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”
Category Archives: Pastor helps
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Podcaster and leadership expert Carey Nieuwhof said in a recent interview with John Ortberg that he holds to an unpublished view of leadership that most of us are “making it up as we go.”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”
Consider Going to Them
Knocking on doors in hopes of sharing the gospel has been part of my life for 35 years of ministry leadership. I learned to share the gospel at age 25 and have been involved in door-to-door evangelism since age 26. Front door evangelism is not the only way to share the gospel, but it remains one way to access many people with the hope of Christ. There are plenty ofContinue reading “Consider Going to Them”
Helpful and Respectful Feedback
I recently wrote an article summarizing my time at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting. The link to that article is here. One of our faithful Kentucky Baptist pastors reached out sharing why he was unable to attend the SBC, and his reason for not going to the annual gathering of Southern Baptists highlights some of the challenges being faced by many of our Kentucky Baptists families. I found his feedback helpful and thoughtContinue reading “Helpful and Respectful Feedback”
Lectio Divina
One of the most important parts of my daily routine is time with the Lord in His word and prayer. For all of my adult life I have been an early riser — greeting each morning with a cup of coffee, a journal, a Bible and prayer. This daily discipline stems from the pattern of Jesus in Mark 1:35. That verse says about Christ, “And rising very earlyContinue reading “Lectio Divina”
Praying Blessings on Churches
Some of us pray for Kentucky Baptist churches daily, or at least occasionally, the following prayer: That every KBC church will be a thriving church and that every leader will be a cared for leader. The heart behind that prayer is the conviction that churches were meant to thrive – to do well – impacting their communities with the gospel. The secondContinue reading “Praying Blessings on Churches”
Maybe It Needs Polishing
In a recent conversation with one of our great Kentucky Baptist pastors, he shared an encouraging story. A dear older saint had reached out to hear an update on his ministry. He shared that the honeymoon phase was over and that the “shininess” was starting to fade. She exhorted him, “Honey, if you keep polishing something, it will keepContinue reading “Maybe It Needs Polishing”
Dr. Todd Gray 