Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 21

A Simple Strategy for Getting Your Church to Tell Their Salvation Story

More than one study has shown that few believers share the gospel with non-believers. Over the years as I have taught pastors, interviewed church members and staff, and worked with church consultations, I’ve recognized these obstacles to doing evangelism:

The grip of fear. The fears can be multiple, like a fear of rejection, a fear of not knowing answers, or even a fear of persecution in hard places around the world. Fear has a way of crippling our attempts to evangelize.  A lack of role models. If I ask my students if they can name someone who modeled an evangelistic heart for them, many of my students can’t name anyone. They’ve simply never known another believer whose heart just beats for the lost. That’s tragic.  A lack of urgency. Sometimes, I fear that lack of urgency Already a member? Log in Unlock premium content!

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Five Essential Sources for Sermon Illustrations and Why They Are Important

Preaching is a grind I welcome every week. Expositing God’s Word is one of the toughest but most rewarding aspects of being a pastor. You can’t treat preaching like a sprint, rushing to get a response on Sundays. It’s more like a marathon, a paced lope in which long strides are made over time.

Illustrations are not the most important part of a sermon. The meat is the exposition of the text. The illustrations add spice and flavor. Nobody wants to eat just spices for dinner. But then, meat without flavoring is bland. In most cases, sermons need a little flavor.

Illustrations also help the listener to understand your points, especially the more abstract or theological ones. Do you know those technical manuals that “help” you put together cheap furniture? That’s your sermon without any illustrations. They may get the job done, but nobody will enjoy them.

Where do I get my sermon illustrations? I have five primary sources.

Real life. About half of my sermons include a personal illustration, preferably a recent one. It’s good for your guests and new members to hear a little about who you are and what’s happening in your world. Additionally, your members are more likely to relate to you if you open up about your own life.

History. I utilize historical examples in about every other sermon, typically in the middle of my sermon. These illustrations help teach church history, historical theology, and local history. More importantly, history can connect generations. An example from the 1960s can unite Boomers and Gen Z. An example from the 1940s can connect Millennials and Builders. I intentionally pull from different eras of history in order to relate to different generations.

Current News. Everyone is watching it, so you have to go there. Otherwise, you’ll appear out-of-touch and detached. At times, I’ll address significant occurrences from the prior week. But be careful here. Not every news story is worthy of sermon time. In our era of 24/7 sensational news, it can be hard to discern the actual newsworthy events from selections made by media conglomerates that sell news. Everything is BREAKING NEWS, according to them.

Pop culture. Don’t dismiss this one. While the latest fad, gadget, or hit music may not appeal to you, they do apply to the younger generations. It’s popular in the culture for a reason. I’m not advocating you take on every one of the latest fashions. I certainly don’t. However, I want to remain knowledgeable about the current culture. If I can’t speak their language, why would they listen to me? If you can’t, why would they listen to you?

Biblical examples. Often, the best illustrations are found in the Bible. Biblical illustrations help your listeners connect the dots between stories in the Bible, between the Old Testament and the New Testament, between the law and the gospel, and between the many different genres of Scripture.

What about jokes? I tell them, but sparingly. I’ll let you know if I land one. Most often, mine fall flat. In reality, few pastors can pull off comedic relief in sermons. And I don’t recommend anyone ending on a joke. I’ve never heard a sermon in which it worked.

It’s one thing to tell people the truth. It’s another thing to illustrate it for them. The truth is essential, but helping people connect to the truth is also necessary. 

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The Moribund Church

We’ve done extensive research and provided a number of resources on churches that have died. The reason we’ve conducted these “autopsies” on deceased churches is to learn from them. Why did they die? What warning signs did they have? What intervention might have proved fruitful?

We have extended our research on autopsies to moribund churches. It’s likely a phrase you have not heard.

What Is a Moribund Church?

The term “moribund” is an adjective used to describe something that is at the point of death or in a state of near collapse, often used in both literal and figurative contexts. The word originates from the Latin “moribundus,” meaning “dying.” It is used in medical contexts to describe a patient who is on the verge of death and whose condition might seem irreversible.

In a broader sense, “moribund” can describe anything that is in a state of decline, stagnation, or near failure. For example, it can refer to a church that is declining and unlikely to recover. The term implies a level of deterioration or decay that is almost to the point of being irreversible.

We are confident in our research in several aspects. Two issues for which we have high confidence are that church closures will increase in number and that the number of moribund churches will increase as well. Obviously, the latter directly affects the former.

Is There Any Hope?

In a word, yes. There is hope. Even though moribund churches by definition are congregations on the precipice of closure, we believe God is not done with most of them. I wrote about these incredible miracles of God in my book, Anatomy of a Revived Church. Most of the churches we studied for that book were moribund churches.

Indeed, we know that the data can be gloomy and discouraging. We understand that our continued focus on deceased churches and moribund churches can be a downer. But we do this research for a reason. The more we learn about church death and church sickness, the more we can understand how God can use us to prevent these problems and, in the case of moribund churches, to turn them around.

New Research and New Hope

Church Answers Research will soon release our most recent research on moribund churches. In anticipation of this release, may I leave you with two thoughts?

First, be prepared for bad news. Most of you will not be surprised at the challenges we will highlight as we inform you about the increasing number of moribund churches in America.

Second, be prepared for hope. The same God who can heal the sickest person and resurrect the dead can give new life to moribund churches. I say that in the confidence of the power of God. I say that because we continue to see powerful examples of very sick churches that are now congregations of vitality.

We believe that research on moribund churches is thus warranted. And we believe that this research can lead us to discover how God has revived incredibly sick churches.

Stay tuned. You will hear a lot more about moribund churches.

P. S. Sam Rainer and I will lead a free webinar on “Autopsy of Deceased Churches (with New Information on Moribund Churches)” on February 22.  For those of you familiar with our webinars, it will last for an hour like our other webinars. However, I am going to stay on live for an extended period for questions for any who want to stay. You can register here.

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A Surprising First Step, Pastors, toward Strengthening Your Evangelism

Over more than forty years of ministry, I’ve learned that not many Christians share their faith on a regular basis. In fact, I know few pastors who evangelize, either. So, I agree with Thom Rainer that “evangelism is dead or dying in most American churches.” I also strongly affirm Thom’s statement that “an evangelistic church must have an evangelistic pastor.” 

I doubt, though, that any of us writing blog posts will automatically produce pastors and leaders doing more evangelism. Instead, I suspect the first steps are more basic than that. To illustrate my thinking, I want to take you to two scenarios that have heavily influenced my life. 

First, I was in an international setting some years ago talking with followers of another faith. Behind them, I could see their “gods” on a shelf—gods some human being had fashioned with his or her hands. Likely another human being had transported those gods to the shelf, and somebody else kept them dusted. In this case, I could see the faces of the gods—faces that had eyes that could not see, mouths that could not speak, and ears that could not hear. These gods neither communicated with nor related to the people worshiping them. 

Later that year as I considered my Bible reading plan for the next year, I decided to highlight anything in the Scriptures that indicated God’s communicating with His people. I watched for verses like, “The Lord said,” “the Word of the Lord came to,” “God spoke,” and “declares the Lord.” Each time I found such a verse, I highlighted it. I did not count the number of times such a phrase occurs, but suffice to say that I depleted several purple highlighters by the time I finished my Bible reading for that year. From “then God said” (Gen 1:3) to “Yes, I am coming soon” (Rev 22:20), the Scriptures show us that God relates to and speaks to His people. 

The more often I pulled out my highlighter that year, the more I could do only one thing: praise the Lord for speaking to us through His Word. Day after day after day, I highlighted words and offered praise. Our God does not sit on a shelf. 

My second life-changing experience was also in an international context—this time with Christ-followers in a risky part of the world who had only portions of the Bible in their language. In fact, this particular group of believers had only one copy of the portion they did have. What amazed me was just how much these folks devoured what they had, distributing it among themselves, reading verses aloud, and quietly meditating on what they had read and heard. Their gratitude was obvious, but so was their longing for more. Almost like John in Revelation 5 who wept when he could first find no one to open the scroll, these believers deeply desired to have the rest of the story opened in their language. Their hearts cried out for more. 

I came back to the States after that trip, and I began to notice just how many copies of the Bible I have in my house. Like many of us, I suspect, I have far more Bibles in my house than we have human beings. I have the entirety of God’s Word in my language and in my hands, and I can open any copy freely without threat to my life. I’m privileged to have God’s Word, to be able to read God’s Word, and to proclaim God’s Word. I continue these days to realize just how blessed I am—quite undeservedly so—to be a child of God who called me to Himself and who speaks to me through His Word. 

God has called me—all of us, actually—to talk about Him to our neighbors and the nations. That means we must tell the good news. Perhaps, then, a first step for pastors to start evangelizing with more fervor and regularity is to be amazed again by the fact that our God communicates—and He has chosen, solely by His grace, to communicate with us. 

That’s an amazing God! Indeed, He’s worth talking about.

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More on the Graying of the Church: Find Ways for Your Congregation to Become Younger

Our team member, Ryan Burge, wrote a fascinating article about which denominations are graying the most. You can see his article in our premier content at Church Answers on February 1. I continue the theme of the graying of the church today to address how congregations can become younger.

Senior adults are a blessing in most churches. They often offer wisdom, experience, and stability in a congregation. I am not biased against older adults. Heck, I am a senior adult myself.

But there is a rightful concern in many churches today about the relative age composition of active church members. In fact, one of the most frequent consultation requests we receive at Church Answers is “help my church get younger.”

Why Does the Concern Exist?

Should the graying of churches be a concern? Shouldn’t we celebrate any aged person who attends our churches? The answer to both questions is “yes.” Yes, we should celebrate all ages who attend, and yes, we should be concerned if our congregations are getting older. 

In fact, it is usually an older pastor or an older layperson who contacts us for help. Here are the realities they say they are facing:

The church is declining in size because older adults who die or those who are no longer able to attend are not replaced by younger people. In fact, they are not usually replaced at all.Older adults are key to the financial support of the church. As they go, so do the funds necessary to carry on ministries and support of the church. Many churches with older congregants also have the burden of deferred maintenance.It is common for some older adults to be limited physically. They can’t do the work for the church that younger members can do.Older adults are often resistant to the necessary changes the church needs to do to reach younger people.Even if younger adults visit the church, they often do not return. The younger adults seek commonalities for themselves and opportunities for their children.What Does the Data Say?

The statistical and demographic data overwhelmingly confirm that the American church is graying. Look at some of these stark realities:

The proportion of senior adults ages 65 and older in churches is double the proportion of those same ages in the general U. S. population. Those senior adults account for 16.8% of the general population, but they account for 32.9% of active church members (U. S. Census, FACT2020).We have significant anecdotal evidence that smaller churches are much older than the median of larger churches. This reality means that the smaller churches will decline and die sooner (Church Answers Research).The graying trend will not slow down. Around 10,000 people in the United States turn 65 every day. The nation is getting grayer. From a simple demographic perspective, the age of active church members will increase every year (U.S. Census, birth rate by year).The median age of a pastor is approaching 60. It was 57 in 2020, and it will likely cross the age 60 threshold next year (FACT2020).Can Our Churches Get Younger?

Those leaders who are concerned about the graying of their churches are not as interested in data as they are in solutions. We suggest to church leaders that they take their members through five key questions.

Do you realize your church is getting older? This question is simply one of awareness. Frankly, we have conducted surveys in churches that have obviously aged, but most of the members are not aware of it. We encourage all churches to get a demographic study of their community to see the ages of residents in the community as well as other key data.Do members in your church have a “we built it, so they should come” mentality? Is their attitude one of waiting for guests to show up? If so, the church will continue to decline.What level of change will church members be willing to make to get younger? Obviously, you cannot keep doing things the way you’ve always done them. Many of the members indicate that they are open to change as long as it does not affect them.Are you willing to bring on younger staff? This question is typically met with a response of “we can’t afford it.” But graying churches must think outside the box. Bring young interns onto the staff. Find younger people in the community who are willing to work part time. Offer stipends to young people for one year.Are you willing to go into the community to reach younger people? Many graying church members assume that they don’t have the resources or the ability to reach younger people. Or they assume younger people will not come to the church even if they were reached by the older church members. I love to point to a church where graying church ladies took unchurched single moms under their wing. Eventually, those single moms came to church. And the single moms, of course, brought their children into the church.

The graying of the church is a demographic challenge, but it is not a fait accompli that a church will decline or die. That sad conclusion only comes when the Great Commission is either ignored or disobeyed. 

Or both.

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Where Gen Z Gets It Right And What We Should Learn From Them

I’ve recently taken on the role of teaching a cultural theology and biblical worldview class for high school juniors at a private school in my new hometown. Surprisingly, I’ve found that I’m learning just as much from them during our discussions, whether in class sessions or through our private conversations. 

When it comes to discussing generations, it’s tempting to use broad strokes and adopt a discouraging tone. As a millennial, I vividly remember headlines branding my generation with labels of entitlement and laziness. Reflecting on this, it serves as a reminder of the importance of discerning where God is actively working and mobilizing different generations in innovative and impactful ways. 

As church leaders mobilizing people of all ages, we must recognize and appreciate the unique qualities of each generation. In today’s ever-evolving landscape, Generation Z, born roughly between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, is making its mark on society, and we can learn a lot from them.

Embracing Diversity

Gen Z stands out as the most diverse generation, appreciating the richness of various cultural backgrounds and communities. Whether they’re spending weekends at the mall or sitting in classrooms alongside second-generation immigrant classmates, their daily interactions naturally expose them to a wide array of stories and experiences, fostering a culture of inclusivity. Unfortunately, our churches can lag behind in engaging different cultures, leading to a gap between what our students experience all week long in their daily interactions compared to what is experienced within the church walls. We can learn from this by fostering an environment that embraces diversity, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued within the church community. It’s also crucial to take intentional steps in our mission both to our neighborhoods and around the world, aligning with how God has called us to reach all people groups with the gospel.

Digital Engagement

Cell phones, laptops, TikTok, and more are buzzing through their fingers throughout the day. Growing up in the age of technology, Gen Z seamlessly moves between a world of digital content to face-to-face interactions. In a matter of seconds, they can be pushed to purchase the newest makeup item or watch highlights of their most admired athletes and heroes. They know how to create engaging, fun, and interactive content for your church and ministry. Allow them to help bridge the gap for you with digital resources to connect with the congregation. Embracing technology facilitates better communication, community building, and outreach efforts.

Empathy Matters

Gen Z has a keen sense of empathy and values transparency. Many of the conversations I’m having about the Church and the gospel hinge on the idea that our orthopraxy has swallowed our orthodoxy. How we speak the truth in love matters deeply and can often be the very thing that turns them against what we have to say. In our class, we’ve been exploring the concept of engaging with culture, delving into the significance of our approach and how our posture during these interactions serves as the initial platform for our gospel witness. Humility to show where we don’t have it all figured out, met with grace and truth, fosters trust and connection. Share personal stories, struggles, and triumphs to demonstrate that faith isn’t easy and that we don’t always get it right. Sharing that God is faithful and good helps model a faith journey alongside them that they too can resonate with and follow.

What Gen Z Needs From Us:Authentic Relationships

Gen Z is longing for men and women like you and me to commit to the long, steady work of a relationship. They aren’t looking for quick fixes and right answers as much as they want someone to be able to ask the hard questions and wrestle through their doubts and frustrations. A key statement from the 3 Questions Curriculum at Fuller Youth Institute stated that students were frustrated that we were giving answers to questions that they weren’t asking. Steady, faithful, patient relationships with parents, coaches, ministry leaders, and teachers give safety, trust, and confidence in a chaotic world.

Grace-filled Guidance

In a world where information bombards young minds from every angle—thanks to influencers, media, and peers—it’s no surprise they end up with a mishmash of beliefs. To cut through the noise, we need to communicate clearly about what a biblical worldview is and how it relates to the current issues. Offering this guidance with grace becomes crucial in helping them navigate through the clutter and form a solid understanding of their faith and values. It should also be noted that it can be intimidating to approach hard topics with a fear of not knowing what to say or having the ‘right’ answer, but some of the most treasured moments come from simply saying “I don’t know, let’s search the Bible together.”

Community & Kingdom Impact

Driven by empathy and a desire for social justice, Gen Z wants to make a difference. When we are able to connect them with the mission of the gospel, we are inviting them to connect their heart for engagement with the heart of the gospel. Weekend trips to a homeless shelter to give a meal, packing Operation Christmas Boxes, or serving in your church’s nursery on Sunday mornings are easy and approachable ways to connect them with the mission of God and their heart for others.

In navigating the ever-changing landscape of ministry, church leaders and ministry workers need to appreciate and champion the strengths and presence of each generation. Gen Z brings valuable perspectives that can enrich and reawaken the church community. By embracing diversity, prioritizing authenticity and relationships, and navigating hard issues with grace and consistency, church leaders can create a more inclusive and dynamic ministry environment.

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Which Denominations Are the Grayest? (The Youngest Will Surprise You)

Demographics is destiny. And when it comes to American Protestant Christianity, the future looks a lot grayer.

Over the last few years, I’ve been invited to speak and present data about American religion to various religious organizations and churches across the United States. It’s always enjoyable to see how different church buildings are laid out and examine the configuration of worship spaces. However, I don’t just observe the physical building when I enter one of these spaces; I also take a look at the people attending the events. You can learn a lot by watching a group of people for a few minutes. You can quickly discern whether the area is blue-collar or white-collar, predominantly white or more racially diverse, and oftentimes, the political leanings of the individuals in the pews.

I have two easily identifiable characteristics that I look for above all else now, though. It’s pretty simple—gray hair

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Churches Are Missing the Big Opportunity to Minister to Single-Parents

Single-parent homes are far more prevalent in the United States than most realize. They comprise one-quarter to one-third of homes with children in many communities. In your community, the number could be even higher. Consider the neighborhood around my church in Bradenton, Florida.

Single Mom Households: 31%Single Dad Households: 12%Married with Children: 57%

Of households with children around my church, 43% are single-parent homes! If you do not know this figure for your community, you can get it with our Know Your Community report.

The United States is an anomaly when looking at data in other countries. According to Pew Research, the United States has one of the world’s highest rates of children living in single-parent households, more than three times the global average. For comparison, look at the rates in other countries.

United States: 23%Canada: 15%India: 5%Nigeria: 4%China: 3%Global Rate: 7%

Many studies reveal homes with a mom and dad are generally healthier. While the problem is ubiquitous in our country, it’s best not to make assumptions about a parent. You simply cannot know the health of any household—good or bad—unless you are close to the family. There are plenty of single-parent homes that are healthy and plenty of two-parent homes that are not. Also of note, U.S. children from Christian homes are equally as likely to live in a single-parent home as those who are religiously unaffiliated.

Single-parent homes are in every neighborhood. In some cases, there are more single-parent homes than two-parent homes. Why do churches miss this large demographic?

Single parents don’t announce themselves. When people make introductions, they rarely begin by sharing their marriage status. You must get to know them well first.Churches operate with an idealized picture of the family. We should aim for ideals but also meet people where they are. Many congregations are simply not looking for single parents. When you are not looking, you will miss what you do not see.Churches do not go to them. Single parents are with their kids. If you are not volunteering in the community where the children are, then you won’t cross paths with a single parent.Churches are not prepared for them. Many children’s ministries are structured with two-parent homes in mind. I’m always baffled by churches offering limited children’s ministry options. How should a single parent be involved in the church without help? If a single mom wants to sing in the choir, but the church does not have a children’s ministry, what should her kids do while she is singing? I realize single parents are efficient and hard-working, but they can’t be in two places at the same time!

Why should you care about the number of single-parent homes? This mission field is enormous. Over 18 million children in the United States live in a single-parent household. But remember, to reach them, you will likely need to change how you do children’s ministry in your church.

How many single-parent homes are in your community? Order your Know Your Community report to find out. The report contains a wealth of information about your neighborhood.

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The Global Methodist Church: These Things I Pray

An amazing development in world Christianity is the formation of the Global Methodist Church. Indeed, this story is one of the most important stories of global and American Christianity in many years.

In the United States alone, there are thousands of Global Methodist churches in all 50 states. But, as the name indicates, it is truly a global movement. Churches in Africa, Europe, Eurasia, and the Philippines have joined this new denomination.

Most of the churches are former United Methodist congregations. These churches desired to affiliate with a new denomination that held to biblical and ethical orthodoxy. Attempts to work within the current United Methodist framework did not prove fruitful. Thus, a new denomination was formed on May 1, 2022.

This new denomination could potentially become one of the largest church groups in America and the world as more churches join Global Methodists. It is something we are watching closely at Church Answers.

My team and I have worked with a number of Global Methodist churches thus far. Based on our involvement with these congregations, we are encouraged. Yet we know that the Global Methodist Church will have challenges and moments of discouragements. Such is the nature of any new movement of this magnitude.

Though I am but a person on the sidelines watching this denomination form, I am vitally interested in it for the sake of the Kingdom. In that light, I offer these few prayers for your present and future. These things I pray:

I pray that you will look forward and not backwards. It is tempting, I am sure, to focus on the reasons you left another denomination instead of focusing on God’s future. I am encouraged to hear from many Global Methodist pastors and leaders who have a clear and exciting vision for your future. May that be your posture and trajectory.I pray that your denomination, churches, and members will rekindle the fire of evangelism. I love that a key part of your mission is to “witness boldly.” Methodism, from a human perspective, was born through the work of John Wesley. His passion for proclaiming the gospel was clear and convicting. I love that you affirm your gospel witness must be “bold, compelling and fearless.”I pray that each church and every member will see the Global Methodist Church as a God-given opportunity to attempt new and great things for His glory. In that light, I pray that the thousands of churches and her leaders will fight the temptation to be a 2.0 version of your past. It is a great opportunity to test and explore the new wineskins God has given you.I pray that you will do the work of the Kingdom in unity. You have made many decisions as a denomination thus far. You have many yet to make. In a movement the magnitude of Global Methodists, you will not always agree. Not everyone can have their own choices. I pray that you will keep focused on the main issues and remain in unity as the world looks on.I pray that you will have courage. You have demonstrated courage thus far, but the challenges have just begun. Remind your churches and church members of the words of God to the people of Israel as they awaited to enter a new and largely unknown land: “This is my command – be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NLT).

I know that many Christians around the world are praying for you Global Methodists. Count me among them. I often turn to the words of John Wesley himself for inspiration. One of my favorite quotes by Wesley is one of his shortest: “You have one business on earth – to save souls.”

I can’t wait to see the Global Methodist Church carry out the business of God on earth. 

These things I do indeed pray.

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Why the “Fishbowl” of Ministry is Not a Bad Thing, and One Step to Consider

I had been a pastor for about ten months when the adult daughter of church members—a daughter who did not attend our church—stopped me for a brief conversation in a local grocery store. I had bought a home in that neighborhood a few months before. To my surprise, the daughter said to me, “I drive by your house on the way to work each day. I don’t know why, but I almost can’t help but look over there to see what’s up.” My guess is that her words reflected simple curiosity, but they sure sounded strange at the time. 

Later that day, I reflected on something I had not thought about much as a rookie pastor: people are watching us. We really are at times in the proverbial “fishbowl.” Right or wrong, that’s reality. This many years later, though, I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing for us. Here’s why:

It’s okay for folks to watch our lives of Christian leaders. We are to be God’s witnesses, and we ought to live in such a way that our good works give glory to our Father in heaven (Matt 5:16). We should want others to see those works in us. We should want them to imitate our lives that first imitate Christ. Our lives are to be just as God-honoring when nobody is looking as they are when everybody’s watching. The only way we reach that goal is to live at all times in a way that pleases God. It’s to welcome the microscope of the Spirit and the Word reviewing our private lives. Do that, and the fishbowl isn’t that threatening anymore.Non-believers are watching us, too. We usually think of believers watching when we talk about the fishbowl, but lost people are watching us, too. Some, I suspect, are almost hoping for a fall that seemingly lets them off the hook for their own lives. Others, though, are longing to see genuine faith lived out because they’re looking for truth and hope. The fishbowl helps us deny the first group and encourage the second one. The enemy we face wants to devour us. Satan really is prowling around, seeking believers to devour (1 Pet 5:8). He will pull every trick possible to lure us into sin that compromises our witness and mocks our faith. He’s watching. He’s scheming. He’s destroying. If the fishbowl helps us stand against him, that’s a good thing. Ministries are destroyed because we convince ourselves that nobody knows. We all face the possibility of deceiving ourselves into thinking we can hide everything and consequently take ministry-threatening risks. We are all but one dumb decision away from a fall—and recognition of the fishbowl is one defense against that possibility. The fishbowl ought to compel us to pray more. We need to pray for God’s grace to live obediently. As well, we need to pray for grace to respond rightly if (a) others wrongly accuse us of something, or (b) God forbid, they find something worth confronting. Not one of these things can we do on our own. We need God’s power daily. 

Here’s a suggestion: my pastoral mentor, Tom Elliff, prays seven prayers for himself every day, and he asks others to join him in those prayers. I encourage you to read those prayers here and adopt them, though I especially encourage you to focus on this one when you think of the fishbowl:

[I pray} that I would do nothing that would give the Adversary an opportunity to mock my Lord.  Satan is the “accuser,” constantly seeking to discredit us in the eyes of God and thus discredit God who calls us His own (Job 2:1-6, Zech 3:1-2, Rev 12:10). I do not want to do, say, or even think anything that would lend support to Satan’s accusations.

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