Nothing changes one’s attitude like saying ‘Thank you.’ Giving thanks is the quickest route out of discouragement, anger, fear and so much more. The psalmist reminds us of our opportunities and responsibility to give thanks to God. “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us comeContinue reading “I am thankful for…”
Category Archives: Giving
I Love the KBC
I love the KBC. While that is my sentiment, it is also what I hear back regularly and consistently from Kentucky Baptist ministry leaders and church members from across the state. Kentucky Baptists are enjoying a sweet season of unity, joy, provision and gospel impact. At the 188th Annual Meeting in Cold Spring weContinue reading “I Love the KBC”
Why We Associate
On a recent Friday night, I was invited to bring a message of encouragement to an associational gathering of some of our finest pastors and their spouses. While it would seem odd for any of those pastors to get together to show appreciation for themselves, it was completely appropriate for their local Baptist association toContinue reading “Why We Associate”
Do You Have a Will?
This year the Kentucky Baptist Foundation turns 80 years old. The KBF exists to help fund the Great Commission. Since its founding, the Kentucky Baptist Foundation has distributed more than $250 million to support Great Commission causes. It does this by investing dollars in socially screened investments for Kentucky Baptist churches, ministries and individuals andContinue reading “Do You Have a Will?”
When Giving is Soft
Pastors and ministry leaders pay close attention to several numbers in their ministry leadership context. Two of those — worship attendance and financial giving — can serve as early warning signs of the health of a church or Christian ministry. What should pastors, elders and ministry leaders do when giving is soft in the churchContinue reading “When Giving is Soft “
Thank you, Gideons
This past Saturday I was asked to share a personal testimony at a gathering of Kentucky Gideons. Connie and I joined a group of about 150 Gideons and their wives at a restaurant near Simpsonville for a great time of reporting on their work and enjoying fellowship together. For those who are not familiar withContinue reading “Thank you, Gideons”
Let’s Talk About a Raise
I had only been their pastor for a few weeks when I asked for a raise in my weekly pay — but I had a plan. The people were gracious and doing the best they could. The church had been through a split and attendance was down to 20 or 30 worshippers on SundayContinue reading “Let’s Talk About a Raise”
Why Do We Give Through the Cooperative Program?
At a recent lunch meeting with one of our outstanding young Kentucky Baptist pastors, our discussion turned to the Cooperative Program and the sacrificial generosity of the church he serves. It was a great opportunity to thank him for his leadership and to thank the church for its financial investment to advance the gospel. IContinue reading “Why Do We Give Through the Cooperative Program?”
This Is Why We Cooperate
When I saw the social media post from Dr. Paul Chitwood, president of our SBC International Mission Board, reporting that there are 1,268 candidates in the IMB’s missionary sending pipeline, my immediate response was, “This is why we cooperate!” I could give that same response daily while witnessing Kentucky Baptists working together to advance theContinue reading “This Is Why We Cooperate”
A Providential Misspelling
I don’t catch every misspelled word and an important one got past me recently. While skimming through a meeting I noticed the spelling of cooperation as “co-operation.” The dash in the word highlighted the “operation” part of cooperation. Operation, as defined by Cambridge dictionary, is “an activity planned to achieve something.” When you add theContinue reading “A Providential Misspelling”
Dr. Todd Gray 