At a small leadership gathering, I heard Ed Stetzer tell of reaching a milestone birthday and requesting feedback from a few close friends. One thing he discovered was that his friends did not think he was a very good listener. Shocked by this revelation, he told his wife what they said. She looked at himContinue reading “5 Ways to Get Helpful Feedback”
Tag Archives: church
5 Next Steps in Personal Evangelism
Are you proficient playing an instrument or a sport? If so, then I have a second question: were you good at it the first time you tried? Your answer is probably, “no.” So why do many of us think we should be good at personal evangelism the first few times we try? To be clear,Continue reading “5 Next Steps in Personal Evangelism”
New Year, New Opportunities
I’ve always loved “new” things. Whether it’s a project, idea, calendar or book, starting something new stirs up energy and creativity within me. January 2023 can be this “new” start we all need. Lots of folks will make resolutions and set goals, while others will move into it like it’s nothing more than the nextContinue reading “New Year, New Opportunities”
Why Memorize Proverbs?
For years now, I have been memorizing Bible verses. It only requires a little time and yields great rewards. Don Whitney says, “Memorizing Scripture strengthens your faith because it repeatedly reinforces the truth, often just when you need to hear it again.” More recently, however, I have begun memorizing verses from Proverbs. I have foundContinue reading “Why Memorize Proverbs?”
Finding Hope in Depression
Years ago, I found myself in a tunnel of depression. I call it a tunnel because I came into it suddenly, but walked through it for a long time—several months in fact—before seeing signs of light on the other end. There were several factors that likely contributed to me being in a depressed stateContinue reading “Finding Hope in Depression”
Is God Calling You?
Dr. Tim Searcy, former KBC president and Kentucky Baptist pastor, often tells the story of his call into the Christian ministry. He was 12 years old, attending the church where his father was the pastor. The church had scheduled a revival and one of the older deacons did some research on the last timeContinue reading “Is God Calling You?”
Praying for Pastors
For a long while now, I have been praying for pastors — but maybe not in the way you might think. I pray for many pastors by name because some are facing ministry challenges. I pray for others seeking guidance on their current place of service. I pray for some who see great open doorsContinue reading “Praying for Pastors”
Ministry Runs at the Speed of Trust
“Ministry runs at the speed of trust.” I am not sure where I heard the statement or if I coined it myself. Either way, I know it is true. When trust is diminished in a church, association or a convention of churches, then ministry is greatly hindered. But when trust abounds, much good gospel workContinue reading “Ministry Runs at the Speed of Trust”
Give Thanks Anyway?
One verse changed my perspective of hard times: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I came across these words during a particularly challenging time in my life, and they brought great comfort. I was hearing God say through His word that itContinue reading “Give Thanks Anyway?”
Where Do We Go from Here?
Where do we go from here? Sometimes that phrase is heard after a family tragedy, or an upending life or business event such as a divorce or bankruptcy. Many Kentucky Baptists and their neighbors were asking that very question after the historic west Kentucky tornadoes on Dec. 10, 2021, and the eastern Kentucky flooding thisContinue reading “Where Do We Go from Here?”
Dr. Todd Gray 