Commentary . . . Why No Training?

Why No Training for Prayer?
By Phil Miglioratt





Why is it we train and resource pastors for every possible task and role under the sun, except for prayer?

Recently I received an Email advertising a free computer if I simply requested information about various products and services. Curious, and tempted, I clicked on the link and saw a page full of options! Seven major categories covering a wide ranger of key ministry responsibilities such as Administration, Leader Resources, Pastoral Resources, and Worship Services. The over 120 items to choose from included resources for:

• how to conduct baptisms but nothing for prayer services
• sermon helps but no helps for teaching or leading prayer
• grant writing and fundraising, evangelism and church growth, but nothing on prayer

The site had a huge array of topics, but nowhere was there a mention of prayer.

===?Click headline to receive Praying Pastor . . .

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Ponder as You Pray

In 1979, I was working as a grader for Roy Fish, professor of evangelism, and finishing my final year at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. I decided to do an independent study of the 100 largest churches in the United States at that time. I wrote to each of these churches and asked a series of questions I had prepared. Although I discovered that large, growing churches differ widely in strategy, structure, and style, there were some common denominators. My study confirmed what I already knew from Criswell’s ministry: Healthy, large churches are led by pastors who have been there a long time. I found dozens of examples. A long pastorate does not guarantee a church will grow, but changing pastors every few years guarantees a church won’t grow.

Can you imagine what the kids would be like in a family where they got a new daddy every two or three years? They would most likely have serious emotional problems. In the same way, the longevity of the leadership is a critical factor for the health and growth of a church family. Long pastorates make deep, trusting, and caring relationships possible. Without those kinds of relationships, a pastor won’t accomplish much of lasting value.

Churches that rotate pastors every few years will never experience consistent growth. I believe this is one reason for the decline of some denominations. By intentionally limiting the tenure of pastors in a local congregation, they create “lame duck” ministers. Few people want to follow a leader who isn’t going to be around a year from now. The pastor may want to start all sorts of new projects, but the members will be reticent because they will be the ones having to live with the consequences long after the pastor has been moved to another church.

Knowing the importance of longevity in growing a healthy church I prayed, "Father, I'm willing to go any place in the world you want to send me. But I ask for the privilege of investing my entire life in just one location. I don’t care where you put me, but I’d like to stay wherever it is for the rest of my life."

Rick Warren is pastor of Saddleback Valley Community Church in Lake Forest, Calif., and author of "The Purpose-Driven Life."
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A Resource for You & the Men You Mentor

===>NPPNote: The appendices on spending an hour in prayer and developing a personal prayer notebook may be the most beneficial aspect of this resource...

Becoming a Man of Prayer
A Seven-Week Strategy Based on the Instructions of Jesus
by Bob Beltz

Using the Model Prayer as a pattern, Beltz shows men how to pray more effectively.

"LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY"
Spending time with Jesus, the disciples observed His consistent, honest prayers to the Father. Wanting to experience the same kind of meaningful prayer, the disciples asked, "Lord, teach us to pray."

Based on Jesus' instructions, Becoming a Man of Prayer offers a fresh and workable approach to prayer. It examines typical problems regarding prayer and provides a proven strategy for developing a consistent prayer life.

Best-selling author Bob Beltz will show you how to develop a prayer notebook based on the Lord's Prayer, in which you can record prayer requests and answers. Using your prayer notebook and a seven-week model, Becoming a Man of Prayer helps you move from five minutes of prayer to an hour of time spent alone with God every day.

If you long to be a man of prayer, but aren't sure how or where to start, this book will show you how to pray consistently and with passion.

===>Click headline to access website . . .

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Jump Start a Prayer with a Cartoon?

When was the last time you laughed...

And realized it was because you were created in the image of God?

Check out a new book of cartoons, some of which just might jump start a prayer,

Phil

•Clay Pots by Mark Pie
Evergreen Press

My books can be ordered directly from me when you contact me via email at
markpie@comcast.net.
BOOK...$8.99 + TAX....$0.63 + P&H....$2.38
Or any bookstore can special order it from Evergreen Press in Theodore, Alabama.
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40 Day Countdown Begins; Ash Wednesday

THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION

1996- March 5-JOURNAL ENTRY

~(On vacation- Ana Maria Island) Finally, time to reflect and catch up! I sat on the beach this morning, reading Augustine in Prayer. Realized how long it has been since I could be still and concentrate enough for fresh ideas to take root!
“How numerous are the loves of the human soul-Men seek happiness in wealth, homes, pleasures of the body, knowledge or virtue or wisdom…” (I have lived long enough to know none of these satisfy for very long! None!)

“Love,” he writes, “but take care what you love. Loving and possessing God is what constitutes a happy life. A man is what his love makes him, it transforms the lover into the image of the object loved. That love needs a medium of expression, that need is supplied by prayer…the affectionate reaching out of the mind for God. Our desire for God is the only road that leads to happiness!”
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2006-March 1-REFLECTION~

Prayer in my life has been like an underground river. At times surfacing in a geyser and other times silent and unseen, but always there bringing me ever more into His presence.

Prayer starts with God. Reading His Word in the Psalms, “Be still and know that I am God” or one of the prophets, “I saw the lord, high and lifted up…” or the Gospels, “This is My Son, My chosen One, listen to Him.” Effective prayer starts with listening to God whisper into my soul.

May He be the object of my love this Ash Wednesday. The next 40 days leading up to our celebration of Christ’s resurrection are a vital time to renew first love.

“Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list.” Matt. 22
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PastorsInPrayer@Verizon.net Vol. VII # 5- bob and marilyn Yawberg


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