Rich Kao

Warfare.  God is the chief warrior and we are called as warriors and watchman.  It's not all natural stuff.

Honing in on the Lord's mind for our next season in the church.  Also, continuing to build up a snow bank of intercession, crying out and ministering to Him.  God is pleased.  He needs Cornelius' that are believers in faithful prayers (Acts 10:1-2).

Really praying for our church families.  Also:  Think big by thinking small.  Micro-church planting school.  Organizations of 3 people.   150 people in 75 seat room.   Raising $3000 on $30 budget.   Less is more.  Boutique mind-set.

Recent statistics from The Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc.

90% of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week.

80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families. Many pastor's children do not attend church now because of what the church has done to their parents.

33% state that being in the ministry is an outright hazard to their family.

90% feel they are inadequately trained to cope with the ministry demands and 50% feel unable to meet the demands of the job.

70% say they have a lower self-image now than when they first started.

70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.

40% report serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.

50% have considered leaving the ministry in the last months.

50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years.

94% of clergy families feel the pressures of the pastor's ministry.

Over 4,000 churches closed in America last year.

Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year.

Over 1,300 pastors were terminated by the local church each month, many without cause.

Over 3,500 people a day left the church last year, over 1.25 million people.

Intensely looking up and looking in.