ministrystaffingsearch.org BLOG

Yesterday I watched a very interesting documentary on ABC. On that show they analyzed the AIDS epidemic in the USA.

Here are some statistics that should send chills down your spine:

(1) There are currently ONE MILLION people in the USA living with HIV

(2) HALF MILLION of them are living with AIDS


(read on . . . )



(3) Approximately 15% of the US population are black Americans

(here is comes . . .)

(4) 50% of all HIV infected people in the US are black Americans

more info at: http://www.avert.org/statsum.htm


In the documentation the interviewer talked to several black church leaders like T.D. Jakes (http://www.thepottershouse.org/), Jesse Jackson, etc. and their response (in almost unity) was: "Since there are so many issues in the black culture/community it is not worth honing in on this issue in worship, etc."


( . . . say what?)



Now, there were other pastors of black churches who indeed addressed the issues in their congregation, but why in the world would spiritual leaders. like T.D. Jakes not address this issue in his mega conventions as he has the ears of those who see him as a true spiritual leader for the black community?


(I will send this Blog entry to T.D. Jakes . . . and we'll see if he responds.)


So . . ., what do you think the obligation of the (all) church is, what actions should we take and most of all, what should the message be in repsonse to the statistics?

    

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Well, I trust you all had a good summer. And as the summer slowly comes to an end, I will start the Ministry Staffing Blog back up.

How important, in your experience as a church or pastor, is it to have previous work - life experience before entering the ministry?

Having been in the ministry for over 15 years, I was an entrepreneur before I entered the ministry. And coming to the ministry in my late thirties, I thought has helped me to understand life situations, relationships and situational issues much better . . . so I thought.

I recently met with friends who were all pastors and went straight from college/seminary into the ministry and their argument was, that being in the ministry from the beginning (without any life -work experience) offers an untainted journey.

So, what do churches look for in your pastoral experiences? How do you feel about the issue?

    

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