Same-Sex Marriage Support Reaches All-Time High

Support for same-sex marriage in America has reached an all-time high, according to a new Gallup poll, just as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering an historic decision on the redefinition of marriage in America.

The poll found that a record-high 60 percent support same-sex marriage in the United States, up five percent from last year and at its highest since surveys began to address the matter in 1996, according to Gallup pollsters.

The American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) says the numbers are dismaying, as fewer and fewer are committed to preserving God’s definition for marriage as between one man and one woman.

“These are indeed sensitive topics, but pastors cannot allow fear or unease to sway them from God’s calling—to lead congregations according to God’s word,” said APN President Sam Rohrer. “Many pastors are afraid to ruffle feathers by talking about issues such as same-sex marriage, homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, pornography, divorce and infidelity, the breakdown of the family, abortion and responsible stewardship, among many others. But pastors have a biblical responsibility and a charge from God to address these sensitive issues with their congregations. Scripture is very clear in James 3:1 that those who teach will be judged more strictly, and leading congregations astray by ignore biblical truth is a dangerous step for pastors to take.”

Research has shown that pastors are purposefully skirting some controversial topics when preparing their messages for the pulpit, but Rohrer says churches and pastors must address these issues, no matter how uncomfortable it might be.

Last summer, George Barna, founder of the Barna Group, shared research that found a vast majority of theologically conservative pastors believe the Bible speaks to societal issues, but fewer than 10 percent of these pastors are teaching people what the Bible says on these topics.

The research, conducted through the American Culture and Faith Institute, asked pastors across the country about their beliefs regarding the relevancy of Scripture to societal, moral and political issues, and the content of their sermons in light of their beliefs.

“…When we ask them about all the key issues of the day, [90 percent of them are] telling us, ‘Yes, the Bible speaks to every one of these issues,’” Barna told American Family Radio during an interview. “Then we ask them: ‘Well, are you teaching your people what the Bible says about those issues?’ and the numbers drop … to less than 10 percent of pastors who say they will speak to it.”

Barna said many pastors are afraid to get involved in political issues because of the controversy it might create. And, he added, “Controversy keeps people from being in the seats, controversy keeps people from giving money, from attending programs.”

“Fear and trepidation about offending parishioners is not an excuse for shying away from tough topics,” Rohrer said. “Pastors are not doing any favors to their churches by allowing people to have a false sense of what’s right and wrong. The Bible is very clear on God’s design for marriage.”

As America Becomes Less Christian, Pastors Must Proclaim Truth

According to a new study from the Pew Research Center, the number of Christians in America is dropping—a wake-up call to pastors and churches across the nation, says the American Pastors Network.

The study, released last week, found that the number of Americans who “identify with Christianity has dropped substantially in the last eight years, while those who don’t affiliate with any religion continue to grow in numbers.”

APN President Sam Rohrer says the findings are evidence of the greater impact pastors and churches must have on society.

“These statistics should alarm every Christian in America, yet they should serve to motivate every pastor and Christian to greater biblical obedience,” Rohrer said. “In the early Church, Christians ‘turned the world upside down’ because their faith in Jesus Christ had been put to the test and they experienced firsthand the transformative impacts of the Gospel and unconquerable power of the truth of God’s Word. Our nation is in desperate need of pastors and Christians with the early Church’s passion.” 

Pew also reported that between 2007 and 2014, the number of Americans identifying as Christians fell from 78.4 percent (178.1 million people) to 70.6 percent (172.8 million people). And the number of religiously unaffiliated Americans rose from 16.1 percent to 22.8 percent in the same time frame—or about 60 million unaffiliated (including atheists, agnostics or those who claim “nothing in particular”) Americans in 2014.

The decline in Christianity is exhibited across nearly all demographics, as the Pew report added, “While the drop in Christian affiliation is particularly pronounced among young adults, it is occurring among Americans of all ages. The same trends are seen among whites, blacks and Latinos; among both college graduates and adults with only a high school education; and among women as well as men.” 

“The decline in Christianity in America is a call not simply for Americans to return to church but for the church itself to return to God’s Word,” Rohrer continued. “We know from research that too many pastors are not preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word as it relates to societal issues, holy living and true discipleship. Therefore, many Americans are leaving the church because the church has left the authority of Scripture. It’s past time for pastors to take a stand for obedience to biblical truth if we are to see God’s blessing to return to our nation.”

According to research reported last August, many theologically conservative pastors believe the Bible speaks to societal issues, but fewer than 10 percent of these pastors are teaching people what the Bible says on these topics.

What Birthday Gift Can America Give Israel?

On May 14, 1948, Israel officially became a nation, recognized by the world in one of the most important pages of history. Now, 67 years later, Israel is a significant global presence, making headlines for peace processes, relationships with other nations and the protection of Jews everywhere.

Sam Rohrer, president of the American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net), says that despite waning support for Israel from some of America’s leaders, and even some Christians, America’s pastors and churches must continue to stand with Israel. 

“The simple reason we must support the State of Israel is because God does,” Rohrer said. “The Jews are His chosen people, and He gave His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that He would not only bless them but also bless every nation that blesses them and curse every nation that curses them. It was through the Jews that God brought the Messiah—Yeshua. The entire plan of redemption and all of Scripture came to us through the Jews. Throughout history, God has miraculously protected the Jewish people although the nations around them have sought to annihilate them. God forbid that America ever becomes a nation that Israel needs protection from.”

 APN Board Member Gary Dull echoed Rohrer’s thoughts. 

“God promised Abram in Genesis 12:1-3 that those who bless Israel will be blessed by God and those who curse Israel will be cursed by God,” Dull said. “All true believers today recognize that covenant is still active. The conviction of every real Christian is that the fundamental component for the Church to be strengthened and used by God is for the Church to have a genuine love for Israel.”

As Israel celebrates the 67th anniversary of its statehood, Rohrer says the best gift America can give to the nation’s strongest ally in the Middle East is the sincere pledge of unwavering friendship and support in the face of growing anti-Israel sentiment not only internationally but also, disturbingly, among America’s own leadership.

American Pastors Network Encourages Pastors, Churches to Be Part of National Day of Prayer

The American Pastors Network  is encouraging pastors and congregations around the country to participate in a National Day of Prayer event in their community and come together to pray on May 7 for the country in a time of turmoil. 

“The prayers of Christians have been critical throughout the history of our nation, and they continue to be so today,” said APN president Sam Rohrer, who is also president of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net), “It is so important that pastors encourage their congregations to pray for America, and the National Day of Prayer on May 7 is a time when Christians can come together in agreement and humbly repent of our sins, both individual and national, and petition God for his mercy and guidance for our nation. Find an event in your community, join the faithful in your neighborhood, and lift up our nation to God, that we would return to the biblical and constitutional principles on which our great country was founded.” 

To find a National Day of Prayer event in your community, visit http://nationaldayofprayer.org/event-finder/, where events can be searched by zip code or city. The National Day of Prayer is sponsored by the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

For the 2015 Day of Prayer observance, the theme is “Lord, Hear Our Cry,” centering on I Kings 8:28: “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.”

“God has promised to listen to a people who come to him in humility and repentance,” Rohrer continued. “Our nation—including many who claim the title ‘Christian’—has arrogantly turned its back on God and on his word, and unless we humble ourselves before the Lord and reject our sinful ways, we will experience the judgement of God, which has already begun in America. Prayer is not a means to get God on our side; prayer is a means to align ourselves with God’s purposes, plans and will. We are running out of time in America to do this before God will remove his hand of blessing from our nation.”

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation, according to the National Day of Prayer web site. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The National Day of Prayer Task Force communicates the need for personal repentance and prayer, creates Day of Prayer materials and resources, and mobilizes the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and their families.

PPN Member Pastor Joseph Green Releases New Book on ‘Kingdom Business’

An American Pastors Network state chapter member, Pastor Joseph L. Green Jr. of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net), has released a new book called “Kingdom Business” that discusses race, religion and politics from a biblical perspective.

“The kingdom of God is a governmental system,” reads the book’s description. “It is a theocracy in which Jesus is our King, the Bible is our Constitution and we are its citizens.” In “Kingdom Business,” Green also looks at how the Church has failed to live up to the standards the Bible expects from its ambassadors.

“APN is happy to highlight the excellent and timely work of Pastor Joe Green, who serves as a member of PPN’s Leadership Council,” said APN president Sam Rohrer, who is also president of PPN. “Pastor Green’s book touches on extremely valid and pressing concerns that face all Americans. We applaud his willingness to take on critical topics and present biblical truth regarding them, and we are thankful for his commitment to faith-based cultural change, grounded in biblical and constitutional principles.”

“Kingdom Business” is available for order by clicking here: Kingdom Business Book

“I am honored to be part of the American Pastors Network and am passionate about sharing crucial information regarding the way in which the Bible, race and politics interact today in America,” Green said. “Headlines confirm this truth day after day, and as Christians, we are charged with proclaiming truth and never turning a blind eye to efforts to silence it.”

Green is the founder of Antioch Assembly (www.antiochassembly.com) in Harrisburg, Pa., and director of The Josiah Project, a faith-based initiative designed to empower at-risk young men between the ages of 13 and 18. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Bethesda Mission in Harrisburg.

Green is the author of three additional books: “From Kilos to the Kingdom,” “The Church That Will Turn the World Upside Down” and “Standing on the Rock.” A graduate of Harrisburg High School, Green attended the University of Pittsburgh and Towson University, and he holds a Bachelor’s degree in communications and a Doctorate in Philosophy in Humanities. He also served for four years in the United States Navy. Green is a member of PPN, APN and Healing Tree International. He and his wife, Gwendolyn, have three children.

The pastor was also a speaker at APN and PPN’s recent conference attended by more than 500 pastors and church leaders, titled, “U-Turn: A Roadmap for Renewal—A Conversation with Pastors on Society, Culture and Leadership.” The event answered questions about society, culture and leadership, with a focus on how cultural trends can be strategically impacted with the truths of God’s Word.