Visiting Clear Creek  

Driving into eastern Kentucky at any time of year is scenic, but especially in the spring. Trees are coming into bloom and the grass is turning green as the mountains are teeming with new life.  Turning off Hwy. 25E onto 190 in Bell County is also a blessing. Itis the final road leading up toContinue reading “Visiting Clear Creek  “

Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

Many of us remember the Snickers candy bar commercials featuring well-known celebrities with a sour attitude and a friend saying, “You’re not yourself when you’re hungry.” Of course, as the commercial goes, a Snickers candy bar is the solution.  The same could be said about sleep. In ministry leadership, and most other lines of work,Continue reading “Are You Getting Enough Sleep?”

Learning from Revival  

I preached at a revival this past week in one of our great KBC churches. This church traditionally holds an annual revival—though it had not done so in recent years—inviting a guest preacher, worship leader and providing a meal for each service. They were such gracious hosts, and we had a wonderful week together.  Continue reading “Learning from Revival  “

Fruit That Did not Last 

I had dinner recently with a couple who were saved and baptized in the last church I pastored. This couple has walked with Jesus for several years now and raised children who are following Christ. They are faithful in their local church and have intentionally ordered their lives as ambassadors for Jesus.   I rememberContinue reading “Fruit That Did not Last “

A Night to Remember

Two weeks ago, Connie and I attended the International Mission Board missionary commissioning service held at North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix, Ariz. Sixty-two of Southern Baptists’ best and brightest were sent out to the nations with the gospel. That is a really big deal.  The atmosphere for the evening gathering was celebratory and hope-filled.Continue reading “A Night to Remember”

Tips on Evangelistic Preaching

I am not an evangelist, but I am commanded by Scripture to do the work of one. Paul instructed Timothy in 2 Tim. 4:5, “do the work of an evangelist.” Every God-called preacher has an obligation and opportunity to figure out and carry out the work of an evangelist.  What do evangelists do? They shareContinue reading “Tips on Evangelistic Preaching”

Why Join the SBC? 

Occasionally I hear someone say, “I am proud to be part of the Kentucky Baptist Convention but not so much the Southern Baptist Convention.” The person essentially means that they love their state convention but are not as happy about our national network.  I am always glad to hear that people love the KBC, butContinue reading “Why Join the SBC? “

Why We Need More Leaders

I began teaching a course on organizational leadership this past week at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. One of the goals of the course is to demonstrate how organizational leadership can promote human flourishing. What an encouraging possibility for those in leadership to think that they can contribute not only to the advancementContinue reading “Why We Need More Leaders”