Things I've Learned in 15 Years of Ministry

This will just be a simple list of things I've observed about people and church from being a pastor for 15 years.

1) People are going to believe anything they want, no matter how much you preach, teach, cajole, counsel, summon, etc.
2) People don't accept you as you are; people accept you as they are. You do the same thing, don't you?
3) Money talks. Period.
4) People exaggerate. Things are either worse than they really are or better than they really are. Folks do this to give the appearance of being superior, smart or exciting.
5) Church is only one activity among many to choose from on a typical Sunday morning.
6) Most people do not read their church newsletter due to apathy.
7) Churches, like most other organizations, follow the 80/20 rule.
8) Church is the place for a person to wield power in areas where they are powerless in everyday life.
9) People who think God is angry at them are merely projecting their own anger.

Of course, I wouldn't want it any other way. I don't think things should be different. They're not, and it's unrealistic to expect them to be different. Things are what they are. Things change when they do, and not a moment sooner.