Giving a Gospel Invitation

We invite lots of people to do many things. In 2025, both of my daughters were married, and they sent many invitations to friends and family members inviting them to join their special day.   Invitations are sent for baby showers, groundbreaking ceremonies, anniversaries, birthday parties and more. Sometimes folks spontaneously invite neighbors to join them for snacks at their home. An invitation is made and a response isContinue reading “Giving a Gospel Invitation”

Mobilizing Your Church’s Voice

Kentucky Baptists make up the largest protestant denomination in Kentucky, even though technically we are not a denomination. There are more than 500,000 members in the 2,300 Kentucky Baptist churches across our state.   Last year those churches gave more than $33 million to Kentucky and Southern Baptist ministry and mission causes and baptized more than 11,000 people. That kind of impact year after year has made, and continues to make, a gospel differenceContinue reading “Mobilizing Your Church’s Voice”

Together for The Mission: Reaching College Students

One of the greatest missional opportunities available to Kentucky Baptists can be found on the more than 100 college campuses that dot the landscape of our Commonwealth.   More than 260,000 students descend on those grounds every semester with the vast majority, possibly as high as 95%, not being connected to a local church duringContinue reading “Together for The Mission: Reaching College Students”

What is your evangelism strategy?

How you would you respond as a pastor, elder or ministry leader if someone asked, “What is your evangelism strategy?”  Some leaders would have a ready answer, but many would not. Many pastors, elders and ministry leaders are busy with other important matters and have not given time to think through an intentional plan toContinue reading “What is your evangelism strategy?”

Together for the Mission: Helping Churches Find Pastors

At any time in Kentucky Baptist life there are roughly 300 KBC churches looking for their next pastor. In June the number was 288 and in July it was 312.   Local churches do not thrive without faithful God-called pastors preaching the word, leading the mission and caring for people. But many of these sister churchesContinue reading “Together for the Mission: Helping Churches Find Pastors”

Teaching on Stewardship

While most churches have benefited in recent years from strong and faithful expository preaching through books of the Bible, it is also true that many have suffered from a lack of biblical discipleship on stewardship.   A recent report from Giving USA shows, “Charitable giving rose to $617.20 billion in 2025, surpassing the $600 billion mark for the first time.” A report from Ministry Watch states, “The survey of over 1,000Continue reading “Teaching on Stewardship”

Making it Up as We Go

Podcaster and leadership expert Carey Nieuwhof said in a recent interview with John Ortberg that he holds to an unpublished view of leadership that most of us are “making it up as we go.” Nieuwhof seems to be saying most leaders do not arrive at their leadership position knowing all they will need to knowContinue reading “Making it Up as We Go”

Attend KBC Faith and Public Policy Forum 

There are at least two schools of thought when it comes to the role of pastors, elders and ministry leaders being involved in shaping public policy (i.e. laws). Some believe that pastors have no voice whatsoever in the law-making process. They hold to a view of the separation of church and state that would silence faith-based voices in the public square. OthersContinue reading “Attend KBC Faith and Public Policy Forum “

Keys for Revitalization

During July, many of us have been praying for the revitalization of rural Kentucky Baptist churches. But what is church revitalization, and what are some keys to experiencing it?   Church revitalization could be defined as a local church functioning in the way it was intended by its Creator. Acts 2:42-47 is often used as a picture of a healthy church. The believers in this early congregation were gathering frequently,Continue reading “Keys for Revitalization”

Family Vacation

The first vacation I can recall with Connie and our girls came as a result of a church member giving us a free pass to a timeshare cabin in Gatlinburg, Tenn. This family had purchased a week’s lodging but was moving back to Alaska and gave the trip to us. At the time, our girls were very young, and we enjoyed a great time together. Like most young families, our finances were tight, and we would not have beenContinue reading “Family Vacation”