure to lead. And the entire country is worried at his passivity in the face of domestic terror threats and the rapidly growing Iranian momentum toward the acquisition of nuclear weapons…
Seemingly paralyzed by adversity, President Obama and his advisers are showing a lack of resilience in the face of reversals that is perhaps the inevitable outcome of his smooth rise to the top in 2008… All this might be what happens when you elect a state senator whose U.S. Senate career was consumed with his presidential campaign as president.”
Whether the actions of the President have caused an erosion of support for his administration or not, a majority of Americans sense that long-held rights and privileges are being chiseled away—and someone is to blame.
Englishman Edmund Burke (1729-97) identified a culprit. He reasoned that “Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites....Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere; and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.”
Something libertarians might ponder.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Is America still "exceptional?"
Thoughts about Haiti Relief Efforts
A Republican has replaced “the lion of the Senate,” the late Ted Kennedy. The mind-blowing come-from-behind win last week for Senator-elect Scott Brown over Democrat Martha Coakely, the liberal Massachusetts State Attorney General, is certainly one for the record books. To be sure, Mr. Brown is the current poster boy for conservative candidates across the country who have questioned if traditional common sense values can prevail at the ballot box in liberal states.
But after the “Massachusetts Massacre” fades from the headlines in the next few days, a continuing nightmare some 700 miles south of Florida in the nation-state of Haiti will still be of concern to most Americans—liberal or conservative.
At the outset, aid for earthquake victims began pouring into Haiti from two chief sources: The United States plus the rest of the world. America’s initial pledge of $100 million was answered by combined pledges totaling $43.4 million in relief from the European Union, the United Nations, and some 13 mostly western nations including the Czech Republic ($277,300) and Slovenia ($72,710).
When early lists of donor nations began to appear on the worldwide web, it was apparent that only nations with Christian roots or leanings were involved in relief efforts. Except for Iran’s Red Crescent which committed to dispatch 30 tons of food, tents and medicine (about a trailer load and a half), none of the 57 Islamic states showed up on any of the first responder lists.
Objecting to such reports and calling them lies, Islamic PR groups have since extracted spare change from a few member states. As of this date, we can report that at least 9 Islamic states have cobbled together approximately $4.6 million dollars for Haitian relief—just shy of the $5 million that Irish telecommunications company Digicel has donated so far.
Several Asian countries are also reported to be joining in relief efforts, including China, the world’s second largest economy, and India, who together will send $2 million to Haiti—about what Finland is sending. South Korea will pony up about $1 million.
Bottom line—America is the 800 pound gorilla when disaster strikes. Private U.S. based organizations are sending along another $275 million above U.S. government aid, demonstrating, as always, that America is there when the world needs help.
Does that make America an “exceptional” nation? Well, as FOX News says, “We report. You decide.”
A Republican has replaced “the lion of the Senate,” the late Ted Kennedy. The mind-blowing come-from-behind win last week for Senator-elect Scott Brown over Democrat Martha Coakely, the liberal Massachusetts State Attorney General, is certainly one for the record books. To be sure, Mr. Brown is the current poster boy for conservative candidates across the country who have questioned if traditional common sense values can prevail at the ballot box in liberal states.
But after the “Massachusetts Massacre” fades from the headlines in the next few days, a continuing nightmare some 700 miles south of Florida in the nation-state of Haiti will still be of concern to most Americans—liberal or conservative.
At the outset, aid for earthquake victims began pouring into Haiti from two chief sources: The United States plus the rest of the world. America’s initial pledge of $100 million was answered by combined pledges totaling $43.4 million in relief from the European Union, the United Nations, and some 13 mostly western nations including the Czech Republic ($277,300) and Slovenia ($72,710).
When early lists of donor nations began to appear on the worldwide web, it was apparent that only nations with Christian roots or leanings were involved in relief efforts. Except for Iran’s Red Crescent which committed to dispatch 30 tons of food, tents and medicine (about a trailer load and a half), none of the 57 Islamic states showed up on any of the first responder lists.
Objecting to such reports and calling them lies, Islamic PR groups have since extracted spare change from a few member states. As of this date, we can report that at least 9 Islamic states have cobbled together approximately $4.6 million dollars for Haitian relief—just shy of the $5 million that Irish telecommunications company Digicel has donated so far.
Several Asian countries are also reported to be joining in relief efforts, including China, the world’s second largest economy, and India, who together will send $2 million to Haiti—about what Finland is sending. South Korea will pony up about $1 million.
Bottom line—America is the 800 pound gorilla when disaster strikes. Private U.S. based organizations are sending along another $275 million above U.S. government aid, demonstrating, as always, that America is there when the world needs help.
Does that make America an “exceptional” nation? Well, as FOX News says, “We report. You decide.”
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
How can one be hopeful in a time of despair?
Jesus spoke of the conditions that would prevail on earth immediately preceding his return, saying, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earth-quakes, famines and pestilences in various places…nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world…” (Lk 21:10, 25)
But Jesus also promised that to those who seek truth, God reveals his eternal plans and purposes for good. It is his desire for men to believe in him so that none should perish but have everlasting life. When I heard that good news 38 years ago, I placed my trust in Jesus, the Son of God, who died on the Cross for my sins. Although not every problem vanished overnight, my worries and fears were replaced with peace—wonderful peace. You ask how I can believe that God is alive in such a world? It’s simple. He lives in me!
Someone once said, “If you trust Christ, earth will be as close to Hell as you ever get. If you don’t trust Christ, it will be as near to Heaven as you’ll ever be!”
Now that I know the Lord has come to rescue me, I have no reason to despair. Is there a better time than CHRISTMAS to share such wonderful news?
But Jesus also promised that to those who seek truth, God reveals his eternal plans and purposes for good. It is his desire for men to believe in him so that none should perish but have everlasting life. When I heard that good news 38 years ago, I placed my trust in Jesus, the Son of God, who died on the Cross for my sins. Although not every problem vanished overnight, my worries and fears were replaced with peace—wonderful peace. You ask how I can believe that God is alive in such a world? It’s simple. He lives in me!
Someone once said, “If you trust Christ, earth will be as close to Hell as you ever get. If you don’t trust Christ, it will be as near to Heaven as you’ll ever be!”
Now that I know the Lord has come to rescue me, I have no reason to despair. Is there a better time than CHRISTMAS to share such wonderful news?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Christmas Truce of 1914
Some of the most interesting stories come from war.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about the amazing Christmas Truce of 1914. The British, French, and other allies were at war with Germany—it was World War I. Although both sides thought the war would be over quickly, neither was able to penetrate the other’s defenses. The fighting eventually bogged down into cold, wet and muddy, trench warfare. But something peculiar occurred in the evenings leading up to Christmas. Soldiers on both sides sang hymns!
By Christmas Eve, the combatants had decked their trenches with Christmas symbols. The Brits had their sprays of holly, while the Germans, in certain places, hung paper lanterns at the top of their trenches. For mile after mile along the front, groups of soldiers ventured out into “no man’s land,” singing Christmas carols as they recovered their dead or wounded.
And then came Christmas morning. It was cold and frosty at first light—and very quiet. Absent were the sounds of planes and bombs, cannon and rifle fire. Even though a cease fire had not been ordered, a Christmas truce was in effect. All up and down the line, enemy soldiers were meeting in the middle to shake hands and even exchange Christmas gifts. On the outskirts of Frelingheim, Germans rolled over a barrel of beer and the English brought along some plum pudding. Near Le Touquet, the Germans defeated the English—in a game of football.
Oh, that Americans should enjoy such a truce at Christmas. Imagine sharing hymns at public schools, displaying a crèche in public places without a court order, or finding sales clerks who are encouraged by management to say “Merry Christmas.”
A little tongue-in-cheek you say? Of course. But the increasing intolerance towards things that point to Christ during the “holy days,” should serve to remind us that there is a war, and we are Christian soldiers. We are not fighting for a temporary truce, however. Our Commander-in-Chief demands total surrender! At the moment of His return, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.
Merry Christmas to you, and yours.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about the amazing Christmas Truce of 1914. The British, French, and other allies were at war with Germany—it was World War I. Although both sides thought the war would be over quickly, neither was able to penetrate the other’s defenses. The fighting eventually bogged down into cold, wet and muddy, trench warfare. But something peculiar occurred in the evenings leading up to Christmas. Soldiers on both sides sang hymns!
By Christmas Eve, the combatants had decked their trenches with Christmas symbols. The Brits had their sprays of holly, while the Germans, in certain places, hung paper lanterns at the top of their trenches. For mile after mile along the front, groups of soldiers ventured out into “no man’s land,” singing Christmas carols as they recovered their dead or wounded.
And then came Christmas morning. It was cold and frosty at first light—and very quiet. Absent were the sounds of planes and bombs, cannon and rifle fire. Even though a cease fire had not been ordered, a Christmas truce was in effect. All up and down the line, enemy soldiers were meeting in the middle to shake hands and even exchange Christmas gifts. On the outskirts of Frelingheim, Germans rolled over a barrel of beer and the English brought along some plum pudding. Near Le Touquet, the Germans defeated the English—in a game of football.
Oh, that Americans should enjoy such a truce at Christmas. Imagine sharing hymns at public schools, displaying a crèche in public places without a court order, or finding sales clerks who are encouraged by management to say “Merry Christmas.”
A little tongue-in-cheek you say? Of course. But the increasing intolerance towards things that point to Christ during the “holy days,” should serve to remind us that there is a war, and we are Christian soldiers. We are not fighting for a temporary truce, however. Our Commander-in-Chief demands total surrender! At the moment of His return, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.
Merry Christmas to you, and yours.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Elections: Why waste our time?
Results from two high profile gubernatorial races coupled with a handful of state ballot measures around the country, indicate strong voter dissatisfaction with the direction of “government” at the moment. Unless conditions change, next year could be another watershed year like 1994 when a record number of Democrat incumbents were “retired” from office. Bucking that trend during last week’s elections, however, were Washington State voters who evidently prefer status quo.
Voters in the Evergreen state were given a chance to rein in the rate of growth in state government but decided against Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033. His measure would have helped put back in place, the essence of I-601 which limited tax increases to a formula indexed to inflation and population. I-601 was a populist measure inspired by then Senator Linda Smith in the early 1990s but scuttled by Gov. Gregoire in 2006.
The “keep things as they are” point of view also prevailed in the highly-charged race for King County Executive. The conservative former KIRO news anchor Susan Hutchinson was dismissed by 58% of voters as “not a good fit for King County”—a phrase used in her opponent’s political ads.
And in another disappointing conclusion, Referendum 71, the marriage issue, was affirmed by voters, keeping in place a new state law that grants to homosexual partners, all marriage benefits that accrue to a man and wife. Approximately 53% of voters liked the idea. But here are some interesting facts to consider:
Voters in 29 out of the 39 counties do not like the new type of “marriage”—by a whopping 62% to 38%. In counties east of the Cascades, 65% of voters rejected the new marriage law. Nine counties west of the cascades rejected the measure 55% to 45%. So where was the hang-up?
King County
The county that doesn’t think Susan Hutchinson, a committed Christian, is a good fit for their county, also doesn’t think traditional marriage is the best either. While nearly two-thirds of voters in 29 counties rejected R-71, more than two-thirds of King county voters gave the nod to marriage benefits for homosexual partners. Talk about a mission field!!!
So why do we waste our time on such issues as marriage, abortion, sex education, drugs, gambling, etc.? Perhaps we take seriously, a warning to the church in Thyatira. Jesus said: “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality…”
(Rev 2:20).
Whether we win or lose the social skirmishes that seem to scout us out, we are determined not to “tolerate” the spirit of Jezebel that has gained such a stronghold in King County and elsewhere. As Churchill exhorted, “We shall never give up. Never give up. Never, never, never give up!
Voters in the Evergreen state were given a chance to rein in the rate of growth in state government but decided against Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033. His measure would have helped put back in place, the essence of I-601 which limited tax increases to a formula indexed to inflation and population. I-601 was a populist measure inspired by then Senator Linda Smith in the early 1990s but scuttled by Gov. Gregoire in 2006.
The “keep things as they are” point of view also prevailed in the highly-charged race for King County Executive. The conservative former KIRO news anchor Susan Hutchinson was dismissed by 58% of voters as “not a good fit for King County”—a phrase used in her opponent’s political ads.
And in another disappointing conclusion, Referendum 71, the marriage issue, was affirmed by voters, keeping in place a new state law that grants to homosexual partners, all marriage benefits that accrue to a man and wife. Approximately 53% of voters liked the idea. But here are some interesting facts to consider:
Voters in 29 out of the 39 counties do not like the new type of “marriage”—by a whopping 62% to 38%. In counties east of the Cascades, 65% of voters rejected the new marriage law. Nine counties west of the cascades rejected the measure 55% to 45%. So where was the hang-up?
King County
The county that doesn’t think Susan Hutchinson, a committed Christian, is a good fit for their county, also doesn’t think traditional marriage is the best either. While nearly two-thirds of voters in 29 counties rejected R-71, more than two-thirds of King county voters gave the nod to marriage benefits for homosexual partners. Talk about a mission field!!!
So why do we waste our time on such issues as marriage, abortion, sex education, drugs, gambling, etc.? Perhaps we take seriously, a warning to the church in Thyatira. Jesus said: “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality…”
(Rev 2:20).
Whether we win or lose the social skirmishes that seem to scout us out, we are determined not to “tolerate” the spirit of Jezebel that has gained such a stronghold in King County and elsewhere. As Churchill exhorted, “We shall never give up. Never give up. Never, never, never give up!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
What town hall meetings?
August has traditionally been a slow news month partly because Congress is in recess. Not so this year. Lawmakers have returned to their home districts to find a usually compliant constituency very anxious over the skyrocketing federal handouts and proposed government takeover of the nation’s health care system. Instead of local libraries, the solons have been forced to move town hall meetings to large public auditoriums. I tried to attend one at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in my home town and couldn’t get in. Over a thousand citizens filled the “Center” to capacity with hundreds more turned away.
But even amidst the ever-roiling political developments, I have been wonderfully reminded that God is still placing His people in key positions of influence.
This month I was invited to join several pastors and elected officials for dinner with a high-ranking Vatican official who was visiting Seattle. While we enjoyed some small talk in the realm of state and world politics, I was delighted that this official really only wanted to talk about JESUS. There is no doubt in my mind that both he and his wife have experienced a life changing encounter with the Lord of lords and the King of kings!
Another special event on my calendar for August was the ordination of a long-time friend to the Anglican priesthood. I first met him through our countywide jail ministry. For some years following his retirement as an Air Force colonel, he had felt God’s call to full-time ministry. I can’t say I know any other pastors or priests who first served thirty years in the military in preparation for such a calling, but I can say I believe this particular man is certainly called.
And, I just met a (Nigerian) brother in the Lord that attends a local Calvary Chapel. He and his family will be returning to his homeland in a few days to plant churches. But things are somewhat tenuous in Nigeria because of recent political changes—the former president was Christian and the current leader is Muslim. My friend well understands that elections have consequences. Even so, he also knows God is still on His throne.
What struck me is that all three: the Vatican official, the Anglican priest and the protestant missionary, serving on different continents in quite different capacities and expressions, are totally onboard with you and me on local and world issues. They hold the same views on most social issues, tax and spending issues (even the Obama administration) and most importantly—they are hoping for the soon return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
How great it is to have so many brothers and sisters in the Lord around the world who don’t need to watch FOX News to be of the same mind and purpose. Makes one forget what the town hall meetings were about.
But even amidst the ever-roiling political developments, I have been wonderfully reminded that God is still placing His people in key positions of influence.
This month I was invited to join several pastors and elected officials for dinner with a high-ranking Vatican official who was visiting Seattle. While we enjoyed some small talk in the realm of state and world politics, I was delighted that this official really only wanted to talk about JESUS. There is no doubt in my mind that both he and his wife have experienced a life changing encounter with the Lord of lords and the King of kings!
Another special event on my calendar for August was the ordination of a long-time friend to the Anglican priesthood. I first met him through our countywide jail ministry. For some years following his retirement as an Air Force colonel, he had felt God’s call to full-time ministry. I can’t say I know any other pastors or priests who first served thirty years in the military in preparation for such a calling, but I can say I believe this particular man is certainly called.
And, I just met a (Nigerian) brother in the Lord that attends a local Calvary Chapel. He and his family will be returning to his homeland in a few days to plant churches. But things are somewhat tenuous in Nigeria because of recent political changes—the former president was Christian and the current leader is Muslim. My friend well understands that elections have consequences. Even so, he also knows God is still on His throne.
What struck me is that all three: the Vatican official, the Anglican priest and the protestant missionary, serving on different continents in quite different capacities and expressions, are totally onboard with you and me on local and world issues. They hold the same views on most social issues, tax and spending issues (even the Obama administration) and most importantly—they are hoping for the soon return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
How great it is to have so many brothers and sisters in the Lord around the world who don’t need to watch FOX News to be of the same mind and purpose. Makes one forget what the town hall meetings were about.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
