I recently received a text from a friend who had suffered a mild stroke. He shared that he was okay and there were no long-term effects, but the experience was a wake-up call for him. He added that he had made lifestyle changes and was learning to embrace his limitations. Mark Dance, executive director for the Arkansas Baptist Convention, wrote on pastoral wellness, A decade-long study of United Methodist pastors inContinue reading “Embracing Limits for Healthy Living”
Tag Archives: leader
Personhood Rights
“The same constitutional principles that ensured equal protection for black Americans also protect defenseless children in the womb.” That was the opening line in a 2023 National Review article by the title, “The Pro-Life Movement Should Follow Its North Star: Equal Protection.” Speaking on a panel discussing pro-life issues recorded in a 2024 World Magazine article, Dr AlbertContinue reading “Personhood Rights”
Stop Taxing Churches!
Did you know that many Kentucky Baptist churches are required by law, on certain transactions, to collect sales tax for the state? If your church receives $6,000 or more in a calendar year for church dinners, sports leagues, tickets for wild game suppers and the like, you are expected to collect sales taxes. You are also expected to file a tax form even if you did not have any eligible revenue. Did youContinue reading “Stop Taxing Churches!”
Are They Crazy?
In his recent State of the Union address, President Donald J. Trump said the quiet part out loud. In reference to elected leaders who continue to advocate for, or refuse to distance themselves from, body mutilation surgeries for gender confused children, he said: “These people are crazy.” The Hill noted the President’s comments and the reaction in its story on the speech: “Surely, we can all agree no state can be allowedContinue reading “Are They Crazy?”
When a Crisis Comes
Crises come without warning. When they arrive in a church or ministry, they require the fully devoted attention of pastors, elders and ministry leaders. No matter what is written on your calendar for the day, it all changes when there is a crisis. One online source defines crisis as “an unexpected event that leads to a potentially dangerous situation affecting individuals, communities, or even the global environment. The term can take various forms,Continue reading “When a Crisis Comes”
What is In Your Heart?
Each year I am invited to bring greetings at gatherings of faithful servant leaders. And each year, the organizer gives me the same instruction: “Just share from your heart.” Those instructions always make me nervous because I know the truth about the heart. Jesus informed His followers in Luke 6:45, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and anContinue reading “What is In Your Heart?”
A Time to Speak
The wise preacher reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:7b that there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” But if you are a pastor, elder or ministry leader then you may feel the tension of discerning which one you need to do at any given moment. Adding to the tension of speaking or remaining silent is the awareness that we are not equippedContinue reading “A Time to Speak”
Who Will Fund the Mission?
A friend recently shared Pew Research data that stopped me in my tracks: Baby Boomers make up only about one-fifth of the population, yet they represent almost half of Southern Baptist church membership. Another friend shared that while his church had experienced an increase of 100 people in its services, there was barely a difference in the undesignated receipts received. These two matters are not unrelated. The headlineContinue reading “Who Will Fund the Mission?”
Pro-life After January
On Jan.22, 1984, Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday in January as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. His directive encouraged all Americans to value life, both born and pre-born. Being reminded of the value of human life is important beyond January. The World Health Organization states that there were more than 73 million abortions worldwideContinue reading “Pro-life After January”
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”
Dr. Todd Gray 