What Ever Happened to Respect?: America’S Loss of Respect for Pastors

Dr. Philip E. Ayers

2005년 8월 · AuthorHouse

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Is there something taking place in our beloved country? It seems the respect for our government, society, and religious institutions are eroding. America is losing its influence and respect as a world leader. Many of our citizens believe our country is beyond saving from absolute destruction. They say we have crossed the threshold of no return. There are many reasons for these thoughts of doom, but one glaring observation stands out. Our citizens are not focused on fundamental family traditions, less government involvement in our lives and strong Christian ethics. There is a silent movement away from respecting the leaders of our government, communities and churches. Our minds are bombarded with thoughts from free thinkers who have no Christian values. Even the mindset of pastors is changing. This is alarming because the fate of our nation rests in the minds of its leaders! Dr. Ayers has opened my thinking to the possibility of a potential danger lurking within our churches and society a failure to respect those in authority. It was difficult for me to accept my role as a pastor in this assault of Satan upon us. I agree with Phil in his assessment that we need a revival! -A local pastor in the Roanoke Valley If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. -Abraham Lincoln Lord, help us who cannot preach to pray for the man who does! Have you, dear Friend, who cannot preach, made a point of praying for the pastor of the Church to which you belong? It is a great sin on the part of Church members if they do not daily sustain their pastor by their prayers! -Charles Spurgeon -1892, Sermon #2261

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Philip Ayers was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on March 2nd, 1948. He is the second born of a family of five. Very early in his life, his family moved to Salem, Virginia, where he resided until he joined the United States Marine Corps. Philip’s childhood was characterized by an abusive environment. His father was an alcoholic. This would lead to his mother’s death by suicide when he was fifteen. His childhood and adolescence years were monopolized by playing sports. He played football and baseball in the sandlot programs. He continued to play football and baseball while in high school and later played semi-professional football. He raced for ten years on the NASCAR circuit. He left his home and joined the United States Marine Corps when he was seventeen. While in the Corps, he served in the Viet Nam conflict. He was wounded three times, and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” for heroic service. He played quarterback for the Marine Corps’ national football team, the Quantico Marines. He served four years, and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant. Philip was saved on March 30th, 1980. Jesus Christ called him to ministry in 1981. He graduated from Colonial Bible College and Trinity College of the Bible with a degree in Religious Education. He graduated from Trinity Theological Seminary in 1983, and from Liberty University with a Master Degree in Counseling in 1991. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005. He is serving in his twenty-first year as the Senior Pastor of Glade Creek Baptist Church. He is the founder of Arise Ministry. Philip is married to Lois Ayers. They have a blended family with six children and six beautiful grandchildren. They reside in Roanoke, Virginia.