A Believer with a Drink Problem with Rev. Stephen Hamilton

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As Unchurched Numbers Grow, American Pastors Network Says the ‘Remnant’ Will be Key to Change in a Time of Chaos

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To close out 2014, the Barna Group released 10 facts about the unchurched in America, especially salient as their numbers grow and as fewer Americans attend church.

According to Barna, the number of unchurched people in America would make up the eighth most populous country in the world. As of 2014, the estimated number of people in the U.S. who are “churchless”—meaning they have not attended a Christian church service, other than a special event such as a wedding or a funeral, at any time during the past six months—stands at 114 million. Add to that the roughly 42 million children and teenagers who are unchurched for a total of 156 million U.S. residents who are not engaged with a Christian church.

American Pastors Network’s (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) says while these numbers are disappointing and alarming, true change in America will happen through the “Rise of the Remnant,” or those who are left with a passion that still remains for God.

“Let’s contrast the ‘Rise of the Churchless’ with the ‘Rise of the Remnant,’” said APN President Sam Rohrer, who is also President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “God’s people have a crucial role in the midst of chaos, and especially among these millions of unchurched. And the American Pastors Network is committed to helping encourage and mobilize this ‘remnant,’ both by equipping and educating them and by providing resources to their pastors so that the messages from the pulpit unequivocally uphold the authority of Scripture.” 

The “remnant” is described in the Bible as “what remains of a group of people after most of that group has been destroyed or lost through dispersal brought upon by judgment or the following of apostasy.” As more and more churches water down or even flatly reject biblical truth in favor of seeking the world’s approval, this remnant will become even more apparent.

Several verses in the Bible address this “remnant,” including 2 Kings 19:31, which says, “For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors; the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this,” and Isaiah 28:5, “In that day the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people.” Paul also talks about the “remnant” in Romans 11:5: “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.”

“The whole of God’s people can focus on their important role in the midst of confusion, and as the number of churchless rises, the ‘remnant,’ armed with the power of truth, can recalibrate a culture that has jettisoned its moral compass,” Rohrer said. “This ‘remnant’ will be bold to speak the truth on how morality and God’s standards can reset broken families, organize an aimless society and secure God’s blessings on our nation.”

Governor Mike Huckabee to promote Pennsylvania Pastors Network 2015 Conference titled “U-Turn: A Conversation with Pastors on Society, Culture, and Leadership”

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The Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net) is confident that its upcoming conference on March 19 will help pastors, church leaders, and laypeople alike become passionate about “standing in the gap for truth” and effecting true change in America.

One of the nation’s most influential leaders and commentators is confident of that fact, too.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who recently left his Fox News television program for a possible run at the U.S. Presidency in 2016, has committed to helping promote PPN’s 2015 conference, titled, “U-Turn: A Conversation with Pastors on Society, Culture and Leadership,” which will equip attendees to “stand in the gap for truth.”

Huckabee will shoot a special video message to be shown at the PPN “U-Turn” event on March 19 at Lancaster Bible College.

“We are honored to be partnering with Gov. Mike Huckabee in our upcoming Pennsylvania Pastors Network ‘U-Turn’ conference,” said PPN President Sam Rohrer, who is also President of the American Pastors Network (APN, www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net). “Mike Huckabee combines two ordained callings, one of a minister of God in the pulpit and the other as a minister of God in government.  He clearly articulates the truth of Scripture as he effectively applies biblical principles to the problems facing our culture. We hope his voice will encourage attendees to be a force for change in today’s culture.”

The powerful one-day conference is open to pastors, leaders and laypeople and is specifically designed to answer questions about society, culture and leadership, with a focus on how cultural trends can be strategically impacted with the truths of God’s Word.

Headlining speakers at the “U-Turn” conference are social science researcher George Barna, founder of the Barna Research Group, and historian David Barton of WallBuilders.

Mike Huckabee served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 until 2007, becoming one of the longest serving Governors in his state’s history. He left a legacy of tax cuts, job creation, the reconstruction of his state’s road system, K-16 education reform and a nationally heralded and duplicated health initiative that focused on the less expensive approach of prevention rather than the costly big-government approach of intervention. His administration fought long-standing corruption in the state’s political machine, resulting in numerous indictments and convictions of powerful legislators and other elected officials.

He is a New York Times-bestselling author of 11 books, and his 12th book, “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy,” was released this month.

Other confirmed speakers for PPN’s “U-Turn” conference include: author Steve Scheibner, Gary Dull of the American Pastors Network, Sandy Rios of the American Family Association and American Family Radio, Jeff Mateer of the Liberty Institute, Paul Blair of Reclaiming America for Christ, and Ralph Drollinger of Capitol Ministries, who will speak on PPN’s Ministers Together project, an initiative which brings together pastors and elected officials on a biblical rather than political basis.

All sessions will be held on Thursday, March 19, at Lancaster Bible College’s Good Shepherd Chapel from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Early bird tickets are available for $29 through Feb. 25. For more information on the conference or to register, visit www.UTurnConference.org.

Stand in the Gap Weekend: 140 Stations Nationwide

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American Pastors Network’s (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) one-hour radio program, “Stand in the Gap Weekend,” is now airing on 140 stations within the American Family Radio (AFR) network.

“Stand in the Gap Weekend” airs on AFR-Talk stations at 7 p.m. EST on Sundays, and the addition of the AFR stations brings APN’s daily and weekly radio programming to more than 180 stations across America.

“We are honored to be able to share the ‘Stand in the Gap Weekend’ radio program with American Family Radio’s many listeners,” said APN President Sam Rohrer, who is also President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “Every week, pastors around the country deliver compelling sermons that are speaking truth into the culture on pressing issues facing every American. ‘Stand in the Gap Weekend’ allows those messages to reach an even wider audience, so this virtual congregation of listeners can apply biblical and constitutional truth to their own lives.”

APN and PPN began their radio presence in 2012 with “Stand in the Gap,” short features that currently air daily on more than 40 stations. In 2014, “Stand in the Gap” expanded to the weekend edition, providing hosts and pastors the opportunity to delve more deeply into the constitutional and biblical issues surrounding news headlines. “Stand in the Gap Weekend” features a pastor speaking truth into the culture, followed by a short analysis and practical application from Rohrer and PPN Executive Vice President and Executive Director Gary Dull.

To find an American Family Radio station in a particular listening area, visit http://afr.net/station-map/.

To listen to archived Stand in the Gap Weekend Programs, click HERE.

Roe v. Wade Still Leaving Scars on Parents, Communities, Churches—42 Years Later

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The Supreme Court placed a dark mark on American history 42 years ago this week with the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in January 1973, which made abortion legal in America.

Since then, National Right to Life estimates that more than 56 million abortions have taken place in America.

The American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) says that four decades of abortion have left lasting scars on never-to-be mothers and fathers, families, communities and churches.

“Legalized abortion has been a shameful stain on our society for decades—and actually a ‘legal’ murderous choice in America for 42 years,” said APN President Sam Rohrer, who is also President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “Abortion not only steals life from a human being with a God-given spirit and potential to do great things on this earth, but also leaves many, many wounds on everyone it touches—mothers, fathers, families, churches and entire communities.

“Today,” he continued, “thousands of pastors across the country struggle with the sadness, regret and broken-heartedness of people in their churches who have been deeply scarred by abortion. And perhaps more than anything in our nation’s history, the heartache of abortion, which has led the taking of more than 56 million innocent unborn lives, demonstrates that what is ‘legal’ can often be far from what is ‘right’.  

“Indeed, our Supreme Court’s decision violated our own Declaration of Independence—the basis for our Constitution—which recognizes that each of us has a God-given right to life. This week, we mourn 42 years of a decision that stripped the rights of those who were never given the chance to be born, and we recommit ourselves to speaking the truth about abortion in our churches, in our communities and in our culture.”

Churches, Rohrer added, have the responsibility to speak out regarding the impact and the gravity of abortion. APN offers pastors many resources on abortion so they can address this crucial societal issue with their congregations. These resources, some free and some for purchase, highlight topics such as the history of abortion in America, stories of women who regret their abortions, the pro-life movement in the United States, and the secrets of Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider.

Some of the resources include:

  • “180,” a 33-minute DVD (viewable online) that teaches congregations not only to help save the lives of the unborn, but also to help save lives for eternity.
  • “Baby Parts for Sale,” a 48-minute presentation that delves into the ugly side of abortion.
  • “RC Sproul on Abortion,” an audio message from the longtime pastor, author and theologian.
  • “10 Truths about Abortion,” a 60-minute DVD that exposes why abortion is no mere matter of “choice.”

 

As ‘Je Suis, Charlie’ Messages Span Globe, APN Says Islam Grows More Dangerous

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Last week’s violent terrorist attacks in France that took the lives of 17 have sparked messages of unity and gatherings of support and made headlines around the globe. World leaders and entertainers alike communicated messages of “Je Suis Charlie” in support of the satirical newspaper that was attacked, as well as rallied in massive groups worldwide.

American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) President Sam Rohrer said on a recent radio program that the dangers of Islam are growing every day, and the only way to counter them is with a moral and biblical worldview.

“These terrorists attempted to make a moral statement by avenging the honor of their prophet,” said Rohrer, who is also President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “This is a fight we’ve been involved in since the beginning of time. As a nation, we’ve fought wars over ideological differences where there were individuals who believed the moral position under which they viewed life was worth killing other people for. Islam is in that same category. They attempt to hold a moral position and claim it to be the basis for their actions.” 

Rohrer recently sat down with Gary Dull, APN board member and Executive Director and Vice President of the PPN, and David Kistler, President of the North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN, www.ncpastors.net ), a chapter of APN, to talk about headlines surrounding Islam on “Freedom Focus,” a radio program from the Faith and Freedom Institute committed to encouraging Americans to return to the values of our founders as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bible.

“We should ask ourselves,” Rohrer added, “do we believe here in America that the position that undergirds our view of what is right and what is wrong, what is evil and what is righteous, is a moral issue? I think not. We’ve been backed into a corner where what we believe is a political consideration, not a moral consideration.

 “Acts like this are in every way evil and fly in the face of justice,” he continued. “If you do not believe this evil is a morally challenged position, you can’t refute it properly; you can’t lead in opposition against this type of evil. We’re coming to a point where we must ask ourselves, ‘What do we believe? What is our moral position on how we view life and justice?’ It must be rooted in the Bible, in what Christ said and what God Himself established as justice. That is what is literally under attack by Islam. They are attacking God, and they are attacking God’s view of justice and right and wrong.”

 Dull agreed that many American leaders would not call these acts morally evil, but instead politically evil. Rohrer added that it comes down to the fundamental worldview a person holds.

 “Once, we were a Judeo-Christian-based nation,” Rohrer said. “Our justice is based on it, and our laws are based on it. Those who reject that fall into a secular postmodern worldview that says there is no God and no absolute right or wrong. And that is our problem in political leadership today. Leaders are not morally grounded in the view that there is right and there is wrong; there is righteousness and there is evil. And the inability to grasp this will mean we will not be able to counter the rising forces of evil that seek to destroy and eliminate everything we’ve come to know and enjoy in this nation, and frankly, in the Western world.”

 

92% of 114th Congress Identifies as Christian

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Last week, as the 114th Congress started a new session, lawmakers began anew in their leadership roles to serve the country and work for the best interests of the American people.

And, according to new research, the new Congress is more “heavily religious” than ever. A Pew study found that close to 92 percent identify as Christian—nearly 20 percent more than the general U.S. population. Just one member of Congress identifies as religiously unaffiliated.

American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) President Sam Rohrer, a former lawmaker, says that the country’s leaders must strive for the godly leadership that should go along with their religious identifications, including respect for God’s law and a commitment to the rule of law.

“If the Pew study is true and we don’t soon see radical changes in legislation coming from Congress, then it suggests that many who identify as Christian may not hold a biblical worldview,” said Rohrer, who is also President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “Otherwise unborn life would immediately be protected, marriage defined by God would be upheld, religious liberties would be protected and the rule of law would be respected.”

Rohrer recently sat down with Gary Dull, APN board member and Executive Director and Vice President of PPN, and David Kistler, President of the North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN, www.ncpastors.net), a chapter of APN, to talk about godly leadership on “Freedom Focus,” a radio program from the Faith and Freedom Institute committed to encouraging Americans to return to the values of our founders as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bible.

“Performance in a position of leadership is not just based on competence from a standpoint of making sure that the process is efficient and transparent,” Rohrer said, “and some past leaders have violated and distorted their own policies by interjecting their own personal opinions so extraordinarily that it deprived other members of their rightful duty to speak to and address issues.”

Kistler also added that godly leadership involves keeping promises rather than making deals, and always working in the best interest of one’s constituents.

In the Pew study, of the 535 members of Congress, 57.2 percent identify as Protestant, 30.7 percent identify as Roman Catholic, and 5.2 percent of Congress is Jewish. Nine representatives refused to answer the survey.

 

Know God, Serve God and Seek God in the New Year

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 Just a few days into the New Year, many Americans are trying to keep the resolutions they made as the clock struck midnight in the waning minutes of 2014.

Studies show that many of those resolutions will fall by the wayside in less than a month. In fact, according to a University of Scranton “Journal of Clinical Psychology” study conducted last New Year’s Day, of the 45 percent who make New Year’s resolutions, just three-quarters will keep them for a week. One month after the start of the year, about two-thirds will abandon those goals, and six months down the road, less than half will maintain those commitments.

But one resolution that’s worth keeping is the straightforward advice David gave to his son, Solomon, in the Old Testament so many years ago. The simple, three-step lesson is still applicable today. 

American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) President Sam Rohrer talked about the resolution-worthy lesson of David in a recent APN daily “Stand in the Gap” radio feature, heard on more than 40 stations around the country. This month, the American Family Radio Network will begin airing the one-hour APN program, “Stand in the Gap Weekend,” bringing APN’s radio presence to more than 180 stations. 

“With Christmas behind us, we now anticipate a New Year,” said Rohrer, who is also President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “This is a great time to look back and then plan ahead. The most simple yet powerful recipe for success and assurance of God’s blessing in the New Year is King David’s advice to his son, Solomon.” 

In 1 Chronicles 28:9, Rohrer continued, King David told his son to know God, serve God and seek God. Rohrer added that, especially as the New Year approaches, APN encourages pastors to teach God’s plan for blessing and prosperity contained in the simple principle of obedience to God’s word. 

David encouraged Solomon to “know God,” not just in his head, but personally. He also taught his son to “serve God,” not half-heartedly, but with all his heart and mind. Finally, David told Solomon to “seek God” every day for wisdom, strength and favor.

“When we think of the sometimes self-centered, materialistic resolutions we make,” Rohrer said, “this one will not only bring us closer to God, but permeate every other area of our lives. That’s a resolution worth keeping all year long.”