It has been

said that it is harder to minister to people today than at any other time

in history. Why would someone make a statement like that? How could this

be true?

We have the

most technologically advanced possibilities for ministry in America than

ever before. We have better facilities than ever before. We have better

trained pastors than ever before. We have more highly educated congregations

than ever before. Our people have instant access to world news and world

markets and world travel. We have more finances than ever before.

I was attending

our Baptist Association meeting in Palmetto several months ago and heard

a sermon on "High Maintenance Christians." This group of pastors,

in my opinion, consisted of very fine men. As the pastor delivered this

"High Maintenance Christians" sermon, there were an extra amount

of "amens" around this subject.

I have noticed

in my own ministry of 30 years that the "flock" needs of individual

"shepherding" and maintenance is more now than in any time in

history. Why would this be the case? Have you noticed why there are so

many churches often of the same denomination almost next door to each

other? Much of that has to do with "high maintenance Christians"

and their attitudes toward each other. They care little for the cause

of Christ. Of course, what "spoiled" always does is to get mad,

and take their sports equipment and stomp home.