Most of us can answer pretty quickly about whether we have an innie or an outie, if we're talking about belly buttons. Whether you end up with an innie or an outie is usually a matter of chance. Most people end up with innies, but some people have outies. Outies usually occur when more of... Continue Reading →
The Future of Associations
If associations are going to exist in the future we must ask the hard questions now and that is why I’ve chosen to share the following article with you. It is from a June 21, 2016 blog post by Ed Stetzer. It addresses the importance of associations demonstrating their value to local churches and was... Continue Reading →
What’s the Fuss?
I recently led a workshop in which I shared how many churches today were actively engaging their communities by being the hands and feet of Jesus through acts of service. I suggested that by doing so, the church would be more relevant to the community and doors for spiritual influence would be opened. One of... Continue Reading →
How Many ATTEND or How Many We SEND?
Many churches count how many attend as if that is something that determines it’s success. How many we’re seating on any given Sunday was never intended to be a tool used to determine effectiveness. But, how many the church sends out each week is an indicator of a church’s health and Biblical obedience. "And how... Continue Reading →
Community Ministry Involves 75% of Congregation
I may not have believed this if I didn’t experience it myself. September of 2015 marked the first year that Kentucky Baptist Convention churches were invited, encouraged and equipped to conduct a statewide Operation Inasmuch (OIAM) effort. We discovered that somewhere between 55-75% of a church’s Sunday morning attendance participated in their OIAM ministry. I... Continue Reading →
A New Start Should Involve Reaching New People
The New Year’s Eve celebrations have ended and before us is a new year of new opportunities, new beginnings and new direction. This is the time of year that we find ourselves evaluating the past year and making new plans and resolutions for the coming year. Usually the new plans have something to do with... Continue Reading →
Is Serving Others Only a Seasonal Activity?
I love Christmas, the lights, family gatherings, decorations, music and gift giving. It's a time of year when people show compassion to the hurts and needs of others. We see it displayed in the days leading up to Christmas by children taking gifts to the elderly in the nursing home, groups singing carols and delivering... Continue Reading →
Go Tell it On the Mountain… and Everywhere!
We buried my father just two weeks ago after battling lung cancer, dementia, and finally, pnemonia. He had battled alcoholism in early adulthood, but experienced life transformation after accepting Christ as his Savior and Lord. Following his conversion, my father (who I affectionately called Dave) lived his life on mission, declaring to everyone he met... Continue Reading →
Missions Thinking Doesn’t Fulfill the Great Commission
Acts 1:8 challenges every Christ follower to be a missionary everywhere - locally, regionally, nationally and around the world. All believers are called to this commitment, but sadly, we know that not all are obedient. Likewise, churches are to be Great Commission churches - sending people and making disciples everywhere, locally, regionally, nationally and around... Continue Reading →
10 Things Missionaries Won’t Tell You
I recently read a blog post introduced to me by one of our Kentucky missionaries that was written in July of 2014 by Adam Mosley. After working with missionaries for most of my ministry, I know that what Adam has written is so true. If you’ve not served as a missionary, you might not know... Continue Reading →