There's something I've noticed about my church planting friends. They work hard. They are constantly knocking on doors, hosting outreach events in their community, and teaching people the Bible wherever they go. Sometimes I get tired just reading their Facebook posts. There's something I've noticed about my friends who pastor established churches. They work hard. They are constantly visiting someone in the hospital, attending a committee meeting, and preparing for Bible study. I can relate to the busyness of ministry. Look. I'm not trying to knock established churches. I'm not … [Read more...] about Think Like a Church Planter
In Defense of Open Mic Time at Funerals
Yesterday William Thornton wrote about The Bizzare Cases of Strangers Speaking at Funerals. William recommended against "the growing trend of an informal, almost ad hoc service where various family members and friends may speak as well as the minister or ministers". The article had a number of points about funerals that I would affirm as good advice - like making sure the gospel is clearly presented, and making sure you learn about the life of the deceased and include that in your message. I thought it was worth some gentle pushback on the open mic time, however. I would estimate about half … [Read more...] about In Defense of Open Mic Time at Funerals
Pence, Women, and Ministry
Vice President Mike Pence made news in 2002, though no one noticed until last month. Pence invoked the Billy Graham rule about dining alone with women, and the internet had a bit of fun with the discovery. Others came to Pence's defense, wondering just what the problem was. Christians are not alone in applying this concept. Ta-Nehisi Coates, an atheist, expressed the Graham Rule in terms that sound nearly evangelical: I've been with my spouse for almost 15 years. In those years, I've never been with anyone but the mother of my son. But that's not because I am an especially … [Read more...] about Pence, Women, and Ministry
The bizzare cases of strangers speaking at funerals
Consider it part of the ministerial macabre but stories about death, dying, and funerals interest me mainly because I figure I've seen or heard it all when it comes to funerals. It never fails that I run across stories that show that I haven't. Check this story of a recent funeral: Family seeks apology from stranger who made insensitive remarks at funeral At this funeral a total stranger, one whom the family had never met, decided to stand and speak. Seems the deceased was Asian non-smoker who died of lung cancer. The stranger lectured the crowd on the high smoking rates for Asians. … [Read more...] about The bizzare cases of strangers speaking at funerals
WHO IN THE WORLD IS “BOBBY BAPTIST”?
Introducing Bobby and Othello Baptist “Bobby Baptist” is a term that I recently encountered in an article written by Brad Reynolds, who serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Christian Studies at Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, GA. His article is entitled “Bobby Baptist and the ERLC.” The ERLC—Ethics and Religion Liberty Commission—an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention, is headed by Dr. Russell Moore who according to one news article was required to apologize to seven SBC pastors in order to retain his job. The “offense” Russell Moore allegedly … [Read more...] about WHO IN THE WORLD IS “BOBBY BAPTIST”?
Why I nominated Shane Hall for the Pastor’s Conference
God brought Shane and I together. Back in 1999, when I was a young church planter, I attended my first SBC annual meeting. While there, I went to the mic and asked some question about insurance for planters, identifying myself, my church, and the town in which I was planting. A few months after the Convention, Shane’s dad, an evangelist named “Tiny” Hall, showed up at my storefront church and introduced himself. He had seen me at the Convention and his ears perked up when he heard where I was planting. He was from Oklahoma, but had a brother in my Indiana town and had once planted churches … [Read more...] about Why I nominated Shane Hall for the Pastor’s Conference
Pastor Billy Bob thinks Bobby Baptist is wrong
On Wednesday, I read an article by Brad Reynolds on the Christian Index website called Bobby Baptist and the ERLC. Dr. Reynolds begins the article by reminding his readers of the well-known sermon, "A Baptist and his Bible," preached by Dr. Jerry Vines. In that sermon Dr. Vines referred to a fictional Southern Baptist named Billy Baptist. Reynolds plays off of Dr. Vines' Billy Baptist and introduces his readers to Billy's younger brother Bobby Baptist. Bobby is in Reynolds' words, "a twenty-first century hypothetical typical member of a Southern Baptist rural church." Upon reading the … [Read more...] about Pastor Billy Bob thinks Bobby Baptist is wrong
SBC PC: A Video Interview with Jamar Andrews
This year’s SBC Pastor’s Conference is June 11-12 in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will feature 12 preachers who all come from average-size SBC churches. They will be preaching through the book of Philippians over the course of the two day conference. As you know, the speakers for the conference met at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a colloquium back in February. The speakers gathered to get to know one another and study Philippians with Dr. David Allen and other preaching faculty members from SWBTS and NOBTS. I had the privilege of attending the colloquium, and one … [Read more...] about SBC PC: A Video Interview with Jamar Andrews
Can’t Afford the Trip to Phoenix? Scholarships Available
We've got some big news to announce today. Our team has been working to maximize the benefit of this year's SBC Pastors' Conference for those of us who pastor average-sized churches. Our speakers are drawn from that demographic. The Caskey Center, our major partner for this year's PC, specializes in equipping what they call "smaller-membership churches." Caskey has a number of program elements designed with us in mind: Common Ground Testimonies are one example. They're also releasing new research at the SBCPC designed to strengthen smaller church leadership and health. While this focus … [Read more...] about Can’t Afford the Trip to Phoenix? Scholarships Available
Easter Visitors at a Plateaued Church
We have all heard the data, the majority of churches in the United States are plateaued, not growing, or in decline. Statistically speaking, most of the pastors and leaders in the United States are in churches that are not growing. The numbers are even worse when you look at the percentages of churches that are growing and adding new believers as opposed to Christians from other churches and other areas. What can be done? I believe there are a few steps we can each take in our local context to make a difference. What better time than the Easter season? You will have more visitors this one … [Read more...] about Easter Visitors at a Plateaued Church