It would be difficult to estimate how much has been lost to God's Kingdom because of indecision on the part of its leaders. Faced with a multitude of issues, it just seems easy, somehow, to put off critical decisions until another day. I remember listening as the exasperated wife of a pastor lamented the struggles he had with decision-making. She said she felt he just dragged decisions around behind him like the tin cans tied behind the car of newlyweds. Periodically, the strings would come loose, and a can would fall off. "That's the way it seems to be with my husband," she said. "Most of our decisions are made for us as the result of forfeited opportunities."
Former President Ronald Reagan felt that it was important to master the art of decision-making. He believed that a good decision made in a timely manner was better than a great decision made too late. It is imperative that every leader learn and practice the art of decisiveness. Nowhere is this more important than among pastors.
The Kingdom Family movement presses for a decision on the part of every pastor in our Southern Baptist Convention. It is imperative that we do our best to save the family. Consider the following:
• An average of 3,751 families end in divorce each day of the year.
• More marriages are now terminated in divorce than by the death of a spouse.
• America's divorce rate is now double that in 1960.
• One million children a year see their parents divorce.
• Over 50 percent of the children in America's public schools come from single-parent homes.
• Thirty-five percent of our nation's children live apart from their biological fathers.
• Children in single-parent homes have a 300 percent greater possibility of a negative life outcome than children in homes where both parents are present.
• Pregnancies out of wedlock have increased 600 percent in the last forty years.
• Approximately one-third of all live births are out of wedlock.
• In the last forty years, cohabitation by unmarried couples has increased 1,000 percent.
• Most people now live together before marriage for the first time.
• Less than 40 percent of all married couples claim to be very happy.
Pastor, will you decide now to join the Kingdom Family movement. There are several resources available to help you get started:
• Obtain your free copy of Fifty Days for the Family, an eight-week emphasis for your church focused on the Seven Pillars of the Kingdom Family and utilizing Come Home to the Heart of God, a seven-week, family-centered Bible study. (Available at the Kingdom Family booth at the SBC or from LifeWay Christian Resources)
• Attend a Kingdom Family Conference. These conferences are tailored with the pastor's schedule in mind, beginning at noon on the first day and ending at noon on the second day. At these conferences you will receive inspiration, motivation, and practical instruction for building a strong church by building strong families. Find a conference near you and call LifeWay to reserve a place for you and your spouse, or make your reservation on the internet at www.LifeWay.com:
August 13-14, 2004 – First Baptist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico
August 26-27, 2004 – First Baptist Church, Perrysburg, Ohio
September 16-17, 2004 – First Southern Baptist Church, Del City, Oklahoma
October 14-15, 2004 – Tri-Cities Baptist Church, Conover, North Carolina
October 22-23, 2004 – Cornerstone Baptist Church, Mililani, Hawaii
March 7-8, 2005 – First Baptist Church, Euless, Texas
April 4-5, 2005 – Southeastern Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina (Call LifeWay for special instructions)
April 18-19, 2005 – Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Log on to www.LifeWay.com and subscribe to the monthly Kingdom Families e-newsletter.
Of course, it all begins with your personal decision to do everything you can to build strong families in your congregation. Will you choose today to become part of the Kingdom Family movement? Join those from across the SBC who are saying, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
American Families in Crisis
• Between 1960 and 1999, the percentage of out-of-wedlock births increased 523 percent.
• Between 1960 and 1999 the number of cohabiting couples increased from 439,000 in 1960 to 4.24 million in 1998 – an almost tenfold increase!
• An average of 3,751 families end in divorce each day of the year.
• More marriages are now terminated in divorce than by the death of a spouse.
• America's divorce rate is now double that in 1960.
• One million children a year see their parents divorce.
• Over 50 percent of the children in America's public schools come from single-parent homes.
• Thirty-five percent of our nation's children live apart from their biological fathers.
• Children in single-parent homes have a 300 percent greater possibility of a negative life outcome than children in homes where both parents are present.
• Pregnancies out of wedlock have increased 600 percent in the last forty years.
• Approximately one-third of all live births are out of wedlock.
• In the last forty years, co-habitation by un-married couples has increased 1,000 percent.
• Most people now live together before marriage for the first time.
• Less than 40 percent of all married couples claim to be very happy.
Seven Pillars of a Kingdom Family
Honoring God's Authority
(Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 10:31; Eph. 5:21; 6:1-4)
Respecting Human Life
(Ex. 20:13; Psa. 139:13-16; Prov. 16:31)
Exercising Moral Purity
(Ex. 20:14; Job 31:1; Matt. 5:27-30; 1 Cor. 6:18-19)
Serving My Church
(Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:11-16; 5:25; Heb. 10:25)
Using Time Wisely
(Deut. 6:6-7; Psa. 90:12; Luke 18:16; Eph. 5:15; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Practicing Biblical Stewardship
(Gen. 1:28; Prov. 3:9-10; Mal. 3:8-11; Luke 6:38; 12:48; 1 Cor. 4:2, 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7)
Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ
(Matt. 28:19-20; John 4:38-39; Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:16; Rev. 22:17)
