This past Saturday I was asked to share a personal testimony at a gathering of Kentucky Gideons. Connie and I joined a group of about 150 Gideons and their wives at a restaurant near Simpsonville for a great time of reporting on their work and enjoying fellowship together. For those who are not familiar withContinue reading “Thank you, Gideons”
Tag Archives: learn
5 Reasons We Need More Churches
Whenever the conversation of church planting comes up in Kentucky, someone will inevitably ask, “Why do we need more churches?” It’s a fair question. Anyone who has visited our great state knows that church buildings dot the landscape of each Kentucky county. Kentucky Baptists have been prolific in planting churches. When we began in 1837,Continue reading “5 Reasons We Need More Churches”
Annual Meeting Takeaways
Last week we held the 186th Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Baptist Convention in Somerset, Ky. First Baptist Somerset was a great and gracious host church. Its pastor, Ryan Coffey, church staff and members were outstanding. There were 830 messengers in attendance with 313 guests and 362 churches represented. It was an incredible celebration highlightingContinue reading “Annual Meeting Takeaways”
Happy Birthday to You!
I love birthdays. I started writing this post on the morning of my own 59th. My family and I celebrated the night before with a wonderful meal and a great time together. They gave me gifts that demonstrated their love and thoughtfulness. I am a blessed man living a blessed life — the kind ofContinue reading “Happy Birthday to You!”
Leaders Must Recharge
I participated recently in a gathering of about 100 ministry leaders for a time of encouragement focusing on self-care. This was not some sort of navel-gazing atmosphere, but instead an event that focused on tips and best practices for active ministry leaders to care well for themselves as they give their lives to advance theContinue reading “Leaders Must Recharge”
A Revitalization Story
I preached a weekend revival service recently for a Baptist church in the central part of our state. The pastor had prepared the church, made accommodations for me, invited a worship leader, planned our meals together and led the church to pray and attend. We had a wonderful time and experienced a sense of encouragementContinue reading “A Revitalization Story”
Remember Those Who Serve You
Clergy Appreciation Month has not always existed, but it should have. It is a biblical practice to show appreciation to those who serve as pastors and ministry leaders in our churches. These leaders carry out important work — mostly outside the purview of the congregation — week after week and it means much to themContinue reading “Remember Those Who Serve You”
A Burden for Lost Souls
I remember hearing someone describe Adrian Rogers, former pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, as a “weeper.” Dr. Rogers was known for shedding tears over the lost condition and pending judgment of those who, because of their own sin and rebellion, were alienated from God. He went on to say that when it comesContinue reading “A Burden for Lost Souls”
Laziness is Unacceptable
Pastoring a church is hard work. It is not hard work like digging ditches, mining coal or cutting tobacco, but there is a toil and strain element to pastoring a church that is not found in those other occupations. The hard work of pastoring includes rigorous thinking as pastors study to exegete a biblical textContinue reading “Laziness is Unacceptable”
Let’s Talk About a Raise
I had only been their pastor for a few weeks when I asked for a raise in my weekly pay — but I had a plan. The people were gracious and doing the best they could. The church had been through a split and attendance was down to 20 or 30 worshippers on SundayContinue reading “Let’s Talk About a Raise”
Dr. Todd Gray 