Ministry to Hurting Persons
People have suffered under authoritarian rule for centuries but they have survived. Until now dictators have generally ruled people’s daily lives but allowed them to develop their souls as they pleased. The Bolsheviks have changed all that. Now we must give ourselves body and soul to the state. Alexander Solzhenitysn paraphrase From Under the Rubble, Regnery Press, 1981
I have been actively supporting people in Russia and the CIS since the early 90’s. During that time I have seen the nation and all its people go through a horrendous time of pain and distress. As you read the reports below you will be shocked by the carnage and suffering mainly because the USSR destroyed almost everything leading to freedom, democracy and hard work.
Soviet Persecutions of the Church
Spiritual, vitality is necessary for any nation to thrive. The Bolsheviks did everything possible to destroy faith in God and the health of the churches. Some estimate that they killed over 90,000 Russian Orthodox priests and destroyed over 12,000 of their churches during the 70-year reign of terror. This includes only the Orthodox so we know that an equal percentage of Pentecostal and Baptist believers were also eliminated along with their meeting places.
One of the most brutal practices they used to stamp out Christianity was to take believers’ children from them. Christians were seen as defective parents who were dangerous to the kids so they were placed into orphanages or foster homes. A close friend and leader of the movement to treat Christian addicts were in such a home. The long-term effects of being ripped from their parents and siblings still reverberate throughout the adult children in the form of depression, addictions, abuse and illness.
These are very common problems among those who stayed true to God despite Communist persecution. Many of the current leaders are survivors from those homes and churches and are deeply wounded adults with immature parenting and leadership styles. The articles below outline many of the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical outcomes of the satanic attack on the Russian people in general and Christians as a specially hated group.
Pray for the leaders of Russia and the people who love God.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Burn Out and Hopelessness in Ministry
Smoldering Wick Ministries says that as many as 1500 ministers leave their posts each month due to burn out. Whether that is a tru number or not I do not know, but if the number of leaders I see every week is any indication then it is close to true.
The cause of burn out is not working too hard but doing hard work in one's own strength. No one that I help thinks they are doing it on their own for every one of them is motivated by Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit.
The ministers I speak with talk about their compassion, concern and desire to build the church. But they are filled with worry and the thrill of ministry has died. They are convinced that the church and its people cannot survive without them. They feel guilty whenever they are not doing something for God. The must always be the one who teaches, preaches, leads the small groups and has the plan for success.
The burned out leader cannot receive assistance because he must always be helping not receiving. He is selfish about giving for "It is more blessed to give than receive."
Perhaps you think I am being judgmental and harsh. That I have no compassion or sensitivity toward people in pain. That I do not really understand.
Maybe not, but that was me until I collapsed. That was me until I ended up in the hospital. That was me until my chest pains led me to fly home from Asia and see the doctor. That was me until I got a stent in the chest and Doctor Kereiakes saved my life.
Maybe I do not understand.
But if I do, I can help pastors avoid burn out.
Smoldering Wick Ministries says that as many as 1500 ministers leave their posts each month due to burn out. Whether that is a tru number or not I do not know, but if the number of leaders I see every week is any indication then it is close to true.
The cause of burn out is not working too hard but doing hard work in one's own strength. No one that I help thinks they are doing it on their own for every one of them is motivated by Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit.
The ministers I speak with talk about their compassion, concern and desire to build the church. But they are filled with worry and the thrill of ministry has died. They are convinced that the church and its people cannot survive without them. They feel guilty whenever they are not doing something for God. The must always be the one who teaches, preaches, leads the small groups and has the plan for success.
The burned out leader cannot receive assistance because he must always be helping not receiving. He is selfish about giving for "It is more blessed to give than receive."
Perhaps you think I am being judgmental and harsh. That I have no compassion or sensitivity toward people in pain. That I do not really understand.
Maybe not, but that was me until I collapsed. That was me until I ended up in the hospital. That was me until my chest pains led me to fly home from Asia and see the doctor. That was me until I got a stent in the chest and Doctor Kereiakes saved my life.
Maybe I do not understand.
But if I do, I can help pastors avoid burn out.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Hardwired to Connect
This post continues the last one:
Authoritative communities can be families with children and all civic, educational, recreational, community service, business, culture, and religious groups that serve or include persons under the age of 18 that exhibit certain characteristics.
These characteristics are: 1) it is a social institution that includes children and youth; 2) it treats children as ends in themselves; 3) it is warm and nurturing; 4) it establishes clear boundaries and limits; 5) it is defined and guided at least partly by non-specialists; 6) it is multi-generational; 7) it has a long-term focus; 8) it encourages spiritual and religious development; 9) it reflects and transmits a shared understanding of what it means to be a good person; 10) it is philosophically oriented to the equal dignity of all persons and to the principle of love of neighbor.
The Commission's report represents the first time that neuroscientists have collaborated with social scientists who study civil society to improve outcomes for children. It is also represents the first time that a diverse group of scientists and leading children's doctors are publicly recommending that our society pay considerably more attention to young people's moral and spiritual needs. Said the child psychiatrist Dr. Kathleen Kovner Kline of the Dartmouth Medical School, the report's principal investigator:
“As children's doctors, we began this project because our waiting lists are too long. Our challenge today is to shift from treatment alone to treatment plus prevention. Broad social changes are required. We need to become environmental advocates for childhood."
What Recent Research SuggestsIn searching for strategies to improve outcomes for children, the Commission reviewed research on the brain and human behavior from the last two to five years. Among the main scientific findings on which the Commission has based its recommendations are:
The mechanisms by which we become and stay attached to others have a biological basis and are increasingly discernible in the basic structure of the brain.
Nurturing environments, or the lack of them, influence the development of brain circuitry and the way genes affect behavior.
The old ``nature versus nurture" debate – focusing on whether heredity or environment is the main determinant of human conduct – is no longer relevant to serious discussions of child well-being and youth programming. New scientific findings are teaching us to marvel at how nature and nurture interact. These findings suggest that strong nurturing can reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of genes that are associated with aggression, anxiety, depression or substance abuse.
Primary nurturing relationships influence early spiritual development, and spiritual development can influence us biologically in the same ways that primary nurturing relationships do. For instance, spirituality and religiosity can be associated with lower levels of stress hormone (cortisol), more optimism, and commitment to helping others.
Religiosity and spirituality significantly influence well-being. The human brain appears to be organized to ask ultimate questions and seek ultimate answers. Findings are described in detail in the attached copy of the Commission's report.
This post continues the last one:
Authoritative communities can be families with children and all civic, educational, recreational, community service, business, culture, and religious groups that serve or include persons under the age of 18 that exhibit certain characteristics.
These characteristics are: 1) it is a social institution that includes children and youth; 2) it treats children as ends in themselves; 3) it is warm and nurturing; 4) it establishes clear boundaries and limits; 5) it is defined and guided at least partly by non-specialists; 6) it is multi-generational; 7) it has a long-term focus; 8) it encourages spiritual and religious development; 9) it reflects and transmits a shared understanding of what it means to be a good person; 10) it is philosophically oriented to the equal dignity of all persons and to the principle of love of neighbor.
The Commission's report represents the first time that neuroscientists have collaborated with social scientists who study civil society to improve outcomes for children. It is also represents the first time that a diverse group of scientists and leading children's doctors are publicly recommending that our society pay considerably more attention to young people's moral and spiritual needs. Said the child psychiatrist Dr. Kathleen Kovner Kline of the Dartmouth Medical School, the report's principal investigator:
“As children's doctors, we began this project because our waiting lists are too long. Our challenge today is to shift from treatment alone to treatment plus prevention. Broad social changes are required. We need to become environmental advocates for childhood."
What Recent Research SuggestsIn searching for strategies to improve outcomes for children, the Commission reviewed research on the brain and human behavior from the last two to five years. Among the main scientific findings on which the Commission has based its recommendations are:
The mechanisms by which we become and stay attached to others have a biological basis and are increasingly discernible in the basic structure of the brain.
Nurturing environments, or the lack of them, influence the development of brain circuitry and the way genes affect behavior.
The old ``nature versus nurture" debate – focusing on whether heredity or environment is the main determinant of human conduct – is no longer relevant to serious discussions of child well-being and youth programming. New scientific findings are teaching us to marvel at how nature and nurture interact. These findings suggest that strong nurturing can reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of genes that are associated with aggression, anxiety, depression or substance abuse.
Primary nurturing relationships influence early spiritual development, and spiritual development can influence us biologically in the same ways that primary nurturing relationships do. For instance, spirituality and religiosity can be associated with lower levels of stress hormone (cortisol), more optimism, and commitment to helping others.
Religiosity and spirituality significantly influence well-being. The human brain appears to be organized to ask ultimate questions and seek ultimate answers. Findings are described in detail in the attached copy of the Commission's report.
Why Am I Upset?
After writing the previous blog I realized I was upset and that is not good because it can miscommunicate my intentions. I just reread some research by a national group about the importance of building safe and loving communities and the dangers if we fail.
I know that church congregations are the very best places to develop good parenting skills and enter the lives of families to give them support, love and education. Here is some of that report.
Read it and see why I am upset that so few churches are developing intentional communities of health and growth.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The New Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities
New Scientific Findings Shed Light on Why Large Numbers of American Children Suffer from Emotional and Behavioral Problems
Thursday, September 9 (Dirksen SOB, Room G50, Washington, D.C., begins 9:00 a. m) Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona, U.S. Assistant Secretary of HHS Dr. Wade Horn. The Commission on Children at Risk, a panel of leading children's doctors, research scientists and youth service professionals, has issued a report to the nation about new strategies to reduce the currently high numbers of U.S. children who are suffering from emotional and behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit, conduct disorders, and thoughts of suicide. The Commission is basing its recommendations on recent scientific findings suggesting that children are biologically ``hardwired" for enduring attachments to other people and for moral and spiritual meaning. Meeting children's needs for enduring attachments and for moral and spiritual meaning is the best way to ensure their healthy development, according to the Commission's report. Dr. Kenneth L. Gladish, the National Executive Director, YMCA of the USA:
Â? children are hardwired for close connections to others and for moral and spiritual meaning.
The report challenges all of us to strengthen those groups in our society that promote this type of connectedness. Here at the Y, we have been working for children and families since 1851 and we intend to be a part of that solution." The Commission on Children at Risk, YMCA of the USA, Dartmouth Medical School and the Institute for American Values. Commission members include Steven Suomi of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, T. Berry Brazelton, Harvard Medical School, Allan Schore of UCLA Medical School, Alvin Poussaint of Harvard Medical School, Robert Coles of Harvard Medical School; James P. Comer of Yale Medical School; developmental psychobiologist Linda Spear of Binghamton University; the author and clinical psychologist Judith Wallerstein of the Center for the Family in Transition; and Thomas Insel, who was at Emory University at the time of the study, but has recently been appointed director of the National Institute of Mental Health.
Despite a decade of unprecedented economic growth that resulted in fewer children living in poverty, large and growing numbers of American children and adolescents are suffering from mental health problems. Scholars at the National Research Council in 2002 estimated that at least one of every four adolescents in the U.S. is currently at serious risk of not achieving productive adulthood.
Twenty-one percent of U.S. children ages 9 to 17 have a diagnosable mental disorder or addiction; 8 percent of high school students suffer from clinical depression, and 20 percent of students report seriously having considered suicide in the past year.
By the 1980s, U.S. children as a group were reporting more anxiety than did children who were psychiatric patients in the 1950s, according to one study.
The Commission is calling upon all U.S. citizens to help strengthen what it calls authoritative communities as likely to be the best strategy for improving children's lives, in its report, Hardwired to Connect: The Case for Authoritative Communities.
Authoritative communities are groups of people who are committed to one another over time and who exhibit and are able to pass on what it means to be a good person. These groups provide the types of connectedness our children increasingly lack.
After writing the previous blog I realized I was upset and that is not good because it can miscommunicate my intentions. I just reread some research by a national group about the importance of building safe and loving communities and the dangers if we fail.
I know that church congregations are the very best places to develop good parenting skills and enter the lives of families to give them support, love and education. Here is some of that report.
Read it and see why I am upset that so few churches are developing intentional communities of health and growth.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The New Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities
New Scientific Findings Shed Light on Why Large Numbers of American Children Suffer from Emotional and Behavioral Problems
Thursday, September 9 (Dirksen SOB, Room G50, Washington, D.C., begins 9:00 a. m) Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona, U.S. Assistant Secretary of HHS Dr. Wade Horn. The Commission on Children at Risk, a panel of leading children's doctors, research scientists and youth service professionals, has issued a report to the nation about new strategies to reduce the currently high numbers of U.S. children who are suffering from emotional and behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit, conduct disorders, and thoughts of suicide. The Commission is basing its recommendations on recent scientific findings suggesting that children are biologically ``hardwired" for enduring attachments to other people and for moral and spiritual meaning. Meeting children's needs for enduring attachments and for moral and spiritual meaning is the best way to ensure their healthy development, according to the Commission's report. Dr. Kenneth L. Gladish, the National Executive Director, YMCA of the USA:
Â? children are hardwired for close connections to others and for moral and spiritual meaning.
The report challenges all of us to strengthen those groups in our society that promote this type of connectedness. Here at the Y, we have been working for children and families since 1851 and we intend to be a part of that solution." The Commission on Children at Risk, YMCA of the USA, Dartmouth Medical School and the Institute for American Values. Commission members include Steven Suomi of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, T. Berry Brazelton, Harvard Medical School, Allan Schore of UCLA Medical School, Alvin Poussaint of Harvard Medical School, Robert Coles of Harvard Medical School; James P. Comer of Yale Medical School; developmental psychobiologist Linda Spear of Binghamton University; the author and clinical psychologist Judith Wallerstein of the Center for the Family in Transition; and Thomas Insel, who was at Emory University at the time of the study, but has recently been appointed director of the National Institute of Mental Health.
Despite a decade of unprecedented economic growth that resulted in fewer children living in poverty, large and growing numbers of American children and adolescents are suffering from mental health problems. Scholars at the National Research Council in 2002 estimated that at least one of every four adolescents in the U.S. is currently at serious risk of not achieving productive adulthood.
Twenty-one percent of U.S. children ages 9 to 17 have a diagnosable mental disorder or addiction; 8 percent of high school students suffer from clinical depression, and 20 percent of students report seriously having considered suicide in the past year.
By the 1980s, U.S. children as a group were reporting more anxiety than did children who were psychiatric patients in the 1950s, according to one study.
The Commission is calling upon all U.S. citizens to help strengthen what it calls authoritative communities as likely to be the best strategy for improving children's lives, in its report, Hardwired to Connect: The Case for Authoritative Communities.
Authoritative communities are groups of people who are committed to one another over time and who exhibit and are able to pass on what it means to be a good person. These groups provide the types of connectedness our children increasingly lack.
Anniversary of My Ed. D. Graduation
It has been almost exactly 30 years since I graduated from University of Cincinnati with a doctoral degree in Counselor Education. My research integrated counseling and theology with an emphasis on how Christians can Prevent Problems and Promote Health. I concluded that it is hard to do so.
All it takes is motivation and selecting the right people to show you how to do it.
In 1976 I set up a program at College Hill Presbyterian Church to do these things and later wrote several simple training models to prepare pastors and lay leaders how to make their churches into healing, helping communities. A few, very few churches percentage wise, take the challenge.
Some famous writers like Larry Crabb complain about the current situation but they say no one knows how to equip lay care givers. He is badly mistaken. Some of us have been doing it for over 30 years. (I started helping a telephone crisis ministry in 1970 .)
Churches that refuse to teach people how to renew their minds, communicate, listen and solve conflicts are negligent and failing to "Equip the saints to DO the ministry."
There are numerous people and places where you can learn how to help your people. It is spiritual mal-practice to refuse.
It has been almost exactly 30 years since I graduated from University of Cincinnati with a doctoral degree in Counselor Education. My research integrated counseling and theology with an emphasis on how Christians can Prevent Problems and Promote Health. I concluded that it is hard to do so.
All it takes is motivation and selecting the right people to show you how to do it.
- With marriages falling apart at an appalling rate why do so few churches have a Pre-Marital Preparation Program?
- With parents failing at alarming rates, why are few churches doing what the TV Show Nanny 911 is doing?
- We know how to teach communication skills, conflict management, parenting, couple decision making, financial planning, etc but so few churches even try.
In 1976 I set up a program at College Hill Presbyterian Church to do these things and later wrote several simple training models to prepare pastors and lay leaders how to make their churches into healing, helping communities. A few, very few churches percentage wise, take the challenge.
Some famous writers like Larry Crabb complain about the current situation but they say no one knows how to equip lay care givers. He is badly mistaken. Some of us have been doing it for over 30 years. (I started helping a telephone crisis ministry in 1970 .)
Churches that refuse to teach people how to renew their minds, communicate, listen and solve conflicts are negligent and failing to "Equip the saints to DO the ministry."
There are numerous people and places where you can learn how to help your people. It is spiritual mal-practice to refuse.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
What I Do Continued
Some of my closest colleagues from the past do not seem to understand my ministry or how I send my professional time. I am sure it is my fault. If I were only clear in describing my life everyone would understand. So, here goes.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that I actually do a number of different things but my central focus is almost always the same. So, seen from the point of view of tasks, I multi-task.
My central mission is always the same: To promote the growth and healing of Christian people and organizations
The following terms best describe my focus.
GROWTH: Disciple; Sanctify; Strengthen; Gift, Skill and Talent Development;
HEALING: Repair; Reconnect; Forgive; Set Captives Free; Restore;
The materials I write do both of these. I am a retired Clinical Counselor but I prefer to PREVENT SICKNESS, PROMOTE GROWTH and supply PEER SUPPORT.
Some of my closest colleagues from the past do not seem to understand my ministry or how I send my professional time. I am sure it is my fault. If I were only clear in describing my life everyone would understand. So, here goes.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that I actually do a number of different things but my central focus is almost always the same. So, seen from the point of view of tasks, I multi-task.
- I often preach the gospel
- I teach in churches and para-church ministries
- I consult with Christian organizations
- I Mentor/Coach/Counsel Christian leaders
- I train Counselors
- I pray for the sick
- I write materials
- Set up small groups
- Organize counseling centers
- I travel extensively around the world to do these things
My central mission is always the same: To promote the growth and healing of Christian people and organizations
The following terms best describe my focus.
GROWTH: Disciple; Sanctify; Strengthen; Gift, Skill and Talent Development;
HEALING: Repair; Reconnect; Forgive; Set Captives Free; Restore;
The materials I write do both of these. I am a retired Clinical Counselor but I prefer to PREVENT SICKNESS, PROMOTE GROWTH and supply PEER SUPPORT.
Got That Blackberry and It's Pretty Cool Beans
A post ago I showed a photo of myself holding up a Daddy Day card and a quart of blackberry from my wife. Karen has always known how to keep me humble, and she did it again.
When I decided to get one of those geeky all-in-one-telephones-that-includes-e mail Karen immediately recognized that I was about to embark on another one of my flights into perfection through technology. As Malcolm Gladwell writes in his wonderful book, BLINK, her inner discernment immediately knew how to keep me humble without crushing my very sensitive ego. She "Thin Sliced" my demeanor and bought me a quart of berries.
Remember that I grew up in a farming area. I picked blackberries and helped Grandmother Taylor make jellies and jams. One of my favorite photos is Mom Taylor and me with huge buckets of berries. Both of us are dressed in Osh Gosh overalls and look like bit players in the movie Grapes of Wrath.
Karen's card and quart of berries said it all.
"Remember where you came from and do not get the big head and start talking about the fact that you carry a quad phone with international connections and immediate e mail. You are from Ina, Illinois for crying out loud so cool it!"
A post ago I showed a photo of myself holding up a Daddy Day card and a quart of blackberry from my wife. Karen has always known how to keep me humble, and she did it again.
When I decided to get one of those geeky all-in-one-telephones-that-includes-e mail Karen immediately recognized that I was about to embark on another one of my flights into perfection through technology. As Malcolm Gladwell writes in his wonderful book, BLINK, her inner discernment immediately knew how to keep me humble without crushing my very sensitive ego. She "Thin Sliced" my demeanor and bought me a quart of berries.
Remember that I grew up in a farming area. I picked blackberries and helped Grandmother Taylor make jellies and jams. One of my favorite photos is Mom Taylor and me with huge buckets of berries. Both of us are dressed in Osh Gosh overalls and look like bit players in the movie Grapes of Wrath.
Karen's card and quart of berries said it all.
"Remember where you came from and do not get the big head and start talking about the fact that you carry a quad phone with international connections and immediate e mail. You are from Ina, Illinois for crying out loud so cool it!"
Thursday, June 23, 2005
What Do I Do?
A few months after I left the ministry team at College Hill Presbyterian Church to set up the LifeWay Christian Counseling Center a group of pastors invited me to speak about what I was now doing. CHPC at the time was one of the most prominent and influential Evangelical churches in America so most people at least thought they knew what I did. (Except my mother who went to glory wondering.) Now, however, heading a clinic and in-patient psychiatric hospital seemed to through my friends and colleagues into a frenzy of confusion.
After I spoke about the integration of psychology and theology and how God had called me to pursue a healing ministry one of my friends raised his hand and asked me a simple question that still befuddles me when I think about it. It went something like this.
"Gary, now that you have left the church, do you still believe in Jesus?"
I was stunned. "First," I replied, "I have not left the church. I am just no longer paid by the tithes and offerings of God's people to do the works of ministry. Second, I believe in Jesus more than ever. To heal the broken hearted and set the captives free requires faith, power, truth and love."
For Seven years I led Life Way Counseling Centers as Chairman and CEO. I was also traveling around the world training lay and pastoral counselors as head of Equipping Ministries Int. (EMI)
In 1994 the stresses and strains of overwork and overworry led to a series of physical set backs and my doctor demanded that I take some time off.
I went on medical leave for several months, resigned from EMI and turned the leadership of Life Way over to Martin Re. After a year of recovery I founded Life Way Ministries International, Inc, a non-profit ministry devoted to the training, support and mentoring of pastors and Christian leaders.
This is what I am still doing.
A few months after I left the ministry team at College Hill Presbyterian Church to set up the LifeWay Christian Counseling Center a group of pastors invited me to speak about what I was now doing. CHPC at the time was one of the most prominent and influential Evangelical churches in America so most people at least thought they knew what I did. (Except my mother who went to glory wondering.) Now, however, heading a clinic and in-patient psychiatric hospital seemed to through my friends and colleagues into a frenzy of confusion.
After I spoke about the integration of psychology and theology and how God had called me to pursue a healing ministry one of my friends raised his hand and asked me a simple question that still befuddles me when I think about it. It went something like this.
"Gary, now that you have left the church, do you still believe in Jesus?"
I was stunned. "First," I replied, "I have not left the church. I am just no longer paid by the tithes and offerings of God's people to do the works of ministry. Second, I believe in Jesus more than ever. To heal the broken hearted and set the captives free requires faith, power, truth and love."
For Seven years I led Life Way Counseling Centers as Chairman and CEO. I was also traveling around the world training lay and pastoral counselors as head of Equipping Ministries Int. (EMI)
In 1994 the stresses and strains of overwork and overworry led to a series of physical set backs and my doctor demanded that I take some time off.
I went on medical leave for several months, resigned from EMI and turned the leadership of Life Way over to Martin Re. After a year of recovery I founded Life Way Ministries International, Inc, a non-profit ministry devoted to the training, support and mentoring of pastors and Christian leaders.
This is what I am still doing.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Preparing for Russia
I received another note from Galina and am preparing for a return trip in August. As you read the article below you can clearly see why reaching Russian men is critically important to healing the Russian family as well as the American family.
Galina recently placed on her web page more biblical notes to help individuals and families impacted by alcohol and drugs find Christ and get sober. Take a look at:
http://www.lifeways.ru/
We still neeed the financial and spiritual support of many churches and godly people in order to keep this vital and strategic ministry going.
Send your tax-deductible support to:
Life Way Ministries, Inc
11161 Kenwood Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
I received another note from Galina and am preparing for a return trip in August. As you read the article below you can clearly see why reaching Russian men is critically important to healing the Russian family as well as the American family.
Galina recently placed on her web page more biblical notes to help individuals and families impacted by alcohol and drugs find Christ and get sober. Take a look at:
http://www.lifeways.ru/
We still neeed the financial and spiritual support of many churches and godly people in order to keep this vital and strategic ministry going.
Send your tax-deductible support to:
Life Way Ministries, Inc
11161 Kenwood Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
Evangelicals are Better Husbands and Fathers
Religious men, especially evangelical Protestants, are more involved and attentive husbands and fathers than men who are not religious, new research shows.
Though they favor a patriarchal family structure, evangelical Protestant men who attend church regularly scored higher on several national surveys that evaluated levels of family involvement and affection than did men from other religious groups and men who consider themselves religiously unaffiliated. Surveys included the government's National Survey of Families and Households.
"Evangelical Protestant dads come out on top compared with every religious group in the U.S.," says University of Virginia sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox, who conducted the study.
He analyzed data from three large surveys conducted several times from 1972 to 1999 that examined behaviors and attitudes toward family and gender among different religious groups, including Catholics and Protestant Christian denominations, Jews, Muslims and others.
The results point to greater family involvement and less domestic violence among churchgoing Protestants, especially evangelicals, which he says include Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God, and nondenominational evangelical churches.
Wilcox says religion "domesticates men in ways that make them more retentive to the ideals and aspirations of their wives and children."
(I certainly hate to disappoint the ACLU on this point.)
Religious men, especially evangelical Protestants, are more involved and attentive husbands and fathers than men who are not religious, new research shows.
Though they favor a patriarchal family structure, evangelical Protestant men who attend church regularly scored higher on several national surveys that evaluated levels of family involvement and affection than did men from other religious groups and men who consider themselves religiously unaffiliated. Surveys included the government's National Survey of Families and Households.
"Evangelical Protestant dads come out on top compared with every religious group in the U.S.," says University of Virginia sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox, who conducted the study.
He analyzed data from three large surveys conducted several times from 1972 to 1999 that examined behaviors and attitudes toward family and gender among different religious groups, including Catholics and Protestant Christian denominations, Jews, Muslims and others.
The results point to greater family involvement and less domestic violence among churchgoing Protestants, especially evangelicals, which he says include Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God, and nondenominational evangelical churches.
Wilcox says religion "domesticates men in ways that make them more retentive to the ideals and aspirations of their wives and children."
(I certainly hate to disappoint the ACLU on this point.)
Friday, June 17, 2005
I Am A White Christian
Recently, Howard Dean, "The Screamer", who is head of the Democratic National Party, said that all Republicans are "White Christians who think alike..." Upon reflection I began to think he was partly correct.
I was reared by a white Christian, fundamentalist, Baptist Deacon who was a radical, left leaning, liberal that loudly proclaimed that Jesus would have refused to run on the Republican ticket. When he was challenged not to vote for a "Blankety, blank Roman Catholic for President he adamantly refused to consider any other alternative.
When my older brother admitted he had voted for "Tricky Dick Nixon, Dad had an anxiety attack qua heart attack and was bedridden for a day or two. We never admitted such heresy again. I still cannot bring myself to claim the Republican Party as my home base. I am sure Dad is watching restlessly from the grave.
But the Democrats have left me high and dry so I don't have a home there now. I am white, pro-life Christian and those kinds of people are hated and despised by the left. The Democrat tent is way too small for me.
The anti-Christian Democrats want to stop all conservatives from taking part in governmental activities while promoting other religions. Howard Dean tried to act like us and claimed to be an "Expert" in Bible knowledge when he explained to the press that both First and Second Job were his favorite New Testament books.
I am a small business owner who believes in the free market system and Democrats promote a socialist bleeding heart philosophy that drove Russia into poverty and is killing Europe.
I believe infighting terrorists overseas while Democrats like Dennis Kucinich think we ought to tell them when we are leaving Iraq.
I believe in jailing terrorists and criminals while the leftists like Senator Durbin think our men and women are Nazis and the terrorists are good guys.
Where does this leave me as a long term Democrat? Where has my party gone?
To ___________ in a hand basket.
Recently, Howard Dean, "The Screamer", who is head of the Democratic National Party, said that all Republicans are "White Christians who think alike..." Upon reflection I began to think he was partly correct.
I was reared by a white Christian, fundamentalist, Baptist Deacon who was a radical, left leaning, liberal that loudly proclaimed that Jesus would have refused to run on the Republican ticket. When he was challenged not to vote for a "Blankety, blank Roman Catholic for President he adamantly refused to consider any other alternative.
When my older brother admitted he had voted for "Tricky Dick Nixon, Dad had an anxiety attack qua heart attack and was bedridden for a day or two. We never admitted such heresy again. I still cannot bring myself to claim the Republican Party as my home base. I am sure Dad is watching restlessly from the grave.
But the Democrats have left me high and dry so I don't have a home there now. I am white, pro-life Christian and those kinds of people are hated and despised by the left. The Democrat tent is way too small for me.
The anti-Christian Democrats want to stop all conservatives from taking part in governmental activities while promoting other religions. Howard Dean tried to act like us and claimed to be an "Expert" in Bible knowledge when he explained to the press that both First and Second Job were his favorite New Testament books.
I am a small business owner who believes in the free market system and Democrats promote a socialist bleeding heart philosophy that drove Russia into poverty and is killing Europe.
I believe infighting terrorists overseas while Democrats like Dennis Kucinich think we ought to tell them when we are leaving Iraq.
I believe in jailing terrorists and criminals while the leftists like Senator Durbin think our men and women are Nazis and the terrorists are good guys.
Where does this leave me as a long term Democrat? Where has my party gone?
To ___________ in a hand basket.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Not Everyone Likes Kindness
Scripture tells us that, "It is the kindness of God that leads to repentance." I was reared in an environment that believed the opposite, namely that fear, condemnation and good arguments led others to repent of their sins.
I actually prefer anger and arguments to kindness. There is something within me that wants to strike out at sin and sinners; to straighten them out; drive their ideas into the ground and punish them for rejecting Christ and for being so stupid. I do so wish that this method worked in missions and evangelism. Unfortunately it does not even though it fits my fleshly drive to win.
However, kindness doesn't always work either. Scoffers what the Bible calls those who hate God and Christians and who rebel at the very thought of Him and us. They especially despise our fruit of the Spirit. They actually like it when we are operating in the fleshly desires of anger, revenge and legalism for those things reinforce their predetermined ideas and make them feel superior to us.
Scoffers are also numbered among those who lead other religions and who hate it when Christian's reach out in love. In the previous post I indicated that some of the religious leaders in Russia are persecuting Evangelicals. One actually mentioned that he feared those who promote "Democracy and freedom".
Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka Asia have decided that Christians are so dangerous that there should be a law against any acts of kindness that influence people to convert to Christ. So many Christians have done so many good things for the people affected by the tsunami that the monks are scared they will lose their influence and the people will convert. You see, Buddhists do not do works of mercy and kindness for that would be an interference with the "Law of Karma". However, Christians are all about kindness and mercy and that makes the Buddhists look bad.
Go to Christianity Today's blog for a full explanation of this story.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/007/6.15.html
In the USA it is the ACLU that fears and loathes Christians who practice kindness. Watch for laws banning acts of love sponsored by the ACLU.
Scripture tells us that, "It is the kindness of God that leads to repentance." I was reared in an environment that believed the opposite, namely that fear, condemnation and good arguments led others to repent of their sins.
I actually prefer anger and arguments to kindness. There is something within me that wants to strike out at sin and sinners; to straighten them out; drive their ideas into the ground and punish them for rejecting Christ and for being so stupid. I do so wish that this method worked in missions and evangelism. Unfortunately it does not even though it fits my fleshly drive to win.
However, kindness doesn't always work either. Scoffers what the Bible calls those who hate God and Christians and who rebel at the very thought of Him and us. They especially despise our fruit of the Spirit. They actually like it when we are operating in the fleshly desires of anger, revenge and legalism for those things reinforce their predetermined ideas and make them feel superior to us.
Scoffers are also numbered among those who lead other religions and who hate it when Christian's reach out in love. In the previous post I indicated that some of the religious leaders in Russia are persecuting Evangelicals. One actually mentioned that he feared those who promote "Democracy and freedom".
Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka Asia have decided that Christians are so dangerous that there should be a law against any acts of kindness that influence people to convert to Christ. So many Christians have done so many good things for the people affected by the tsunami that the monks are scared they will lose their influence and the people will convert. You see, Buddhists do not do works of mercy and kindness for that would be an interference with the "Law of Karma". However, Christians are all about kindness and mercy and that makes the Buddhists look bad.
Go to Christianity Today's blog for a full explanation of this story.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/007/6.15.html
In the USA it is the ACLU that fears and loathes Christians who practice kindness. Watch for laws banning acts of love sponsored by the ACLU.
Monday, June 13, 2005
To Russia With Love and Prayers
The following letter from Galina is very exciting but challenging. I hope you have already read and absorbed the information from the Moscow Times. The Orthodox Church leadership, to a large extent is clamping down on all "Protestant sects" and they are very successful in shutting churches, putting pressure on the government, etc. We must pray.
As you read her letter I will make some comments to fill you in on what is happening behind the scenes.
I've made reservations for you today from August 11 till August 23 rd at "Eridan" apartment hotel. Unfortunately, it's more expensive this year, as many other things in Moscow -- almost $100 a day for a two-room apartment. (It is getting more and more expensive to minister in Moscow but we have no choices but to pay the price to keep things going. Life Way Ministries currently sends $2500.00 to Moscow so please pray about supporting that effort.)
I also made an appointment with Father Grigoriy from the Catholic Center to make a pre-payment for our 4 days in August with the team. This summer it costs $15 a day per person, which means at least 900 dollars for 15 people total.
Gary, I would like to give you some updating information.
1. On June 16-17th we shall have an "Apple 2" seminar for St. Kozma and Demian's Church (please pray). This will complete the first level course for the two big groups and their leaders, which includes "12 Steps", "Apples 1" and "Apples 2".
2. On June the 18th, we are finishing a series of weekly Saturday support groups for the church leaders of Kozma and Damian's community. (This is amazing. Galina has gotten us into one of the largest Orthodox Churches in Moscow!! Father Alexander is very supportive of our work but is being pressured by others to stop being so friendly with Protestants. PRAY for his protection.)
3. Next Wednesday Evgeny and Pavel will finish their "Brothers'" group they have been leading for 3 months. It is their second experience in leading male groups, the first one was over in March. (WOW! Two men's groups have completed training. This is incredible in Russia where the men are so damaged and emotionally scarred. PRAY for the men.)
4. In July, we shall lead an intensive course for the future leaders of support groups from different churches. Partly, there will be people from the male group and the Saturday support groups, who decided to participate in small groups development in their churches, there. (Praise the Lord! Leadership is critically needed. These leaders will multiply themselves all over the USSR and touch thousands of families.)
5. We continue supervision groups for leaders on Monday. (More leadership training.)
My greetings and gratitude to our brothers and sisters.
Galina
The following letter from Galina is very exciting but challenging. I hope you have already read and absorbed the information from the Moscow Times. The Orthodox Church leadership, to a large extent is clamping down on all "Protestant sects" and they are very successful in shutting churches, putting pressure on the government, etc. We must pray.
As you read her letter I will make some comments to fill you in on what is happening behind the scenes.
I've made reservations for you today from August 11 till August 23 rd at "Eridan" apartment hotel. Unfortunately, it's more expensive this year, as many other things in Moscow -- almost $100 a day for a two-room apartment. (It is getting more and more expensive to minister in Moscow but we have no choices but to pay the price to keep things going. Life Way Ministries currently sends $2500.00 to Moscow so please pray about supporting that effort.)
I also made an appointment with Father Grigoriy from the Catholic Center to make a pre-payment for our 4 days in August with the team. This summer it costs $15 a day per person, which means at least 900 dollars for 15 people total.
Gary, I would like to give you some updating information.
1. On June 16-17th we shall have an "Apple 2" seminar for St. Kozma and Demian's Church (please pray). This will complete the first level course for the two big groups and their leaders, which includes "12 Steps", "Apples 1" and "Apples 2".
2. On June the 18th, we are finishing a series of weekly Saturday support groups for the church leaders of Kozma and Damian's community. (This is amazing. Galina has gotten us into one of the largest Orthodox Churches in Moscow!! Father Alexander is very supportive of our work but is being pressured by others to stop being so friendly with Protestants. PRAY for his protection.)
3. Next Wednesday Evgeny and Pavel will finish their "Brothers'" group they have been leading for 3 months. It is their second experience in leading male groups, the first one was over in March. (WOW! Two men's groups have completed training. This is incredible in Russia where the men are so damaged and emotionally scarred. PRAY for the men.)
4. In July, we shall lead an intensive course for the future leaders of support groups from different churches. Partly, there will be people from the male group and the Saturday support groups, who decided to participate in small groups development in their churches, there. (Praise the Lord! Leadership is critically needed. These leaders will multiply themselves all over the USSR and touch thousands of families.)
5. We continue supervision groups for leaders on Monday. (More leadership training.)
My greetings and gratitude to our brothers and sisters.
Galina
To Russia With Prayer
Upon our return from Florida I received two letters that gave me both excitement and concern. The first was fromDr. Galina Chentsova, M.D. who heads our ministry in the former USSR and the second from The Moscow Times.
I am enclosing part of the Times story. You can get the details from their web.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/06/10/002.html
Evangelical Christians Fight for a Church
By Stephen Boykewich Staff Writer
Dozens of evangelical believers stood stunned on Tverskaya Ploshchad across from City Hall, their protest banners lying in police vans, their pastor being carted off to a holding cell.
"This time it was pretty," Yelena Purshaga said last Thursday. Her husband, Alexander Purshaga, is the pastor of the Emmanuel church.
"You should have seen the way it was yesterday," she said on June 2. The church had sought -- and thought it received -- permission to hold a weeklong demonstration across from City Hall over the loss of land that it had hoped to use to build a house of worship.
But on May 30 and June 1, police and OMON special forces violently broke up the demonstrations, throwing women and children to the ground and swearing at them, parishioners said. One of them, Marina Karandayeva, raised her sleeve to show an ugly ring of bruises around her arm.
For Emmanuel's believers, it was the latest indignity in a decade-long struggle to build a church for their 1,000-member Moscow parish. For some religious liberty organizations, it was further evidence of a mounting, and in some cases violent, trend to persecute Protestant religious minorities.
In mid-May, a group of young men stormed into the Moscow office of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith, a main umbrella organization for evangelical churches in Russia, and announced that they had been sent to "beat sectarians."
At about the same time, Perm regional authorities said they wanted to buy back a former palace of culture building that had been sold to an evangelical church -- a decision that came after the church was criticized by the local Russian Orthodox bishop, the mayor of Perm and city legislators. A Baptist home church went up in flames in an apparent arson attack in the Moscow region town of Lyubuchany in September.
Emmanuel's saga began in 1994, when it applied for land to build a church in Moscow. Protestant church membership was growing rapidly at the time, thanks in part to a 1991 law on religious organizations that has since become far more restrictive.
Lawrence Uzzell, president of International Religious Freedom Watch, said Emmanuel was far from alone in its plight. "Securing a meeting space is probably the most common type of problem that Protestant organizations in Russia have," Uzzell said.
Protestant churches throughout Russia have complained that owners of theaters and former cultural palaces have refused to let them rent rooms for religious services because of the opposition of local Orthodox priests or bishops, he said.
"In effect, Orthodox clergy were being given veto power over their competitors," Uzzell said.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II's chief spokesman, Mikhail Moiseyev, denied such practices.
Regarding Emmanuel's difficulties, he said: "Construction in Moscow is a problem for everyone. If in this case there are problems, it's by no means connected to the Orthodox Church."
He noted, however, that "more than once the most holy patriarch has expressed the idea that the activities of many religious groups -- evangelists, neo-charismatics, pentacostals, whatever they call themselves -- have absolutely no historical tradition beneath them and are alien to Russian spiritual life."
Emmanuel's members disagree. Protestants have been active throughout territory of the former Soviet Union for over a century. The Russian Assemblies of God have been registered in the country since 1933, and the families of both Purshagas have worshiped in evangelical churches for generations.
"They ask us who our foreign sponsors are," Yelena Purshaga said. "They say we've come from America to bring a democratic revolution. We don't want anything of the kind. All we want is the land they promised us."
In 1996, the church was granted a plot on Prospekt Vernadskogo, and spent "many millions of rubles" over the next few years preparing the project, said Alexander Purshaga, who is both Emmanuel's chief pastor and president of the Russian Assemblies of God, an organization that includes 38 other parishes nationwide.
But when the Moscow parish was ready to start construction in 1999, authorities in the local administrative district said that residents opposed the project.
"We went out to collect signatures," Yelena Purshaga said. "We did everything by the book: last names, addresses, passport numbers. People knew us because of the charity work we had done with orphans and veterans. Out of the 10,000 people we asked, 6,000 said they weren't against construction."The church was then abruptly told that the land had been previously promised to the city government for public use, Alexander Purshaga said.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=
Pray for freedom to reign in Russia.
Pray for Galina and her team of dedicated volunteers.
Pray for my trip in August.
Upon our return from Florida I received two letters that gave me both excitement and concern. The first was fromDr. Galina Chentsova, M.D. who heads our ministry in the former USSR and the second from The Moscow Times.
I am enclosing part of the Times story. You can get the details from their web.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/06/10/002.html
Evangelical Christians Fight for a Church
By Stephen Boykewich Staff Writer
Dozens of evangelical believers stood stunned on Tverskaya Ploshchad across from City Hall, their protest banners lying in police vans, their pastor being carted off to a holding cell.
"This time it was pretty," Yelena Purshaga said last Thursday. Her husband, Alexander Purshaga, is the pastor of the Emmanuel church.
"You should have seen the way it was yesterday," she said on June 2. The church had sought -- and thought it received -- permission to hold a weeklong demonstration across from City Hall over the loss of land that it had hoped to use to build a house of worship.
But on May 30 and June 1, police and OMON special forces violently broke up the demonstrations, throwing women and children to the ground and swearing at them, parishioners said. One of them, Marina Karandayeva, raised her sleeve to show an ugly ring of bruises around her arm.
For Emmanuel's believers, it was the latest indignity in a decade-long struggle to build a church for their 1,000-member Moscow parish. For some religious liberty organizations, it was further evidence of a mounting, and in some cases violent, trend to persecute Protestant religious minorities.
In mid-May, a group of young men stormed into the Moscow office of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith, a main umbrella organization for evangelical churches in Russia, and announced that they had been sent to "beat sectarians."
At about the same time, Perm regional authorities said they wanted to buy back a former palace of culture building that had been sold to an evangelical church -- a decision that came after the church was criticized by the local Russian Orthodox bishop, the mayor of Perm and city legislators. A Baptist home church went up in flames in an apparent arson attack in the Moscow region town of Lyubuchany in September.
Emmanuel's saga began in 1994, when it applied for land to build a church in Moscow. Protestant church membership was growing rapidly at the time, thanks in part to a 1991 law on religious organizations that has since become far more restrictive.
Lawrence Uzzell, president of International Religious Freedom Watch, said Emmanuel was far from alone in its plight. "Securing a meeting space is probably the most common type of problem that Protestant organizations in Russia have," Uzzell said.
Protestant churches throughout Russia have complained that owners of theaters and former cultural palaces have refused to let them rent rooms for religious services because of the opposition of local Orthodox priests or bishops, he said.
"In effect, Orthodox clergy were being given veto power over their competitors," Uzzell said.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II's chief spokesman, Mikhail Moiseyev, denied such practices.
Regarding Emmanuel's difficulties, he said: "Construction in Moscow is a problem for everyone. If in this case there are problems, it's by no means connected to the Orthodox Church."
He noted, however, that "more than once the most holy patriarch has expressed the idea that the activities of many religious groups -- evangelists, neo-charismatics, pentacostals, whatever they call themselves -- have absolutely no historical tradition beneath them and are alien to Russian spiritual life."
Emmanuel's members disagree. Protestants have been active throughout territory of the former Soviet Union for over a century. The Russian Assemblies of God have been registered in the country since 1933, and the families of both Purshagas have worshiped in evangelical churches for generations.
"They ask us who our foreign sponsors are," Yelena Purshaga said. "They say we've come from America to bring a democratic revolution. We don't want anything of the kind. All we want is the land they promised us."
In 1996, the church was granted a plot on Prospekt Vernadskogo, and spent "many millions of rubles" over the next few years preparing the project, said Alexander Purshaga, who is both Emmanuel's chief pastor and president of the Russian Assemblies of God, an organization that includes 38 other parishes nationwide.
But when the Moscow parish was ready to start construction in 1999, authorities in the local administrative district said that residents opposed the project.
"We went out to collect signatures," Yelena Purshaga said. "We did everything by the book: last names, addresses, passport numbers. People knew us because of the charity work we had done with orphans and veterans. Out of the 10,000 people we asked, 6,000 said they weren't against construction."The church was then abruptly told that the land had been previously promised to the city government for public use, Alexander Purshaga said.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=
Pray for freedom to reign in Russia.
Pray for Galina and her team of dedicated volunteers.
Pray for my trip in August.
Coming Home
For a week Karen and I joined our daughter Julie and husband Dave Knispel with their two kids Jacob and Lily in Destin, Florida. The sun, sand and love were great. I was also able to play some golf and got a real good score. Being with family is wonderful, especially when the grandkids are around.
But I am back and busy trying to catch up with all my ministry responsibilities, especially meetings to mentor and coach leaders. This is a task I dearly love. It is exciting to see so many young leaders grow in Christ and grow in understanding how to lead their families and the church family.
I am strongly suggesting that all lay and clergy leaders read Lyle Schaller's book, The Very Large Church. As I read it I can see why our years at College Hill were so wonderfully fruitful. Our team was doing the right things at the right time and the result was a powerful move of God. We did not have the right formula for, as we often lamented, to whom can we look for a model? There were few if any very large churches and no one knew exactly why they were growing back then.
Today there are many books based on good research about church growth. Rick Warren and other dynamic leaders have given us insights about the reasons some churches grow and others do not. We brought Lyle Schaller in to consult with us at CHPC in the 80's and he made a profound statement to our question about improvements. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
That comment is heard often nowadays but then it was startling. He also told us that we were almost unique among Mainline Denominational churches. Few were or are growing because they were preaching an uncertain message. Growing churches have a certainty of theology but a changing style that meets local and age appropriate musical needs.
Successful churches then and now have a multitude of services to families, hurting people in the community, children and youth and specialized groups.
If you are interested in winning people to Christ and growing in numbers, read this book. It may make you sick to see how much you need to do to grow or you may get excited to find a new rule book. Either way, spend a few dollars to find out how to grow.
For a week Karen and I joined our daughter Julie and husband Dave Knispel with their two kids Jacob and Lily in Destin, Florida. The sun, sand and love were great. I was also able to play some golf and got a real good score. Being with family is wonderful, especially when the grandkids are around.
But I am back and busy trying to catch up with all my ministry responsibilities, especially meetings to mentor and coach leaders. This is a task I dearly love. It is exciting to see so many young leaders grow in Christ and grow in understanding how to lead their families and the church family.
I am strongly suggesting that all lay and clergy leaders read Lyle Schaller's book, The Very Large Church. As I read it I can see why our years at College Hill were so wonderfully fruitful. Our team was doing the right things at the right time and the result was a powerful move of God. We did not have the right formula for, as we often lamented, to whom can we look for a model? There were few if any very large churches and no one knew exactly why they were growing back then.
Today there are many books based on good research about church growth. Rick Warren and other dynamic leaders have given us insights about the reasons some churches grow and others do not. We brought Lyle Schaller in to consult with us at CHPC in the 80's and he made a profound statement to our question about improvements. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
That comment is heard often nowadays but then it was startling. He also told us that we were almost unique among Mainline Denominational churches. Few were or are growing because they were preaching an uncertain message. Growing churches have a certainty of theology but a changing style that meets local and age appropriate musical needs.
Successful churches then and now have a multitude of services to families, hurting people in the community, children and youth and specialized groups.
If you are interested in winning people to Christ and growing in numbers, read this book. It may make you sick to see how much you need to do to grow or you may get excited to find a new rule book. Either way, spend a few dollars to find out how to grow.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Tolerance?
That which we Tolerate as well as those things we reject are indicators the kind of
culture we are. Intolerance can be a strong indication that we are a good and sensitive
people while Tolerance may show that we are depraved, uncouth and callous.
These terms are always modifiers. They do not stand-alone. Yet, some writers use the
term Intolerant to suggest those with whom they disagree are filled with hatred, evil
and venom. It is used as a very Intolerant act.
We need to be Intolerant. But choose wisely those thing we cannot
Tolerate for it tells the world about our heart.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Intolerant toward Lies
Tolerant toward truth
Intolerant toward Evil
Tolerant toward good
Intolerant toward Dictators
Tolerant toward Elected Officials
Intolerant toward Sickness
` Tolerant toward Healthy Living
Intolerant toward Slavery
Tolerant toward Freedom
Intolerant toward Sin
Tolerant toward Righteousness
Intolerant toward Crime
Tolerant toward Safety
Intolerant toward Violence
Tolerant toward Peace
Intolerant toward Poverty
Tolerant toward Material Well Being
Intolerant toward Oppression
Tolerant toward Democracy
What will you add to the list?
Kids Are Smarter Than Judges
They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and moms freely brushed awaytears. This class would not pray during the commencements ----- not by choice but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.
The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.
The speeches were nice, but they were routine......until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!
The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said," GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you!" And he walked off stage.
The audience exploded into applause The graduating class found a uniqueway to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.
GOD BLESS YOU!
They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and moms freely brushed awaytears. This class would not pray during the commencements ----- not by choice but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.
The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.
The speeches were nice, but they were routine......until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!
The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said," GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you!" And he walked off stage.
The audience exploded into applause The graduating class found a uniqueway to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.
GOD BLESS YOU!
A History of Whittington, Illinois; A History Project
By The Eighth Grade Class of Ewing North School, May, 1993
Abstracted by Gary Sweeten of Ina, Illinois
The old times in southern Illinois were rough but most people made as much as possible out of what little they had. My dad grew up in Whittington and I heard many of his stories of adventure, challenge and hardship. They show how resilient the Illinois pioneers became in the face of great stress.
William Winemiller, age 84, recalled some of his own experiences. “I was born on a farm, on which I now live, in Ewing Twp, March 7, 1850. During the Civil War many of our closest neighbors marched away to the south to fight for the Union and several never returned. Sometimes it seemed that the weight of the whole world was on my shoulders for I was sent to the homes of neighbors whose men-folk had gone to war, to cut and saw wood for fuel and to carry water from the springs, help make sorghum and many other things about the pioneer homes.”
“I went to school in a one-room log house with a latch string through the door, located on my father’s farm. I studied readin, ritin and rithmatic, the only subjects thought necessary at the time. We sat on split-log benches, puncheon floors and open fireplaces to keep warm. Oiled paper over openings in the walls were our windows.
My mother made the most wonderful quilts and sister wove beautiful coverlits, some of which are still in use in my house today. Sister was always busy and known as the smartest girl in the whole neighborhood.”
“We cleared the forests in winter that we might plant our crops in spring. Many brush piles were kept burning late at night by the men and boys while the woman sat on logs and stumps, busily knitting while visiting with neighbors. Little children played in the bright firelight.”
“Quite often old fashioned square-dances were staged. The ladies brought pies, mother made coffee and the merry making would continue until the roosters crowed for day.”
“In those days people walked a long distances. My dad, who lived in Whittington, walked daily to Rend City (Ten Miles) to load coal by hand then walked back home in the evening. They thought nothing of it even though it was through mud.”
“One time while making lye soap, Nicholas Cypher heard a woman scream. Momentarily he saw a large panther walk toward him but he had no weapon. Thinking quickly, Mr. Cypher threw lye water into the cat’s eyes and while the animal was trying desperately to claw it out Mr. Cypher beat him to death with a tree limb.”
“Many times during the depression grandpa Will went looking for hobos so he could invite them to eat with the family because he thought everyone should be able to have good food.”
Summary: “Talk of depression was never thought of. Few of us had any money nor was there much for which we could spend the little we had.”
NOTE: Please read the preceding post and compare the two approaches to education and developing strong citizens.
By The Eighth Grade Class of Ewing North School, May, 1993
Abstracted by Gary Sweeten of Ina, Illinois
The old times in southern Illinois were rough but most people made as much as possible out of what little they had. My dad grew up in Whittington and I heard many of his stories of adventure, challenge and hardship. They show how resilient the Illinois pioneers became in the face of great stress.
William Winemiller, age 84, recalled some of his own experiences. “I was born on a farm, on which I now live, in Ewing Twp, March 7, 1850. During the Civil War many of our closest neighbors marched away to the south to fight for the Union and several never returned. Sometimes it seemed that the weight of the whole world was on my shoulders for I was sent to the homes of neighbors whose men-folk had gone to war, to cut and saw wood for fuel and to carry water from the springs, help make sorghum and many other things about the pioneer homes.”
“I went to school in a one-room log house with a latch string through the door, located on my father’s farm. I studied readin, ritin and rithmatic, the only subjects thought necessary at the time. We sat on split-log benches, puncheon floors and open fireplaces to keep warm. Oiled paper over openings in the walls were our windows.
My mother made the most wonderful quilts and sister wove beautiful coverlits, some of which are still in use in my house today. Sister was always busy and known as the smartest girl in the whole neighborhood.”
“We cleared the forests in winter that we might plant our crops in spring. Many brush piles were kept burning late at night by the men and boys while the woman sat on logs and stumps, busily knitting while visiting with neighbors. Little children played in the bright firelight.”
“Quite often old fashioned square-dances were staged. The ladies brought pies, mother made coffee and the merry making would continue until the roosters crowed for day.”
“In those days people walked a long distances. My dad, who lived in Whittington, walked daily to Rend City (Ten Miles) to load coal by hand then walked back home in the evening. They thought nothing of it even though it was through mud.”
“One time while making lye soap, Nicholas Cypher heard a woman scream. Momentarily he saw a large panther walk toward him but he had no weapon. Thinking quickly, Mr. Cypher threw lye water into the cat’s eyes and while the animal was trying desperately to claw it out Mr. Cypher beat him to death with a tree limb.”
“Many times during the depression grandpa Will went looking for hobos so he could invite them to eat with the family because he thought everyone should be able to have good food.”
Summary: “Talk of depression was never thought of. Few of us had any money nor was there much for which we could spend the little we had.”
NOTE: Please read the preceding post and compare the two approaches to education and developing strong citizens.
USA Today and Self Esteem
The USA Today ran a story today by Christina Hoff Summers that attacks the notion that children are so fragile that they cannot even withstand the imposition of "harsh" colors. It seems that the teachers and principals of some schools are eliminating red pens because the color red can stress ful and demeaning". At first I thought this must be a bad joke. No well educated teacher or principal would fall for such a ridiculous notion. I was wrong.
The principal of Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in Pittsburgh advises teachers to us only "pleasant feeling tones". The article goes on to add that Robert Sherman, VP for marketing at Pilot Pen says that "teachers are trying to be positive and reinforcing rather than harsh".
Michael Finn of Papermate approves for "This is a kinder, more gentle education system."
Are children so fragile that they cannot handle the color red? Must we place kids in a plastic bubble that keeps out everything challenging or that they must struggle to overcome? It seems that many educators believe that this is so for there are numerous schools that are eliminating all competitive games such as tag, dodge ball and anything where children choose other kids to be on their side lest someone feel left out.
The principal of the Franklin Elementary School in Santa Monica, CA sent a letter home to parents saying that their children can no longer play tag during lunch recess for "In this game there is a 'victim" or an 'it' which creates a self-esteem issue".
What do you think about this new wave of protectionism? Is this good for kids? Will it prepare them for adulthood and make them stronger? Or will it cause the USA to develop a generation of weaklings who cannot compete in the real world?
The USA Today ran a story today by Christina Hoff Summers that attacks the notion that children are so fragile that they cannot even withstand the imposition of "harsh" colors. It seems that the teachers and principals of some schools are eliminating red pens because the color red can stress ful and demeaning". At first I thought this must be a bad joke. No well educated teacher or principal would fall for such a ridiculous notion. I was wrong.
The principal of Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in Pittsburgh advises teachers to us only "pleasant feeling tones". The article goes on to add that Robert Sherman, VP for marketing at Pilot Pen says that "teachers are trying to be positive and reinforcing rather than harsh".
Michael Finn of Papermate approves for "This is a kinder, more gentle education system."
Are children so fragile that they cannot handle the color red? Must we place kids in a plastic bubble that keeps out everything challenging or that they must struggle to overcome? It seems that many educators believe that this is so for there are numerous schools that are eliminating all competitive games such as tag, dodge ball and anything where children choose other kids to be on their side lest someone feel left out.
The principal of the Franklin Elementary School in Santa Monica, CA sent a letter home to parents saying that their children can no longer play tag during lunch recess for "In this game there is a 'victim" or an 'it' which creates a self-esteem issue".
What do you think about this new wave of protectionism? Is this good for kids? Will it prepare them for adulthood and make them stronger? Or will it cause the USA to develop a generation of weaklings who cannot compete in the real world?
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
How to be Holy
I think we need to speak boldly about the struggle with sin.
People talk a lot about sin in my circles. I run around with
preachers and assorted other people, mostly males, who are
paid to be Christians. Not only that, they are paid to act like
"godly" Christians. I am often confronted with the saying that
some person is a "godly man" who "loves Jesus with all his heart".
I hate to be a skeptic but I rarely believe either designation. To be perfectly honest, I never believe those appellations, titles or designations. They are too lofty, too high minded and too often said by someone who is trying to convince me of something about this particular person.
It isn't that I know all these people and have secret information about their secret home lives or saw them leave a topless bar with a beer bottle and a dancer. I do not know all about the people from first hand experience but by way of a book that told me all their sins. Peccadilloes and weaknesses. When I am preaching about this topic I sometimes tell the audience that I know all about their covetousness, problems with anger, lusts of the flesh and failures because before I arrived I snuck a look at the book written about them and saw it all in black and white.
We have all sung that Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so but how many times have we sung,
I am a sinner, kept by grace, I don't deserve to see His face.
I sin daily, just like Paul so thank you Lord for covering it all
Romans 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to doÂ?this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to GodÂ?through Jesus Christ our Lord!
You will note that this most famous of all the apostles did not call himself a "godly man" who "loved Jesus with all his heart and soul" but a wretched man without hope in himself. If Paul found it impossible to brag about himself how dare we brag about those godly men and women. Take care lest we put humans above Jesus.
I think we need to speak boldly about the struggle with sin.
People talk a lot about sin in my circles. I run around with
preachers and assorted other people, mostly males, who are
paid to be Christians. Not only that, they are paid to act like
"godly" Christians. I am often confronted with the saying that
some person is a "godly man" who "loves Jesus with all his heart".
I hate to be a skeptic but I rarely believe either designation. To be perfectly honest, I never believe those appellations, titles or designations. They are too lofty, too high minded and too often said by someone who is trying to convince me of something about this particular person.
It isn't that I know all these people and have secret information about their secret home lives or saw them leave a topless bar with a beer bottle and a dancer. I do not know all about the people from first hand experience but by way of a book that told me all their sins. Peccadilloes and weaknesses. When I am preaching about this topic I sometimes tell the audience that I know all about their covetousness, problems with anger, lusts of the flesh and failures because before I arrived I snuck a look at the book written about them and saw it all in black and white.
We have all sung that Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so but how many times have we sung,
I am a sinner, kept by grace, I don't deserve to see His face.
I sin daily, just like Paul so thank you Lord for covering it all
Romans 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to doÂ?this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to GodÂ?through Jesus Christ our Lord!
You will note that this most famous of all the apostles did not call himself a "godly man" who "loved Jesus with all his heart and soul" but a wretched man without hope in himself. If Paul found it impossible to brag about himself how dare we brag about those godly men and women. Take care lest we put humans above Jesus.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Ministry of Good News to People in Crises
Many of you know that a few of us from Life Way Counseling Center had the opportunity to minister at Ground Zero two weeks following 911. Jerry Kelly, MD, our Medical Director and Steve Griebling had the shift from 1:00 PM til 1:00 AM and Carla Faison and I took over for the next twelve hours. It was a great privilege to hear the stories of pain, trauma and loss from those big, strong Irish Fire Fighters and Cops.
We learned a lot and we have been able to share our insights with several groups over the past four years. One group is the Red Cross of Singapore. Log onto their web and see a photo of this fine group.
http://www.redcross.org.sg/publication/rcnews_dec2003/2j.html
Steve and I were amazed to discover that many Red Cross groups around the world focus almost exclusively on the physical and health care issues following a traumatic event. They were not, as a rule, sending teams who listened to the victims or who were prepared to minister to their emotional, spiritual and relational needs.
We were able to show them how ministry to the whole person was critically important and they have added that to their program. The Director and his assistant have both attended our Christ based workshops in Singapore and decided to develop a training program for professionals and volunteers. Steve and I were able to witness to over 100 men and women about why we minister to hurting people.
This is another way Life Way Ministries touches people with the love of Christ around the world. We take Servant Evangelism to an entirely new and deeper level. Passing out Cokes is great but Passing on the good news about healing broken hearted and setting the captives free is inspiring the Red Cross to integrate emotional and spiritual issues into their programs.
Many of you know that a few of us from Life Way Counseling Center had the opportunity to minister at Ground Zero two weeks following 911. Jerry Kelly, MD, our Medical Director and Steve Griebling had the shift from 1:00 PM til 1:00 AM and Carla Faison and I took over for the next twelve hours. It was a great privilege to hear the stories of pain, trauma and loss from those big, strong Irish Fire Fighters and Cops.
We learned a lot and we have been able to share our insights with several groups over the past four years. One group is the Red Cross of Singapore. Log onto their web and see a photo of this fine group.
http://www.redcross.org.sg/publication/rcnews_dec2003/2j.html
Steve and I were amazed to discover that many Red Cross groups around the world focus almost exclusively on the physical and health care issues following a traumatic event. They were not, as a rule, sending teams who listened to the victims or who were prepared to minister to their emotional, spiritual and relational needs.
We were able to show them how ministry to the whole person was critically important and they have added that to their program. The Director and his assistant have both attended our Christ based workshops in Singapore and decided to develop a training program for professionals and volunteers. Steve and I were able to witness to over 100 men and women about why we minister to hurting people.
This is another way Life Way Ministries touches people with the love of Christ around the world. We take Servant Evangelism to an entirely new and deeper level. Passing out Cokes is great but Passing on the good news about healing broken hearted and setting the captives free is inspiring the Red Cross to integrate emotional and spiritual issues into their programs.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Muslims, Newsweek and Lemonade
Newsweek Magazine was given to me for a year by my son and daughter in law. Many times I appreciated the news stories but I resented the way Newsweek so often allowed their left wing radical agenda invade that which is supposed to be the news.
The editors and very famous writers recently tried to outdo Dan Rather and published a story saying that some guards at Gitmo prison had intentionally shamed Islam by desecration the Koran. They later said the story was untrue but, although it was a lie, they did nothing wrong and the Bush administration is doing all these bad things and really deserved the bad press anyway. Too bad that 16 people had to die to advance their agenda.
But now we see many Muslims responding to the affair by criticizing not Bush or America but the radical Muslims who ban the Bible and persecute Christians and Jews. These folks are praising not the Muslims but Christians and Jews in America for promoting reading the Koran in schools, museums and libraries. Newsweek tried to throw a lemon at America and God is making it into lemonade.
When we pray God will take these attacks and make them into praise. We need not worry or fret about the distortions of the press. God will always raise up a defense.
I strongly urge you to read this article by a leading Muslim.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/
He points out thatin Saudia Arabia, although the Bible is a Holy Book in Islam it is regularly burned and taken away from Christians who work there. In America the Koran is honored.
Newsweek Magazine was given to me for a year by my son and daughter in law. Many times I appreciated the news stories but I resented the way Newsweek so often allowed their left wing radical agenda invade that which is supposed to be the news.
The editors and very famous writers recently tried to outdo Dan Rather and published a story saying that some guards at Gitmo prison had intentionally shamed Islam by desecration the Koran. They later said the story was untrue but, although it was a lie, they did nothing wrong and the Bush administration is doing all these bad things and really deserved the bad press anyway. Too bad that 16 people had to die to advance their agenda.
But now we see many Muslims responding to the affair by criticizing not Bush or America but the radical Muslims who ban the Bible and persecute Christians and Jews. These folks are praising not the Muslims but Christians and Jews in America for promoting reading the Koran in schools, museums and libraries. Newsweek tried to throw a lemon at America and God is making it into lemonade.
When we pray God will take these attacks and make them into praise. We need not worry or fret about the distortions of the press. God will always raise up a defense.
I strongly urge you to read this article by a leading Muslim.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/
He points out thatin Saudia Arabia, although the Bible is a Holy Book in Islam it is regularly burned and taken away from Christians who work there. In America the Koran is honored.
College CampusSex Life
Anyone listening and reading knows that sexual "hook-ups" are rampant on college campuses. These quick, one night encounters have replaced the traditional "goign steady" sex that dominated relationships in the past few years. Now kids do not even want to know the person they are having sex with. Anonymity is in!
But, according to many who study this kind of thing, the students, especially girls, are fed up and disgusted by the whole thing but embarrassed to admit they are not doing it.
Many of these kids are religious and Christian but still engage in sexual hook-ups. These young people are especially guilt ridden and overwhelmed but frustrated about how to stop. Read this story in the Wall Street Journal for a better understanding of what is happening.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110006716
Pray daily for the campus ministries that try valiantly to reach our kids.
Anyone listening and reading knows that sexual "hook-ups" are rampant on college campuses. These quick, one night encounters have replaced the traditional "goign steady" sex that dominated relationships in the past few years. Now kids do not even want to know the person they are having sex with. Anonymity is in!
But, according to many who study this kind of thing, the students, especially girls, are fed up and disgusted by the whole thing but embarrassed to admit they are not doing it.
Many of these kids are religious and Christian but still engage in sexual hook-ups. These young people are especially guilt ridden and overwhelmed but frustrated about how to stop. Read this story in the Wall Street Journal for a better understanding of what is happening.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110006716
Pray daily for the campus ministries that try valiantly to reach our kids.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Abolition and Christianity
It is not well recognized by many today that the urgency felt by manyAbolitionists came from their fervent Christianity. James McPherason has written several famous books about the Civil War era and speaks about the motivation of many young Union soldiers.
Ferris: Now, the soldiers who fought in the Civil War were very religious. What role did religion play in their daily lives and on the battlefield?
McPherson: Civil War soldiers were a product of what has been called the second Great Awakening in American religious history, that wave of evangelical Protestant revivalism in the early part of the nineteenth century.
I think most Civil War soldiers were quite literal in their Christian beliefs. Many of them would say in their letters that they had put their fate in God's hands. They were religious fatalists on the battlefield. They would write home and say, "I'm under God's protection whether I'm on the battlefield or at home in front of my fireside, and if it is His will to take me home to his bosom, He can do that as easily at home by my fireside as He can on the field of battle."
I think this kind of fatalism and this sense that God's will would determine their fate, rather than their own will, made them better soldiers. They were willing to put their fate in the hands of God, willing to go forward in time of battle, whatever happened.
I found in looking at their letters that many of them held a literal belief in salvation, in a life after death, that this life here on earth is merely a preliminary to eternal life and to a much better life after the death of the physical corporeal body.
Many of them said that they were unafraid of death because death was not the end of everything, and they looked forward, if they died on the battlefield, to being reunited with their loved ones in a future life. I think that made them much more willing to face the possibility of their physical death.
Pray for a revival of conscience equal to that of the Union soldiers.
It is not well recognized by many today that the urgency felt by manyAbolitionists came from their fervent Christianity. James McPherason has written several famous books about the Civil War era and speaks about the motivation of many young Union soldiers.
Ferris: Now, the soldiers who fought in the Civil War were very religious. What role did religion play in their daily lives and on the battlefield?
McPherson: Civil War soldiers were a product of what has been called the second Great Awakening in American religious history, that wave of evangelical Protestant revivalism in the early part of the nineteenth century.
I think most Civil War soldiers were quite literal in their Christian beliefs. Many of them would say in their letters that they had put their fate in God's hands. They were religious fatalists on the battlefield. They would write home and say, "I'm under God's protection whether I'm on the battlefield or at home in front of my fireside, and if it is His will to take me home to his bosom, He can do that as easily at home by my fireside as He can on the field of battle."
I think this kind of fatalism and this sense that God's will would determine their fate, rather than their own will, made them better soldiers. They were willing to put their fate in the hands of God, willing to go forward in time of battle, whatever happened.
I found in looking at their letters that many of them held a literal belief in salvation, in a life after death, that this life here on earth is merely a preliminary to eternal life and to a much better life after the death of the physical corporeal body.
Many of them said that they were unafraid of death because death was not the end of everything, and they looked forward, if they died on the battlefield, to being reunited with their loved ones in a future life. I think that made them much more willing to face the possibility of their physical death.
Pray for a revival of conscience equal to that of the Union soldiers.
Religious Attendance and Survival
Good news for those who attend church: We will live longer than if we did not worship.
Objective & Design:The purpose of the study was to examine religious attendance as a predictor of survival in older adults. A probability sample of 3,968 community-dwelling adults aged 64-101 years residing in the Piedmont of North Carolina was surveyed in 1986 as part of the Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) program of the National Institutes of Health.
Attendance at religious services and a wide variety of socio demographic and health variables were assessed at baseline. Vital status of members was then determined prospectively over the next six years (1986-1992). Time (days) to death or censoring in days was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.
Findings:During a median 6.3-year follow-up period, 1,777 subjects (29.7%) died.
Of the subjects who attended religious services once a week or more in 1986 (frequent attenders), 22.9% died 37.4% of those attending services less than once a week (infrequent attenders).
The relative hazard (RH) of dying for frequent attenders was 46% less than for infrequent attenders (RH 0.54, 95% CI 0.48-0.61),
· strongest in women but also present in men
equivalent to wearing vs. not wearing seat belts in auto accidents.
· equivalent to that of not smoking cigarettes vs. smoking.
When demographics, health conditions, social connections, and health practices were controlled, this effect remained significant for the entire sample for both women and men.
Investigators concluded that older adults, particularly women, who attend religious services at least once a week appear to have a survival advantage over those attending services less frequently.
For more information, contact Harold G. Koenig koenig@geri.duke.edu
Good news for those who attend church: We will live longer than if we did not worship.
Objective & Design:The purpose of the study was to examine religious attendance as a predictor of survival in older adults. A probability sample of 3,968 community-dwelling adults aged 64-101 years residing in the Piedmont of North Carolina was surveyed in 1986 as part of the Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) program of the National Institutes of Health.
Attendance at religious services and a wide variety of socio demographic and health variables were assessed at baseline. Vital status of members was then determined prospectively over the next six years (1986-1992). Time (days) to death or censoring in days was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.
Findings:During a median 6.3-year follow-up period, 1,777 subjects (29.7%) died.
Of the subjects who attended religious services once a week or more in 1986 (frequent attenders), 22.9% died 37.4% of those attending services less than once a week (infrequent attenders).
The relative hazard (RH) of dying for frequent attenders was 46% less than for infrequent attenders (RH 0.54, 95% CI 0.48-0.61),
· strongest in women but also present in men
equivalent to wearing vs. not wearing seat belts in auto accidents.
· equivalent to that of not smoking cigarettes vs. smoking.
When demographics, health conditions, social connections, and health practices were controlled, this effect remained significant for the entire sample for both women and men.
Investigators concluded that older adults, particularly women, who attend religious services at least once a week appear to have a survival advantage over those attending services less frequently.
For more information, contact Harold G. Koenig koenig@geri.duke.edu
Monday, May 16, 2005
Famous Christian Marriages
A few years ago I bought a book by William Petersen titled, 25 Surprising Marriages: Faith Building Stories from the Lives of Famous Christians, by Baker Books, 1997. I strongly urge you to purchase the book and read it carefully. Bill Petersen is a great writer and makes each of their histories sound like a novel.
I was shocked to read some of the historical facts about Billy and Ruth Graham, Martin and Katie Luther, John and Idelette Calvin.
John and Molly Wesley, (Whose chapter is entitled "Love is Rot") had a terrible time. He married her on the rebound from a woman who was talked out of marrying him by his famous song writing brother and other friends who thought they had to "save him" from a lower class wife. Despite John's theology of perfection and living above sin he was put to the test many times by the conflicts and troubles of his marriage. John Wesley travelled so much that he essentially left her for the ministry.
These and other stories are not only well written they all take the glow of perfection off the private lives of famous men and the women who tried to live with them and rear their children. Many of them had difficult marriages and some survived only because they stayed apart. Facing the reality about the marriages of "spiritual giants" can help us face the challenges of our own family life with pluck and patience instead of false guilt and shame.
For the past 30 years I have worked to strengthen families. One of the first things I did at College Hill Presbyterian was start a Pre-Marital class for all those getting married. The next classes were, "Parenting Skills" and "Couple Communication". I was motivated by several things. My own marital an family struggles and the recognition that I was poorly prepared for marriage and parenting. I finally understood the comment by that famous philosopher, Pogo the Possum whs said: I have met the enemy and it isme.
I was also motivated by the children and youth whose parents wanted to do the best thing but were not sure how to discipline, nurture, encourage or bless. I came to believe that the key to successful parenting is a successful marriage and a key to a successful marriage is successfully relating to our family of origin. Honoring our parents is foundational to honoring a spouse and getting our kids to honor us. Leaving mother and father emotionally is foundational to cleaving to a spouse and then launching our own kids successfully.
Otherwise we will look to each other and our kids to meet our needs. My wife cannot meet the needs my mother failed to meet. My kids will not make me happy or satisfied or fulfilled. Those books and articles that tell you otherwise are promoting idolatry about a fantasy. "His needs and her needs" can only be fulfilled by God and ourselves.
Marriage is tough. It requires a lot of hard work and spiritual maturity to be happy for living with another human being is as different from me as the sun and the moon requires love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.
Read Bill Petersen's good book and discover with mercy for yourselves that even the most "spiritually famous" among us have struggled with marriage and family life.
A few years ago I bought a book by William Petersen titled, 25 Surprising Marriages: Faith Building Stories from the Lives of Famous Christians, by Baker Books, 1997. I strongly urge you to purchase the book and read it carefully. Bill Petersen is a great writer and makes each of their histories sound like a novel.
I was shocked to read some of the historical facts about Billy and Ruth Graham, Martin and Katie Luther, John and Idelette Calvin.
John and Molly Wesley, (Whose chapter is entitled "Love is Rot") had a terrible time. He married her on the rebound from a woman who was talked out of marrying him by his famous song writing brother and other friends who thought they had to "save him" from a lower class wife. Despite John's theology of perfection and living above sin he was put to the test many times by the conflicts and troubles of his marriage. John Wesley travelled so much that he essentially left her for the ministry.
These and other stories are not only well written they all take the glow of perfection off the private lives of famous men and the women who tried to live with them and rear their children. Many of them had difficult marriages and some survived only because they stayed apart. Facing the reality about the marriages of "spiritual giants" can help us face the challenges of our own family life with pluck and patience instead of false guilt and shame.
For the past 30 years I have worked to strengthen families. One of the first things I did at College Hill Presbyterian was start a Pre-Marital class for all those getting married. The next classes were, "Parenting Skills" and "Couple Communication". I was motivated by several things. My own marital an family struggles and the recognition that I was poorly prepared for marriage and parenting. I finally understood the comment by that famous philosopher, Pogo the Possum whs said: I have met the enemy and it isme.
I was also motivated by the children and youth whose parents wanted to do the best thing but were not sure how to discipline, nurture, encourage or bless. I came to believe that the key to successful parenting is a successful marriage and a key to a successful marriage is successfully relating to our family of origin. Honoring our parents is foundational to honoring a spouse and getting our kids to honor us. Leaving mother and father emotionally is foundational to cleaving to a spouse and then launching our own kids successfully.
Otherwise we will look to each other and our kids to meet our needs. My wife cannot meet the needs my mother failed to meet. My kids will not make me happy or satisfied or fulfilled. Those books and articles that tell you otherwise are promoting idolatry about a fantasy. "His needs and her needs" can only be fulfilled by God and ourselves.
Marriage is tough. It requires a lot of hard work and spiritual maturity to be happy for living with another human being is as different from me as the sun and the moon requires love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.
Read Bill Petersen's good book and discover with mercy for yourselves that even the most "spiritually famous" among us have struggled with marriage and family life.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Generational Research
Until a few years ago i knew next to nothing about my ancestors and did not see why I should. Now I am of a far different mind set. I am learning more about myself every time I learn about my dad, mom and their parents, aunts and uncles and so on.
Those of you who have living parents need to take a tape recorder and interview them for several hours about their past memories. Ask about the big events, stories, secrets, honors and myths. Also ask how they felt when there was a baby born out of wedlock or an uncle with alcoholism.
Ask about names and titles. Honors, traditions and schooling as well as shameful and illegal activities.
What kinds of changes happened before a marriage or after a death. For example, John Wesley was madly in love with a woman who served as his right hand assistant. She was a wonderful organizer, a good teacher and was able to lead his entire women's ministry. Just before they married, John's brother Charles and others met with his intended bride and talked her out of the marriage and into another marriage.
They rationalized that it was best for John's ministry but it caused enormous grief to John and he met and married a well to do widow a short time later. It was a very unhappy union and they led separated lives for many years.
My grandfather took to his sick bed the day after my younger brother was born and mother was no longer able to care for him. Are these "coincidences" or more than that?
Be a curious detective and, like Sherlock Holmes, ask many good questions and write the answers down.
Until a few years ago i knew next to nothing about my ancestors and did not see why I should. Now I am of a far different mind set. I am learning more about myself every time I learn about my dad, mom and their parents, aunts and uncles and so on.
Those of you who have living parents need to take a tape recorder and interview them for several hours about their past memories. Ask about the big events, stories, secrets, honors and myths. Also ask how they felt when there was a baby born out of wedlock or an uncle with alcoholism.
Ask about names and titles. Honors, traditions and schooling as well as shameful and illegal activities.
What kinds of changes happened before a marriage or after a death. For example, John Wesley was madly in love with a woman who served as his right hand assistant. She was a wonderful organizer, a good teacher and was able to lead his entire women's ministry. Just before they married, John's brother Charles and others met with his intended bride and talked her out of the marriage and into another marriage.
They rationalized that it was best for John's ministry but it caused enormous grief to John and he met and married a well to do widow a short time later. It was a very unhappy union and they led separated lives for many years.
My grandfather took to his sick bed the day after my younger brother was born and mother was no longer able to care for him. Are these "coincidences" or more than that?
Be a curious detective and, like Sherlock Holmes, ask many good questions and write the answers down.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
How Do Patterns Go From Generaion to Generation?
I do not know but take a look at this generational pattern of names from a member of our group.
A HARROWING STORY ABOUT NAMES
HARRY – MEDIEVAL FORM OF THE NAME - HENRY
Long ago, my great grandfather, HARRY, met and wed a girl named MARY.
They had a son whom they named HARRY.
HARRY the 2nd grew up and also married a girl named MARY.
MARY’S father’s name was HENRY.
Time passed, and HARRY and MARY had a son.
They named him HARRY.
HARRY the 3rd grew up, and married.
He also had a son whom he named HARRY.
HARRY the 4th grew up and married a girl named MARY.
But it doesn’t stop here.
HARRY the 3rd also had a sister.
She grew up and married a man whose parents names were…...
You guessed it…… HARRY and MARY.
So, my Paternal Great-Grandparents were named HARRY and MARY.
My Paternal Grandparents were also named HARRY and MARY.
My Maternal Great-Grandfather’s name was HENRY from which HARRY is derived.
My Maternal Grandparents were named HARRY and MARY.
My uncle’s name was HARRY.
My 1st cousin’s name was HARRY and his wife’s name was MARY.
My oldest brother’s middle name was HENRY.
Oh yes, and my middle name is MARY.
How did that happen???
I do not know but take a look at this generational pattern of names from a member of our group.
A HARROWING STORY ABOUT NAMES
HARRY – MEDIEVAL FORM OF THE NAME - HENRY
Long ago, my great grandfather, HARRY, met and wed a girl named MARY.
They had a son whom they named HARRY.
HARRY the 2nd grew up and also married a girl named MARY.
MARY’S father’s name was HENRY.
Time passed, and HARRY and MARY had a son.
They named him HARRY.
HARRY the 3rd grew up, and married.
He also had a son whom he named HARRY.
HARRY the 4th grew up and married a girl named MARY.
But it doesn’t stop here.
HARRY the 3rd also had a sister.
She grew up and married a man whose parents names were…...
You guessed it…… HARRY and MARY.
So, my Paternal Great-Grandparents were named HARRY and MARY.
My Paternal Grandparents were also named HARRY and MARY.
My Maternal Great-Grandfather’s name was HENRY from which HARRY is derived.
My Maternal Grandparents were named HARRY and MARY.
My uncle’s name was HARRY.
My 1st cousin’s name was HARRY and his wife’s name was MARY.
My oldest brother’s middle name was HENRY.
Oh yes, and my middle name is MARY.
How did that happen???
Save Me Oh Lord and I Shall Be Saved
Heal Me Oh Lord and I Shall Be Healed
Deliver Me Oh Lord and I Shall be Delivered
Today I was reading some notes I took many years ago about my family's emotional and spiritual timeline. In it I wrote some of the major nodal events, both traumatic and celebratory as ways to understanding my own generational history. For example, I put in the dates of my great grandfather's birth, his marriage and his conversion as well as the years he was filled with the Holy Spirit and when he was called into ministry. These are all good things.
I also included some events that can be considered traumatic or painful. These may have a crippling influence or make the family stronger. It is not the depth of the wound that counts but the response of the victim that matters for the long term.
This brings me to a couple of events that fit into the compulsive pattern of unsuccessfully trying to impress my family. I read this entry and shuddered in recognition.
Gary Ray Sweeten graduated from the Ina, Illinois Elementary School in 1952 with all As for every subject for the Eight years of schooling. He was selected as the Valedictorian but failed to deliver his speech when the Principal forgot to introduce him.
Gary had no suitable clothes to wear to the graduation and his parents could not afford to buy him any. His mother borrowed a nice suit from the parents of Clinton Noren who had graduated two years earlier.
While coming up the stairs of the Free Will Baptist Church where the ceremonies were held Gary stumbled and fell, embarrassing himself deeply.
Anxiously trying to save myself was a total failure then and now.
Heal Me Oh Lord and I Shall Be Healed
Deliver Me Oh Lord and I Shall be Delivered
Today I was reading some notes I took many years ago about my family's emotional and spiritual timeline. In it I wrote some of the major nodal events, both traumatic and celebratory as ways to understanding my own generational history. For example, I put in the dates of my great grandfather's birth, his marriage and his conversion as well as the years he was filled with the Holy Spirit and when he was called into ministry. These are all good things.
I also included some events that can be considered traumatic or painful. These may have a crippling influence or make the family stronger. It is not the depth of the wound that counts but the response of the victim that matters for the long term.
This brings me to a couple of events that fit into the compulsive pattern of unsuccessfully trying to impress my family. I read this entry and shuddered in recognition.
Gary Ray Sweeten graduated from the Ina, Illinois Elementary School in 1952 with all As for every subject for the Eight years of schooling. He was selected as the Valedictorian but failed to deliver his speech when the Principal forgot to introduce him.
Gary had no suitable clothes to wear to the graduation and his parents could not afford to buy him any. His mother borrowed a nice suit from the parents of Clinton Noren who had graduated two years earlier.
While coming up the stairs of the Free Will Baptist Church where the ceremonies were held Gary stumbled and fell, embarrassing himself deeply.
Anxiously trying to save myself was a total failure then and now.
Generational Leadership
For the past few weeks a small group of us have been meeting at Life Way Counseling Centers to discuss how our family of origin influences our approach to ministry. It is an entirely new way to look at pastoral and ministry leadership. It connects our ministry calling to that of our parents and siblings as well as former generations. http://www.lifewaycenters.com/
I have led such groups many times and I am always learning more and more about myself. When I hear the fascinating stories about other people I have a window into my own family and I can see more clearly the things that continue to hang onto me from the past.
For a long time I have knowingly struggled with the need to impress others with my knowledge and accomplishments. I have always tried to impress my family in order to get their approval. It has not worked, of course, for that is not the way God works. If we try to save our life we will lose it. Only when we lose our life in Christ will we save it.
Although I am not unique in that regard, it is a compulsive trait that I want to stop but I, like Paul in Romans 7, "Know what is right but I cannot do it." I need deliverance!!!
A few years ago I discovered one of the antecedents of my compulsions and somewhat successfully prayed that God would heal me. I am happy to report that I experienced substantial healing but not total healing. Such is life and I am still seeking God's full deliverance.
Here is what happened then. I worked very hard to get a Masters and Doctorate and placed them like precious jewels before my parents and elder brother in order to get affirmation and accolades. It failed, of course for I was seeking to save myself.
Later I wrote several books and sent each one to my family hoping against hope that they would read them and say nice things about me and how well I was doing. It never happened. About 15 years ago I was teaching a group at Fuller Seminary and my elder brother came to pick me up at LAX Airport. Before long he asked in a hurt tone why I had never sent him any of my books so he could read them. (My response was total shock. I desperately wanted him to read them and I mentioned them at every possible opportunity.)
I said something like, "I did send them to you but you have forgotten."
Maury lectured me about how I left him out of his life. (I was thankfully non-defensive for God had healed me of wanting to please him.)
Upon arrival at his home, Maury said to his wife Angela and my classmate in high school, "Gabe (My Nick name) says he sent us copies of his books but he didn't." Angela replied, "Oh yes he did. They are in the den." Upon hearing this I went to that bookcase and retrieved them for Maury to see. He was a total amnesiac about ever seeing them before.
Here is the principle: If we try to save our life we lose it. It was my compulsive demand for Maury to affirm me that blinded his eyes. Angela could see my books because she had no investment in the generational family dysfunction. For many years I tried to change Maury and failed; miserably. It finally occurred to ask Jesus to change------ ME!
Are there any areas where you cannot see that which is in front of you?
Are there areas where you desperately want affirmation to but cannot get it to "save your life"?
Is there any pattern of compulsive behavior in your life that is associated with generational issues?
Today I read some family history that reveals more about the consequences of trying to save myself. I will tell that story in the next post.
For the past few weeks a small group of us have been meeting at Life Way Counseling Centers to discuss how our family of origin influences our approach to ministry. It is an entirely new way to look at pastoral and ministry leadership. It connects our ministry calling to that of our parents and siblings as well as former generations. http://www.lifewaycenters.com/
I have led such groups many times and I am always learning more and more about myself. When I hear the fascinating stories about other people I have a window into my own family and I can see more clearly the things that continue to hang onto me from the past.
For a long time I have knowingly struggled with the need to impress others with my knowledge and accomplishments. I have always tried to impress my family in order to get their approval. It has not worked, of course, for that is not the way God works. If we try to save our life we will lose it. Only when we lose our life in Christ will we save it.
Although I am not unique in that regard, it is a compulsive trait that I want to stop but I, like Paul in Romans 7, "Know what is right but I cannot do it." I need deliverance!!!
A few years ago I discovered one of the antecedents of my compulsions and somewhat successfully prayed that God would heal me. I am happy to report that I experienced substantial healing but not total healing. Such is life and I am still seeking God's full deliverance.
Here is what happened then. I worked very hard to get a Masters and Doctorate and placed them like precious jewels before my parents and elder brother in order to get affirmation and accolades. It failed, of course for I was seeking to save myself.
Later I wrote several books and sent each one to my family hoping against hope that they would read them and say nice things about me and how well I was doing. It never happened. About 15 years ago I was teaching a group at Fuller Seminary and my elder brother came to pick me up at LAX Airport. Before long he asked in a hurt tone why I had never sent him any of my books so he could read them. (My response was total shock. I desperately wanted him to read them and I mentioned them at every possible opportunity.)
I said something like, "I did send them to you but you have forgotten."
Maury lectured me about how I left him out of his life. (I was thankfully non-defensive for God had healed me of wanting to please him.)
Upon arrival at his home, Maury said to his wife Angela and my classmate in high school, "Gabe (My Nick name) says he sent us copies of his books but he didn't." Angela replied, "Oh yes he did. They are in the den." Upon hearing this I went to that bookcase and retrieved them for Maury to see. He was a total amnesiac about ever seeing them before.
Here is the principle: If we try to save our life we lose it. It was my compulsive demand for Maury to affirm me that blinded his eyes. Angela could see my books because she had no investment in the generational family dysfunction. For many years I tried to change Maury and failed; miserably. It finally occurred to ask Jesus to change------ ME!
Are there any areas where you cannot see that which is in front of you?
Are there areas where you desperately want affirmation to but cannot get it to "save your life"?
Is there any pattern of compulsive behavior in your life that is associated with generational issues?
Today I read some family history that reveals more about the consequences of trying to save myself. I will tell that story in the next post.
Another Blog
I recently read the blog of Russel Smith, Pastor of Covenant First Presbyterian Church in downtown Cincinnati. It is one of the most historic churches in the region and Russ is a great writer and communicator of the gospel as applied in the current culture. If you are looking for an unusual and cutting edge church try Covenant.
He reported on the talk at the Cincinnati Presbytery and asked for comments. I gave him some and hope you will go to his blog and see what the fuss is all about.
http://www.russellsmusings.blogspot.com/
I recently read the blog of Russel Smith, Pastor of Covenant First Presbyterian Church in downtown Cincinnati. It is one of the most historic churches in the region and Russ is a great writer and communicator of the gospel as applied in the current culture. If you are looking for an unusual and cutting edge church try Covenant.
He reported on the talk at the Cincinnati Presbytery and asked for comments. I gave him some and hope you will go to his blog and see what the fuss is all about.
http://www.russellsmusings.blogspot.com/
Another country Heard From
I received an e mail today from Australia. It is not unusual to receive e mails from friends in foreign countries but this one thrilled me because of the connections of the sender and myself. I imagine you have heard about the concept of, Six Degrees of Separation.
Milgram in the late 60s performed his famous six-degrees-of-separation experiment. The popular understanding of Milgram's experiment is that anyone can be linked to anyone else on Earth through only six links. In fact, Milgram discovered:
Three Links of Separation: Some people have such good links that they can get to someone far away with only three links.
100 Links of Separation: Others require up to a hundred links to reach someone else. This also means all of the people within those hundred links were also poorly linked.
No Links: Milgram also found that many people have such poor links that they can't establish a connection to distant others. Many people are isolated into small islands. They are cut off from the rest of society.
In the late 60s, Granovetter, a sociologist now at Stanford, studied how people found jobs. Until then, it was generally assumed that society was homogeneous. Granovetter discovered that society is made up of groups of people, which is now known as clustering. Granovetter showed that weak contacts were twice as effective (28%) as strong contacts (17%) for finding a job. Casual connections were more likely to lead to a job. If you try to contact only those people who are your close friends they only know about job openings that you have already heard about. You need new contacts.
http://www.andreas.com/faq-barabasi.html
This also applies to missionary activities and touching the world for Christ. The e mail I received this morning indicates that I am connected to thousands of people around the globe. I have a lot of "weak" or short term connections to many, many people. The letter came from a minister and owner of a Christian bookstore owner in Australia who asked about the Apples of Gold materials I wrote many years ago.
The author's name is Martin Levine from the Kentigern Resource Centre in Australia. He took the Apples of Gold classes in South Africa. I have never been in South Africa nor Australia yet Mr. Levine knows me from classes he took from another man. He also wants to carry the materials in his bookstore. How could that occur? I have three direct contacts in South Africa.
Two ladies from SA came to one of our very first LIFE Seminars in 1979 or 80 and went back home to train their own people. One of their pastoral contacts was Kinglsley Dale, a Methodist who came to the USA and studied with us at College Hill Presbyterian. He returned to train numerous lay and pastoral leaders.
Larry and Ellen Chrouch along with Karen and myself taught our classes in Hawaii for YWAM. Larry and Ellen were invited to teach in the YWAM South Africa Counseling Schools several times and YWAM still uses our material in their schools.
I think Mr. Levine and I are connected by only three links. Even though he is in Australia he came to know us through Rev Dale in South Africa. Gary to Kingsley to Martin.
NOTE: An e mail last week to congratulate me on another birthday contained a similar connection. Peder Paulsen from Denmark wrote to offer his blessings for our friendship on my 67th natal day. He mentioned that he had just returned from the Faroe Islands near Scotland where he taught Rational Christian Thinking. Thus, our ministry has expanded into a new region with just two degrees of separation.
The 16 years I spent at CHPC set me up to have influence all around the world. God chose CHPC to be an instrument of His international missionary enterprise. He alone established the contacts. I have warm, caring contacts on every continent. They are not strong contacts that require a lot of maintaining but all are mutually supportive and helpful.
If you want to grow a church or a ministry you will need to develop hundreds of "weak" connections. Become interested in everyone and anyone regardless of how they can help you and your ministry. As the master teacher said, Give and it shall be given unto you...
I received an e mail today from Australia. It is not unusual to receive e mails from friends in foreign countries but this one thrilled me because of the connections of the sender and myself. I imagine you have heard about the concept of, Six Degrees of Separation.
Milgram in the late 60s performed his famous six-degrees-of-separation experiment. The popular understanding of Milgram's experiment is that anyone can be linked to anyone else on Earth through only six links. In fact, Milgram discovered:
Three Links of Separation: Some people have such good links that they can get to someone far away with only three links.
100 Links of Separation: Others require up to a hundred links to reach someone else. This also means all of the people within those hundred links were also poorly linked.
No Links: Milgram also found that many people have such poor links that they can't establish a connection to distant others. Many people are isolated into small islands. They are cut off from the rest of society.
In the late 60s, Granovetter, a sociologist now at Stanford, studied how people found jobs. Until then, it was generally assumed that society was homogeneous. Granovetter discovered that society is made up of groups of people, which is now known as clustering. Granovetter showed that weak contacts were twice as effective (28%) as strong contacts (17%) for finding a job. Casual connections were more likely to lead to a job. If you try to contact only those people who are your close friends they only know about job openings that you have already heard about. You need new contacts.
http://www.andreas.com/faq-barabasi.html
This also applies to missionary activities and touching the world for Christ. The e mail I received this morning indicates that I am connected to thousands of people around the globe. I have a lot of "weak" or short term connections to many, many people. The letter came from a minister and owner of a Christian bookstore owner in Australia who asked about the Apples of Gold materials I wrote many years ago.
The author's name is Martin Levine from the Kentigern Resource Centre in Australia. He took the Apples of Gold classes in South Africa. I have never been in South Africa nor Australia yet Mr. Levine knows me from classes he took from another man. He also wants to carry the materials in his bookstore. How could that occur? I have three direct contacts in South Africa.
Two ladies from SA came to one of our very first LIFE Seminars in 1979 or 80 and went back home to train their own people. One of their pastoral contacts was Kinglsley Dale, a Methodist who came to the USA and studied with us at College Hill Presbyterian. He returned to train numerous lay and pastoral leaders.
Larry and Ellen Chrouch along with Karen and myself taught our classes in Hawaii for YWAM. Larry and Ellen were invited to teach in the YWAM South Africa Counseling Schools several times and YWAM still uses our material in their schools.
I think Mr. Levine and I are connected by only three links. Even though he is in Australia he came to know us through Rev Dale in South Africa. Gary to Kingsley to Martin.
NOTE: An e mail last week to congratulate me on another birthday contained a similar connection. Peder Paulsen from Denmark wrote to offer his blessings for our friendship on my 67th natal day. He mentioned that he had just returned from the Faroe Islands near Scotland where he taught Rational Christian Thinking. Thus, our ministry has expanded into a new region with just two degrees of separation.
The 16 years I spent at CHPC set me up to have influence all around the world. God chose CHPC to be an instrument of His international missionary enterprise. He alone established the contacts. I have warm, caring contacts on every continent. They are not strong contacts that require a lot of maintaining but all are mutually supportive and helpful.
If you want to grow a church or a ministry you will need to develop hundreds of "weak" connections. Become interested in everyone and anyone regardless of how they can help you and your ministry. As the master teacher said, Give and it shall be given unto you...
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Happy Birthday Gary Sweeten
05/05/05
This is the most important birthday I can ever remember. I am 67 years old, but that is incidental.
During my Junior year in high school at Mt. Vernon, Illinois I was sitting in study hall preparing for my May 5 natal day when it hit me that it fell on a very unusual time. May 5, 1955 is 5/5/55
Although I was not and am not a gambler or numerological, it occurred to me that these numbers has a special feel to them. There were four fives in a row. Wow! That felt very special.
During my childhood and youth I fantasies about the future in a grandiose manner but really did not think much about what life would be like in fifty years. Then, when May 5, 1955 rolled around I began to consider life in 50 years when the numbers would once again be all fives.
Would I still be alive? My maternal grandfather and paternal grandparents had died in their fifties and in 2005 I would be the ancient age of 67.
Would I be married? What kind of wife would I get?
What about children? Grandchildren?
What kind of work would I be doing?
What kind of world would we live in? I read all the Buck Rogers comics and heard some say we would have flying cars but what would be the reality in the new millennium?
The fact that I might have an opportunity to see 05/05/05 in the 21st Century stimulated some mighty deep thinking, and here I am fifty years later. Those 50 years seem like a flash. Events transpired that I could not even begin to imagine. We do not live like Buck Rogers but some of my decisions brought unimaginable changes.
I encountered the Holy Spirit in a life changing manner in 1958.
The Lord told me to attend college.
I went to Mt. Vernon Community College and met Betty Ann Ward who inspired me to be a counselor.
I met and married Karen Mayer
I became embroiled in conflict with a racist principal and resigned my teaching position.
I entered graduate school and got a masters' in higher education/Student Personnel Counseling
I was called to U of Cincinnati and got involved in the Jesus Movement
I met Dick Towner from College Hill Presbyterian and was called onto the staff of that marvelous church
My doctorate was about equipping lay Christian counselors
I was asked to train lay people all over the globe
God called me to set up a Christian psychiatric hospital
Karen and I have two children, two in laws and three grandkids.
All this is much more fantastic than Buck Rogers ever imagined.
God is Good. Life is very good.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Evangelism and Church Growth
I just received the Pastor's Newsletter from Community of Praise Baptist Church in Singapore. We have been equipping them with Life Skills and Lay Ministry skil for the past two years as they minister to the hundreds of new people coming to faith.
Pastor Steve Fendley writes about a powerful move of the Lord through the 40 Days of Purpose.
Dear CPBC Family and Friends,
40 DAYS” PRAISE UPDATE
In my 5 April, 2005 Pastor’s Newsletter, I shared that in the first weekend of the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign 10 people had given their lives to the Lord. I’ll be the first to admit that I would have never dreamed we would get “out of the starting blocks” so swiftly in this season of corporate revival and spiritual growth.
Now, exactly one month later, I’m more amazed than ever. At least 42 people have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and Lord since our launch on 3 April. One of them just last week is a young man of another faith (our “neighbours”), a friend of one of our youth.
Three more Purpose Groups were started last week, and there are more than 800 people involved in 115 Purpose Groups at this time.
I just received the Pastor's Newsletter from Community of Praise Baptist Church in Singapore. We have been equipping them with Life Skills and Lay Ministry skil for the past two years as they minister to the hundreds of new people coming to faith.
Pastor Steve Fendley writes about a powerful move of the Lord through the 40 Days of Purpose.
Dear CPBC Family and Friends,
40 DAYS” PRAISE UPDATE
In my 5 April, 2005 Pastor’s Newsletter, I shared that in the first weekend of the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign 10 people had given their lives to the Lord. I’ll be the first to admit that I would have never dreamed we would get “out of the starting blocks” so swiftly in this season of corporate revival and spiritual growth.
Now, exactly one month later, I’m more amazed than ever. At least 42 people have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and Lord since our launch on 3 April. One of them just last week is a young man of another faith (our “neighbours”), a friend of one of our youth.
Three more Purpose Groups were started last week, and there are more than 800 people involved in 115 Purpose Groups at this time.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This has happened within the past one month! How many people have come to faith in Jesus at your church this past month?
Paying Big Bucks to be Miserable
I love the old saying, "Pain is inevitable but misery is optional" but since this is a truism why do so many people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to send their kids to male bashing colleges that make both men and women miserable?
There is a hilariously painful article in the National Review about a campus group
at the very expensive Williams College. They are putting on a satire of a male bashing play that has gotten rave reviews for several years. Williams College, named after the fundamentalist founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, confiscated all the materials and the props from the group but still promotes the actual play. I suppose they think a satire is worse than reality.
http://nationalreview.com/comment/sommers200505020808.asp
This and many similar events shows how the Politically Correct among us can manage to use speech and distorted views but others are not even allowed to differ without being punished.
During the Sixties and Seventies and we saw this coming. Most private colleges in the USA were founded by Evangelical/Fundamentalist Christians to train evangelists, missionaries and pastors. Now they too often evangelize for the other side. We need to pray for revival.
I do not mind that secularists speak boldly for their views. I would gladly encourage all persons to debate issues and argue with passion. My concern has to do with the fact that so many times colleges and groups allow only one voice to be heard.
I love the old saying, "Pain is inevitable but misery is optional" but since this is a truism why do so many people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to send their kids to male bashing colleges that make both men and women miserable?
There is a hilariously painful article in the National Review about a campus group
at the very expensive Williams College. They are putting on a satire of a male bashing play that has gotten rave reviews for several years. Williams College, named after the fundamentalist founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, confiscated all the materials and the props from the group but still promotes the actual play. I suppose they think a satire is worse than reality.
http://nationalreview.com/comment/sommers200505020808.asp
This and many similar events shows how the Politically Correct among us can manage to use speech and distorted views but others are not even allowed to differ without being punished.
During the Sixties and Seventies and we saw this coming. Most private colleges in the USA were founded by Evangelical/Fundamentalist Christians to train evangelists, missionaries and pastors. Now they too often evangelize for the other side. We need to pray for revival.
I do not mind that secularists speak boldly for their views. I would gladly encourage all persons to debate issues and argue with passion. My concern has to do with the fact that so many times colleges and groups allow only one voice to be heard.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Vineyard Retreat
Karen and I took a trip down memory lane Friday and Saturday when we joined about 30 people from the Vineyard Community Church, Cincinnati who lead the Pre-Marital Classes at the church for a retreat workshop at Shakertown in Pleasant Hill, KY. Many years ago when Tim and Julie were young we vacationed there and had a wonderful time. Despite the Cold rainy weather the Vineyardians made our time fun, worthwhile and interesting.
VCC is one of the few congregations in our area that prepares couples for the challenge of marriage and a new family structure. I wish every church would do the same for it is the most important work facing Christians today.
So much time, energy, anxious fretting and nagging goes into discussing the negative issues of life that we fail to spend the time and money needed to PREVENT all those problems. For example, involvement in pornography can be directly traced to conflict in marriage. Porn is a terrible thing that is one more step toward the destruction of family life.
Many counselors, evangelists and pastors are all worked up over the crisis of porn but do little to prevent it. PreMarital preparation is not a panacea but it can do a lot to give couples an opportunity to enhance their intimacy and keep porn away.
The problem with pornography is not pornography. Porn has no power to grab and hold a man or woman in its grip. No person will trade the intimacy of a life partner for a dead video unless there is some spiritual, emotional barrier to real human intimacy. Intimacy that allows free, open sharing without fear of condemnation and shame is a great antidote to sex outside marriage.
Any church not doing PreMarital Preparation and Marital communications and Parenting for life is neglecting its godly call.
Stop reacting to crises and start preventing those crises.
Thanks, Greg and Dawn, Rich and Ada, Mark and Elizabethas well as all the rest for your warmth and good work.
As Paul says in Ephesians 5: "It is a great mystery but marriage is Christ and the church."
Karen and I took a trip down memory lane Friday and Saturday when we joined about 30 people from the Vineyard Community Church, Cincinnati who lead the Pre-Marital Classes at the church for a retreat workshop at Shakertown in Pleasant Hill, KY. Many years ago when Tim and Julie were young we vacationed there and had a wonderful time. Despite the Cold rainy weather the Vineyardians made our time fun, worthwhile and interesting.
VCC is one of the few congregations in our area that prepares couples for the challenge of marriage and a new family structure. I wish every church would do the same for it is the most important work facing Christians today.
So much time, energy, anxious fretting and nagging goes into discussing the negative issues of life that we fail to spend the time and money needed to PREVENT all those problems. For example, involvement in pornography can be directly traced to conflict in marriage. Porn is a terrible thing that is one more step toward the destruction of family life.
Many counselors, evangelists and pastors are all worked up over the crisis of porn but do little to prevent it. PreMarital preparation is not a panacea but it can do a lot to give couples an opportunity to enhance their intimacy and keep porn away.
The problem with pornography is not pornography. Porn has no power to grab and hold a man or woman in its grip. No person will trade the intimacy of a life partner for a dead video unless there is some spiritual, emotional barrier to real human intimacy. Intimacy that allows free, open sharing without fear of condemnation and shame is a great antidote to sex outside marriage.
Any church not doing PreMarital Preparation and Marital communications and Parenting for life is neglecting its godly call.
Stop reacting to crises and start preventing those crises.
Thanks, Greg and Dawn, Rich and Ada, Mark and Elizabethas well as all the rest for your warmth and good work.
As Paul says in Ephesians 5: "It is a great mystery but marriage is Christ and the church."
Leave Mother and Father
The first and most common biblical statement about family life is found in Genesis 2:24:
For this cause a man shall leave his mother and father, cleave to his wife and the two shall become one flesh.
Next Thursday, May 5 I will celebrate my 67th birthday and I am still trying to leave some things about my family of origin behind. I continue to discover things defensively to people and situations that remind me of my family.
I recently discovered an old poem/song that I heard as a boy. Like many such country tunes it sums up the unhappy situation in which many of us find ourselves.
Many, many years ago I was twenty three,
I got married to a widow was pretty as could be.
This widow had a grown-up daughter had hair of red.
My father fell in love with her,and soon the two were wed.
This made my dad my son-in-law
And changed my very life.
My daughter was my mother,
For she was my father's wife.
To complicate the matters worse,
Although it brought me joy,
I soon became the father
Of a bouncing baby boy.
My little baby then became
A brother-in-law to dad.
And so became my uncle,
Though it made me very sad
For if he was my uncle,
Then that also made him brother
To the widow's grown-up daughter
Who, of course, was my step-mother
Father's wife then had a son
Who kept them on the run
And he became my grandson
For he was my daughter's son
My wife is now my mother's mother
And it makes me blue.
Because, although she is my wife
She is my grandma too
If my wife is my grandmother
Then I am her grandchild
And every time I think of it
It simply drives me wild
For now I have become
The strangest case you ever saw
As the husband of my grandmother
I am my own grandpa.
I'm my own grandpa,
I'm my own grandpa
it sounds funny I know,
But it really is so
I'm my own grandpa
When we Americans marry we have this mythological idea that our new coupling will stand alone and not be connected to anyone else. This is a terrible lie that someone slipped into the culture and it destroys many happy families. I married not only Karen but also her sister Toni and mother Hazel.
One of the most important gifts I was ever given is called, THE GENOGRAM. It is a way to draw a family map that shows the placement of various family members and how they relate to each other. It is a fascinating exercise that has liberated me to think more rationally about my entire family;including my in-laws.
The first and most common biblical statement about family life is found in Genesis 2:24:
For this cause a man shall leave his mother and father, cleave to his wife and the two shall become one flesh.
Next Thursday, May 5 I will celebrate my 67th birthday and I am still trying to leave some things about my family of origin behind. I continue to discover things defensively to people and situations that remind me of my family.
I recently discovered an old poem/song that I heard as a boy. Like many such country tunes it sums up the unhappy situation in which many of us find ourselves.
Many, many years ago I was twenty three,
I got married to a widow was pretty as could be.
This widow had a grown-up daughter had hair of red.
My father fell in love with her,and soon the two were wed.
This made my dad my son-in-law
And changed my very life.
My daughter was my mother,
For she was my father's wife.
To complicate the matters worse,
Although it brought me joy,
I soon became the father
Of a bouncing baby boy.
My little baby then became
A brother-in-law to dad.
And so became my uncle,
Though it made me very sad
For if he was my uncle,
Then that also made him brother
To the widow's grown-up daughter
Who, of course, was my step-mother
Father's wife then had a son
Who kept them on the run
And he became my grandson
For he was my daughter's son
My wife is now my mother's mother
And it makes me blue.
Because, although she is my wife
She is my grandma too
If my wife is my grandmother
Then I am her grandchild
And every time I think of it
It simply drives me wild
For now I have become
The strangest case you ever saw
As the husband of my grandmother
I am my own grandpa.
I'm my own grandpa,
I'm my own grandpa
it sounds funny I know,
But it really is so
I'm my own grandpa
When we Americans marry we have this mythological idea that our new coupling will stand alone and not be connected to anyone else. This is a terrible lie that someone slipped into the culture and it destroys many happy families. I married not only Karen but also her sister Toni and mother Hazel.
One of the most important gifts I was ever given is called, THE GENOGRAM. It is a way to draw a family map that shows the placement of various family members and how they relate to each other. It is a fascinating exercise that has liberated me to think more rationally about my entire family;including my in-laws.
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