05/19/2024
Hello everyone. This year I have started working for Standing Stone Ministry. Can I ask you to take a few minutes to read about the ministry?
We retired to Arizona last year. I was a pastor-mentor leader for what is now called Aspire Churches in the Inland Empire area of California. I really and wanted to do something like that here in Tucson. That's when I found out about Standing Stone Ministry. It's a nation-wide parachurch organization of seasoned leaders who come alongside pastors.
Just the other day I was speaking with my friend Joel, who was in my church in Temple City. He's a recently retired TV grip—I like to call him "my favorite off-camera TV star"! He was manning the prayer room at Purpose Church (Pomona) where they now attend when one of the pastors came in and asked for prayer. Later, he was asking himself the question, "Who pastors the pastors?"*
Standing Stone has 215 "shepherds" serving nationwide, and each month ministers to over 3,500 pastors and Christian leaders—all at zero cost to the pastors or their churches. The sad truth is that 70% of pastors report they have no close friend, and that when there's a church "implosion", 80% of the time it's caused by something going on in the lives of staff pastors.
71% of pastors report “burnout” at some point in their ministry. 35% of pastors are dealing with depression or fears of inadequacy right now. 50% of pastors never exercise. 72% of pastors report working over 55 hours a week. 80% of pastors say that ministry has adversely affected their families. Pastoral couples live with unique stressors.
Professionals (such as attorneys) have to master an average of 12-15 skills, while pastors have to master 25-35 skills to be effective. The stress can be paralyzing.
What can be done? Standing Stone seeks to change the spiritual environment for pastors. If the evil one wants to go after the sheep, the best place to attack are the shepherds. Standing Stone shepherds help pastors come to a place of better spiritual and personal health to head off the attacks of the enemy.
I am the very first Standing Stone shepherd in southern Arizona. Right now, I'm in the fundraising stage of my ministry. It may be free to churches and pastors, but it still costs money. My goal is to raise $2,000 per month. I am two-thirds the way to my goal.
Can I ask you to pray about coming on as a partner? FYI, most supporters give between $100 and $200 a month. Others give a "lump sum." I know it's a lot, so can I just ask you to talk to the Lord about it? If He says "no", I'm perfectly fine with that. But if He says yes, I want you to know that I will not look at you as a donor. I will look at you as a partner, and I will keep you informed, and I will rely on your prayers.
I'm putting a link here where you can get more information.
https://standingstoneministry.org/shepherd/layne-glenn/
Even if this isn't something you feel led to give to, we'd still love to renew connections. And if you come this way, well, we have a lovely guest room!
You can contact me here or use my Standing Stone Ministry email account: [email protected].
Glenn and Lynann
