We have established that the church is a group of believers gathered in Jesus name for a specific purpose, and that purpose is to glorify God in all things. (see Eph. 1: 11-12) How, then, do we glorify God? Through our worship, community, and witness.
Last week we looked at the area of worship, that upward movement into relationship with God. Today we want to focus on the area of community. Turn with me to Hebrews chapter 10, verses 24 and 25. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Community is defined as “ a group of believers growing together into the likeness of Christ.” Community can be found throughout the NT, lived out in the many “one another” passages. Community, then, is a movement inward into deeper relationship within the body of Christ. What makes up community? (you’ve probably guessed - three areas):
1. Discipleship: What is a disciple? A disciple is one who is saved, baptized, and taught to obey the commands of Christ. (Mt. 28.19-20. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.") There are two primary questions that we must ask ourselves in terms of discipleship. First, are we growing into Christ’s likeness through community? Second, how do we teach believers, both new and old alike, to obey the commands of Christ. (Some attention needs to be paid to those non-commands that we as the church so often lift up as holy standards over against those true commands, many of which we pass over far too quickly.) Discipleship is the growth of the community into Christian maturity. There is a great need in the church for accountability. Who do you answer to for your spiritual growth?
2. Spiritual Gifts: God equips the Church to fulfill its mission by means of gifts given by the Holy Spirit. (see Ephesians. 4.11-12, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians. 12). It is important for each member of the body to discover their spiritual gifts so that they can use those abilities to strengthen the body. When we first moved into our current parsonage, we had a kitchen table that had been in my wife’s family for several generations. However, as we sat down to dinner one night, one of the legs fell off. To repair it, I needed to cut down one of the corners and drill a pilot hole for the bolt. The entire job should have taken about ten minutes with the right tools, but I didn’t have the right tools. Holding the table leg in one hand, I used and old hand-saw to cut off the corner. Then I drove a nail to start the hole, and then used a couple of screws to widen it enough to allow the bolt to go in without cracking the wood. I did the job with the tools I had, but it took hours. When we do ministry without the gifts that God has placed within the church, we often take more time, energy, and resources to do the job. The reality is that we can do more ministry and do it more effectively when people minister in areas of their gifts. It is important to note that the gifts are not given for individuals to get prideful, but for the purpose of encouraging and equipping the body for ministry and in ministry.
3. Sanctification: God has commanded us, “Be holy as I am Holy.” Sanctification is the other side of repentance. It is refining process which God does within those who love Him; It is the result of our repentance and our desire to see God change us. It is what Paul talks about in 2 Cor. 3.18: And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. We are continually transformed. It is within community that we are challenged to go deeper in our faith, as we continue to grow into the likeness of Christ. Scripture commands, “Provoke one another to love and good works.” What is our job in sanctification? It is being open to God’s leading and allowing Him to do the work of transformation within us.
As we seek to glorify God, let us undertake that inward journey. Let us begin to seek genuine discipleship, discover those gifts which God has entrusted us with, and position ourselves for the work of sanctification. And in all of these things, may we find community that glorifies God.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Friday, May 26, 2006
Recent Issues Impact Education
First, I want to apologize for the lack of posts this week. Things have been pretty crazy here the last week or two. For anyone waiting for the third part of the model of church sermon, look for it to be up sometime early next week.
There are two issues that I would like to touch on, both of which would have been their own posts any other week. The first is the TEL amendment and the second is the push for legalized gambling in Ohio. Both of these issues have a common thread—they will directly impact our educational system.
The TEL amendment, short for Tax Expenditure Limitation, was an issue that would have been placed on the fall ballot. Both parties have sought to gain political leverage from the issue, which in its original form would limit all government spending within the state. However, the implications this act would have on local government and school systems were not considered.
When the problems with the issue were raised by advocacy groups, the state’s legislature passed their own version of the bill, which fixed the problem of local governments and schools. While the issue should be dead, there is still some uncertainty as to the fate of the ballot issue and if it can be repealed.
The other issue that caught my attention this week was the push for legalizing gambling in Ohio. While this has been a hotly debated topic for years, the issue has always been pretty clear. The benefits that legalized gambling brings are offset by the increase in crime and the social impact.
What I find sickening is that one of the selling points for legalizing more vegas-style gambling is that a percentage of the profits go to help fund education. That is what they also said about the Ohio lottery. While it is true that the Ohio lottery gives a percentage of their proceeds to education, the government then took an equal amount back out so that it could be used elsewhere. This is not new funding, but reshuffling the deck. The negatives that surround this issue make it a pretty easy decision. Gambling is not the path to the future in Ohio.
For more information on these stories, see the links below:
TEL and Schools
TEL and local government
TEL and politics
gambling editorial
gambling story
There are two issues that I would like to touch on, both of which would have been their own posts any other week. The first is the TEL amendment and the second is the push for legalized gambling in Ohio. Both of these issues have a common thread—they will directly impact our educational system.
The TEL amendment, short for Tax Expenditure Limitation, was an issue that would have been placed on the fall ballot. Both parties have sought to gain political leverage from the issue, which in its original form would limit all government spending within the state. However, the implications this act would have on local government and school systems were not considered.
When the problems with the issue were raised by advocacy groups, the state’s legislature passed their own version of the bill, which fixed the problem of local governments and schools. While the issue should be dead, there is still some uncertainty as to the fate of the ballot issue and if it can be repealed.
The other issue that caught my attention this week was the push for legalizing gambling in Ohio. While this has been a hotly debated topic for years, the issue has always been pretty clear. The benefits that legalized gambling brings are offset by the increase in crime and the social impact.
What I find sickening is that one of the selling points for legalizing more vegas-style gambling is that a percentage of the profits go to help fund education. That is what they also said about the Ohio lottery. While it is true that the Ohio lottery gives a percentage of their proceeds to education, the government then took an equal amount back out so that it could be used elsewhere. This is not new funding, but reshuffling the deck. The negatives that surround this issue make it a pretty easy decision. Gambling is not the path to the future in Ohio.
For more information on these stories, see the links below:
TEL and Schools
TEL and local government
TEL and politics
gambling editorial
gambling story
Friday, May 19, 2006
Grants pave way for broadband
The Monroe County commissioners met on May 8, 2006, discussing issues that included wireless broadband internet and a proposal for a higher education center. According to an article in the Monroe County Beacon by Arlean Selvy, “county officials committed … over $100,000 [for] … the successful development and expansion of wireless broadband within the county and beyond.” Currently, wireless exists only within a two-mile radius around the county seat of Woodsfield.
High-speed internet access is a vital part of helping small businesses compete and grow in an increasingly global marketplace. With this faster internet, county residents may also be able to utilize both distance learning and telemedicine technologies, which could help the county overcome the isolation that exists within the region.
Current plans will require only about 300 customers to the service for it to break even. The long-range goal is to expand coverage to surrounding counties. In a related matter, commissioners signed a letter of support for additional grant monies. The grant, if received, would build a broadband community connectivity center in Graysville.
Finally, Dr. Joseph Bukowski, president of Belmont Technical College, spoke to the commissioners about a proposal to build a higher education center in the county. While the proposal is still largely conceptual and more study is needed, a possible site has already been identified.
As regular readers of this blog will know, these are issues that I have talked about several times. It is good to see that I am not alone in my assessment of the situation, and that steps are being taken by the residents of the area to respond to the changes they see around them. These proposals, if brought to fruition, will be a huge leap forward for an area that often lags behind much of the rest of the state. While these projects (especially the education center) are still off in the future, they are important steps towards making Monroe County a strong and vital area for future generations.
High-speed internet access is a vital part of helping small businesses compete and grow in an increasingly global marketplace. With this faster internet, county residents may also be able to utilize both distance learning and telemedicine technologies, which could help the county overcome the isolation that exists within the region.
Current plans will require only about 300 customers to the service for it to break even. The long-range goal is to expand coverage to surrounding counties. In a related matter, commissioners signed a letter of support for additional grant monies. The grant, if received, would build a broadband community connectivity center in Graysville.
Finally, Dr. Joseph Bukowski, president of Belmont Technical College, spoke to the commissioners about a proposal to build a higher education center in the county. While the proposal is still largely conceptual and more study is needed, a possible site has already been identified.
As regular readers of this blog will know, these are issues that I have talked about several times. It is good to see that I am not alone in my assessment of the situation, and that steps are being taken by the residents of the area to respond to the changes they see around them. These proposals, if brought to fruition, will be a huge leap forward for an area that often lags behind much of the rest of the state. While these projects (especially the education center) are still off in the future, they are important steps towards making Monroe County a strong and vital area for future generations.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
A Model of Church, part two (Sermon)
The church is a group of believers who gather together in Jesus name for a specific purpose. That purpose is to glorify God in all things. (Eph. 1: 12, 14) How do we glorify God? We saw last week that we glorify Him through worship, through community, and through witness.
Today, we want to focus in on the aspect of worship. Worship is defined as the act of loving God deeply, to show adoration. Worship is more than songs; worship is the reality of our finite world encountering the infinite reality of God. It is everything that moves us upward as we seek to draw closer to God -- to embrace Him. (Ps. 95.6)
What makes up worship? There are three key areas.
1. Instruction: One means of worshipping God is to hear and study the word of God, whether it is the spoken word (i.e., revelation) or the written word (Bible). Deut. 8.3 says “Not by bread alone. . .” Ps. 138. 1-2 tells us God’s word is above even His own name. The word becomes part of our worship when it becomes a living word (rhemma). It like a joke: if you don’t get it, its just a bunch of words, but when you get it . . . When we get God’s word, it produces faith, and that pleases and glorifies Him.
2. Celebration: Joy of the Lord. There were places in the life of Israel where God instituted times of celebration for the people in the forms of the feasts. We could go really deep into the theological and historical background, but we won’t. It would make a good Bible Study. But like the Children of Israel, the church must learn to celebrate what God has done for us, both as individuals and as a congregation. Thus, praise and worship become a vital part of our response towards God in celebration. (Ps. 20.5).
3. Repentance: Repentance is our response to God’s love and grace. (Rom. 2.4b). When one sees him or her self in light of God’s truth and holiness, and understands the transaction that took place upon the cross of Calvary, the reality of our sinfulness will naturally produce repentance. This is seen first in the repentance of salvation; and as we grow in our faith, God will continue to challenge us to go deeper with him, as he continually transforms us into the image of Christ. (2 Cor. 3.18). The reality is that our sin has distorted the reflection, just like a funhouse mirror. God is little by little working out the defects until we can reflect him as we were intended to. Often as the body of Christ, we find that we have failed to live up to the high calling of our Lord. Are we willing to repent, to turn from those things which hold us back. Are we willing to give God our all?
As we seek to glorify God, let us undertake the upward journey; let us draw near to him and he promises that he in turn will draw near to us (James 4.8). Let us allow God’s word to instruct us, his grace and mercy lead us to celebration, and his holiness lead us to repentance. And in all of these, may he be glorified. Amen.
Today, we want to focus in on the aspect of worship. Worship is defined as the act of loving God deeply, to show adoration. Worship is more than songs; worship is the reality of our finite world encountering the infinite reality of God. It is everything that moves us upward as we seek to draw closer to God -- to embrace Him. (Ps. 95.6)
What makes up worship? There are three key areas.
1. Instruction: One means of worshipping God is to hear and study the word of God, whether it is the spoken word (i.e., revelation) or the written word (Bible). Deut. 8.3 says “Not by bread alone. . .” Ps. 138. 1-2 tells us God’s word is above even His own name. The word becomes part of our worship when it becomes a living word (rhemma). It like a joke: if you don’t get it, its just a bunch of words, but when you get it . . . When we get God’s word, it produces faith, and that pleases and glorifies Him.
2. Celebration: Joy of the Lord. There were places in the life of Israel where God instituted times of celebration for the people in the forms of the feasts. We could go really deep into the theological and historical background, but we won’t. It would make a good Bible Study. But like the Children of Israel, the church must learn to celebrate what God has done for us, both as individuals and as a congregation. Thus, praise and worship become a vital part of our response towards God in celebration. (Ps. 20.5).
3. Repentance: Repentance is our response to God’s love and grace. (Rom. 2.4b). When one sees him or her self in light of God’s truth and holiness, and understands the transaction that took place upon the cross of Calvary, the reality of our sinfulness will naturally produce repentance. This is seen first in the repentance of salvation; and as we grow in our faith, God will continue to challenge us to go deeper with him, as he continually transforms us into the image of Christ. (2 Cor. 3.18). The reality is that our sin has distorted the reflection, just like a funhouse mirror. God is little by little working out the defects until we can reflect him as we were intended to. Often as the body of Christ, we find that we have failed to live up to the high calling of our Lord. Are we willing to repent, to turn from those things which hold us back. Are we willing to give God our all?
As we seek to glorify God, let us undertake the upward journey; let us draw near to him and he promises that he in turn will draw near to us (James 4.8). Let us allow God’s word to instruct us, his grace and mercy lead us to celebration, and his holiness lead us to repentance. And in all of these, may he be glorified. Amen.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Kindergarten testing links poverty to achievement in education
It was not shocking information. Rather, its impact was based more upon the implications of something many in the educational field have known for a long time. General educational performance is linked to economic means.
In Monday’s edition of the Marietta Times, an article by the Associated Press looked at the results of the test administered to kindergarten-age children in Ohio this year. While there were exceptions to the trend (especially among charter schools), the general trend was still solidly established.
When this trend is established, the implications are greater than the information itself. Our current system of funding (though declared unconstitutional) continues to provide funding based upon property taxes. Thus, affluent areas have greater revenue due to higher property values, while impoverished areas have less revenue. The implications of the testing, however, suggest that impoverished areas have the greater need. How does money help? Better equipment, better teacher/student ratios, and the ability to hire tutors, aides, etc. to help students who need more individual attention.
At the Bishops’ statewide hearings on public education, the need was put into concrete terms: to make the funding of Ohio’s schools fair and equitable for every student. (see Education 101) There is general agreement about the need for a fair and equitable funding for education, but there is little agreement about where this funding should come from.
I think the solution requires more than just economic know-how. It requires each of us to envision what the educational system would look like if it were fair and equitable. The picture needs to be established, because it is so far removed from our normal frame of reference. Only by finding that vision can we begin to work backwards to finding a means of getting there. The discussion, both within the church and within the capital, is ongoing. If you would like to offer your view, drop a comment to the post. I would like to hear others views on the subject as well.
In Monday’s edition of the Marietta Times, an article by the Associated Press looked at the results of the test administered to kindergarten-age children in Ohio this year. While there were exceptions to the trend (especially among charter schools), the general trend was still solidly established.
When this trend is established, the implications are greater than the information itself. Our current system of funding (though declared unconstitutional) continues to provide funding based upon property taxes. Thus, affluent areas have greater revenue due to higher property values, while impoverished areas have less revenue. The implications of the testing, however, suggest that impoverished areas have the greater need. How does money help? Better equipment, better teacher/student ratios, and the ability to hire tutors, aides, etc. to help students who need more individual attention.
At the Bishops’ statewide hearings on public education, the need was put into concrete terms: to make the funding of Ohio’s schools fair and equitable for every student. (see Education 101) There is general agreement about the need for a fair and equitable funding for education, but there is little agreement about where this funding should come from.
I think the solution requires more than just economic know-how. It requires each of us to envision what the educational system would look like if it were fair and equitable. The picture needs to be established, because it is so far removed from our normal frame of reference. Only by finding that vision can we begin to work backwards to finding a means of getting there. The discussion, both within the church and within the capital, is ongoing. If you would like to offer your view, drop a comment to the post. I would like to hear others views on the subject as well.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
A Model of Church, part one (Sermon)
How do we define the Church? One way to define a thing is by what it is not. The church is not a building; the church is not membership in a certain denomination; the church is not an event held on Sunday Morning or Wednesday night. The church IS a group of believers gathered in Jesus name for a specific purpose.
That leads us to the second question: What is the purpose of the church? The purpose of the church is to glorify God in all things. Eph. 1.11-14. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
Models are a means of understanding something, and there are many models of church. Let us consider just a few. First, there’s the machine model. You know, the model where the nominations committee meets and fill the slots. As long as all the cogs are in place, the machine can grind on without fail. Then there is the business model, with the executive committee (Ad. Council) dictating its will to the other committees. But what are the biblical models?
The most prominent model is the organic model, i.e., we are a living organism. The images used are the tree, the body, the vine, etc. Organic organisms are made up of cells. Remember back to Biology 100: all cells have a certain structure. First the cells have a nucleus (central core). The nucleus of the church is glorifying God. Around this nucleus are three areas or three movements that help us glorify God. Let us look at these movements, to understand the structure God has placed within the church.
I. Worship: Worship is not just songs; worship is our relationship with God. It is the reality of this world responding to the reality of heaven. It is the movement upward, as we draw closer to God. (Ps. 95.6-7) Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep of his hand.
II. Community: (Gr. Koinonia) This is where we get the multitude of one another passages that are so prevalent in the New Testament. (There are 56 in the New Testament.) This is the movement inward, into deeper fellowship with others within the faith community, first locally, then in the broader context of the church. (Heb. 10.24-25) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
III. Witness: Not just programs, witness is also our reputation in the community. (What is your church known for?) How do we as the church reach beyond our four walls to bring Glory to God within our own community and the larger context of the world? This is the movement outward, into the world as we seek and save the lost. (Jn. 20.21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." Mk. 16.15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.)
Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at each of these three areas in greater detail, but we need first to understand the necessary core - that we are to be about the Glory of God. And I want to point out that the walls do not separate these areas, but each area influences and affects the other areas. If we as a community are strong in the area of community, it will help our worship and witness; likewise, if we are deficient in an area, it pulls us down in every other area.
Nevertheless, we can truly become the church that Christ has called us to be as we journey upward towards God, inward with each other, and outward into the community as we seek to Glorify God.
That leads us to the second question: What is the purpose of the church? The purpose of the church is to glorify God in all things. Eph. 1.11-14. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
Models are a means of understanding something, and there are many models of church. Let us consider just a few. First, there’s the machine model. You know, the model where the nominations committee meets and fill the slots. As long as all the cogs are in place, the machine can grind on without fail. Then there is the business model, with the executive committee (Ad. Council) dictating its will to the other committees. But what are the biblical models?
The most prominent model is the organic model, i.e., we are a living organism. The images used are the tree, the body, the vine, etc. Organic organisms are made up of cells. Remember back to Biology 100: all cells have a certain structure. First the cells have a nucleus (central core). The nucleus of the church is glorifying God. Around this nucleus are three areas or three movements that help us glorify God. Let us look at these movements, to understand the structure God has placed within the church.
I. Worship: Worship is not just songs; worship is our relationship with God. It is the reality of this world responding to the reality of heaven. It is the movement upward, as we draw closer to God. (Ps. 95.6-7) Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep of his hand.
II. Community: (Gr. Koinonia) This is where we get the multitude of one another passages that are so prevalent in the New Testament. (There are 56 in the New Testament.) This is the movement inward, into deeper fellowship with others within the faith community, first locally, then in the broader context of the church. (Heb. 10.24-25) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
III. Witness: Not just programs, witness is also our reputation in the community. (What is your church known for?) How do we as the church reach beyond our four walls to bring Glory to God within our own community and the larger context of the world? This is the movement outward, into the world as we seek and save the lost. (Jn. 20.21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." Mk. 16.15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.)
Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at each of these three areas in greater detail, but we need first to understand the necessary core - that we are to be about the Glory of God. And I want to point out that the walls do not separate these areas, but each area influences and affects the other areas. If we as a community are strong in the area of community, it will help our worship and witness; likewise, if we are deficient in an area, it pulls us down in every other area.
Nevertheless, we can truly become the church that Christ has called us to be as we journey upward towards God, inward with each other, and outward into the community as we seek to Glorify God.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
The trouble with statistics
In several recent posts, I’ve talked about the picture painted by the statistics that I’ve read regarding the state of Monroe county in particular, and the state of Appalachian Ohio in general.
However, the reality is that most of the statistics that I have been able to find have been dated. The most complete information comes from the 2000 census, so it is a little over five years old. Other data has been from as late as 2004. Only articles in the local papers have provided more recent statistical information, and they often quote the statistic without giving the source or any means of verifying the numbers they present.
Another issue with statistics is the manner in which the raw data is gathered and compiled. With a variety of statistical methods in use, data can often be interpreted in a variety of ways. Further, different methods of gathering data offer varying degrees of accuracy.
That is the trouble with statistics. What I have learned about the area I minister in tells me what the county was like five years ago. While Appalachia changes more slowly than other areas, recent socio-economic changes that have been felt in the region have caused a major shift. This makes all the previous data a prelude to the current reality.
So here is a plea to the readers of this blog: if you read, stumble onto, or surf your way to sources of statistical information that is more recent, please drop me a line. You can leave a comment with the information, and I’ll make sure to give proper credit in posting.
Thanks in advance.
- Pastor Tom
However, the reality is that most of the statistics that I have been able to find have been dated. The most complete information comes from the 2000 census, so it is a little over five years old. Other data has been from as late as 2004. Only articles in the local papers have provided more recent statistical information, and they often quote the statistic without giving the source or any means of verifying the numbers they present.
Another issue with statistics is the manner in which the raw data is gathered and compiled. With a variety of statistical methods in use, data can often be interpreted in a variety of ways. Further, different methods of gathering data offer varying degrees of accuracy.
That is the trouble with statistics. What I have learned about the area I minister in tells me what the county was like five years ago. While Appalachia changes more slowly than other areas, recent socio-economic changes that have been felt in the region have caused a major shift. This makes all the previous data a prelude to the current reality.
So here is a plea to the readers of this blog: if you read, stumble onto, or surf your way to sources of statistical information that is more recent, please drop me a line. You can leave a comment with the information, and I’ll make sure to give proper credit in posting.
Thanks in advance.
- Pastor Tom
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Monroe's jobless rate 11.3 percent, tops in Ohio
The sound of hammers pounding in the distance ushers in the beginning of Summer. While many look to this season as a time to be outdoors and enjoy nature, it is also a boon to many in the construction business. This is only one of many areas of business that see a surge of work over the warmer months.
The result of this trend is a decline in the unemployment rate over these months. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported that 87 of Ohio’s 88 counties have seen such a drop. Yet despite a drop of over 2% (from 13.9 in Feb. to 11.3 in March), Monroe County remains on top of the state’s counties in unemployment.
The high rate is largely the result of the strike at the Ormet plant. In a county of only about 15,000, the loss of Ormet’s 600 jobs has had a devastating effect on the local economy. While 600 jobs might not sound like a lot, the decrease in disposable income has caused local craftsmen and merchants to cut jobs as well.
The effects are being felt in the church as well. While giving has remained has steady at my churches, many local pastors I’ve talked to have seen a sharp drop in the offerings over the last few months. All of this begs the question: what is the future of Monroe County?
As I write this, I am thinking of Jesus words about the birds and the flowers. He will continue to provide. But my heart breaks for so many who do not have a source of hope and comfort. With the future looking so dim, how can the church provide a ray of hope for the hurting?
Monday, May 01, 2006
Troubling Statistics
Before I get too far along with this post, I need to apologize for my absence the past week. I’ve had several hospital visits, a wedding, started a three-day revival last evening, and have a funeral tomorrow. Life has a way of overwhelming you from time to time and this was just my time.
Some weeks ago, I began to scour the internet for statistics on Appalachia and my specific county. I was looking for concrete numbers with which to construct a more accurate picture of where the region/county has been and where we now are. So much of what you hear is colored by emotions, worry, fear, and pessimism. I wanted hard, empirical evidence of what was going on.
I was not able to find very much. The most helpful information I found was county-by-county statistical reports based off of information from the last census. I dove into the report and tried to get a good handle on the statistics that were there. What I found surprised me. The picture that I hear from people in the area, while far from optimistic, pales in the light of the picture painted by the statistics. What appears to be pessimism is really blind optimism, with little reality behind it.
To make matters worse, the data in the report is old. The bleak picture is based on the assumption that the aluminum plant is still in operation. The prevailing opinion remains that the county survived before the factory went in, and they’ll survive again without it. However, since the factory went in, the steel and coal industries in the county have dried up. So what appears to be a slow, steady decline has been accelerated by a failing economy, poor schools, and the false hope that someone will come and bail them out. Already, the county has jumped to the top with the highest poverty rate of any of Ohio's 88 counties. Further, unemployment is soaring, the county's population is dropping, and the future looks disheartening.
Despite these troubling statistics, God is a god of hope. While I believe that a pie-in-the-sky hope of the nameless someone saving the county is a joke, I also believe that with God, all things are possible. With hard work, determination, and a godly vision, the people of this region can begin to see transformation. But before that can happen, they need to take off the rose-colored glasses and take a long, hard look at where they are.
Some weeks ago, I began to scour the internet for statistics on Appalachia and my specific county. I was looking for concrete numbers with which to construct a more accurate picture of where the region/county has been and where we now are. So much of what you hear is colored by emotions, worry, fear, and pessimism. I wanted hard, empirical evidence of what was going on.
I was not able to find very much. The most helpful information I found was county-by-county statistical reports based off of information from the last census. I dove into the report and tried to get a good handle on the statistics that were there. What I found surprised me. The picture that I hear from people in the area, while far from optimistic, pales in the light of the picture painted by the statistics. What appears to be pessimism is really blind optimism, with little reality behind it.
To make matters worse, the data in the report is old. The bleak picture is based on the assumption that the aluminum plant is still in operation. The prevailing opinion remains that the county survived before the factory went in, and they’ll survive again without it. However, since the factory went in, the steel and coal industries in the county have dried up. So what appears to be a slow, steady decline has been accelerated by a failing economy, poor schools, and the false hope that someone will come and bail them out. Already, the county has jumped to the top with the highest poverty rate of any of Ohio's 88 counties. Further, unemployment is soaring, the county's population is dropping, and the future looks disheartening.
Despite these troubling statistics, God is a god of hope. While I believe that a pie-in-the-sky hope of the nameless someone saving the county is a joke, I also believe that with God, all things are possible. With hard work, determination, and a godly vision, the people of this region can begin to see transformation. But before that can happen, they need to take off the rose-colored glasses and take a long, hard look at where they are.
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