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”
Tag Archives: Evangelism
Celebrate Mission: Dignity
I am a Christian by the grace of God, Baptist by conviction and Southern Baptist by choice. I value cooperation and believe the kingdom of God and the gospel enterprise is strengthened when people of like faith and practice work together for the glory of God and the good of people. One reason I love being Southern Baptist is becauseContinue reading “Celebrate Mission: Dignity”
It’s Been a Good Year
2025 has been a great year for Kentucky Baptists. As a convention of 2,350 churches, God has given us wonderful unity and noticeable fruit as we partner together to help churches reach Kentucky and the world for Christ. Here are seven ways it has been a great year for Kentucky Baptists: 1. God has provided servant leaders to help churches in our state: 2025 has been aContinue reading “It’s Been a Good Year”
Should You Run for Office?
The Kentucky General Assembly has many followers of Christ. These are men and women who love Jesus and have answered a call from God to endure the rigors of politics. They campaign, raise funds and sacrifice time away from their families and vocations so they can make laws and shape public policy in a way that promotes human flourishing. These brothers and sisters are a gift from God and are making a differenceContinue reading “Should You Run for Office?”
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…”
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”
Leaders Need Anchors
My first real job growing up — apart from farmwork —was as a dock worker at a marina on Lake Barkley in western Kentucky. The job responsibilities included pumping gas for boats, dipping minnows for fishermen, taking out garbage and preparing fishing and sailboats for rental customers. When it came to preparing the rental boats,Continue reading “Leaders Need Anchors”
Why Do We Plant Churches Together?
I recently attended the 10th anniversary of a Kentucky Baptist Church near northern Kentucky. The church started out of a burden from the pastor to reach people who were not being reached with the gospel. Like most church planters, his desire was not about a musical or methodological preference but a concern for the unchurched.Continue reading “Why Do We Plant Churches Together?”
Dr. Todd Gray 