The new church plant added 15 new members in less than 3 months. Regulars were attending the Wednesday night bible study, musicians were “paid” and performing every Sunday then….the Pastor quit.

What happens to a new church plant when a novice Pastor phones in his resignation to senior members of the church ? In our case, the new leader failed to personally contact his sponsor, inform the new congregants or even show up at the upcoming Sunday service. According to Pastor Terron Morris, over 350 pastors will quit each week and walk away from their church plants or seasoned ministries. Why? Pew Research offers several stats from surveyed “resigned pastors”.
Web Specials

.80% of Pastors and 84% of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
.Pastors who work fewer than 50 hours a week are 35% more likely to be terminated than Pastors who work more than 50 hours per week (how many hours do you work in your job?).
.50% feel unable to meet the needs of the job.
.70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
.56% of Pastors’ wives say they that they have no close friends.
.46% say that they’ve experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they needed to take a leave of absence from ministry.

Are mega churches the answer for a country where cell churches and online ministries are booming? Maybe, just maybe, the new leaders are in need of training, peer support, prayer and fasting. In a time where some ministers fellowship with other leaders who appear to be thriving and doing well, the new minister would benefit from a mentor or support system that is not draining finances or critiquing without consideration for a new plant’s growing pains. When we pastored our “growing church” we did not receive any support from our former church, the national organization or fellow brothers/sisters who worshiped under the same banner with us for over 30 years. We lacked training, organizational skills and mentors. Regardless of our failing support system we were able to grow, pursue missions, participate in outreach and evangelize our corner of the world. Eventually finances were the main cause of our closing our doors. I wonder if we had financial support from our generational church, would we be open in a brick and mortar location today. That however is fodder for another post.

Ministry burnout is an ever increasing problem facing our ministries and ministers today. As believers are extending their arms of hope to unbelievers across the world, how often are we offering a kind word of encouragement to a new leader, minister, evangelist or missionary? Are our ministers trained to take a break from ministry every 30 days? Is continuing education a part of their personal agenda? If they are an independent ministry, has someone attempted to educate them on the importance of fellowship with leaders or joining an organized independent body of like minded leadership? The answers to most of the posed questions is probably a resounding – no.

Numerous ministries are birthed from pain, dissatisfaction with the leader or weariness of internal conflict at the previous ministry. (the previous list is not all inclusive) Therefore, many leaders are thrown into a shark’s tank without the proper tools to survive and succeed. In closing, how do we end this cascade of fallen ministry leaders each month? According to Anne Jackson, the answer is prayer, relationships and taking a break.

Take a break man or woman of God. It really is okay and should be mandatory. Seek out and connect with the right people, confirm your calling from God and seek His face daily for peace of mind and answers to your situation. Proverbs 3:6 – In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths.

“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:11-13)

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In the passage cited above, our Lord drew attention to the three most elementary yearnings of man, namely hunger, thirst and hope. To die of starvation or thirst is to experience the most terrifying, excruciating agony of body and mind. To be in this condition and ask a father for bread…only to be rewarded with a stone, is cruel beyond measure. To substitute a venomous serpent for a fish, would be appalling. Could it be possible that a son would ask an egg of his father and be offered a stinging scorpion instead? These are the most natural requests and the most improbable answers possible.

Divine Favour endeavors to remain true to our goals, mission and evangelist heartbeat. We are always challenging our team, leaders and supporters to go beyond the four walls in efforts to promulgate the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to reach out to unbelievers. We have declared 2011 to be our year where we target homelessness in our community and world. Statistically, more U.S. Vets and  Single Mothers  are considered among the thousands of homeless that live in cities across our nation. In fact, a few months ago when I attended a fellowship of churches, they were charged with the task of going in the woods near the metro area to chart the number of people who live in the woods. The numbers were astounding!

Is it possible to imagine in this millineum that there are entire families with school age children living in the woods because they cannot afford a home? Well, its real and thriving in nearly every corner of the United States. According to the Metro Atlanta Task Force for Homelessness…….

The fastest growing group of homeless people is children under 9 years of age.

Atlanta is the poorest city in the U.S. for children – more children in Atlanta live in poverty than in any other city.

48% of all the children in Atlanta in poverty live in families with annual incomes of less than $15,000 a year.

For children under age 6 living in female-headed families with no spouse present, the poverty rate is 58.8%.

Children ages 6-17 living in female-headed families with no spouse present have a poverty rate of 44.9%.

Current welfare (TANF) benefits are $282 a month for a woman with two children. Could you find an apartment to rent on $282 a month?

Fewer than 20% of those women and children living on welfare get any kind of housing subsidy.

98 million children in the U.S. have no health insurance. Eight million of those children without health insurance live in working families.

Did you know that 40% – 60% of homeless people work?

Minimum wage in Georgia is $5.85 per hour, which yields $12,168 per year, before taxes.

HUD says you should pay no more than 30% of your income for your housing. (30% of minimum wage yields $270/mo. for rent)

The average two-bedroom apartment in Atlanta rents for $834/mo. (which is 30% of an annual income of $33,360 or hourly rate of $16+ per hour). Thus, you need to earn $16+ per hour to afford that apartment, according to HUD.

46% of the jobs with the most growth between 1994 and 2005 pay less than $16,000 a year.

40% of homeless men are veterans.

When you read the facts and statistics regarding homelessness the reality is quite sobering and just disgusting. Our resolve however is to fight the statistics with resolution. On July 26, 2011 – Divine Favour will host a Nite of Jazz and Comedy benefiting our “End Homelessness” initiative. Our target groups include U.S. Veterans, Single Mothers and families. We are collaborating with Rose of Sharon International (501C-3) non-profit who specializes in career training, corporate employment readiness and transitional housing for prisoners.

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Please consider joining us at the 5 Seasons of Atlanta, 5600 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door. It will be a night to enjoy family, food and fun. All ticket cost is tax deductible and will benefit the “End Homelessness” initiative.

This month our non-profit will sponsor a donation based car wash to support our “End Homelessness” initiative.  We were inspired by the basic need so many Americans in fact thousands of Americans are facing each day in one of the richest nations of the world. Have you ever passed a homeless woman, man or child on the street? Did they look tattered, dirty, hopeless and hungry?

Is there hope?

At night most of us retire to a comfortable bed after we take a shower and dress in our night clothes.  If we get hungry we walk into the kitchen, stare into the refrigerator, make a decision and then we eat.  Do we really care that our neighbor, our brother, our sister is asleep on the concrete less than 10 miles from our home?  When was the last time we actually spent some time with homeless children, their Mothers and their Fathers. Yet, we remain steadfast and linked to our pulpits, our pews and our denominations. The opportunities exist in abundance to assist our homeless population.  In fact, on June 25th at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Divine Favour Ministries will host Hope for the Homeless Carwash in Dunwoody, GA at   The Burger King in  Dunwoody Village – 4537 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338.  The challenge to our blog readers, supporters and well wishers is to join us that Saturday morning for a time of giving, shring and fellowship.  If you really want to make a difference join us as we fund our homeless initiative. Divine Favour Ministries has planned for the last 8 years to purchase homes for U.S. Veterans, Female Veterans and single mothers. The recession has impacted the housing market to levels where it is now feasible for us to purchase property, retrofit the structures and reignite the lifestyles of our nations heroes, their families and the working poor. The question is what will you do to support the effort?  If you decide to write a check, please click the paypal button to make your tax deductible donation for Hope for the Homeless.  Maybe, you feel like washing a few cars is all you can afford to do for our economically challenged citizens. Well bring your rags, buckets and hard working hands to Dunwoody, Ga on June 25th. Our promise to you is that you will meet some of the best people this side of Heaven.  We guarantee your life will be blessed because the scripture tells us when we lend to the poor, we lend to God.  Is there anyone better to be in your debt? Join us in our endeavor to make a difference for God’s people.  Your life will be blessed as you sow seeds of kindness to make another’s life easier just for today.

As an investor in real estate, we are keenly aware of emerging markets that will impact housing, buyers choice, energy efficiency and various other residential/commercial topics. When one looks into the the world of Ecclesia some are cautious regarding movements that encourage traditional parishioners to consider an alternative place of worship. According to Wikipedia, members of the emerging church are walking away from denominations including but not limited to Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical.

The emerging church (sometimes referred to as the emergent movement or emergent conversation) is a Christian movement of the late 20th and early 21st century that crosses a number of theological boundaries: participants can be described as evangelical, Protestant, Catholic,[1] post-evangelical, anabaptist, adventist,[2] liberal, post-liberal, reformed, charismatic, neocharismatic, post-charismatic, conservative, and post-conservative. Proponents, however, believe the movement transcends such “modernist” labels of “conservative” and “liberal,” calling the movement a “conversation” to emphasize its developing and decentralized nature, its vast range of standpoints, and its commitment to dialogue. Participants seek to live their faith in what they believe to be a “postmodern” society. What those involved in the conversation mostly agree on is their disillusionment with the organized and institutional church and their support for the deconstruction of modern Christian worship, modern evangelism, and the nature of modern Christian community.

The emerging church favors the use of simple story and narrative. Members of the movement often place a high value on good works or social activism, including missional living.[3] While some Evangelicals emphasize eternal salvation, many in the emerging church emphasize the here and now.[4]

There are many urban myths stated in regard to members of the emerging church but, a closer look at the movement warrants a second look. According to Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger, in their book, Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures (Baker Academic, 2005) define emerging in this way:

Emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures. This definition encompasses nine practices. Emerging churches (1) identify with the life of Jesus, (2) transform the secular realm, and (3) live highly communal lives. Because of these three activities, they (4) welcome the stranger, (5) serve with generosity, (6) participate as producers, (7) create as created beings, (8) lead as a body, and (9) take part in spiritual activities.

{Holy Smokes – No Compromise} Click the link!

Point of video – No compromise in Christ.

The issue some have with the emerging church is their distinct retreat from the customs, traditions of the organized religions. Many evangelicals join the movement because it releases them from the restrictions often placed within their denominations. The emerging church is a growing movement but those who are considering joining the movement should take the time to research its statement of faith and purpose in society. According to Scott McKnight, (author of Five Streams of the Emerging Church) unless you proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, there is no good news at all.

Is your church Emergent?

I am an evangelist. Not only did I discover this while pastoring a “growing” church but I became aware of the calling as I attended seminary. Evangelist are focuses on fulfilling the great commission. We often become narrow in our focus and discount many other facets of the faith as we remain committed to sharing the gospel, teaching the gospel and winning souls to Christ. It is with that perspective that I issue a yellow flag to members of the emerging movement.

Any movement that is not evangelistic is failing the Lord. We may be humble about what we believe, and we may be careful to make the gospel and its commitments clear, but we must always keep the proper goal in mind: summoning everyone to follow Jesus Christ and to discover the redemptive work of God in Christ through the Spirit of God. Its okay to alter your style of worship. It’s okay to meet in non-traditional locations and limit or eliminate formal church services. What will never be okay is keeping the good news to yourself and not sharing with the unchurched, dechurched or casual believer that Jesus is alive and well.

Life is full of swift transition, however as the world continues to turn, we have a responsibility to teach the gospel to everyone that will listen. Emerging church members must have their foundation rooted in God’s word. They must be driven by the desire to spread the unadulterated Gospel and demonstrate the love of Jesus. Any other choices, options or consideration run afoul of God’s word and will begin the end to a movement that is wrecking havoc on formal evangelical service and organization. I am a believer of the Missional church and I closely align myself with the tenets of the Emerging Church movement. I believe in helping the poor, standing for holiness, fairness in political decisions and supporting legislation that is not contrary to the natural use of our bodies. I believe that marriage is between a man and woman. I further believe that all men are created equal and should be treated with respect. If members of the Emerging Church can remember these basics as they build, the movement will secure the interest of many evangelist. They will also positively impact the church world as they demonstrate there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.

To prevent confusion, a distinction needs to be made between “emerging” and “Emergent.” Emerging is the wider, informal, global, ecclesial (church-centered) focus of the movement, while Emergent is an official organization in the U.S. and the U.K. Emergent Village, the organization, is directed by Tony Jones, a Ph.D. student at Princeton Theological Seminary and a world traveler on behalf of all things both Emergent and emerging.

How many times in your worship service did the speaker ask you to turn to your neighbor? A couple of Sunday’s ago I attended a service and the speaker asked us to tell our neighbor something over 50 times during a 30 minute presentation. Exhausting! What happened to the day when a person would attend church service without having to grab their neighbor by the hand, pray with them, prophecy with them or speak a word into their life.

Turn to your neighbor

Do not get me wrong, I appreciate prayer, intercession and words of encouragement from my neighbor. My preference however is to speak with them after the service has ended. When our churches adopt mannerisms and modern day actions to entertain and engage attendees, focus on our true purpose of assembly is lost. In I Timothy 2, Apostle Paul offered an order of service for believers as they gather to worship the Lord.

1 Timothy 2

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

The proposal suggest that when we come together, we commence our service with prayer, intercession and supplication for all men. Paul’s order, translated into today’s church, is often defined as opening prayer, followed by opening scripture and then of course the praise team or choir. Did I miss the suggestion of “turn to your neighbor and say”? It is not there and neither will you find support for that anywhere in your King James, Dake or NIV Bible. Imagine Christ delivering his Sermon on the Mount of Olives in the heat of the day. Not once did he ask the multitude to turn to their neighbor and say anything! Yet he taught a message that has stood the test of time and will be repeated until His set time to redeem His church. Today, when we hear a message the subject is often forgotten but we remember the antics surrounding the presentation. Where is our focus?

When we as ministry leaders fail to offer a sound worship experience for believers we are enabling weakness in faith, we commit an incredible disservice, and detract from the purpose of corporate assembly. According to Wayne Grudem (Systematic Theologist) the gospel call is a call to worship, to turn from sin and call upon the name of the Lord. The picture of the church as a worshiping assembly is nowhere more powerfully presented than by the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 12: 18-29). Reverent corporate worship, then is not optional for the church of God….Rather it brings to expression the very being of the church. It manifest on earth the reality of heavenly assembly. Let us return to the days when we reverenced the house of God. There was day when people entered into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: we were thankful unto him, and blessed his name. (Psalm 100:4) Our approach to the house of God was with reverence and respect for the establishment, its people and purpose. Will those days of yea and nay ever return?

Attention Preachers, Teachers and Guest Speakers – I refuse to disrespect God’s house by turning to my neighbor and saying ???? during the course of corporate worship. If you are void of a message or word from the Lord, turn the mic over to someone who has prayed, fasted and has a Rehema word for God’s people. Consider following Paul’s advice to the young man Timothy….Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2

Author Melody Baker is an ordained minster and licensed evangelist. She is a former pastor, current Outreach leader and Missions Director. She attended Liberty University where her concentration is Evangelism and Church Planting.

5 Sermons of Faith by MELODY L. BAKER | Make Your Own Book

We were eagles trapped in a nest. When the time was right and ordained by God, we begin to work on our new ministry. Five years into the ministry our growing church was hit with the recession, job loss, personal transfers, and transition. The ministry moved to an online format and continued to accomplish outreach on a viral platform. Blogtalk radio opened the door for messages to the public, wordpress opened the door to interested readers and like minded servants across the globe. Facebook allowed for constant contact with other Missional ministries and outreach driven bodies of faith. Twitter is wonderful and allows for daily conversation with ministers, witnessing to unbelievers and a platform to share God’s word daily. The work continues.

As time passed, I noted numerous church closings across the country. The Crystal Cathedral mega church faced bankruptcy and an internal leadership war. Small to medium sized churches were closing at a rapid pace based on the numerous church foreclosures posted by the bank and commercial Realtors in every major city across the United States. As a leader who had endured the transition from brick and mortar to online, my heart went out to pastors of “growing” churches all across the world. It is difficult to accept that loss can open the door to increase. It is a tough pill to swallow when the churches few members dissipate, leave town and lose their finance or homes. When all of that occurs, who is left to encourage the leader to be instant in season and out of season? Who will tell the leader to hold their head up and keep fighting the good fight of faith?

5 Sermons of Faith represent a collaboration of sermons offered during the five years of ministry in our growing church. The sermons are designed to encourage the hearer to trust God and have faith in God’s word. They are shared in the book because it is time to encourage leaders to not give up but to hold on. Leaders must encourage one another with the words of God. The Bibles is scripted for God’s people who walk according to his word. We understand better than most the sacrifice required to move forward in ministry. When our plans are not where we hoped and prayed they would be, we might search all over and find nobody willing to tell us weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. Isaiah the prophet declared Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

Recent conversations with past acquaintances, friends and family confirmed that if an individual has not walked in the shoes of a leader they are incapable of understanding the weight of the assignment. I spoke with many who were convinced that the complete burden was shared because from their perspective they saw a husband and wife team leading the ministry. In truth it was not joint leadership as one leader will always prevail over the other. Gender does not qualify an individual for leadership, nor does it disqualify an individual for leadership. God provides leaders after his own heart.

Words of encouragement for the growing church will inspire the reader to persevere, wait on God and trust God for deliverance. The proceeds from the book will assist Divine Favour Ministries in global and domestic outreach and missions. It is our endeavor to open a transitional center for female military veterans and their families. Please purchase the book and give it as a gift to the pastor of a small church. Read the sermons and grasp a firm grip on the promises of God for his people.

We are preparing to launch our online ministry -M. L. Baker Ministries. As we began to research options for services, format, promotion, etc., we ran across a You Tube posting by an evangelist regarding church services and their purpose in today’s Christian world. Please accept this warning, the evangelist is not politically correct. He is matter of fact in his delivery, passionate in his view of relationships with Christ and quite descriptive when detailing “popular” churches today.

The video will be offensive to some and applauded by others. While one may not agree with every statement made by the online preacher, you might be inclined to agree more than disagree with his views. Online church and its evangelist are quickly becoming the haven of outreach minded individuals. Online Evangelism is also attractive to the de-churched and wounded Christian soldiers. Wired churches tend to focus on the importance of a relationship with Christ and living a holy life pleasing in the eyesight of God. Most online worship centers are non-denominational as they have chosen to remove themselves from the restrictions of titles, positions and denominational limitations. As we see the day of judgment rapidly approaching, when will we realize the church is not a location encased within four walls? When Christ stated He was coming for a church without a spot or wrinkle, he was not referring to the building on the corner, in the rural area or off of a major exit. Christ refers to the believer.

Observe the video as a believer or unbeliever. We invite you to know Jesus in the pardon of your sins.

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Outreach, Missions, Evangelism are all critical components of a successful church. If our purpose as a body of Christian believers is to promulgate the Gospel of Christ, why are we so busy “growing” our church that we do not have time to speak to unbelievers or our community?

Author Disclaimer: Once again, I remind readers that this is my blog and I have the privilege of writing whatever I choose regarding its content. (smile)

While attending service recently at a local church, the focus of the organization was on increasing the membership. Every Sunday people were joining the church without commitment to Christ, the doctrine or statement of faith of the church. When the idea of outreach was presented to the Leader, the response was we need to raise funds for ________ (you fill in the blank). Membership in the leader’s mind was the way to increase finance, add to the roll and advance the brand of the local church. Please do not misunderstand my idea of growth. People, large crowds and funds are an important part of church growth. The key, however, is to balance church growth efforts with biblical principles.

According to Brian Tubbs, The clear lesson from the life of Christ and the book of Acts (a lesson fueled by the epistles) is that the church is to be constantly expanding – constantly on the move. And that its impact should not be restricted to formal church services, but rather to the community itself, even to the point of reaching families “house to house.”

A local church that withdraws into closed-door legalism, “Comfort Zone” complacency, or elitist judgmentalism is a church outside of God’s will. This is not to suggest that a church shouldn’t stand for truth or practice sound doctrine. Both are clearly part of God’s mandate for the church.

The biblical model for a church is a church that actively and passionately ministers to both the physical and spiritual needs of those around it — especially, of course, the spiritual needs. Such a church should desire to grow — not for its own glory or satisfaction, but because of its love for God and the people within its reach.

When we fail to incorporate community outreach in our church growth plans, then we as church leaders have failed. Quiz question for the reader. Where was Christ most successful in the synagogue or on the hill top? (please provide scriptural support with your response)

Should a Church Desire Rapid, Massive, “Explosive” Growth?

Answer: Yes, if….the desire for church growth is based on LOVE and not greed! And if the desire is more toward IMPACT – and not simply to fill pews. The apostle Peter tells his readers that pastors should not “shepherd the flock of God” for “dishonest gain” (I Peter 5: 2). Paul makes clear in his letter to the church at Corinth that all we do should be motivated by love (I Corinthians 13) and Jesus tells us that the two greatest commandments are Love God and Love Your Neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).

In closing, it is our heart’s desire to see churches full of integrity grow, prosper and minister to their demographic of choice. At the same time, as passionate people committed to evangelism and outreach, we desire to see and feel a balance in churches strategic plans that will include Outreach and Missions as critical components to church growth rather than as a second thought to the work of the church.

Grow in grace….II Peter 3:18