What is Going on with the Pastors in America?

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy

Here are some startling statistics on pastors; FASICLD (Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development). This quest started in 1989 as a Fuller Institute project that was picked up by FASICLD in 1998.

After over 18 years of researching pastoral trends and many of us being a pastor, we have found (this data is backed up by other studies) that pastors are in a dangerous occupation! We are perhaps the single most stressful and frustrating working profession, more than medical doctors, lawyers, politicians or cat groomers (hey they have claws). We found that over 70% of pastors are so stressed out and burned out that they regularly consider leaving the ministry (I only feel that way on Mondays). Thirty-five to forty percent of pastors actually do leave the ministry, most after only five years. On a personal note, out of the 12 senior pastors that I have served under directly, two have passed away, and four have left the ministry totally—that is, not only are they no longer in the pulpit, but they no longer even attend a church. And, I run into ex-pastors on a regular basis at conferences and speaking engagements; makes me wonder “what’s up with that,” as my kids would say.

From our recent research we did to retest our data, 1050 pastors were surveyed from two pastor’s conferences held in Orange County and Pasadena, Ca—416 in 2005, and 634 in 2006 (I conducted a similar study for the Fuller Institute in the late 80s with a much greater sampling).

  • Of the one thousand fifty (1,050 or 100%) pastors we surveyed, every one of them had a close associate or seminary buddy who had left the ministry because of burnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure.
  • Nine hundred forty-eight (948 or 90%) of pastors stated they are frequently fatigued, and worn out on a weekly and even daily basis (did not say burned out).
  • Nine hundred thirty-five, (935 or 89%) of the pastors we surveyed also considered leaving the ministry at one time. Five hundred ninety, (590 or 57%) said they would leave if they had a better place to go—including secular work.
  • Eighty- one percent (81%) of the pastors said there was no regular discipleship program or effective effort of mentoring their people or teaching them to deepen their Christian formation at their church (remember these are the Reformed and Evangelical—not the mainline pastors!). (This is Key)
  • Eight hundred eight (808 or 77%) of the pastors we surveyed felt they did not have a good marriage!
  • Seven hundred ninety (790 or 75%) of the pastors we surveyed felt they were unqualified and/or poorly trained by their seminaries to lead and manage the church or to counsel others. This left them disheartened in their ability to pastor.
  • Seven hundred fifty-six (756 or 72%) of the pastors we surveyed stated that they only studied the Bible when they were preparing for sermons or lessons. This left only 38% who read the Bible for devotions and personal study.
  • Eight hundred two (802 or 71%) of pastors stated they were burned out, and they battle depression beyond fatigue on a weekly and even a daily basis.
  • Three hundred ninety-nine (399 or 38%) of pastors said they were divorced or currently in a divorce process.
  • Three hundred fifteen (315 or 30%) said they had either been in an ongoing affair or a one-time sexual encounter with a parishioner.
  • Two hundred seventy (270 or 26%) of pastors said they regularly had personal devotions and felt they were adequately fed spirituality. (This is Key).
  • Two hundred forty-one (241 or 23%) of the pastors we surveyed said they felt happy and content on a regular basis with who they are in Christ, in their church, and in their home!
  • Of the pastors surveyed, they stated that a mean (average) of only 25% of their church’s membership attended a Bible Study or small group at least twice a month. The range was 11% to a max of 40%, a median (the center figure of the table) of 18% and a mode (most frequent number) of 20%. This means over 75% of the people who are at a “good” evangelical church do not go to a Bible Study or small group (that is not just a book or curriculum study, but where the Bible is opened and read, as well as studied), (This is Key). (I suspect these numbers are actually lower in most evangelical and Reformed churches because the pastors that come to conferences tend to be more interested in the teaching and care of their flock than those who usually do not attend.)

Here is research that we distilled from Barna, Focus on the Family, and Fuller Seminary, all of which backed up our findings, and additional information from reviewing others’ research:

  • Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
  • Fifty percent of pastors’ marriages will end in divorce.
  • Eighty percent of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastor.
  • Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
  • Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
  • Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression.
  • Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
  • Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons (This is Key).

Most statistics say that 60% to 80% of those who enter the ministry will not still be in it 10 years later, and only a fraction will stay in it as a lifetime career. Many pastors—I believe over 90 percent—start off right with a true call and the enthusiasm and the endurance of faith to make it, but something happens to derail their train of passion and love for the call.

Focus on the Family has reported (www.parsonage.org) that we in the United States lose a pastor a day because he seeks an immoral path instead of God’s, seeking intimacy where it must not be found. F.O.F. statistics state that 70% of pastors do not have close personal friends, and no one in whom to confide. They also said about 35% of pastors personally deal with sexual sin. In addition, that 25% of pastors are divorced. The statistics I had with church growth resources is even higher. Pastors who tend to be very educated seem to have the ability to embark in sin on Saturday and preach the Word on Sunday without thinking anything is wrong.

Remember, Pride and Arrogance will be the diving board that will spring the pastor into the pool of sin and cause a church to fight amongst themselves!

Out of the 1050 pastors we surveyed during two pastors conferences held in Pasadena, California, 825, or 78% (326 in 2005 and 499 in 2006) said they were forced to resign from a church at least once. Sixty-three percent (63%) said they had been fired from their pastoral position at least twice. In the survey, we asked why they were fired—from the reasons given by the church board versus what they felt the reason was. We laid out 15 categories with a blank space to fill out what we may have missed: poor leadership, conflict with key staff or lay leadership, gossip, lack of funding, doctrinal divide, hardship on family, not connecting with membership, power plays, church council refusing to resolve conflict, resistance to their teaching, resistance to their leadership style or vision, failure to teach biblically, poor people skills, failure to follow job description, inappropriate relationship, or other sin. They gave us a top five main explanations on a scale of one to five, with few (8%) reporting on any of the other categories. These stats are based on number one response; at the same time, over 70% of pastors stated three of these five reasons. Here is the order (these findings have been retested and back up in internet polls done since 1998, and church survey studies done since 1980:

  1. Four hundred twelve (412 or 52%) stated that the number one reason was organizational and control issues. A conflict arose that forced them out based on who was going to lead and manage the church—pastor, elder, key lay person, faction, …
  2. One hundred ninety (190 or 24%) stated that the number one reason was their church was already in such a significant degree of conflict, the pastor’s approach could not resolve it (over 80% of pastors stated this as number 2 if not already stated as number one, and for the rest, it was number 3!).
  3. One hundred nineteen (119 or 14%) stated the number one reason to be that the church was resistance to their leadership, vision, teaching, or to change, or that their leadership was too strong or too fast.
  4. Sixty four (64 or 8%) stated the number one reason to be that the church was not connecting with them on a personal level or they could not connect with them, or the church over-admired the previous pastor and would not accept them.
  5. Forty (40 or 5%) stated that the number one reason was not having the appropriate relational or connecting skills as a pastor. (It is interesting that no one mentioned lack of teaching ability—only that their teaching was not accepted. Could this be pride?)

The other significant study of pastors that held similar results as ours was conducted by psychologist Richard Blackmon (with ties to Fuller Seminary and Dr. Archibald Heart), also reported by the Los Angeles Times newspaper. In 1985 as well as more recently too, Blackmon surveyed one thousand pastors from four major denominations in California, USA. His research, which was ongoing up to 2004, revealed that over 75% of ministers are extremely or highly stressed. He even found that 31.75% of the clergy surveyed had sexual intercourse with a church member—who was not their spouse! In addition, he found that 30% to 40% of ministers ultimately drop out of the ministry. His research goes on to say the average insurance costs to churches for dealing with mental breakdowns with clergy is four percent higher than any secular industry. Blackmon states that the significance of the stress is mainly based in the areas of personal finances, church finances, building issues, recruitment of volunteers, counseling issues, and visitation. Sermon preparation and teaching seem to be last on his list!

The stress, according to Blackmon, is a primary result of the continual, intense, care responsibility of pastors compared to a medical doctor who will see a terminally ill patient for an hour or so, then see them again in a few weeks. He suggests that the pastor must set personal limits for himself to maintain balance, develop relationships outside of the church, and to be in a support group with other pastors. Very good advice!

The problem, as we have found (and I agree with Blackmon, but as a symptom and not the prime issue), is that people lose focus on what the mission and central theme of the Church is. Both pastor and churchgoer miss the main theme of what a church is about, which is to know and worship Christ as Lord. So, when there is no growth from the pastor’s personal life, no discipleship, few people in Bible Study, then there is no mission or appropriate purpose for that church, and there are no goals; therefore, there’s nothing really to do effectively. The result is the “shearing of the sheep.” Instead of being fed, they will feed upon one another, as well as the pastor, in a feast of conflict and strife. Since the church has nothing to do, then all the energies are turned inward to attack one another. I guess it beats being bored.

When I was with another church growth consulting firm, we did a major study of pastors and came up with some astounding statistics. We found that 90% of pastors work more than 50 hours a week. One out of three pastors state that being in the ministry is clearly hazardous for their families. One out of three pastors felt totally burned out within the first five years of ministry. Over 70% of pastors do not have anyone they would consider to be a friend, and hardly any pastors had any close friends. Ninety percent (90%) of pastors feel they were not adequately trained to cope with ministry coordination and the demands of the congregation. Seventy-five percent (75%) of pastors experience a significant crisis that they faced due to stress in the ministry (Fuller Institute, 1989-1992). We at the FASICLD retested that data by various means starting in 1998 and also retested the results in an internet survey form several times over the last eight years. We found it has slightly worsened. Most pastors now work up to and more than 60 hours a week. Hence, why the divorce rate among pastors is rising and pastor’s children rarely stay in the church or keep their faith. In both studies, over 40% of the pastors reported serious conflicts with their parishioners every month. This leaves pastors physically tired, spiritually weary, and even distant from God! Thus, they cannot properly minister or connect with their flock.

There was a poll taken by a sociologist named Jeffrey Haddan (“Prayer Net” Newsletter, Nov. 13, 1998) in which he polled over 7,400 Protestant ministers. He found that 13% to 51% of ministers, depending on their denomination, accepted Jesus’ physical resurrection as a fact. His poll states between 19% and 60% of ministers believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. The poll goes on to say between 67% and 95% of ministers believe that the Scriptures are true in faith, history, and practice. These statistics are extremely despairing. What do these ministers think they are doing? What is their purpose? And, what are they trying to accomplish in God’s Holy Church? If you are the church leadership and you do not believe in the tenets of Scripture, you have no business being in leadership and certainly no business being the Shepherd and teacher of the flock. What you are is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, which will be harshly judged by God.

We at FASICLD conducted a simpler internet poll in 2005 of 2,245 pastors and another 1050 in person by our surveys in pastor’s conferences as seen above. Because we are reaching Reformed and conservative Evangelicals, the stats are very different. We found that over 90% of pastors polled believe in the resurrection, virgin birth, and the validity of Scriptures (we did not get into the various aspects of inerrancy). The significant problem we found is the “buzz” or willingness to go beyond belief into trust, and then model that to their congregations. Being beat up in the ministry wears them down and derails their focus.

The result of both studies is this: the pastor must be theologically sound. A pastor who does not have a good theology is like an engineer who does not know math; he or she would totally be unable to do the job of designing. A pastor that is not theologically sound is like a surgeon who does not know anatomy and physiology; would you want him or her to operate on you? Would you want a lawyer representing you who does not know the law or the court system? When we are in the pulpit proclaiming the truth of Christ, it better be just that—the truth of Christ, not our inclinations, new ideas, or the latest trend in theological thinking. All these new waves of theology just confuse and alienate the body of Christ, who are the parishioners we serve and are called to protect from false doctrine, rather leading to God’s truth. Most of these new ideas keep changing and conflicting, and only last a few years until the next latest theological fad comes into play. Why play with the fire of that game when God’s truth remains the same and only our creative thinking keeps changing? It’s good to be creative as long as it does not go against the teachings of Scripture!

The results of the survey are that pastors face more conflict, more anger, and more expectations than ever before. At the same time, they work long hours and have little pay, little reward, and produce their own dysfunctional families because of their absence. And, to top it off, they are not being adequately trained nor fed spiritually. I need to state clearly that this is not true of all pastors; there are many who are excellent in obeying their call, pastoring great churches, and being there for their families who are growing in the Lord. And, as a pastor, I must be aware of this so I do not fall in these traps myself. The statistics tell us that many more pastors have not learned to balance family and ministry or adequately deal with the immense struggles of the job. Thus, many are not able to lead their church where it needs to go because they have not been where they are seeking to lead others in growth or in spiritual formation. I totally sympathize with them, yet I call pastors to wake up to what they are doing, and why they are doing it. At the same time, hey church, take care of and respect your pastor!

The bottom line is this: if you are a pastor your job is to serve Christ first and foremost! Thus, it is imperative that we do not become thoughtless or uncaring concerning the buildup and practice of our personal faith. In so doing, we are also to be aware of and embrace the opportunities Christ has and will still bring for us. Our focus must be on the main thing and Christ is the main thing and at the same intention we are not to negate or neglect our personal faith development or our family. If we do, we personally fail and thus our churches will fail too and our family fails and we create the massive destruction, conflict, chaos and strife that has become so rampant in so many churches. We are called to do the opposite to discord and conflict, we are called to bring cohesion and community and show the character and love of Christ first to ourselves, then our family and then our church. In so doing we bring growth, maturity and love, being in and practicing “true spirituality!”

If we do not have a desire to pursue the call of God, we have to ask ourselves why and what is in the way. Why are we in ministry? We have to ask, what is the role of pride and the desire of sin and how is it blocking us from proclaiming Christ as a pastor? Sometimes, we may not recognize sin and will perhaps rationalize it away. This happens especially when solid biblical theology or teaching is not being rooted in us and not thus being taught from us, then our churches become just social clubs of gossip and contention or entertainment and not the real effectual Chuirch of Christ where He is model and shown as Lord. Remember, our election is proven by our obedience, fruit, and growth in Christ!

As pastors, it is our call and duty to be on guard against the erosion of biblical values and damage to our and our churches beliefs and biblical mindset (Psalm 123:3; Mark 4:19)!

Remember, churches fail because we as pastors fail; we tend to place our needs and desires over the Lord’s. It is His Church and we are His servant. Let our focus be on the right target—that is, His Way and not ours! We are called to a higher purpose. We are not called to ourselves. We are to lead others to Him, not to our self. Ministry is a wondrous call, it can be joyful and fulfilling; it is also a dangerous thing because we are before a Holy God. Yes we have grace, but we have responsibility too!
 

© 2007 (research from 1989 to 2006) R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development www.churchleadership.org

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Why Churches Fail

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy

Are you willing to take an honest look at some of the reasons why people are not coming to your church?

1,103 churches surveyed and tracked for 12-plus years

These are raw data scores given for each criterion as communicated by the satisfaction of the personal spiritual growth of the surveyor versus their disaffection of intimacy in Christ. The churches surveyed and tracked include reports from 23 denominations on how they felt connected and fed spiritually or unaccepted in their church stemming from the modeling and teaching of the pastors and leaders. These results were compared with similar research by other organizations and website opinion polls. Why such a small sampling? Because this is a ten-year intense study; a larger sampling is not practical. However, when larger samples from polls and inventories were used for comparison, there was no significant variance.

Questions asked of congregational members were as follows:

a. Is your church a healthy place to be for your spiritual growth and relationships?

b. Is your church healthy so you feel connected there?

c. How important is good biblical teaching to you?

d. How important is growing in Christ to you?

e. How much time are you wiling to put into your faith development?

f. What is most important to you about a church?

g. What is most important to you about a pastor?

h. Why did you leave your last church?

i. What would cause you to leave your current church?

j. What can this church do to motivate you to grow more in Christ?

k. What can this church do to improve?

Questions asked to pastors and leadership:

a. Do you think your church is a healthy place to be for your members and their spiritual growth and relationships?

b. Do you think your church is healthy so that new people as well as those who have been there long term can feel connected?

c. How important is good biblical teaching to you?

d. How important is growing in Christ to you?

e. How much time are you willing to put into your own faith development?

f. What is most important to you about a church?

g. What is most important to you about being a pastor?

h. Why did you leave your last church?

i. What would cause you to leave your current church?

j. What can this church do to motivate you to grow more in Christ?

k. What can you do to motivate your people to grow more in Christ?

l. What can this church do to improve?

Then, an observational comparison study was done over ten years to see how these churches were healthy or not healthy. The baseline was how they exhibited biblical precepts; then, the successes and failures were examined and compiled as to the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the people surveyed. After this, the root causes thereof were sought such as, if one church closed, why? and if one church grew, why?… The results of the 1,103 churches randomly picked and then surveyed were these:

1. Is your church a healthy place for people’s spiritual growth and relationships? 761 of church people reported yes; 603 said on occasion, and the rest were varying degrees of infectiveness.

2. Is your church healthy so you feel connected there? 645 of church people reported yes, 709 said on occasion, and the rest were varying degrees of infectiveness.

3. Do the pastor(s) and leaders preach and teach the Word of God in a way that helps the members grow spiritually? 510 churches reported effectively; 467 said occasionally, and the rest were varying degrees of infectiveness.

4. Did the pastor(s) and leaders disciple, motivate, and develop the members for effective ministry? 144 churches reported did so effectively; 201 said occasionally, and the rest were varying degrees of infectiveness.

5. Did the pastor(s) and leaders model spiritual maturity in their personal lives as well as publicly? 421 churches reported did so effectively, 518 said occasionally, and the rest were varying degrees of infectiveness.

6. Did the pastor(s) and leaders help facilitate the members in evangelism and outreach? 108 churches reported did so effectively, 189 said occasionally, and the rest were varying degrees of infectiveness.

7. Did the pastor(s) and leaders help members feel welcomed and connected to this church? 316 churches reported did so effectively, 713 said occasionally, and the rest were varying degrees of infectiveness.

8. Questions were asked to people who left their church. Why did you leave the church? Of 894 people surveyed personally and an additional 2,909 online, totaling 3,803, 88% of people had left their church because they felt “forced to;” 19% of first group and 22% of second group of people had to leave because of work or school changes.

Of those 3,348 who felt forced to leave:

a. Sixty-one percent (61 %) of people (2,039) left their last church because of a conflict with another member resulting from gossip or strife that would not stop, was not true, or was not properly dealt with. They also marked a lack of hospitality and a lack of Bible teaching second or third, making this category 91% of significance!

b. Nineteen percent, (19%) or 640 people, felt not being connected; the lack of hospitality was the number one reason. They also marked a lack of teaching second or third, and gossip also as the second or third reason. The significant factor in this category is 66%!

c. Eighteen percent (18%) or 613 people said it was because of a lack of solid Bible teaching; they also marked gossip and strife and lack of hospitality as second or third.

d. Four point five percent (4.5 %) or 140 people left for reasons of inconvenience; the church was too far, parking too difficult, services too long, preaching was boring, or some minor theological disagreement. It is interesting to note that this is the least of the categories for why people leave, but are what most people in church leadership and consulting spend their time and energies trying to connect with!

We then identified 44 factors in determining the health or the dysfunction of a church. The significant factors in why churches failed are as follows:

The raw data in what the congregation wanted or considered important in a pastor or church leader:

  • Seventy-eight percent (78%) felt that the ability to teach the Bible effectively is important.
  • Sixty-five percent (65%) felt that the ability to show the kindness of the church to children and youth is important.
  • Sixty-one percent (61%) felt that the ability to model authentic faith and character for the church is important.
  • Fifty-nine percent (59%) felt that the ability to offer caring and helpful guidance to members in need is important.
  • Forty-five percent (45%) felt that the ability to carry out good organization and programming is important.
  • Thirty-six percent (36%) felt that the ability to cast a convincing vision for the church is important.
  • Twenty-eight percent (28%) felt that ability to lead a church in a good, effective, and godly direction is important.
  • Twenty-seven percent (27%) felt that the ability to develop confidence within the church is important.
  • Twenty-three percent (23%) felt that the ability to bring harmony and contentment in the church is important.
  • Twenty-one percent (21%) felt that the quality of the services “atmosphere” was more important and would keep them there. Thus, the power points and dramas were not as important to them as the hospitality and being connected!
  • Sixteen percent (16%) felt that the ability to bring about any needed change in the church is important.
  • Fifteen percent (15%) felt that the ability to encourage the church in effective stewardship is important.

The raw data in what the pastor or significant church leaders wanted or considered important in being a pastor or church leader are as follows:

  • Eighty-two percent (82%) felt that the ability to cast a convincing vision for the church is important.
  • Seventy-eight percent (78%) felt that the ability to develop confidence within the church is important.
  • Fifty-nine percent (59%) felt that the ability to bring harmony and contentment in the church is important.
  • Fifty-seven percent (57%) felt that the ability to encourage the church in effective stewardship is important.
  • Forty-two percent (42 )% felt that the ability to lead a church in a good, effective, and godly direction is important.
  • Forty-one percent (41%) felt that the ability to offer caring and helpful guidance to members in need is important.
  • Thirty-nine percent (39%) felt that the ability to show the kindness of the church to children and youth is important.
  • Twenty-five percent (25%) felt that the ability to carry out organization and programming is important.
  • Thirty-two percent (32%) felt that the ability to bring about needed and helpful change in the church is important.
  • Twenty-six percent (26%) felt that the ability to teach the Bible effectively is important.
  • Nineteen percent (19%) felt that the ability to model authentic faith and character for the church is important.

There seemed to be a disconnect in what the people wanted and what they received from their leadership and what the Bible calls us to, which led to the dysfunctions and breakdowns, then led them to leave, and then caused the church to fail.

Is your church healthy?

Let us not fall into the trap of putting on a performance—of acting out the Christian life. Let us not play a Christian; let us be a Christian. Let our actions respond to the transformation of Christ’s grace by living honest lives. We must allow Christ’s amazing grace to root out all the evil within us, especially the hypocrisy that causes so much destruction, else our church fail—and worst of all, fail Him!

© Research from 1992- 2004, revised 2007 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development www.churchleadership.org

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The Character of Self-Control

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy
Self-Control (Prov. 16:32; 25:28; Rom 13:12-14; I Cor. 6:12; 9:25-27; Galatians 5:22-23; 1Thess. 5: 22; Titus 2:12; Heb. 12:2; II Pet. 1:5-7) is allowing God to be in control of your will and heart and seeking the Spirit to enable us. Then we will know what not to do and guard the areas we are weak in. This will allow us to have discipline and restraint with obedience to God and others. It is not letting distractions derail or remove us from His will and plan so we will not be held back with what Christ called us to do.

Self-indulgence is the opposite, from eating a pound of chocolate at once or partying your way to oblivion. Too much excess will leave you empty and alone, it will at best cause us to gain a lot of weight and lose your friends and at worst lose your life and miss out on our heavenly reward! Self-indulgence seeks what is fleeting when we as a Christian are made for eternity.

Self-Control is not the subject of the media; you may perhaps never see a movie with this as the premise because it is anti-climatic and perhaps boring. The world wants us to grab all of the gusto that we can, go for that brass ring regardless of the consequences or who we step on to get it or taking the responsibility of our actions. Yet, Christ is calling us by His example and Word to seek what is in eternity that is permanent and lasting not what is fleeting and empty. Christ was our greatest example from the humbleness of the incarnation through Gethsemane to the Cross He was the perfect model of self-control! Self-control will be the key to inner strength that will help deliver us from fear, depression, harm and the pain of life by being focused on Christ and not our circumstances. Christ’s strength in us that we cannot do on our own! And the key to receive this strength is our surrender to His Lordship over all aspects of our lives! Remember God wants us to have fun too and enjoy life; we are not to be prudes at the same time we are not to seek sin either!

Is Self-Control working in you?
 
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of Self-Control from God’s most precious Word by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:
 
How do I exhibit Self-Control in my daily life?
  1. What can I do to develop a better attitude of Self-Control?
  2. What blocks Self-Control from working and being exhibited in me?
  3. How can I make Self-Control function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainly and stress?

· Here are positive examples from Scripture (Gen. 39:6-18; II Sam. 16:5-13; Dan. 1:8-16)

· Here is are negative examples from Scripture (Gen. 3:1-7; Nub. 20:7-12; II Sam. 13:1-19; I Kings 21:1-7)

Further Questions

  1. How would you define Self-Control?
  1. What are the things that lure you to be self-indulgent?
  1. How does the excess of life counteract Self-Control?
  1. What happens to our relationships with God and others when we relinquish self-control?
  1. When have you been filled with Self-Control the most?
  1. In what situation did you fail to have Self-Control in which you should have?
  1. What issue is in your life that would improve with more Self-Control?
  1. Think through the steps you need to take to put Self-Control into action in a specific instance. Such as how can you place safe guards against the areas in your life where you are weak in? Or how can you avoid situations, things, certain people and places that may cause you to lose control? Or how can you balance having joy and fun so they do not become excess that lead to sin?
Remember, we make the fruits by taking His yoke so it will create the blossom, and when we keep His yoke (growth in our faith and practice of being a disciple) you will bear the fruit. It is what we are to Christ not so much what we do in His name.

© 2002, Richard J. Krejcir, Ph.D. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, www.churchleadership.org

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The Character of Gentleness

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy

Gentleness (Prov. 15:1; Isa. 40:11; 42:2-3; Philp. 4: 5; Matt. 5:5; 11:29; 12:15; Galatians 5:22-23; Eph. 4:1-2; Col. 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:7); is the character that will show calmness, personal care, tenderness and the Love of Christ in meeting the needs of others. It is to be more than just a personality; it is to be who we are from the work of the Sprit within us.

Roughness and violence are the opposite! When we have the mindset to just see what we can get out of life and make a name for ourselves we miss out on what is best for our benefit. Then it causes us to run over others and we end up being like the men who built the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9). Their downfall was not the building project but the pride and arrogance. To seek significance outside of glorifying God by their achievements alone, ignoring God’s love, care, plan, and providence for a cheap and temporary substitute.

Gentleness is not being weak, as with meekness, gentleness is strength under control. It allows us to be tender, just think how big and vast and powerful God is, who is bigger than the universe, who transcends space and time way beyond our comprehension. Yet, He treats us with the utmost of tenderness and care. Knowing gentleness is trusting that God will take care of justice, thus we need to think correctly about who God is and who we are in Him. This understanding of His sovereignty, doctrine and control will move us from the hurriedness of life and the cruelty that goes with it to take the time with relationships, growth because we are at peace with God.

Gentleness allows us to be caring and nurturing to others. It helps us stay calm and not escalate problems or push people’s buttons! To build others up, by allowing them to grow. It places the other first, it is being selfless. As attracting people to you who could use a listening ear or help, at the very least to hear and the most important thing we can do for others is offering our friendship. When we are too full of pride, we cannot be gentle with others; we cannot be a friend, for all we will do is hurt them and push them away. We can look to Jesus who modeled ultimate gentleness and care. Being fully God He does not have to be gentle, yet He takes to time to nurture others even when they make mistakes and fail. He helps them up and puts them back together; He will do this with you too. But you have to allow Him to form you. This character must continue to function in a society that does not see its importance, care for perceived limitations or think it is weak. But when others need an ear to listen they do not go to the ones filled with pride they go to someone who is gentle! Will that be you?

Is Gentleness working in you?
 
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of Gentleness from God’s most precious Word by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:
 
How do I exhibit Gentleness in my daily life?
  1. What can I do to develop a better attitude of Gentleness?
  2. What blocks Gentleness from working and being exhibited in me?
  3. How can I make Gentleness function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainly and stress?

Further Questions

  1. How would you define Gentleness?
  1. What are the things that cause you to be rough and course with others?
  1. How does being rough counteract Gentleness?
  1. Are you aware of the intricacy and delicacy of life, so you are tender too? Are you approachable?
  1. When have you been filled with Gentleness the most?
  1. In what situation did you fail to have Gentleness in which you should have?
  1. What issue is in your life that would improve with more Gentleness?
  1. Think through the steps you need to take to put Gentleness into action in a specific instance. Such as how does God’s tenderness toward you affect the way you go about your life to get things done? Does His care affect the way you care with humility and gentleness being tender in spite of people treating you like a doormat?

· Here are positive examples from Scripture (Isa. 40:11; 42:1-3; Matt. 11:28-29; Luke 7:36-50; 10:38-42; John 8: 1-11; I Thess. 2:7-8)

· Here is are negative examples from Scripture (Nub. 20:2-13; II Sam. 18:10-15; 19:1-8; I Kings 21: 5-14; Luke 9:51-56)

Remember; what come into your mind when you think about God tells a lot about you, perhaps the most important thing!

© 2002, Richard J. Krejcir, Ph.D. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, www.churchleadership.org

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The Character of Faithfulness

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy
Faithfulness (Psalm 119: 89-90; Matthew 17:19; 25:21; Rom. 1:17; 5:1-2; 1 Cor. 12:9; Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Thess. 5:24) is the “gluing” fruit that will preserve our faith and the other characters of the Spirit and identify God’s will so we can be dependable and trusting to God and others. It is the one fruit that we give to God, whereas the others are from the Spirit working in us! Faithfulness is authenticity, the power and motivation for Christian living. Because God is trustworthy with us we can be faith-worthy in Him!

Doubt, distrust and Misplaced Anger are the opposite, losing our trust and hope that God is in control!When we do this, we will lose or miss out on seeing God come through with His promises.When we are not exercising our faith, we will be consumed with doubt and distrust—the opposite of God’s call and plan for us.

Faithfulness is very difficult to have or hold on too especially applying it to our work and relationships. We tend to lose our patience with God thinking He is just a blessing machine and when we do not get what we want we leave Him because of our uncertainty. Yet, Faithfulness is the fruit that we give to God so He can change us inside and out! It is the ability to take what Christ has done in us and be a blessing to others with loyalty and trust. Faithfulness goes against modern psychology and societies thinking, as it requires us to move beyond ourselves, whereas psychology tells us to be selfness putting the “me” first, rearranging the world to our needs, which creates self-destruction and broken relationships. We have to keep the goal of faithfulness in our minds always, as it will allow God to work deeper and us to respond to His call! God has bigger things at stake that He wants you for, much more than the petty complaints we give or things we ask of Him!

Is Faithfulness working in you?
 
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of Faithfulness from God’s most precious Word by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:
  1. How do I exhibit Faithfulness in my daily life?
  2. What can I do to develop a better attitude of Faith?
  3. What blocks Faithfulness from working and being exhibited in me?
  4. How can I make Faithfulness function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainly and stress?

·Here are positive examples from Scripture (II Kings 5:8-14; Matt. 15:21-28; 21:18-22; Luke 7:1-10; Acts 3:1-10; Heb.11: 1-40)

·Here is are negative examples from Scripture (Matt. 6:25-34; 14:22-33; 17: 14-20; Mark 6:1-6; James 1:5-8)

Further Questions

  1. How would you define Faithfulness?
  1. What are the things that cause you to doubt or distrust God?
  1. How does distrust counteract Faithfulness?
  1. How can you give God more Faithfulness so you can fully realize that God is in control of your life and situation, so you can fully trust Him?
  1. When have you been filled with Faithfulness the most?
  1. In what situation did you fail to have Faithfulness in which you should have?
  1. What issue is in your life that would improve with more Faithfulness?
  1. Think through the steps you need to take to put Faithfulness into action in a specific instance. Will Christ find the kind of faith in you when He comes (Luke 18:1-8)? Such as having faith in spite of confusion and uncertainty or standing firm believing what is true even though you may not experience it or know what is going on or what Christ is doing in you?
Remember; God does not want our complaints, thus He will not give us an answer for them, rather He wants our obedience, so He can use us more and better!

© 2002, revised 2005, Richard J. Krejcir, Ph.D. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, www.churchleadership.org

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The Character of Goodness

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy
Goodness (Amos 5:15; Prov. 25:22; Matthew 7:12; 19:16; Luke 6:27, 35; Rom. 12:17; II Cor. 5:20; Galatians 5:22-23; Eph. 5:8-9; I Pet. 3:11; II Pet. 1:3-8) is the engagement of love! It displays integrity, honesty and compassion to others and allows us to do the right thing. Goodness takes our virtue and excellence and models it to others in the action of love. It is doing the right thing even when it does not feel like we should, as Joseph was betrayed and sold as a slave, he chose to make his situation good and help and treat others better than he needed too. Goodness is the model for people to repent and accept Christ.

Badness, cruelty, ruthlessness, depravity, debauchery and evil are the opposites. It is being mercilessness and unscrupulousness in our dealings toward others! When we fight against each other especially in the church, you have to see it as how hurtful and even pathetic it is in God’s eyes!

Goodness is the fruit that virtue and the rest of characters combine to produce endearment. It is the character that makes people liked and even lovable by others. It is what is attractive and luring, that catches people’s attention and respect. This is the quintessential element that attracts people to you and finds and keeps friends. It builds marriages and shows God’s love to others around us. It is virtue in action; it is being a role model and putting into practice excellence in all that we do to God and others. Goodness enables us to be liked and enjoyed, even if an enemy comes against us (Prov. 25:22). It is the taste of what is to come, the flavor of how we are to be (Psalm 34:8; 119:103). It is our expression of worship and gratitude to Christ played out in our lives, so we can enjoy Him and He can enjoy us, and so that life can be more enjoyable for all.

Why are we to be good? Because God is good to us (Psalm 86:5; 145:4-13)! Because God has defeated evil, so why would any rational person seek failure unless they are deluded as Satan is (Matt. 5:43-48; 25:41; John 12:31; 16:9-11; Col. 2:15; Rev. 20:1-3)! Because we are to serve a God of love and in so doing we are to love (1 Pet. 2:1-3; 1 John 4:7-21)! Goodness is the application of love, whereas pride is the love, the only love we have and use and it is for only ourselves (Prov. 16:18; 29:23)! Being good will help us be patient, kind, understanding and forgiving to others. It will be the fruit that helps us build each other up, build His Church, reach His community and restore relationships and seek the best in all we do. It is excellence in action! It is what builds great societies and its absence causes those same societies to collapse in debauchery!

Is Goodness working in you?
 
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of Goodness from God’s most precious Word by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:
  1. How do I exhibit Goodness in my daily life?
  2. What can I do to develop a better attitude of Goodness?
  3. What blocks goodness from working and being exhibited in me?
  4. How can I make Goodness function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainly and stress?

Further Questions

1. How would you define Goodness?

2. What are the things that cause you to act bad or ruthless?

3. How does ruthlessness counteract Goodness?

4. How can you make Eph. 5:8-9 work in you, even through times of waiting and confusion, even when people are rude and evil to you?

5. When have you been filled with Goodness the most?

6. In what situation did you fail to have Goodness in which you should have?

7. What issue is in your life that would improve with more Goodness?

8. Think through the steps you need to take to put Goodness into action in a specific instance. Such as learning to be good to people who are rude to you or not letting your circumstances get in the way of the way you treat others?

· Here are positive examples from Scripture (Gen. 39; Luke 10:30-37; Acts 7:60; 9:36; Luke 23:34; Gal. 6:10; II Thess. 1:11)

· Here is are negative examples from Scripture (Gen. 4:8; Duet. 25:17-19; Joshua 7; Luke 9:54)
 
Remember; the fruits and character cost dearly, they are not cheap by and from the One who bought them for us, for our betterment and for His glory. We must not take for granted what Cost Him so much!

© 2002, Richard J. Krejcir, Ph.D. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, www.churchleadership.org

“It is that particular Wise and good God, who is the author and owner of our system, that I propose for the object of my praise and adoration. He is not above caring for us, being pleased with our praise and offended when we slight Him or neglect his Glory … I love Him therefore for his goodness, and I adore Him for his wisdom. Let me then not fail to praise my God continually, for it is His due, and it is all I can return for His many favors and great goodness to me.” Benjamin Franklin
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The Character of Kindness

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy

Kindness (Rom. 2:1-4; 12:9-21; Ephesians 4:32; Col. 3:12-14; 1 John 3:16-23) is the medium through which Christ’s love becomes tangible through us. It is practicing benevolence and a loving attitude towards others. Kindness is the essence that shows the world that we are a Christian, like the fragrance coming from a flower. It is being convicted with God’s Word, and then modeling it to others. Kindness is the subject to the object of who we are in Christ!

Cruelty, spitefulness, being mean, and holding grudges are the opposites. This can include seeking to harm someone, being cruel and rude, or just ignoring people you do not like. God created us for relationships, and when we ignore this, we fail in the most important aspect in life besides our relationship in Him!

We live in a world that accepts cruelty as being cool. Just look at TV and the movies. However, the Christian is called to be higher, while at the same time, lower. This means to be higher in our character and lower by acceptance of others (as long as it does not bring us down to their level!). Kindness is beyond just being accepting, liberal, or open minded. It is thoughtful consideration to one another, putting ourselves in their shoes. We are called to be kind to enemies (Luke 6:34-35), to strangers (Lev. 19:34), to family (Duet. 22:1) and to outcasts (Life of Jesus). Kindness is not something we confront. It is something we proclaim! We must change our behaviors to reflect Christ’s treatment of us in how we treat others, on the road, in our work, school, and family. As society gets more complicated and crowded, kindness will gradually disappear, which makes it increasingly needed. Let us “step up to the plate” of treating and serving others as Christ would (1 John 3:16-23).

Is Kindness working in you?
 
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of Kindness from God’s most precious Word. Examine the passages below and ask yourself:

1. How do I exhibit kindness in my daily life?

2. What can I do to develop more of a kindness attitude?

3. What blocks the practice of kindness in my life? How can I make kindness function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainty and stress?

4. How can I make Kindness function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainty and stress?

Further Questions

  1. How would you define Kindness? Notice how Joseph’s brothers were cruel to him, yet a jailer, who was a stranger, was kind!
  1. What are the things that cause you to be cruel or rude?
  1. How does rudeness counteract kindness?
  1. Boaz had no obligation, outside of tradition, to help Ruth, yet He did. Why did he (Ruth 2:8-16; 3:15)?
  1. When have you most been filled with kindness?
  1. In what situation did you fail to have kindness when you should have?
  1. What issue is in your life that would improve with more kindness?
  1. Think through the steps you need to take to put kindness into action in a specific situation. How about learning to drive without rage when someone cuts you off, or spending more time helping someone you do not like, or not letting your circumstances get in the way of being kind to strangers, even if you are in a hurry?
· Here are positive examples from Scripture (Gen. 39:21-23; Josh. 2:4-16; Ruth 2:8-16; 3:15; Luke 7:2-6; Acts 24:23; 27:3, 43)
· Here are negative examples from Scripture (Gen. 21:9-14; 37:12-36; Ex. 5:6-18; Luke 22:64; John 19:3)
 
Remember the Fruits of the Spirit are not what we do when we have the time or feel like it, they are what we are to do–period!

© 2002, Richard J. Krejcir, Ph.D. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, www.churchleadership.org

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The Character of Patience

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy

Patience, (Hos. 2:19-23; Psalm 33:20; Matthew 27:14; Romans 5:3; 12:12; Gal. 5:1; Col. 1:11; James 1:3-4,12; 5:10-11), is showing tolerance and fortitude toward others, even accepting difficult situations from them, and God, without making demands or conditions. Patience allows us to endure a less than desirable situation to make us better and more useful and even optimistic and prudent. Hence, its other name is longsuffering. It allows us to put up with others who get on our nerves, without losing other characteristics of grace.

Impatience, annoyance, intolerance, worry, fear, and distrust are the opposites of Patience. These prevent us from seeing, as our Lord wants us to see, that all things will work for His good in the end (Rom. 8:28). We should hang on, place our trust in Him, and not let the temporary things of life bother or distract us from our purpose and call.

Patience is an essential aspect toward maturity and growth as a Christian, yet it is not a fun thing to obtain. We, as fallen humanity, do not like to wait, especially in our fast paced, and fast food society. We may cry out to God and ask that He give us Patience, NOW! Yet, if He did, would we have it? It is not likely, as it needs to grow through difficulties so it can build and improve. It is not something we get off the shelf of a bookstore.

Patience will allow us to receive and participate in God’s love as it builds loyalty and faithfulness, as in the life of Hosea. It will take us beyond our comfort zone into an area we do not want to go. Yet, when we do, we are better and more able to be used by God and to be available for others. Without Patience, we cannot be used effectively in the lives of others, as they will seem repugnant to us, and we will be callous and unsympathetic towards them. Patience will allow us to manage anger and problems, and to wait on God’s timing. Patience will allow us to forgive (Rom. 5:8), as Christ forgave us and has Patience with us. Patience will allow us to endure and go on, even when we do not feel like it. It will see the hope that is ahead, when the clouds of our lives and experiences block its view from our sight. Patience will allow us to cling to Christ no matter what happens. Patience is hanging on to what is good. When we are impatient, we will miss a lot in life, especially in our relationships, because we will give up too easily. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and form you in His time!

Is Patience working in you?
 
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of Patience from God’s most precious Word by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:

1. How is Patience exhibited in my daily life?

2. What can I do to develop a more Patient attitude?

3. What blocks the practice of Patience in my life?

4. How can I make Patience function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainty and stress? 

Further Questions

  1. How would you define Patience?
  1. What are the things that cause you to be impatience or distrustful?
  1. How does Fear counteract Patience?
  1. How can you make James 1:3-4 work in you? Are you willing to allow Patience to develop in you, even through times of waiting and confusion?
  1. When have you most been filled with Patience?
  1. In what situation did you fail to have Patience when you should have?
  1. What issue in your life would improve with more Patience?
  1. Think through the steps you need to take to put Patience into action in a specific situation. Perhaps you could learn to relax when things do not work out your way, or refuse to allow your circumstances to get in the way of your Patience.

Remember, the Fruits of the Spirit are not options!

· Here are positive examples from Scripture (Gen. 39:19-23; Job 1:13-22; Matt. 27:11-14; James 5:7-11)

· Here are negative examples from Scripture (Num. 20:1-12; 1 Sam. 13:8-14; 2 Kings 6:33; Luke 10:38-42)

© 2002, Richard J. Krejcir, Ph.D. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, www.churchleadership.org

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The Character of Peace

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy

Peace (Isa. 26:3; Matthew 5:9; Luke 19:42; John 14:27; 16:33; Rom. 5:1; 12:18; Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7) is surrendering and yielding ourselves to the Lord to be in His control, for He is our ultimate peace! Allowing tranquility to be our tone and control our composure. This will be fueled from our harmonious relationship with God to handover control of our heart, will and mind over to Him. Once we make real peace with God we will be able to make and maintain peace with others.

Chaos and turmoil are the opposites. This can range from seeking destruction and chaos to being a distrustful and impatient person, which will bring you despair. You will be unable to build positive relationships or handle difficult situations. You will have an “I must have control” orientated personality and be unable or unwilling to give yourself to God and others.

Peace can be maintained for a time out of ignorance or denial, but when the realities of life come upon us, peace can be impossible unless we let His peace rein in us! When we do not let go we will blame God and lose our unity and serenity in Him. Peace is learning to let go of our will, desires and plans. Peace is not the peace of the hippie movement or even between nations, although those things can be applied from it. Peace is serenity from the realization that God is in charge and we can relax because He is in control. Peace is the recognition that our biggest problem has been solved! It is the stillness we have when our trust is upon Christ as Lord (Psalm 46:10). Peace will also enable us to yield our will over to Him. Peace enables us to be moved from the stronghold of fear and trepidations into a life of harmony (Isa. 26:3; II Tim. 1:7). When we are on the verge of giving up, or losing our hope, peace can be the anchor to keep us on His path, to see His hope, to let it give you the confidence to keep moving on His path.

John tells us that He must increase and we must decrease (John 3:29-30). If we refuse this vital call, God just may allow those hardships to come our way, breaking us down so we will yield and grow as His child.

Colossians makes the definition clear: “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”, then says they are put together with, forgiveness and love, and that they operate in the parameters of peace and wisdom. Because wisdom and peace promote virtue and love and forgiveness demonstrates this virtue we all need to have (Col. 3:12-17).So Peace is a fruit that comes from the tree of love that is fruited with wisdom, pruned with virtue, watered with forgiveness producing the sweet fruits of “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”.

Do you have peace in your church? If not remember those who seed strife and make divisions in the Church are not doing Christ’s work, but are attempting to gratify their own selves. They cause people to follow a person and not the Person of Christ! Contentious, divisive people will cause others to stumble, so they must be avoided, and disciplined, which means removing them from fellowship if they persist (Rom. 16: 17-24; 1 Cor. 5:9–13; 2 Thess. 3:6; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 3:10)!

Is Peace working in you?
 
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of Peace from God’s most precious Word by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:
1. How do I exhibit Peace in my daily life?
2. What can I do to develop a more Peaceful attitude?
3. What blocks the practice of peace in my life?
4. How can I make Peace function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainly and stress?
Further Questions
  1. How would you define Peace?
  1. What are the things that cause despair for you?
  1. How does despair counteract Peace?
  1. Do you cooperate with Christ as your Lord, to allow His peace to rein in you, if not what is in the way?
  1. When have you been filled with Peace the most?
  1. In what situation did you fail to have Peace in which you should have?
  1. What issue is in your life that would improve with more Peace?
  1. Think through the steps you need to take to put Peace into action in a specific instance. Such as a counteracting the attitude of despair or hopelessness, or not letting your circumstances get in the way of your peace?
· Here are positive examples from Scripture (Psalm 27:1-6; Luke 1:26-38; 2:25-32; John 14:25-31; Acts 27:21-25)
 
· Here is are negative examples from Scripture (II Sam. 15:1-13; Matt. 2:13-18; 26:69-75; 27:1-7; Luke 8:22-25)
 
 Remember the Fruits of the Spirit are codependent entities, neither one can stand or work by itself as they are designed to work all together synergistically to build us up for His service.
 
© 2002, Richard J. Krejcir, Ph.D. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, www.churchleadership.org
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The Character of Joy

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Biblical Guy

Joy will allow us to enjoy my relationship with Christ, His creation, others, and our circumstances with an expression of delight and real, authentic happiness from and with harmony with God and others. We are called to Count it joy this refers to declaring our situation as happy and fulfilling. It is to change our mindset and focus. It is realizing the sovereignty of God and that He is in control, even when life seems to be turned upside down and inside out (Psalm 32:7-9; Proverbs 15:13; John 15:11; 17:13; 2 Cor 12:9; Galatians 5:22-23; James 1:1-4; 1 Peter 4:12-19; Heb 10:34)!

Distress, Sorrow, Despair and Regret are the opposites! Despair limits us like a ball and chain from growth and the enjoyment of life because we become consumed with our circumstances. Regret is when we have lost control of our attitude and response. Distress cuts us off from relationships, leaning, experiences and God. Not adding joy in our life leads to depression that cuts us off from seeing hope and purpose and what life and eternity are all about!

In the OT, joy was an expression of excitement that was experienced with personal triumph, or celebrating a good harvest or military victory. Often feasting, the offering of sacrifices or blessings and dancing were tied with joy (Deut 12:12; 1 Sam 18:6; Ps 31:7; 96: 11; Isa. 56:7; 60:15; 61:3 ff; Joel 1:16;). In the NT, Joy comes from the Holy Spirit. It is associated with receiving or the telling of God’s redemptive love. It also is associated with the enjoyment of life such as eating, drinking, feasting and even suffering (Matt 5:11-12; Luke 12:19; Acts 7:41; Gal 5:22; 1 Peter 1:6).

Joy helps us see that life and purpose is all about who God is, and not who I am (Psalm 15; 101; 2 Thess. 1:12; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1). Joy is indispensable for sharing love, it is being confident in our faith. It is not just what you know; it is Who you know. He is Christ. Your love of Jesus is the picture other people need to see so they can better see Him (Joshua 1:8-9; 2 Cor. 1:24)! When we know we have the Good News, we will know Jesus, not just as a Savior, but as LORD (Luke 6:46)! He is to be all things to us. Is He Lord of your life, too? Joy helps us understand God’s perspective and gives us the confidence and patience to endure anything! This realization impacts and fuels us to endure the toughness of life and to proclaim Jesus to others. Because we are confident in His power and impact, we will live in Him and show Christ to others. I know that in my life, my effectiveness is directly correlated to my walk and my prayer life. How much I trust and obey becomes the power that helps me get though life when it seems dark and foreboding, and Joy will help you too.

We need to realize that we have no control over what happens to us at times, whether it be trials, suffering, setbacks, injury, sickness, or death of a loved one. We only have control of our attitude and response. We are called to choose to declare our situation joy! We cannot change our circumstances; however, we can accept them by learning and growing from them (Isa. 26:3). It does no good to complain, to fret, or to be angry or bitter, as these things do neither others nor us any good. All that complaining just escalates the situation and blinds us to our ability to be better and not bitter! Real, authentic, Christian maturity will grow as a result of our problems. They will strengthen us and make us better, stronger, and able to get over things faster and get on with our lives. Then, we will be able to be of better use to God and to others.

Joy recognizes that Christ will lift us up in His time; it sees the hope to come because He is the Hope, and takes delight in the moment even in times of harshness. It must be declared and seen even when it is not visible. The joy we are to have is His. It must carry us though all of our experiences and situations. It must rule our character and response, it must set the tone of how we engage and respond to others, whether it is prosperity or adversity, whether we are in the oval office or living in the streets.

Joy is not happiness, because we may not be content and pleased with it; rather, joy is hope; it is our hope. It is not a meager wish, rather the unshakable confidence in our future in Christ. Our pleasure comes from knowing He is in charge and caring for us (Psalm 34:1-8; 1 Thess. 5:18)! So we can look at whatever situation we face and say this is good, this will better me, or this will help me. I may not understand it, but I can trust God; He is there and He will carry me through it! We are called to declare our situation, whatever it may be, as joy! Because, it is not a question of if we have problems but when, as we all will face them. We will face problems; they are inevitable, unavoidable, and unpredictable, and no one is immune! How we deal with them is crucial for our contentment and faith. There is no escape living in our corporeal bodies and in a sinful world (Gal. 3:26; Col. 3:1-4)!!

For us to survive suffering and grow in maturity, we must have a real, authentic faith. Our eyes must be on Him as well as our trust and faith. God must have us in Him, all of us—every aspect (Phil. 3)! Why do we need to allow ourselves to surrender to Him? We cannot deal with them effectively without Christ as Lord! He gives us the attitude of joy and the ability to persevere! This attitude of joy is also a key attribute for an athlete in order to excel on the field as well as for a Christian to grow in the Lord. What will you do? Surrender to Him or live unto yourself (Job 14:1; Psalm 34:14; John 3:30; 2 Cor. 4:7-12; Gal. 2:20-21; 1 Peter 4:12)?

The key is for us to look to Christ, not to our situation, and declare our circumstances as joy. We are to be content and satisfied, to face them, and then learn and grow from them. This does not mean to give up and do nothing; it means to refocus our energies into productivity and faith—not questions and bitterness. It is to have our convictions and fulfillment in Christ, not circumstances. So, when something very difficult comes upon us, we will have the great comfort that God is in control and will not allow us to carry more than we can tolerate.Our joy and purpose in life is Christ, and our relationship in Him! Will you allow yourself to become less, and Him to become more (John 3:30)? If not, what is in the way?
 
Is Joy working in you?

Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character and fruit of joy from God’s most precious Word by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:

1. How do I exhibit joy in my daily life?

2. What can I do to develop a more joyful attitude?

3. What blocks joy from working and being exhibited in me?

4. How can I make joy function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainly and stress?

Further Questions

1. How would you define joy? Are you a grouchy person when you get up?

2. Read James 1:1-4, what does it mean to you to Count it joy? How does self-pity counteract joy?

3. Look at Phil. 4:4, considering that Paul was in prison suffering greatly, how does your practice of love compare to Paul’s excitement even in suffering?

4. Can you give an example of Joy from your life? When have you been filled with joy the most?

5. Why is Joy indispensable for sharing Christ’s love? How is joy a fruit from being confident in our faith?

6. In what situation did you fail to have joy in which you should have?

7. What issue is in your life that would improve with more joy?

8. Think through the steps you need to take to put joy into action in a specific instance. Such as a counteracting the attitude of self-pity, or not letting your circumstances get in the way of your joy? Have you allowed Christ to introduce joy to you? Check out Psalm 48 and John 15:11 How can apply Joy in your life help you endure suffering, setbacks, injury, sickness, or a death of a loved one?

 

· Here are positive examples from Scripture (Ex.14: 1-21; 1 Sam. 1:19; 2:10; Luke 10:17-21; 15:22-32; Acts 16:19-34)

· Here is are negative examples from Scripture (Ruth 1:19-21; Job 3:1-19; John 11:17-44)
 
 Remember to place Joy in all aspects of you life and expectations. If you are having problems take a serious look at despair and where it will get you, because there can be no delight without joy! You can have no true confidence with out joy. What we suffer through, what we go through, what we give up is in no comparison to what we gain!!!! Christianity and suffering is the ultimate in delayed gratification!

© 2002, 2005, Richard J. Krejcir, Ph.D. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, www.churchleadership.org

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