Five Reasons Why Millennials Do Not Want to Be Pastors or Staff in Established Churches

Five Reasons Why Millennials Do Not Want to Be Pastors or Staff in Established Churches
Not all Millennials are averse to serving in leadership roles in established churches. But many of them are. And our churches are approaching a tipping point where many are unable to attract Millennial members or leaders. It will likely soon be a crisis.

What is it about established churches that push away Millennials? Let’s examine that question first, and then let’s look at some possible solutions.
1.Millennials perceive established churches to have values that are entrenched in non-missional traditions. Millennials have values that focus on community, cooperation, and service to others. They see established churches as barriers to those values, institutions that are more concerned about maintaining the status quo rather than making a missional difference.

2.They perceive that much time in established churches is wasted catering to members’ personal preferences. For a number of Millennials, the established church feels more like a religious country club rather than an outwardly-focused organization. Budgets, ministries, and activities seem to be focused on preferences of members rather than reaching out to others.

3.Many established churches are denominationally loyal; but many Millennials see denominations as antiquated organizations. If a church is affiliated with a denomination, this younger generation views both the church and the denomination as anachronisms. They don’t see either as effective or relevant.
4.Millennials don’t see established churches as community-centric. The men and women of this generation typically have a heart for their community. Many have become key to the revitalization of urban communities and other locales. But they see most established churches with a minimal focus at best on the community in which they are located

5.Millennials see church planting as a far superior alternative. To use a well-worn phrase, they would rather have babies than raise the dead. They see futility in wasting precious resources of people, time, and money on churches that will not likely budge or change.

As a reminder, the Millennials are almost 80 million in number. While Christians comprise only about 15 percent of this generation, they still are an influential force in our churches. And, to this generation’s credit and defense, many of their concerns are valid. #MosesToday more on www.mosesnjoroge.blogspot.com
adopted from Rainer

I CANT HELP BUT WONDER,!!!

I Can’t Help But Wonder

The report was bleak, the morale was worse...

Why is it that Christians are often pessimists about the culture? Have you noticed? We mope and shake our heads in disgust. We walk around with our shoulders hunched and our spirits low. From all appearances, we’ve given up and given in.

As I read Numbers 13, I am struck by the account of the spies who had investigated the Promised Land. I’m not mistaking for a moment that the United States is the Promised Land, it’s not... but I am struck by the pessimism of God’s people – honestly, it feels familiar. The land had giants and a value system that celebrated destruction.

This was not news to God. He wasn’t sending His people on a suicide mission; He was inviting them to witness His surpassing power. A land that devours its inhabitants was no match for Him.

God didn’t expect His people to be naïve; He expected them to be confident. God was on their side. This confidence should have birthed optimism (someday I’ll ask Caleb and Joshua why it didn’t.)

What if we Christians bucked the trend? What if we became cultural optimists? Not naïve about our culture or evil or the giants that inhabit the land... but optimists about the transforming power of God. (Note the optimism of Jesus when He confidently proclaimed something about the gates of hell being no match for His community of believers!)

The Bible emphasizes this promise when, through the Apostle Paul, we’re told...

“... in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Nothing can separate us.

In all these things we are MORE than conquerors.

Key verses numbers 13:31:32

Romans 8:37-39

It’s time for those of us who follow Jesus to occupy the promises of God – in spite of the bleak reports. I’m optimistic. Are you? Find more on www.mosesnjoroge.blogspot.com

HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT WHAT YOU WANT?

How badly do you want what you say you want?

I hope you are not discouraged due to the fact that the breakthrough you wanted is not yet a reality. Don’t stop believing!

Did you know that the authors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul were rejected 140 times? After I read their story and read a few of their books my faith in my pursuit for greater things got stronger. Never give up!

Did you know that the Alchemist was not an instant best seller and Paulo Coelho was told that the book was not to going sell but later sold 65 million copies? That’s what happen when you trust the process and yourself. I love that book!

Did you Eric Thomas the hip-hop preacher who is now a renowned motivational speaker, author and educator were once homeless and a high school dropout? Eric Thomas is a perfect example of possibility. He too trust the process!

The faith and belief that these individuals have displayed is something that we can all exercise. Sometimes we stop too quickly and may have been very close to making the dream a reality and not even knowing that we were close. The thing about the above mentioned individuals is that they believe with all their heart in what they felt deep within their soul – they have the conviction that they too have something of value to offer to the world and like them, when we want something; the universe conspires in helping us to achieve it. The question is, do you really want what you say you want? If you do, you have to decide that you are going to move towards that which you want despite the oppositions.

I love how Eric Thomas said it,

“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.”

There are several more individuals you can think of that have demonstrated faith and belief in what they wanted to accomplish. You may have to knock on more doors, make more call or hit the road and start sharing what you have with everybody that you come in contact with. You have to do the work! It is a conscious choice that you’ll have to make.

“When you want something, the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” Paulo Coelho

What I want to say to you today is that no matter how many times you have heard  no’s or your work is not good enough or that’s not what the people want, but if you have a conviction that you have something meaningful to offer you want to keep believing in the possibility of it coming to a reality.

For the most part it is going to take your faith, determination and belief to carry your dream for the required amount of time. So don’t lose faith especially when you start feeling the pressure, the resentment or the lack of support you have to remember it is still your dream.#MosesToday www.njorogemoses.wordpress.com

PARENTAL RESPECT

PARENTAL RESPECT 

There’s a common problem in many homes today. Disrespect. Refusing to consider each other’s opinions, interrupting when someone’s talking, never apologizing for a mistake. Sounds like I’m talking about children, doesn’t it? But, parents, I’m actually referring to the way you behave. 

Maybe you’ve seen it – a parent spewing anger or yelling careless words to control a child. You may have even done it yourself. It’s an easy trap to fall into. After all, such methods do create compliance – at least for that moment. But does it really make sense for a parent to demand respect by acting disrespectfully themselves? 

Disrespect is an attack on a child’s self-worth. Parents who scream, belittle, interrupt, and lecture endlessly will erode the connection between them and their child. And without connection, parents face a never-ending struggle. As author Josh McDowell says, “Rules without relationship equals rebellion.” Over the long run, disrespect from a parent will lead to less compliance from a child, not more. 

Another important consideration is what a parent’s behavior models. As you’ve probably already noticed, kids don’t need help learning how to be disrespectful. It’s part of the fallen nature at work within all of us. But that’s why it’s even more crucial for parents to keep themselves under control. It models for the child how to resolve conflict with another person while treating them with respect. 

Listen, I understand how tough it is to raise kids these days. But parenting with respect not only shows a child how deeply we value them, but the need to respect others as well. Today, ask God to help you model a life worth imitating. 

PARENTING; WORRKING YOURSELF OUT OF A JOB.

PARENTING: WORKING YOURSELF OUT OF A JOB 

Would you accept a position with your employer if your task was to work yourself out of a job, so you were no longer needed? It’s an important question because that’s precisely the role of a parent in the life of their child.

There’s nothing like the feeling of stepping inside the house after a day of work, and having your toddler race to the door to greet you. But something downright sinister happens when that little one enters the teen years. Well … it feels sinister, at least. I’m referring to the process of your teen pulling away from you and becoming more independent. The worst part of it is it’ll feel as if your child no longer needs you. 

The teen years are when adolescents seek their own identity apart from their parents. It’s a natural process that prepares teens for adulthood and, within certain parameters, moms and dads must allow it to happen. Instead, many parents hit the panic button and desperately cling to that feeling of being needed. It’s definitely tough, but you have to let go. 

Parents, God has given you the responsibility of working yourself out of a job by raising kids who can stand on their own two feet. So when your child becomes more independent, take heart. It doesn’t mean they don’t love you. It simply means they’re developing as God designed them to. They’re spreading their wings into adulthood to live a happy, successful life on their own. #MosesToday

FIGHT FOR YOUR TEENAGERS..A WORD FOR TODAYS PARENTS.

FIGHT FOR YOUR KIDS 

There is a crucial attribute to fatherhood that many dads overlook. It’s the readiness to do battle for the heart and mind of their teenager. 

The epic World War II battle of D-Day occurred on June 6, 1944. The night before, American paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines to cut off Nazi reinforcements. Astonishingly, some of the soldiers were later found relaxing in a farmhouse, partying with liquor they’d discovered in the cellar. Many historians have expressed bewilderment that these men – by simply landing in an area untouched by battle – could somehow forget there was a war going on. 

Then again, maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised by the behavior of these men. After all, many of today’s fathers suffer from a similar lack of awareness. There’s an unseen battle at work against a teenager’s heart and mind. And many dads don’t seem to recognize it. 

Teens are being stalked by everything from pornography and sex, to school bullies and drugs. But as long as all seems quiet on the home front, many dads lose themselves in sports, hobbies, or their career and assume their teenager is fine. But, quite often, they’re not. 

That’s why teens need men of valor, who will fight for their kids’ heart and mind – men who will be a source of strength and work to instill biblical values throughout the confusion that so often characterizes adolescence. Dads, engage with your teen and get involved in their life because this is one battle you can’t afford to sit out. #MosesToday

A DAD’S STRONG SHOULDER

A DAD’S STRONG SHOULDER 

Derek Redmond was an international track-and-field star with three gold medals to his name. But he’s best known for a race he didn’t win. In the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, Derek Redmond was favored to win the 400-meters, having set the world record in the event a few years before. But halfway through the race, he suffered a severe pulled hamstring and stumbled to the track. By the time he got back to his feet, the race was over. Although devastated, Redmond staggered toward the finish line anyway, brushing away Olympic officials who tried to lead him off the track. 

If this were your son, what would you do? Cheer him toward the finish line from your place in the stands? Look on in silence? Or maybe watching the death of your son’s dream would cause you to turn away completely. Derek Redmond’s father did none of these. Instead, he burst from the stands and ran to his son on the track. Then, with his son leaning on his shoulders, they walked together, arm in arm, to the finish line. 

One of the tough parts of being a parent is knowing we can’t rescue our children from every difficulty in life. Sometimes the pain they suffer has to be their own. In those times, what we can do is walk with them in their suffering and, with God’s grace, see them through it. Even if the burden is theirs to carry, they don’t have to face it alone. #MosesToday more on www.mosesnjoroge.blogspot.com

BLOOPER PARENTING

BLOOPER PARENTING 

Do you look at other families and struggle to believe you measure up as a parent? One problem may be that you’re comparing your blooper reels with other people’s highlights. 

A popular segment on many sports channels is the blooper reels. These humorous videos show the silly mistakes of professional athletes as they trip and fall over their own feet, miss an easy catch, or stumble over a teammate while chasing the ball. 

Other fans would rather watch highlight reels. Instead of goofy blunders, this footage is a collection of great catches, amazing shots, and incredible displays of skill from sporting events around the country. It’s the best of the athletic world. 

So what does all this have to do with parenting? Highlight reels show athletes at their best; bloopers, athletes at their worst. As parents, we’re all too familiar with our own mistakes. We remember the harsh words we’ve spoken, or the times we’ve had poor judgment, or the areas where our children struggle and we don’t have any answers. Many times, it can feel like we’re living a blooper reel, except it’s anything but funny. 

But other families? We see them from the outside, and it’s like watching a highlight reel. Their children don’t squabble, the parents never have a disagreement, and life is perfect. But is it really? From what I’ve seen, every family has it’s challenges. So don’t get discouraged by comparing your behind-the-scenes struggles with others’ superficial highlights. Remember that God looks at your heart. #MosesToday

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Think like The Successful

“When you
put your efforts into your gift, you are giving God something to bless.” ―
Steve Harvey


Are they smarter than you?

Not really.The difference is that they may just think differently from the way you
think. It is evident that thinking in a certain way will enhance the
possibility of you accomplishing more out of life. Why? Just look around
you and you’ll see individuals from the environment/background that are
similar who have achieved more than the other. To be smarter I
believe is to select that thing you love and give your all to it. Make
connection with like-minded individuals. Act is if you want what you say you
want. Remember that a failure in not final. Treat every mishap as valuable
experience. Eliminate the use of excuses because they’ll only hold you back and
it is very important that you respect yourself.

 Don’t doubt the possibility of
you making it.

You want to
create a better life for yourself but get up every day doubting the possibility
of it ever happening is just crazy.  You may have heard the saying if you
think you’re beaten, you are. So, don’t think you are beaten! Check
history and you’ll see that none of those who succeed in life doubt the
possibility of them being successful. However, some may say that they were
before they realized that it was them who was stopping them from achieving
what is possible. It was through that awareness that they change the way they
think and then things began to change.

You must believe in the
possibility.

 Set yourself S.M.A.R.T
goals.

In regards to
your goals, you want to make it S.M.A.R.T. Your goal should be specific,
measurable, attainable, and relevant and should be anchored to
a time frame in which you wanted to accomplish your goal. A goal need a
plan – a step-by-step plan and the plan that you create to accomplish your
desired goal should be tailored to you. After your goal is tailored to you, you
must get in the mindset of giving your desired goal the time and effort it
will need in order to make it a reality. You want to be optimistic in
your approach. You want to align yourself with like-minded
individuals. You want to let go of any disbelief of why the goal maybe
impossible. Set your standards and stick with it.


Focus your energy.

Commit
yourself to something and focus your energy on that which you want to
accomplish. Remember, you can’t be everywhere, do everything and know
everybody. By focusing your energy on the important things in your
life you’ll see greater improvement in those areas in a shorter time than being
all over the place trying to do everything that present itself.

Don’t be the smartest in your
group.

Don’t be
afraid to be challenged. Being around others who make you stretch will help you
to improve on you. It is wise to know that we don’t know it all and even the
things we thing we know can still be improve upon. If you haven’t already you
want to start hanging around other people who stretch you, make you think and challenged
you think you on what you already think know.


Think outside the box!

It is
possible to go beyond limitations. It may not be easy, but it is possible.