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?”
Tag Archives: pastor
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”
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”
5 “I Wills” to Win Against Fear
Fear is an enormous challenge for many of God’s people. Milly Jones, in a blogpost under the heading of Milly’s Scribblings, discovered 145 Bible verses encouraging God’s people who battle fear. She wrote: “I have searched the Bible using an online tool for verses that tell us not to fear, not to be afraid, etc. I have added in verses that encourage us toContinue reading “5 “I Wills” to Win Against Fear”
Do You Believe in Tithing?
Tithing is generally understood as setting aside 10% of one’s income to be given to one’s local church as an act of worship to the Lord. I grew up in a home where my mother tithed off our household income. So, when I became a Christian, tithing was a natural expression of worship to God and support of my local church. When Connie and I married, we practicedContinue reading “Do You Believe in Tithing?”
Dr. Todd Gray 