Why I do Acorn Ministries.

When I tell people about what "I do" at Acorn Ministries, I usually get a response something like "that's nice".  The tone is usually the same as if I had just announced that I'm wearing a clean shirt today.

Perhaps when you read this excerpt from a blog by Micheal Hyatt you will better understand why "I do" what "I do".

According to an August 2, 2010 article in the New York Times, entitled, “Taking a Break from the Lord’s Work”:
 
Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could.”

In addition, PastorBurnout.com reports that:
    1.    1,500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention in their churches.
    2.    75% report severe stress causing anguish, worry, bewilderment, anger, depression, fear, and alienation.
    3.    70% don’t have any close friends (this one about makes me cry).
    4.    57% would leave the pastorate if they had somewhere else to go or some other vocation they could do.
    5.    Clergy have the second highest divorce rate among all professions. 

This makes the ministry one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet. God never intended for us to go it alone.

Acorn Ministries builds up the body of Christ, the Church, one leader at a time.


That's what "I do".
Lon

www.AcornMinistries.com

The Name Game

Have you ever wondered if Acorn Ministries has anything to do with the A.C.O.R.N. group that's in the news? If so, you're not alone.

The A.C.O.R.N. group found itself in hot water over some very suspect, if not criminal, behaviors. For the record, Acorn Ministries has nothing to do with that group!

Not surprisingly, I have had many people suggest that I should change the name of my ministry to avoid confusion. The truth is that after seven years (our "birth date" is January 2003) I'm pretty attached to the name. Plus, my office is full of acorn-related knickknacks that people have given as gifts of encouragement.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I believe that God is at work even in this, how to put it, inconvenience. Perhaps as I work to clear my name someone will take notice of my work that otherwise would have overlooked me. Who knows how, but I believe even in this, God is at work for my good.

If you'd like to learn how I came up with the Acorn Ministries name, please check out this link for the whole story:

The Acorn Ministries Name

Lon