On June 23, torrential rains struck West Virginia, which caused severe floods that took 23 lives, destroyed or severely damaged over 500 homes, and left over 60,000 without power. A federal disaster declaration was issued for the counties of Fayette, Clay, Roane, Summers, Monroe, Greenbrier, Kanawha and Nicholas. Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were among... Continue Reading →
When a Change of Course is Necessary
Not long ago, I was invited to preach at a church in a metropolitan area. I arrived on a Sunday morning to a large church facility that was showing some signs of some needed maintenance and renovation. I estimated that the auditorium would seat 700-800 people. They had an abundance of Bible study classrooms and... Continue Reading →
Global Conquest…Now
God is a conquering God. Last month I explored God’s conquest in the OT by looking at Joshua’s leadership among the people of Israel and their campaign to take the land of promise. We see glimpses of God’s conquest strategy in the OT. Ultimately, God will use His people to conquer lives, not lands. He... Continue Reading →
Good Fishing
Jesus said to His first disciples, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19.) I had a good friend who was an excellent fisherman, and made a decent living as a fishing guide. If there was one fish in a lake, my friend would catch it. Why was he such a good... 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 →
Global Conquest…Then
Throughout the pages of the Bible, God is the God of conquest. The purpose of His conquering is the spread of His fame. God often does the unimaginable in order that He receives all of the glory and not man. For example, He delivers Israel from Egyptian slavery by conquering their enemy through a series 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 →
March Madness and Missions
I am a football fan who occasionally dabbles in watching basketball. However, I must admit that there is something exciting about March Madness! Maybe it’s the story of the Cinderella team that no one gives a shot to win, but somehow finds the right combination at the right time. Maybe it’s because of the frenzy... Continue Reading →
Displaced
They often flee in the middle of the night, taking only what they can carry. They flee because their ethnicity, religion, or politics make it unsafe to remain in the place that has been home. They are refugees. People without a home, without a country. The decision to leave their homeland is not a easy... 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 →