New Survey Finds Americans Value Personal Freedom and Reputation Over Conscience

A new study from LifeWay Research has discovered that many Americans worry more about their reputation than their conscience, and that personal freedom is a value that trumps others.

The study found that shame has become particularly powerful in American society—a culture dominated by the internet age and social media—with a significant number of respondents stating they are more concerned with avoiding shame than fretting about guilt and fear. LifeWay also found that Americans still prize independence, with 40 percent naming personal freedom as the top desire from a list of options.

As the nation reflects on freedom during Independence Day, Sam Rohrer, president of the American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net), says the survey findings are indicative of a me-centered culture, where Americans confuse personal freedom, constitutional freedom and freedom in Christ.

“The concept of freedom is one the American Pastors Network explores frequently with churches, pastors and Christians,” Rohrer said. “As terrorism permeates society, freedom is under attack, especially from those who wish to eradicate anything to do with Christianity. Likewise, laws in our own country compromise religious freedom, and Americans are becoming more focused on their wants, needs, entitlements and how they think they deserve to live their own life, sometimes with no regard for others around them. Freedom is important and an American necessity, but we must view freedom as God-given rather than a humanistic or government trait that is taken for granted.

“Personal freedom and civic freedom can only exist in a culture where sufficient people have experienced freedom from sin through Jesus Christ and, as our founders did, established a basis in law that reflected that spiritual freedom in civil freedom” Rohrer continued. “Where there is a rejection of the concept of freedom in Jesus Christ there will only be totalitarian government.”

According to the survey, the more Americans attend religious services, the less they value personal freedom. Among those who attend services less than once a month, 44 percent value personal freedom most. That drops to 36 percent for those who attend more than once a month. And Americans without evangelical beliefs (42 percent) are also more likely to value personal freedom than those with evangelical beliefs (32 percent).

LifeWay also reports that people’s perceptions about guilt, shame and fear have shaped how churches have presented faith to the public. The survey was born when LifeWay researchers wondered if guilt is still a major issue for Americans and if guilt, shame and fear affects how Christians talk about their beliefs.

Of the three feelings—guilt, shame and fear—38 percent of the 1,000 respondents said they avoid shame the most, followed by 31 percent stating guilt and 30 percent reporting fear. Interestingly, “nones,” those who claim no religious identity, avoid guilt (35 percent) more than those who are religious (30 percent), while those who are religious avoid shame (39 percent) more than “nones” (33 percent).

Why We’re at a Breaking Point for Truth in America

To turn away from fake news and cheap shots, we must believe in God again and focus on that foundation.

by Sam Rohrer

This article was originally published on the Lifezette website.

As our society becomes more secular and crass — and as headlines become more and more disturbing, such as the frightening shooting that targeted lawmakers and their aides on a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia — one of the places it shows up most and surprises us is in the media.

The Media Research Council recently published a survey declaring the majority of network television and cable outlets present negative material about President Donald Trump as much as 90 percent of the time.

The reason some reporters “cook their stories” is because they disrespect the law and their bias inhibits them from telling the truth. It starts with the fact that they have no basis for objective, third-party unchanging standards for judging truth — such as the Bible — upon which our country was founded.

Media reporters without a basis for judging truth make up their own stories that may have nothing to do with the truth. In fact, they may be completely crafted for the sake of advocacy journalism that is anti-God, or may fulfill a desire to tell stories that fit their worldview and desire for humanistic change.

Occasionally, “artists” will present something to shock us and get publicity for their “cause.” It is necessary we realize such ideas as coming from a mind so depraved that some would diagnose it as crazy.

While the liberal comic destroyed her own career because of her hatred and had all of her booked performances and TV shows cancelled, she blamed President Trump and his family for her self-inflicted wounds.

That’s not the way life works.

Even though she apologized because the reaction to her stunt was quick and vociferous even from left-leaning Hollywood types, her actions were like driving a nail into a board. If you pull it out, you still have to deal with the ugly hole left in it.

The 1987 immersion of a crucifix in urine by Andres Serrano showed contempt for organized religion. The piece made headlines two years later when it was shown to the public during a National Endowment for the Arts tour. When then-Sens. Al D’Amato and Jesse Helms saw the depraved piece, they helped pass a law requiring the NEA to consider “general standards of decency” in awarding grants. The uproar turned the picture, entitled “Piss Christ,” into one of the key fighting fronts in the culture wars of the 1980s and 1990s.

Serrano’s fellow NEA recipient Robert Mapplethorpe divided a nation over the question of whether the government had the right to censor art.

Conservatives will strongly defend the First Amendment. There’s no doubt. But when the shock experienced by the public is so strong as to offend adults and not take into account the tender consciences of children, common sense suggests it should be eliminated from public view. It contributes nothing to the positive momentum of society.

Denying the existence of God, making fun of God-appointed authorities, offending the beliefs of millions of people and making any source other than the Bible the fountain of truth helps us understand that all are born into sin and sin is in us from the start.

What we’re simply seeing now in our society is the working out of depravity in the heart and mind as people decide to not recognize the jurisdiction and authority of God’s law and human law givers. It reveals itself as coming from the hearts, minds and hands of those who hate God enough to wish the death of any (or all) authority figures prescribed by our Constitution. It also reveals people who have become their own god and who, by their works, dismiss the possibility of eternal punishment in hell that awaits them, according to the Bible.

In an 1803 election sermon to the Connecticut legislature, the Rev. Mathias Burnet affirmed that without a sense of accountability to God and His eternal judgment, government would indeed become corrupt: “Feeble … would be the best form of government, and ineffectual the most wise and salutary laws … without a sense of religion and the terrors of the world to come … In a word, banish a sense of religion and the terrors of the world to come from society and you at once dissolve the sacred obligation of conscience and leave every man to that which is right in his eyes” (Deuteronomy 12:8; Judges 17:6; 21:25).

Each person believing and obeying God is a recipe for a successful society.

Each person becoming his or her own god is a recipe for destruction and death. We all must make this binary choice.

Sam Rohrer Weighs in on ‘Mass Assassination Attempt’

As the nation is still reeling from a frightening shooting in Alexandria, Va., where lawmakers and their aides were targeted on a baseball field, the American Pastors Network explored the news on the “Stand in the Gap Today” radio program, which is heard on 425 stations around the country.

APN President Sam Rohrer and his co-hosts discussed the shooting, the shooter’s connection to the Bernie Sanders camp, as well as Sanders’ recent attack on the Christian beliefs of a presidential nominee.

One question on the show addressed the following pressing question: Why did the shooting happen?

“Tragedies like these”, Rohrer said, “often involve a rejection of God and moral law, as well as a rejection of a society that has pushed aside God and absolute truth.

The world can choose two options:

1) More freedom in Christ, in the acceptance of Jesus and an embracing of God’s moral law that respects life and honors the King, as well as self-governance according to the Ten Commandments

2) More draconian government that leads to totalitarianism, restricted freedom and further rejection of God and moral truth.

Under attack in America is Christianity, human rights and truth, evidenced by the fact that a citizen attacked authority and that some lawmakers and celebrities are attacking God and citizen.”

To listen to the Stand in the Gap Today program on this topic, please click HERE.

The Consummate Example of Hate!

You’d have to be living in a cave somewhere, not to know about the totally insane action of Kathy Griffin–holding up what appeared to be
the severed head of our President. Her actions, subsequent “apology” and the public’s response beg for a couple comments.

First, Kathy’s apology was anything BUT sincere. How do I know that? Well, for starters, if you’ve seen said “apology” you will note the
rolling of her eyes and insincere attitude.

But, above and beyond all of that is the fact that Kathy primarily “apologized” to the wrong person (s). Has she offended many Americans,
including me? Absolutely! Has she traumatized some young children, including Barron Trump? Certainly! Has she disgraced her profession and herself? Without doubt! But, the FIRST AND FOREMOST individual to whom she should have issued her “apology” is President Donald Trump.

In her approximately 30 second “apology” she said nothing to the 45th President, against whom she committed an illegality. In fact, if there
is such a thing as a hate crime (and there certainly is), then SHE COMMITTED ONE! But, to the very one against whom she perpetrated this
heinous act, she said nothing!

So, Kathy, how about issuing a genuine, directed, sincere apology to the one against whom you broke the law and because of whom you should be in jail!

Second, the silence of many on the left is just as stunning as Kathy’s egregious stupidity. The very ones who accuse preachers of being hateful
for speaking the truth about the most evil ideology of our time, refuse to say anything about Kathy’s venomously hate-filled stunt. Does anyone see the hypocrisy and insincerity here, for it is certainly on vivid display!

No, instead of calling for Kathy to apologize, the purveyors of political correctness continue their fake outrage, or perhaps sincere
outrage, directed at truth speakers–those who love innocent victims and their country enough to actually “tell it like it is!”

One last point. To the many who incessantly accuse God’s genuine preachers of “fear mongering” when they speak the truth, may I ask this
probing question? What about true “fear mongering”–things like Kathy has done that traumatizes young children, including the President’s son? Are you going to speak as definitively with respect to that? Are you going to use your limited vocabulary to call her out on her lunacy? Of
course not! Because, objective truth is not now, and probably never has been, your pursuit.

At least CNN has ended it’s relationship with the now disgraced comic. If the legal system were to choose to pursue a prosecution of Griffin,
she’d deserve every bit of it! This kind of illegality, open hostility, and abject stupidity simply cannot be excused any longer.

It’s time for someone to “tell it like it is!” And, if that means suffering accusations of being “un-Christian,” then so be it! In actuality, the most Christian thing one can do is speak truthfully. And, those who do are in GREAT company–with the One who is THE TRUTH!

-Dave Kistler, President

North Carolina Pastors Network

www.ncpastors.net

New Gallup Poll Shows Churchgoers Value Relevant, Scriptural Sermons, Notes American Pastors Network

What appeals most to churchgoers in 2017? A booming bass in the music? Colorful lights? Trendy references to pop culture?

Actually, it’s none of the above. A new Gallup poll recently found that sermon content is a major factor for today’s worshippers. The survey measured seven different reasons why those who attend a place of worship at least monthly do so, and about 75 percent responded that “sermons or talks that either teach about scripture or help people connect religion to their own lives as major factors spurring their attendance.”

The American Pastors Network says the poll is telling, as some churches try to entice particularly millennials with style over substance.

“It’s encouraging, especially to those of us who are pastors, that the people in the pews still long for sermons that are based in scripture and help them apply their faith to daily life,” said APN President Sam Rohrer. “Oftentimes, pastors and churches get caught up in marketing to the masses, when really getting back to the basics is what churchgoers want. It is our duty to first preach the whole counsel of God, one of APN’s founding principles, and this poll shows that people want that biblical counsel, first and foremost.”

Over the past several months, APN has continued with the strong initiative to connect older biblically faithful pastors with millennial-aged biblically faithful pastors, realizing that each has something to offer the other.

“APN hopes to accomplish this new goal, which has received overwhelming support from pastors of all of ages, through mentoring, conferences, events and resources,” Rohrer added. “While the idea is still in its early stages, there is much passion and momentum behind it, and we feel God’s hand is upon this undertaking as well.”

The Gallup poll found that important factors to respondents include: sermons or talks that teach more about scripture (76%), sermons or lectures that help connect religion to everyday life (75%), spiritual programs geared toward children and teenagers (64%), community outreach and volunteer opportunities (59%), and dynamic religious leaders who are interesting and inspiring (54%). Two reasons garnered less than 50 percent from those surveyed: social activities that help get to know people in the community (49%) and a good choir, praise band, cantors or other spiritual music (38%).

Bringing Millennial Pastors Back to Core Biblical Christianity: A VCY Crosstalk interview with Sam Rohrer

Program Notes taken from: www.vcyamerica.org

Date:        May 17, 2017
Host:        Jim Schneider
Guest:      Sam Rohrer

​Sam Rohrer is the president of the American Pastors Network and the Pennsylvania Pastors Network. This network has been identifying, equipping, educating and networking pastors and church members to stand in the gap for truth.

Sam began by describing the state of the church today as weak with silent pulpits. It’s marked far more by apostasy and a leaving of the truth as opposed to a return to it. In other words, we are living in perilous days.

It’s his sense that from a trajectory perspective, we are not peaking. There are remnant pastors and churches but the remnant is a minority. The great percentage of those in the pews and the pulpits today are not primarily concerned about obedience to the Word of God, preaching the truth and living it. It’s more like ‘going along to get along’ and ‘tickling ears’.

When Sam talks about a biblical worldview he uses 4 terms. First of all it’s the understanding and belief that (1) there is God (not a god). (2) There was a creation. (3) There was a fall, precipitated by the devil where sin entered the world. (4) There is redemption secured by Jesus Christ. Sam believes these are the four basic tenets of a biblical worldview.

The shocking news from George Barna looks like this: Only 4% of Millennials hold to the worldview that Sam described above. Sam believes God would describe our nation as having departed from the truth. When God looks down at that nation, like he did at Israel; when he’d given them everything and they walked away from God saying they didn’t need God anymore, that’s a nation in crisis. That’s where we are.

We’re also reminded of this in the history of our own nation. The founders said that our nation, based upon self-government, would not survive if people did not submit themselves to the 10 Commandments of God. So when we throw out God’s law, prayer and our dependence upon God, our founders knew we could not continue. They knew that no one circumvents God’s judgment and standard.

The proof comes by noticing how God dealt with Israel. When God blesses us and we live in security and we start to think we’ve done that by ourselves, at that point God will reject us like he rejected the inhabitants of the land he drove out before the Israelites.

Sam noted that when God turns a nation over, there’s a steady decline into the depths of depravity and sin. This is often lead and marked by sexual immorality. This is where we are in America. We had knowledge of God, we’ve rejected it and God is saying that if we think we have a better way, we have to figure out how to make a go of it.

So why aren’t shepherds speaking out and saying, ‘Thus saith the Lord!’? Sam believes it’s because of controversy and the concern that if they speak the truth, some will be offended. In that case they withhold the truth, the only thing that has the ability to change and heal lives.

In the midst of all this, Sam described how God still preserves his remnant. He sees God quickening that remnant. It’s in the form of a common attitude between the older faithful and the younger faithful. They have a commitment to honoring God first, a great seriousness about fulfilling their duty as an ordained authority and they are wanting to assist each other. The older pastors aren’t physically connecting with younger pastors because they don’t operate in those circles but in their heads they have a concern. In their heart they see the need in that younger generation.

On the other side of the ledger are the younger pastors that Sam feels don’t see themselves as needing the advice of older pastors. Yet a number of millennial pastors long and hunger for mentoring involvement by an older pastor who they can call to determine what to do in certain circumstances. This is biblical and God’s model.

To solve this issue, the American Pastors Network has begun an initiative called, ‘Bridging the Gap’. It’s covers two primary areas: Generational and Racial. Get the details when you review this Crosstalk broadcast.

Survey of 1,000+ PA Radio Listeners Ranks ‘Stand in the Gap Today’ No. 1 Favorite Program

 

The results are in, and radio listeners are reporting that “Stand in the Gap Today” from the American Pastors Network (APN) is one of their favorites.

“Stand in the Gap Today” airs on nearly 425 radio stations nationwide, and recently, several stations in Pennsylvania, where APN is headquartered, asked listeners several questions during annual share-a-thons.

The PA stations perhaps serve as a nationwide sample, and the findings were extremely positive for the “Stand in the Gap” lineup of radio programming.

First, WJSM 1110 AM in Martinsburg and WJSM 92.7 FM in Altoona, which have carried “Stand in the Gap Today” across southwest Pennsylvania for two years, asked respondents about their favorite programs during a three-day share-a-thon. Of more than 600 respondents, 87 percent stated that “Stand in the Gap Today” is their No. 1 favorite program on the station. This station airs the show Monday through Friday in the evening. The program is recorded live at noon each day.

When asked why the show was a favorite, one listener answered, “Because I can trust what they say. It is where we get our highlight news of the day. It is where I go to help me know how to think biblically about the issues of the day.”

 Additional programs on WJSM include “Focus on the Family” with Jim Daly, Juli Slattery and John Fuller; “Turning Point” with Dr. David Jeremiah; “Discover The Word;” “Back to the Bible Radio” with Warren Wiersbe; “Prophecy For Today” and “Thru The Bible Radio.” WJSM also carries APN’s other two programs: “Stand in the Gap Minute” and “Stand in the Gap Weekend.”

Then, a network of three stations in central Pennsylvania—WFBA 90.5 FM in Kulpmont, WFBM 90.5 FM in Beaver Springs and WFBV 90.1 FM in Selinsgrove—also asked listeners the same question during a recent three-day share-a-thon. Between 85 and 90 percent of approximately 500 respondents stated that “Stand in the Gap Today” was their No. 1 favorite program.

On these stations, “Stand in the Gap Today” airs live Monday through Friday at noon, and these stations have also carried the show for two years and offer listeners APN’s other two programs as well.

Arbitron ratings from a few years ago indicated that these stations rated No. 1 in the market for the longest listening segments. The program lineups on this network include mostly Christian music with some Christian programming, such as “Unshackled,” “Bible Pathway,” “Creation Moments” and “Eagle Forum Radio.”

“This is remarkable news for the American Pastors Network and our ‘Stand in the Gap’ radio ministry,” said APN President and “Stand in the Gap Today” host Sam Rohrer. “We hear from station managers that listeners love our programs and glean biblical and constitutional knowledge from them. But to have actual survey findings reinforce those opinions through research is immensely uplifting. We praise God for the opportunity to reach thousands of His people through ‘Stand in the Gap’ radio.”

 

 

American Pastors Network Bridges the (Age) Gap

Paul and Timothy were perhaps the ultimate example of a biblical mentor partnership. In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, Paul tells the next generation of pastors through Timothy: “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (KJV).”

To model Paul and Timothy’s relationship, the American Pastors Network is embarking on a new initiative to connect older biblically faithful pastors with millennial-aged biblically faithful pastors.

“A partnership and mentoring relationship like this is in every way scriptural,” said APN President Sam Rohrer. “Paul and Timothy were the biblical model and carried out the biblical command to pass along the wisdom of the fathers to the sons and grandsons. And there is a cultural urgency. The great majority of millennials (ages 18 to 35) and Generation X(approximate ages 40 to 50) do not hold a biblical worldview, even less than the older generation. They are not contending for the faith, but rather, walking into and embracing apostasy.

“We have felt called that our charge is to connect past and future generations of pastors,” Rohrer continued. “God cannot bless a church that is divided. The cause of Christ cannot advance with a church that is divided; the gospel of Jesus Christ cannot go forth and power if the church is not walking in obedience and being led in obedience by the shepherds in the pulpit—shepherds of all ages.”

To that end, Rohrer added, APN, consistent with its mission and purpose, will seek to serve as the umbrella and vehicle to unite the biblically faithful and to establish the framework for the communication of biblical truth, while demonstrating the model of how this generational divide can and should be biblically bridged.

Within the initiative to connect pastors from different generations through mentoring, events, conference, seminars and resources, APN will also seek to magnify the voice of millennial biblically faithful pastors, not only for their own benefit but to counter the voices of their unfaithful millennial counterparts.

“We pray that through the mission that God has laid upon our hearts APN would be the vehicle to model biblical succession planning and the biblical ‘passing of the baton,” Rohrer said.

Lifting Johnson Amendment Challenges Pastors to Preach All of God’s Word

Christian evangelical voters were key in the election of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. The faithful made their choice at the ballot box based largely on the promises Trump and Pence made on the campaign trail and the support they showed to pastors and churches.

On Thursday, one of those promises came to fruition, as Trump signed an executive order that ensured the protection of religious liberties in America and relaxed the rules of the Johnson Amendment, which has for six decades restricted the free speech of pastors and churches.

The American Pastors Network  praised the order and celebrated the freedoms it will return to the pulpit and the pews.

“Pastors’ voices have been silent on the most important cultural, societal and political issues of our time,” said APN President Sam Rohrer, “because of a fear of repercussions stemming from the Johnson Amendment. President Trump’s action on Thursday returns decades of freedom to churches and enables pastors to freely speak truth about social issues from the pulpit.

“However, the signing of this executive order does not remedy all the issues in today’s church,” Rohrer continued. “This brought back into line what the government’s role should be in the church, but it does not completely solve why pastors have not been preaching the whole counsel of God. The path to freedom may have been paved, but it’s now up to pastors and churches to begin preaching boldly. For some, the Johnson Amendment has been a convenient excuse to shy away from the tough issues. The challenge before the pulpit has always been fear, and that’s the challenge of any leader. The Johnson Amendment has been the fear factor. Pastors now must understand that this fear factor has been temporarily removed.”

Trump said on Thursday during a National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House just before he signed the order that sermons should no longer be censored and pastors should no longer be targeted.

“In America, we do not fear people speaking freely from the pulpit,” Trump said. “We embrace it. America has a rich tradition of social change beginning in our pews and our pulpits. Perhaps there is no greater example than the historic role of the African-American church as the agent for social progress, spurring our nation to greater justice and equality. We must never infringe on the noble tradition of change from the church and progress from the pew. Under my administration, free speech does not end at the steps of a cathedral or a synagogue or any other house of worship. We are giving our churches their voices back; we are giving them back in the highest form. With this executive order, we also make clear that the federal government will never, ever penalize any person for their protected religious beliefs.”

For more than 60 years, the Johnson Amendment, proposed by then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson and passed by Congress in 1954, had prohibited tax-exempt organizations—including churches and other nonprofits—from lobbying elected officials, campaigning on behalf of a political party and supporting or opposing candidates for office. The Johnson Amendment had instilled fear in pastors, wary of losing their church’s tax-exempt status if they speak truth into cultural, societal or political issues.

“On the campaign trail,” Rohrer added, “Donald Trump and Mike Pence vowed to work on behalf of pastors to restore their pulpit freedoms, especially at a time when Christians need biblical truth and God-centered guidance spoken into their lives regarding the pressing issues of the day.”

APN also noted that research by George Barna of the American Culture & Faith Institute found that three out of four SAGE Cons (Spiritually Active, Governance Engaged Conservatives) turned to resources such as voter guides, websites and other resources to gain information about their choices for the 2016 election. Overall, 61 percent specifically identified voter guides as a resource they used to help them decide how to vote. Under the current Johnson Amendment, churches may distribute voter guides as long as they are neutral in nature.

This research, Rohrer says, is a telling indicator that Christians are looking for guidance on important issues, and will likely look to the church.

“Pastors are charged by God to always speak biblical truth from the pulpit,” Rohrer said. “From abortion and marriage to tyranny in office, the Bible is very clear on social, cultural and political issues. Efforts by government to intimidate pastors on preaching biblical truth not only violate God’s direct command but are also unconstitutional. Churches, by their very nature, operate under God’s jurisdiction and, as such, have historically been tax-exempt. They predated the IRS and any other man-made provision. When it comes to preaching the truth of God’s Word, the pastor’s obligation is to God, not government. Thursday’s executive order is a step in the right direction to end these violations and restore pastors’ rights and duties.”

To listen to a Stand in the Gap Today radio program on this topic, please click HERE.

Johnson Amendment Inclusion in Executive Order Will Open Door for Pastors to Address Most Urgent Cultural Issues

Today’s inclusion of the Johnson Amendment in the executive order signed by President Donald Trump to protect religious freedom will greatly impact pastors, says the American Pastors Network.

“For years, pastors have been forced into thinking they must remain silent on the most important issues of our time,” said APN President Sam Rohrer. “Today’s action by President Donald Trump returns decades of freedom to churches. Pastors are charged by God to always speak biblical truth from the pulpit. From abortion and marriage to tyranny in office, the Bible is very clear on social, cultural and political issues. Efforts by government to intimidate pastors on preaching biblical truth not only violate God’s direct command but are also unconstitutional. Today, the process has begun to end those violations.”

For more than 60 years, the Johnson Amendment, proposed by then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson and passed by Congress in 1954, has prohibited tax-exempt organizations—including churches and other nonprofits—from lobbying elected officials, campaigning on behalf of a political party and supporting or opposing candidates for office. The Johnson Amendment has instilled fear in pastors, wary of losing their church’s tax-exempt status if they speak truth into cultural, societal or political issues.