I started out in radio news in 1978 at the Minnesota State News Network. I was the Saturday morning producer and would make calls for the newscaster. My main contacts were Law Enforcement agencies. We called it back then checking the ‘rap sheet’ for the day, meaning the crimes of the day. I have said for the longest time that the America Church has its own rap sheet. It seems everyday sex crimes, fraud, conspiracy theories, politics, etc. are part of what is destroying the Church in America. When Sharon and I were on our Great Commission trip to Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota, we found that the majority of people that do not go to Church have had it with all the nasty stuff that has and is happening in American Churches. So many people just do not go to Church anymore in America because of so many staining the Bride of Christ. I challenge all Pastors and congregants to go out into their communities and walk the streets and listen to the people. Get out beyond your walls, many of you are too comfortable. I am here to comfort the inflicted and inflict the comfortable.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of
God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Excellent message for such a time as this by Daniel Henderson in CHURCHLEADERS:
With great sorrow, we are reminded once again by the news headlines that the enemy has a special target for spiritual leaders. I myself have reflected anew on how twice I followed a predecessor who disqualified himself from ministry, leaving thousands of Christ followers heartbroken and dismayed.
Why does this happen? And what compels men of such great kingdom influence to throw it all away? Story Here
From Seth Barnes in CHURCHLEADERS: The irony is that the whining about pain delays the healing of pain. Only by going through the pain do we stop focusing on symptoms and begin addressing the root causes.
God’s intent is that we live free, but it comes at a price. As Paul counsels, “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.” Galatians 5:13
You Must Walk Through Brokenness Before You Appreciate Grace
God’s Word is the final authority for faith and life.
as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
