Pastors and Their Prayer

A new study of pastors and their prayer lives shows that only 16 percent of Protestant ministers across the country are "very satisfied" with their personal prayer lives. Another 47 percent are "somewhat satisfied," while 30 percent are "somewhat dissatisfied" and seven percent are "very dissatisfied."

The study, conducted by Ellison Research (Phoenix , Ariz.), also found that the level of satisfaction a pastor derives from his or her prayer life varies substantially with the pastor's age. Only nine percent of pastors under age 45 are "very satisfied," along with 13 percent of those 45 to 59 years old. But 30 percent of all pastors 60 or older are "very satisfied."

The average Protestant minister prays for 39 minutes a day, although 21 percent typically spend 15 minutes or less per day in prayer. Younger ministers average 35 minutes a day, compared to 41 minutes among pastors 45 to 59, and 38 minutes among older pastors.

The typical pastor spends 32 percent of his or her prayer time making requests, 20 percent in quiet time or listening to God, 18 percent giving thanks, 17 percent in praise, and 14 percent in confession. These figures do not vary much with a pastor's age or denomination.

The most common subject of ministers' prayers is the needs of individual members of their congregations (98% in the seven days preceding the study). Other leading subjects include: the congregation's spiritual health (94%), spiritual growth for their church (94%), wisdom in leading their church (94%), personal spiritual growth (86%), the right things to say in a sermon (82%), the country as a whole (82%), and personal needs of their own or their family (81%).

Ellison found that pastors who are satisfied with their prayer lives are defined by the amount of time spent in prayer (56 minutes for "very satisfied" versus 21 minutes for "very dissatisfied"), how they divide their prayer time (less time making requests and more time listening to God for greater satisfaction), and subjects of prayer ( "big issues" beyond their own lives — overseas missions, persecuted Christian in other countries, local outreach and evangelism, other churches and pastors, global events, the country as a whole, individual Christian and government leaders, their denomination.)

Ron Sellers, president of Ellison Research, concluded, "The study clearly showed that what drives a satisfying prayer life for a minister is spending less time asking God for things and more time listening to what God has to say, praying for issues beyond their own personal and church needs, and spending much more time overall in prayer." (from Pastor's Weekly Briefing, May 27, 2005)

Don't Park in the Preacher's Spot!

Park Here
"Don't Park in the Preacher's Spot!"

From Terry White's Web Blog - "Joel Curry, director of institutional communication and publication for Grace College and Seminary, spotted this sign recently while touring the 13th century Church of St. Multose in Kinsale, Ireland. Be careful where you park!" (This is from Terry White's "BMH Editor's Web Blog" (click here) - I couldn't find a good way to link to the exact spot, so "borrowed it". Thanks Terry!)

Multiple Service Town Hall Meeting Report

Thanks to all who took the time last evening to help us think through the option of going to two services. Very helpful insight. Please continue to pray with us about this step!

Creation Museum Article from the Inquirer

Creation Musum Picture 
The Inquirer carried a write up on Ken Ham's Creation Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. If you travel out that way this summer, you may want to check it out. Ken Ham writes from a young earth perspective believing that God created the world in 6 literal days. The cost for this museum is $25 million. Link

Creative Ways to Build Family Rest

Creative Ways to Build Family Rest (from Pastor's Weekly Briefing, 5/13/2005)

The following list — excerpts from Little House on the Freeway by Tim Kimmel — may provide some cloud-seeding for a brainstorm or two of your own for creative ways to build inner confidence and calm.

1. Pay off your credit cards.
2. Take off ten pounds or accept where you are without any more complaints.
3. Eat dinner together as a family for seven days in a row.
4. Take your wife on a dialogue date (no movie, guys).
5. Read your kids a classic book (Twain’s a good start).
6. Memorize the Twenty-third Psalm as a family.
7. Give each family member a hug for twenty-one days in a row (that?s how long the experts say it takes to develop a habit).
8. Pick a night of the week in which the television will remain unplugged.
9. Go out for a non-fast-food dinner as a family.
10. Pray for your spouse and children.

Jill & Nick's Wedding

Jill & Nick's Wedding

The Big event for us this past weekend (Saturday May 7, 2005) was Jill's marriage to Nick Sowers. We appreciate so much all who helped make this event a reality. We ask your prayers for them as they begin a new life together -- and for us as we transition!

Working Smarter

The challenge of trying to evaluate how to use time wisely and effectively is on going. I stumbled upon Michale Hyatt's Blog, WorkingSmart, and he has some very helpful information on how he sets up his schedule, establishes priorities, gets things done as the COO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. Highly recommended! WorkingSmart

When is PG-13 not PG-13?

Plugged in magazine (May 2005) containis an article warning that PG-13 movies are being released on DVDs with footage that was cut to make it PG-13 being reinserted on the DVD. This DVD is then released as an unrated movie. These are included on the DVD as trailers, and cut scenes. PG-13 movies consistently out-gross R-rated movies, so they are cut to make the PG-13 rating. Then after they have run their course, they are re-released on DVD with the offending material reinserted. Blockbuster Video has made the decision to carry the unrated versions instead of the PG-13 when they are available. There are no warning signs that the movie you are renting is different from the one that was scene in a movie theater which was rated PG-13. Apparently the only warning is that Blockbuster has placed a sticker on the movie that says "Youth Restricted Viewing" and the clerk is to ask for ID.

Walmart carries both unrated and PG-13 versions of these movies.