In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul addresses the issue of respect. We see the Corinthian church challenging him and pushing back on any authority and teaching, much like we do today. Listen as Pastor Tyler Jones addresses both the heart of Paul's letter and the issues found in Vintage21 Church.
Statistics
- 1500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure or burnout
- 50% of pastors marriages will end in divorce
- 80% of pastors and 84% of their spouses feel discouraged in their role
- 50% of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they had another job
- 80% of seminary grads who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within 5 years
- 70% of pastors constantly fight depression
- Almost 40% polled said they have had an extra-marital affairs
Pastor’s Wives
- 80% of pastors spouses feel their spouse is overworked
- 80% of pastors spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession
- Over 50% of pastor’s wives said that the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry
Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
Excerpt from Email from a Vintage21 Owner
Psalm 68:10 "From your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor." God's bounty can provide for the poor of this city.”
Unfortunately for the poor the bounty is currently distributed in our wallets. Why don't we see the possibility for God using what "we have" to build his kingdom. Why do we claim as ours what we have only received as a gift from God. Why are we content to rob the poor? We could do so much as a church if we were obedient to give what has been asked. If we were to write down our salary and then move the decimal point one figure over to the left. That is what has been asked of us. This is the one place that the Lord has asked us to test him and see if he does not overwhelm us with his provision. Living the way you are now clinging to every cent has brought no fulfillment and only leaves you wanting more- why not try it God's way and see what results? Do we as a church mean to communicate with the compensation that we offer the staff that we only care for them as long as they are caring for us and not beyond? Does the lack of retirement that we offer only impact them or are we not caring for their spouses and their children as well? Are we aware that we are choosing to eat out, to buy clothes, CDs, and DVDs that we will most likely never have time to watch instead of providing the salaries they have more than earned.
Questions For Refection
- The standard is to out-do each other in honor. Have you lived up to that? Have you disrespected your brothers and sisters in Christ? What does reconciliation require?
- If you have gained spiritually from Vintage21, if you have been counseled, if you have seen Jesus, if you have worshiped God here, then you are responsible to provide for the church. Has giving changed the way you live? What steps do you need to make to reconcile your giving to Christ? Do you need to meet with someone to talk about this?