The Evangelical Pastors Network was conceived by a group of pastors who saw the need to come together on a regular basis for communication, enrichment, encouragement and prayer. This group will consist of pastors from all ethnic groups and all evangelical denominations. The doctrinal statement of the EPN is one that centers on the essentials and the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The launch event for this group is Monday, February 1 with dinner for pastors and their wives at the San Marino Club in Troy. H.B. London will be the guest speaker. H.B. London has spent years of his life with Focus on the Family to encourage and strengthen pastors. The statistics put out by Focus on the Family are startling:
- 1,500 ministers leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, being simply warn out, or due to contention in the churches.
- 50% of pastor’s marriages will end in divorce.
- 80% of pastors and 84% of pastor’s wives feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as a pastoral family.
- 50% of pastors are so discouraged they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other means of making a living.
- 80% of seminary and Bible college graduates who enter into the ministry will leave the ministry within 5 years.
- 80% of pastor’s wives feel their spouse is overworked.
- 80% of pastor’s wives wish their spouse would choose another profession.
- A majority of pastor’s wives said the most destructive event that has ever happened to their marriage and family was the day they entered into ministry.
- 70% of pastors fight depression.
- 40% say they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning the ministry.
- 70% said the only time they spend studying the Bible is in sermon preparation.
Churches can only be as strong as their pastoral leadership. I am excited about this new group and its potential to support and network pastors which could ultimately strengthen the church and its mission in the Detroit Metro area. I have been privileged to be a part of the project since the beginning. You can learn more by visiting the website at http://evangelicalpastorsnetwork.com.
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