At a recent lunch meeting with one of our outstanding young Kentucky Baptist pastors, our discussion turned to the Cooperative Program and the sacrificial generosity of the church he serves. It was a great opportunity to thank him for his leadership and to thank the church for its financial investment to advance the gospel. IContinue reading “Why Do We Give Through the Cooperative Program?”
Tag Archives: prayer
This Is Why We Cooperate
When I saw the social media post from Dr. Paul Chitwood, president of our SBC International Mission Board, reporting that there are 1,268 candidates in the IMB’s missionary sending pipeline, my immediate response was, “This is why we cooperate!” I could give that same response daily while witnessing Kentucky Baptists working together to advance theContinue reading “This Is Why We Cooperate”
Workaholism Not Acceptable
At a funeral several years ago, I heard a pastor describe himself as a workaholic. But he quickly followed it up by saying that there are worse things one could be. It is true — there are worse things than workaholism, but that doesn’t take away from the problems with being addicted to work. WorkaholicsContinue reading “Workaholism Not Acceptable”
When a Brother Falls
The Apostle Paul, or more precisely the Holy Spirit inspiring him, saw this coming. God knows who we are and what we are each capable of. God instructs us through Paul in Galatians 6:1 which says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.Continue reading “When a Brother Falls”
Not Set Back by an Attack
Every seasoned pastor or ministry leader has been, or will be, attacked at some point in their ministry. I’m not talking about the run-of-the-mill criticism that we all receive — and oftentimes deserve. I’m talking about a full-frontal attack including name-calling, verbal threats, yelling and the like. Why do people attack leaders? None of theseContinue reading “Not Set Back by an Attack”
Work on Character
When hiring a new team member, it is important to consider the candidate’s character, competency, chemistry, capacity, calling and more. But if the character piece is missing, the rest of those traits don’t really matter. The late U.S. Army Gen Norman Schwarzkopf once said, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But ifContinue reading “Work on Character”
Put a Stop to Stinking Thinking
I am guilty of letting my mind run wild like a hyena! Thoughts enter my head and sometimes I do not even put forth the effort to control them. The result is that I find myself giving too much time to a negative mindset. A pastor friend, Kent Workman, refers to this activity as “stinkingContinue reading “Put a Stop to Stinking Thinking”
7 Lessons from a Hike
Dr. Charles Stanley, in a pastors’ conference sermon, encouraged pastors to save their money and take their family on a nice vacation each year. When I heard that sermon on cassette tape, Connie and I had two toddlers and were barely making ends meet financially. But we took his advice to heart and started puttingContinue reading “7 Lessons from a Hike”
What Could You Do in 10 Years?
Recently, I participated in the 75th anniversary of one of our great Kentucky Baptist churches. This church started in 1948 with a small band of believers who had a vision for impacting their neighborhood for Jesus. Those Christ-followers worked, prayed, gave and sacrificed to purchase land, build buildings, hire staff and accept leadership roles —Continue reading “What Could You Do in 10 Years?”
Please Accept My Apology
My generation grew up watching the sitcom Happy Days each week. Fonzie was a main character in the show and had a reputation of being a bit of a rebel with a high “cool factor.” In one episode, Fonzie — or the Fonz as he was known — needed to apologize for a wrongContinue reading “Please Accept My Apology”
Dr. Todd Gray 