Replenish exists because there is a crisis in the church. It is not the crisis of innovation or resources or leadership skill. It is a crisis of the soul. Many of us who lead have lost our way.
Pastors are leaving the ministry in record numbers. Discouragement and disillusionment are epidemic among those who lead churches. The story of too many Christian leaders is the story of a neglected soul and mismanaged character. It is the story of a slow drift into relational isolation. It is the story of the seduction of ambition.
That has often been my story. We didn't intend for it to happen, but somewhere along the journey we stopped paying attention to what was going on inside of us. And many in our ranks are choosing to fire themselves rather than fight it any longer.
- 1,500 pastors leave the ministry permanently each month in America.
- Over 50% of pastors are so discouraged they would leave the ministry if they could but have no other way of making a living.
- 71% of pastors stated they were burned out, and they battle depression beyond fatigue on a weekly and even a daily basis.
- 1 out of every 10 ministers will actually retire as a minister.
In the last 25 years, there has been enormous effort expended to help us as pastors become better leaders. We may be better leaders, but the evidence seems to say that we are not better pastors or husbands or Christ followers. It is no longer safe to assume that those of us who lead in the kingdom are on track spiritually.
Replenish exists because when it comes to the church, you can't separate leadership from the leader. You can't divorce the message from the messenger.
Replenish exists because the Great Commission will not be completed by human ingenuity or innovative thinking alone. This God-sized task will only be completed by spirit-filled, spiritually healthy churches. And, these churches will not be spiritually healthy unless her leaders are spiritually healthy.