I feel somewhat chagrined about submitting a post on sermon illustrations. How can the mundane task of sermon preparation compare with the exciting furors involving the latest convention news? Still, even the most exciting drama on television stops for commercial breaks. When I was a pastor, I estimated that I preached 46 Sundays each year. Our […]
The Role of an Interim Pastor
In my ministry, I’ve had the privilege of serving as an interim pastor at ten churches. Those churches varied from 75 in attendance to 750. Some of the churches were in good shape, while others were in great turmoil. An interim pastor serves as the regular preacher at a church between the tenures of two […]
Have You “Cleaned” Your Membership Rolls?
As ships pass through the water, they accumulate barnacles. The barnacles can grow to the point that they impede the ship’s speed considerably. Then, the ship must go to a dry dock, where the barnacles are scraped off. Church rolls are like that—they tend to accumulate inactive members who impede the church’s progress. Periodically, churches […]
How to Pray for Missionaries (Mark Terry)
The sad news I received yesterday (Ed note: this post came a few days ago) inspired this post. Here is an excerpt from a letter from David Platt to the IMB missionaries, staff and trustees, sent on Wednesday, March 14: “It is with a heavy heart that I share this news. This morning (Wednesday, […]
My Approach to Missions Strategy
Dave Miller asked me to write this post. Full disclosure: I served as a missionary with the IMB for twenty-four years in Southeast Asia. I received a Ph.D. in missions from Southwestern Seminary. I’ve taught missions at Southwestern Seminary, Southern Baptist Seminary, and lately at Mid-America Baptist Seminary. For many years I’ve offered both a […]
What Do You Want in the New President of the International Mission Board
Last week I went to the IMB’s International Learning Center to meet with other seminary missions professors and IMB staff members. We do this every year during the spring semester. Of course, the main topic of conversation was the search for a new president for the IMB. The chairman of the IMB trustees has […]
Basic Church Documents
When I teach church planting, I always talk to the students about basic church documents. A new church needs some basic documents that provide it with a good, solid foundation. Older churches need these foundational documents, also. Ok, what are they? All churches need a statement of faith, a church covenant, and a constitution and […]
A Tribute to Billy Graham
Yesterday we learned that Billy Graham had passed away at age ninety-nine. He was one of us, a Southern Baptist. He was ordained by a Southern Baptist church in Florida in 1939, and he was a member at First Baptist Church of Dallas. When I heard of his passing, immediately, I thought of Genesis 25:8, […]
An Appeal for Honesty in References
I’m appealing to all our readers to be honest and forthright in the references we provide. What prompts this appeal? An unforgettable experience does. Some years ago our church called a new youth pastor. He applied for the position at our church, and he supplied several references from the church he was serving. After he […]
David Platt’s Administration in Retrospect
In the interest of full disclosure—I am a retired IMB missionary. My wife and I served 24 years with the IMB in Southeast Asia. I have taught missions at Southern Baptist Seminary and now at Mid-America Baptist Seminary. This post reflects my personal opinions, and they do not represent the position of any institution. What […]