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”
Tag Archives: christianity
Performance Evaluations
Every year Kentucky Baptist Mission Board staff members undergo a performance evaluation process. Each KBC team member completes a “self-evaluation” form and submits it to their supervisor who then reviews that form, fills out their own evaluation and meets with their team member for encouragement and feedback. This annual process provides an opportunity to encourage good work and point forward for continued growth and improvement. Every ministry leader needs theContinue reading “Performance Evaluations”
A Prayer for Churches
Prayer is the great elevator of hope for the people of God. Prayer holds out the possibility, even the certainty, that things can be different than they are now. Certainly, every believer prays for their own church, but could a kingdom mindset call us to pray for churches — all churches that preach the gospel,Continue reading “A Prayer for Churches”
Remember Your Pastor
Recently I was invited to give a charge to the church at the ordination service for a young Kentucky Baptist pastor. It was an inspiring worship service, and many attended to encourage him and his family and to celebrate God’s call on his life. My text was Hebrews 13:7 where the author wrote to the believers, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to youContinue reading “Remember Your Pastor”
Funding the Great Commission
“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”
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”
Dr. Todd Gray 