We've Moved!!

Desperately Dependent Community has a new home at ddcommunity.org. We have combined our blog and former website to this new address.

Come on over for a visit!! The door is always open.

Join DDCommunity

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Desperately Dependent Community is uniquely qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:

·  Ministry families are suffering in isolation while surrounded by the demands of needy souls. We offer relevant relationships to promote hope and healing.

·  Teaching, tending, and training are provided through a variety of means.

·  The management team has demonstrated decades of effective, sustained ministry.

·  Our ministry team has personally experienced the life changing results of an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ that produces spiritual maturity.

Desperately Dependent Community resources are offered locally and globally. Our compassionate caregivers are available to minister services where needed or even connect via modern technology (i.e. Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangout, etc.). With our primary location in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area, we may easily service our close neighbors in Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. While serving an interdenominational community, our primary focus is on the Southern Baptist Convention.

Considering that most churches have at least one pastor, and add to the statistics other staff members and their families, the prospective need base of Christian ministers, their families, and workers in our neighborhood alone is staggering.

How can you get involved with Desperately Dependent Community?

1.     Make a commitment to find Christ relevant to every area of your life.

2.     Accept that spiritual maturity is a lifelong process.

3.     Recognize that everyone, including Christian leaders, must commit to the lifelong process of spiritual maturity.

 

4.     Appropriate the principles of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life.

5.     Teach others to find Christ relevant to every area of their lives. 

6.     Share the ministry of DDCommunity with your pastor and others who desire to find Christ relevant to every area of life thereby promoting effective, sustained ministries.

7.     Let us know how you would like to be a part of DDCommunity.

8.     Contribute your time, talents, and/or treasures as God directs you to further the ministry of DDCommunity.

9.     Pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen us with power through His Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we all may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:16–19 NIV).

If you would like to receive our blog posts via email, simply submit your email address in the box on the left. They will make you verify your request by jumping through a few hoops, but that is for your safety!

We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

Motivating Spiritual Maturity

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What makes Desperately Dependent Community distinctive? Specifically, DDCommunity offers these advantages:

·  Solutions: Not just symptomatic relief, Desperately Dependent Community communicates Christ as the sufficient solution for every need. With practical application we present Christ as relevant to every area of life.

·  Point of need: Desperately Dependent Community endeavors to come to the point of the need. Our community of compassionate caregivers is available to meet at a coffee shop, in an office, at your church, in a retreat setting, at a seminar, or even on a mission field.

·  All ages: Unfortunately the pressures and conflicts of Christian service impact individuals at all ages and stages of life. From the insecurities of the youngest child, to the loneliness of the pastor’s wife, to the fears of the ageing minister, and all points in between, Desperately Dependent Community desires to administer the healing balm of a relevant relationship with Jesus Christ.

·  Discipleship: Discipleship is essential for all. The Great Commission is not to just make disciples of new converts, but for all followers of Christ to grow “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Eph. 4:13–15 NIV). Our ministry motivates spiritual maturity.

·  Mentorship: The multifaceted continuum of ministry toward maturity supplies relevant mentorship. This is not a time limited process but may include life-long involvement.

Desperately Dependent Community exists to challenge Christian ministers and workers to find Christ relevant to every area of life thereby promoting effective, sustained ministries. While cultivating a community of compassionate caregivers who desire to serve the body of Christ, our ministry motivates spiritual maturity.

If you would like to receive our blog posts via email, simply submit your email address in the box on the left. They will make you verify your request by jumping through a few hoops, but that is for your safety!

We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

Relief for Ministry Workers

There are plans for ancillary services of Desperately Dependent Community (in the development stages) that are designed to reinforce the ministry efforts.

The Ministry Library serves the multifaceted purposes of teaching, support, training, and fundraising. Many ministry leaders spend a lifetime gathering resources. With topics spanning sermon preparation, leadership skills, theology, counseling, quotations, illustrations, applications, dissertations, evaluations, explanations, elaborations, language studies, Christian history, biographies, apologetics, current culture, fiction, and more these resources offer an extensive education and support. Personal notes contained within donated books present a legacy of the generations. By offering donated libraries for lending, sale, and trade, we provide valuable tools and resources to make the wisdom of the past and present available for the future thus furthering our ministry of promoting effective and sustained ministries. We are currently accepting donations of new and used Christian books, which may be incorporated into The Ministry Library or sold to support ministry operating expenses.

Design Verses serve as reminders of God’s design for life. These graphically designed Scripture verses are used to personalize God’s Word and make it relevant to every area of life. For personal and professional use, these relevant Bible passages can be applied for Scripture education, encouragement, enrichment, memorization, art therapy, conversation starters, card making, creative crafting, décor, gifts, class activities, church bulletins, and so much more. As a part of Desperately Dependent Community services, Design Verses are supportive for individuals and toward the financial income of the ministry.

Crafting classes promote unity within the Community as well as encourage attendees to find Christ relevant to every area of life. Applications of Scripture verses serve as a reminder of specific truth that can affect life changes. Completed projects continue to offer visual remembrances of transformation. We are currently accepting donations of art and craft supplies to be used for crafting classes or sold to raise funds for the ministry. 

Doesn’t it all sound exciting?? We would love to hear what you think!

If you happened to miss the introduction to Desperately Dependent Community you can read more on the "About Us" page or scroll back through last week's blog posts.

If you would like to receive our blog posts via email, simply submit your email address in the box on the left. They will make you verify your request by jumping through a few hoops, but that is for your safety!
 
We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

Desperately Dependent Community

“Okay, Kirk and Melanie, hold on a minute. I think I’m missing something. What is it you are talking about???”

Here’s a recap:

Desperately Dependent Community exists to challenge Christian ministers and workers to find Christ relevant to every area of life thereby promoting effective, sustained ministries. While cultivating a community of compassionate caregivers who desire to serve the body of Christ, our ministry motivates spiritual maturity.

Let’s take it apart word by word. Maybe these definitions will help you understand the nuances of the DDC mission statement.

challenge: a task or situation that tests someone’s abilities; an objection or query as to the truth of something, often with an implicit demand for proof: a challenge to the legality of the order; a sentry’s call for a password or other proof of identity; make a rival claim to or threaten someone’s hold on (a position): they were challenging his leadership. invite (someone) to do something that one thinks will be difficult or impossible; dare : I challenged them to make up their own minds.

Christian minister: a person whose job involves leading the functions of a church, performing religious ceremonies (such as marriages), and providing spiritual or religious guidance to other people: a member of the clergy; one officiating or assisting the officiant in church worship

Christian worker: those who put forth an anointed effort to serve Christ

relevant: having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand; affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at issue or under discussion

promoting: further the progress of (something, esp. a cause, venture, or aim); support or actively encourage

effective: successful in producing a desired or intended result

sustained: cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption

ministry: the spiritual work or service of any Christian or a group of Christians

cultivate: try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill)

community: a group of people living together in one place; all the people living in a particular area or place; the people of a district or country considered collectively, esp. in the context of social values and responsibilities; a group of people having a religion, race, profession, or other particular characteristic in common; a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals

compassionate: feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others

caregiver: a person who provides direct care

desire: a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen

serve: perform duties or services for (another person or an organization)

ministry: the spiritual work or service of any Christian or a group of Christians

motivates: stimulate someone’s interest in or enthusiasm for doing something

spiritual: relating to God

maturity: the quality or state of being mature; especially: full development

Now that we have taken it all apart, word by word, let's put it back together. 

The Mission Statement of Desperately Dependent Community:

Desperately Dependent Community exists to challenge Christian ministers and workers to find Christ relevant to every area of life thereby promoting effective, sustained ministries. While cultivating a community of compassionate caregivers who desire to serve the body of Christ, our ministry motivates spiritual maturity.

Yep, it’s a tall order! Stay tuned for more information!

If you would like to receive our blog posts via email, simply submit your email address in the box on the left. They will make you verify your request by jumping through a few hoops, but that is for your safety!
 
We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

Helping Christian Ministers and Workers

Colossians 2:6–7 reminds us:

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness (NLT). Maturing is a continual process.

Desperately Dependent Community offers relevant truths to challenge Christian ministers and workers to re-evaluate life and ministry at the point of deepest need. Believing that problems expose the plight that Jesus is missing, through a discipleship process and mentoring relationships individuals are motivated to find Christ as their all-sufficient solution. 

The primary services of Desperately Dependent Community offer a continuum of

• teaching people to find Christ relevant to every area of life,
• tending to ministers and ministry families as they discern how Christ is relevant to promoting effective and sustained ministries, and
• training Christian workers to be effective in leading others to find Christ relevant to every area of life.

We provide conferences, curriculum resources, teaching, training, and support to those desiring to mature in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Through our personalized interactions and corporate services, our resources offer hope and healing to weary souls. Ministry Partnerships are available so that churches and organizations have the advantage of expert advice readily available through Staff Development Intensives and continuous consultations.

Our primary focus includes:

1. Christian Ministers
1. Full time, part time, bi-vocational, senior pastor, music minister, youth minister, minister of discipleship, missionary, etc.
2. Ministers may be thriving in ministry or merely surviving.
3. Ministers are offered support, encouragement, consultations, counseling, teaching, and training thereby promoting effective, sustained ministries.
2. Ministry Families
1. Spouses of ministry leaders, children whether young or adult children, and extended families that are impacted by ministry
2. Families may be adjusting to ministerial changes, pressures within the ministry, or a wide variety of family issues resulting from ministry interactions. 
3. Families are offered support, encouragement, consultations, counseling, teaching, and training thereby promoting effective, sustained families.
3. Lay Leaders and Christian Workers
1. Individuals occupying leadership positions in the church and those seeking to live an authentic Christian lifestyle in every area of life
2. Official and/or unofficial positions necessitate continuing ministry as individuals progress toward spiritual maturity.
3. Leaders and workers may receive teaching, mentoring, training, support, encouragement, counseling, and direction.
4. Churches and Ministry Organizations
1. Churches and organizations including personnel committees, deacon boards, elders, mission organizations, etc.
2. Corporate entities may require assistance in promoting effective, sustained ministries through preventative care and/or crisis assistance.
3. Consultations, teaching, training, and evaluations are offered.

Let us know how we can help you. contact@desperatedependency.com

If you would like to receive our blog posts via email, simply submit your email address in the box on the left. They will make you verify your request by jumping through a few hoops, but that is for your safety!

We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

Christian Clergy in Crisis

Recent statistics have listed Chattanooga, Tennessee with remarkable distinctions. Gallup released a 2013 analysis of the top 189 U.S. metro areas to report that Chattanooga is among the 10 most unhappy metro areas in the United States. According to the American Bible Society's 2014 study, Chattanooga was listed #1 of America's Most Bible-Minded Cities. Are these statistics proof that Christianity makes no significant difference to well-being? Many hypotheses can be submitted, but ultimately we should ask if it is true or false that you “are complete through your union with Christ” (Col. 2:10 NLT)?

Chattanooga, the buckle of the Bible belt, is not the only conundrum. Paradoxical ministry statistics abound.

1. 23% of the pastors surveyed said they felt happy and content on a regular basis with who they are in Christ, in their church, and in their home! (Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development)

2. 71% of pastors stated they were burned out, and they battle depression beyond fatigue on a weekly and even a daily basis. (Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development)
 
3. 77% of the pastors we surveyed felt they did not have a good marriage! (Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development)
 
4. Almost 40% polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry. (The Shaeffer Institute distilled research from Barna, Focus on the Family, and Fuller Seminary)

5. 54% of the pastors had viewed internet pornography within the last year, and 30% of these had visited within the last 30 days. [In March of 2002 RickWarren’s (author of the Purpose Driven life) Pastors.com website conducted a survey on porn use of 1351 pastors.]
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6. The typical pastor has his greatest ministry impact at a church in years 5 through 14 of his pastorate; unfortunately, the average pastor lasts only five years at a church. (Barna)

7. Most statistics say that 60% to 80% of those who enter the ministry will not still be in it 10 years later, and only a fraction will stay in it as a lifetime career. (The Shaeffer Institute distilled research from Barna, Focus on the Family, and Fuller Seminary)

8. The New York Times published an article on August 8, 2010 stating:
The findings have surfaced with ominous regularity over the last few years, and with little notice: Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could.

9. The majority of pastor's wives surveyed said that the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry. (Mark Driscoll, "Death by Ministry")

10. Eighty percent of adult children of pastors surveyed have had to seek professional help for depression. (2002)

11. 34% of Christians feel called to the work they currently do (among those who are presently employed). (Barna) 

12. Only 5% of people who describe themselves as Christian and involved in a church indicated that their church does anything to hold them accountable for integrating biblical beliefs and principles into their life. (Barna)

Our next blog post will present the services of DDCommunity designed to address the needs.



If you would like to receive our blog posts via email, simply submit your email address in the box on the left. They will make you verify your request by jumping through a few hoops, but that is for your safety!

We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

Maturing Leadership

For decades, Kirk and Melanie Lewis have ministered as a team, challenging people to an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. As counselors they are committed to using Biblical principles to facilitate healing and liberate weary souls from emotional bondage. Their counsel is founded upon the belief that Jesus Christ is the center of well-being, that the Bible is the authority, and that psychology is the applied aspect of theology. Through consistent application of Biblical truths they have fostered a community of compassionate caregivers who strive to point others to find Christ relevant to every area of life.

Together Kirk and Melanie co-authored Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life. Their life message incorporated in this work serves as a counseling curriculum and spiritual growth model when teaching, tending, and training Christian ministers and workers. The mentoring and discipleship process has facilitated growth in countless people, many of whom now make up Desperately Dependent Community. While cultivating this community, those who have been ministered to, mature to compassionate caregivers who in turn minister to others. The reciprocating cycle integrates continuous testimony of changed lives that motivate and encourage the community. Individuals who have “been there” support those who flounder even in leadership positions.

Other curriculums including Marriages that Minister and As A Little Child develop the framework for finding Christ relevant to marriage, and parenting while incorporating Scriptural truth as the foundation. These Biblical truths are expounded to produce authentic Christian living on a practical level. Intensives are offered to present the entire course of study through classes, seminars, and conferences. Condensed versions of the material are presented in small groups, teaching, sermons, and various other methods as needed.

Churches dealing with ministerial failure, congregational conflicts, leadership discord, and crisis have received assistance and direction though consultations and crisis intervention provided by Desperately Dependent Community. Families and individuals suffering from the fallout have obtained support and direction to prevent life-long devastating victimization. All are challenged to find Christ relevant to every area of their lives.

In the coming days we will unfold more of the story of DDCommunity.




If you would like to receive our blog posts via email, simply submit your email address in the box on the left. They will make you verify your request by jumping through a few hoops, but that is for your safety!

We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

Our Story

October is designated as Pastor Appreciation Month. Over the next several weeks we will tell you more of this Pastor's Family's story and how we strive to appreciate and help Christian ministers and workers.

From the Sandhills of rural North Carolina and the mountains of New York State, Kirk Lewis and Melanie came to the hills of Tennessee to prepare for Christian service at Tennessee Temple University. At the annual missions’ conferences, they connected to a wide variety of mission agencies to determine how they could be utilized in supporting missionary families. The common answer echoed, “Get some experience and then come back and see us.”

Throughout childhood Melanie witnessed hurting ministry families cared for through the gifted hospitality of her parents. Kirk’s childhood provided continuous testimony of people professing Christianity with little evidence of a set apart life. Ministry families suffered in silence around him. As a result, Kirk and Melanie’s deep desire has been to help people find Christ relevant to every area of life, whether they are in the pulpit or the pew.

Even in the inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation hospital where Kirk was employed, he noted Christians and ministry families struggling to live effective lives with sustained ministries. In private practice Kirk and Melanie initiated support groups for ministers and their wives, and also provided individual counseling for ministry workers and family members. The devastation of the clergy has been astounding.

On a quest to fortify the body of Christ, Kirk and Melanie moved their counseling practice to a church-based setting. As an ordained minister, Kirk facilitates open dialog with ministers and prospective Christian workers regarding the unique challenges associated with a faith-based career. Melanie addresses the needs of fatigued women and children by rebuilding confidence, providing encouragement, and outlining directional guidance.

On July 25, 2014 another story began, Desperately Dependent Community was formed as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.

Desperately Dependent Community exists to challenge Christian ministers and workers to find Christ relevant to every area of life thereby promoting effective, sustained ministries. While cultivating a community of compassionate caregivers who desire to serve the body of Christ, our ministry motivates spiritual maturity.

In the coming days we will unfold more of the story of DDCommunity.



If you would like to receive our blog posts via email, simply submit your email address in the box on the left. They will make you verify your request by jumping through a few hoops, but that is for your safety!

We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.