“Massachusetts independent movie theatre turns 100 — and shows how to survive and thrive.” That was the headline from a Nov. 25 episode of a national radio show featuring The Capital Theatre in Arlington, Mass., identifying it as a success story in the context of 5,000 similar venues closing their doors since 2020. What did this theatre do differently from their movie showing peers? They provided good service, expandedContinue reading “Funding the Great Commission”
Tag Archives: christianity
Ministering to Mr. or Mrs. No
‘Mr. or Mrs. No’ are fictional names of real people in many Baptist churches. They are people who possibly mean well but over time have developed a stranglehold on the growth and health of their church. They possess an outsized influence and people either like them, are afraid of them or are determined to overlook them. Mr. or Mrs. No make life difficult for pastors. Not because they always say “no” to everything the pastor wants to do, but because they have never learnedContinue reading ” Ministering to Mr. or Mrs. No”
I am thankful for…
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…”
Healthy, Faithful, Effective
I have had the honor of rubbing elbows with men and women I consider to be great leaders. Whether it be in Christian ministry, nonprofit organizations or business, these are leaders who lead with vision, energy and impact. But I never looked at leadership the way I heard a seminary professor describe it recently. InContinue reading “Healthy, Faithful, Effective”
Winning Against Pornography
To say that pornography use is a “sin epidemic” in our nation, and in the Christian community, may be an understatement. The Barna Group’s 2024 survey, “Beyond the Porn Phenomenon,” highlights the prevalence of pornography use among practicing Christians. It reveals that the problem of pornography among professing Christians who attend church regularly is probablyContinue reading “Winning Against Pornography”
Invite a Young Man to Preach
We live among a gold mine of young preachers in Kentucky. Kentucky Baptists have access to three separate institutions where hundreds of young men are being trained for ministry leadership and many of them are being trained to preach. Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in Pineville and Boyce College and The Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryContinue reading “Invite a Young Man to Preach”
Why We Support Sunrise Children’s Services
Did you know that Sunrise Children’s Services, formerly known as Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, is the earliest Baptist orphanage in the United States still operating under Baptist ministry? The work began in 1869 as women from Walnut Street Baptist Church saw children on the streets of Louisville orphaned from the Civil War and knewContinue reading “Why We Support Sunrise Children’s Services”
Do You Have Worms?
My wife Connie recently discovered that we have bagworms on one of our evergreen trees. Bagworms can infest trees and shrubs and, if left untreated, can destroy your favorite sources of beauty and shade. We searched online to develop a plan for ridding the tree of these unwanted pests — which included removing theContinue reading “Do You Have Worms?”
Embracing Aging in Leadership
I am living in my favorite season of life so far. Last November I turned 60 years old and found myself pleasantly surprised by that reality. Years ago, I read a book by Bob Buford called Half Time that focused on the second half of one’s life and the call to make the most ofContinue reading “Embracing Aging in Leadership”
I love Disaster Relief
In the aftermath of the recent tornadoes in the commonwealth, there was a compassionate and organized response from Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief. When storms and floods come into our state, KBC Disaster Relief Director Ron Crow goes to work communicating with volunteers and preparing for mobilization. The response ranges from providing hot meals for firstContinue reading “I love Disaster Relief”
Dr. Todd Gray 