Category Archives: Evangelism

In our own backyard

I recently met a young man in Kentucky who claims he never heard the gospel. I haven’t been able to get past that experience. Here’s how the interaction happened … I was doing front door evangelism with a Kentucky Baptist pastor when we came to this young man’s door. We knocked on the door andContinue reading “In our own backyard”

Learning from leaders

I learn more about ministry leadership by watching other leaders lead than I ever did in the classroom. I have always benefited from seeing others do something before I do it. I may not do it exactly the same way — but it gives me a pattern to follow. The Apostle Paul must have beenContinue reading “Learning from leaders”

REACH 2022 – A Big Hit

I have vivid memories as a 27-year-old pastor of attending a KBC Evangelism Conference. I remember feeling inadequate in my ministry position. But sitting with a crowd of preachers at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, I heard some incredible preaching. One sermon focused on God’s unconditional love, and it met me right where I wasContinue reading “REACH 2022 – A Big Hit”

Using your voice

As a young pastor, I was cautious about becoming overly involved in politics. I didn’t want to alienate anyone, and I certainly didn’t want to get off on the wrong foot in my new church. But the mistake came when I avoided such conversations so much that I was reluctant to speak on social issuesContinue reading “Using your voice”

What will you improve?

I did it again. Even after saying I never would. I told a customer (in my former work in sales) that I was hoping to drop by his business next week if time allowed. What he heard was that I was planning to drop by next week. That poor communication was a bad habit IContinue reading “What will you improve?”

First in, last out

Erick Erickson, well-known conservative blogger and radio host, commented recently on the tornado response in western Kentucky that Southern Baptists were the unsung heroes of the disaster response because they are often the first to show up and the last to leave. That is true with one major exception. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers haveContinue reading “First in, last out”

God’s people made for times like this

Over the past few days, Kentucky Baptists and friends from across the country have rallied together to help our brothers, sisters and neighbors in the west and southwestern parts of our state. When the deadly tornados touched down in multiple locations, leaving devastation in their path, they unleashed a torrent of support that has onlyContinue reading “God’s people made for times like this”

5 observations from a church anniversary

This past Sunday, Connie and I had the honor of attending the 10th anniversary service of Crossroads Baptist Church in Elizabethtown. What an exciting time to see a 10-year-old church that has survived its early days, only to thrive in its current ministry. The anniversary gathering contained all the elements of a typical Kentucky BaptistContinue reading “5 observations from a church anniversary”

Thank you, Kentucky Baptists

We just completed the 184th meeting of the Kentucky Baptist Convention held in Elizabethtown, Ky. This year’s meeting included an array of Crossover evangelistic events, the “Press On” Pastors’ Conference and — of course — the Annual Meeting itself. By all accounts, it was an incredible gathering of Kentucky Baptists. It felt like a timeContinue reading “Thank you, Kentucky Baptists”

Problems demand and deserve solutions

Four thousand churches close their doors each year. On top of that, 70% of Kentucky Baptist churches are plateaued or in decline. At least 20% of Kentucky Baptist churches did not baptize a new believer in the past twelve months. Persistent and unresolved problems are often a factor in such declining churches. The church inContinue reading “Problems demand and deserve solutions”