I have vivid memories as a 27-year-old pastor of attending a KBC Evangelism Conference. I remember feeling inadequate in my ministry position. But sitting with a crowd of preachers at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, I heard some incredible preaching. One sermon focused on God’s unconditional love, and it met me right where I wasContinue reading “REACH 2022 – A Big Hit”
Tag Archives: learn
Be alert to spiritual landmines among bloggers
I have a difficult time with so-called “discernment bloggers.” As a person who leans toward being an encourager and who strives to believe the best about others, it’s hard to understand the intentions of people who make their primary, or secondary, calling to point out the shortcomings of others. The work itself is fraught withContinue reading “Be alert to spiritual landmines among bloggers”
Be careful, little mouth, what you say
“Oops, I did it again,” is more than the title of a 20-year-old Brittany Spears single. It is also the expression many Christian leaders have used (me included) after saying something that would have been better left unsaid. A crucial part of ministry is knowing when and how to say a helpful or uplifting word,Continue reading “Be careful, little mouth, what you say”
Growing as a leader
Less than six months into my first pastorate, I felt completely in over my head. I truly started believing I had no business being the pastor of this church. There were no moral or ethical issues, just an internal sense of my being unprepared. The church was doing well, but I was struggling. It wasContinue reading “Growing as a leader”
Members or owners
“Did she really say that?” I wondered to myself. She did. As the church began to grow, one of the members commented to me directly, “I like my little church exactly the way it is.” I am not sure what I said in the moment. I may not have said anything at all. But herContinue reading “Members or owners”
What will you improve?
I did it again. Even after saying I never would. I told a customer (in my former work in sales) that I was hoping to drop by his business next week if time allowed. What he heard was that I was planning to drop by next week. That poor communication was a bad habit IContinue reading “What will you improve?”
First in, last out
Erick Erickson, well-known conservative blogger and radio host, commented recently on the tornado response in western Kentucky that Southern Baptists were the unsung heroes of the disaster response because they are often the first to show up and the last to leave. That is true with one major exception. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers haveContinue reading “First in, last out”
5 observations from a church anniversary
This past Sunday, Connie and I had the honor of attending the 10th anniversary service of Crossroads Baptist Church in Elizabethtown. What an exciting time to see a 10-year-old church that has survived its early days, only to thrive in its current ministry. The anniversary gathering contained all the elements of a typical Kentucky BaptistContinue reading “5 observations from a church anniversary”
5 things we can learn from long-term marriages
During a recent worship service at Carter Creek Baptist Church, the pastor, Bro. Butch, recognized a couple who were celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary. Larry and Brenda Vincent, members at Carter Creek, have spent over six decades loving, serving and caring for one another. It was what Pastor Butch said next that stuck with me.Continue reading “5 things we can learn from long-term marriages”
Thank you, Kentucky Baptists
We just completed the 184th meeting of the Kentucky Baptist Convention held in Elizabethtown, Ky. This year’s meeting included an array of Crossover evangelistic events, the “Press On” Pastors’ Conference and — of course — the Annual Meeting itself. By all accounts, it was an incredible gathering of Kentucky Baptists. It felt like a timeContinue reading “Thank you, Kentucky Baptists”
Dr. Todd Gray 