Nearly every Sunday I have the privilege of preaching in a different church in Kentucky. The pastor is often present. While a few minutes of interaction before worship and casual discussion over lunch afterward does not provide the opportunity to see deeply into any man’s heart, what I have seen gives me a growing love […]
Pastor Appreciation Month: ‘God, thank you for our pastors’ Read More »
I have the privilege each year to prepare an executive summary of my work at the Kentucky Baptist Convention to a special review committee appointed by the chair of the Administrative Committee of our Mission Board. Because of the nature of my role, I am blessed to be able to include highlights not only my
Kentucky Baptists doing a great work Read More »
Several times a year I have the opportunity to preach, bring greetings, or send a video recording of congratulations to Kentucky Baptist Convention churches celebrating significant anniversaries. From church plants hitting the one, two, three, or five-year mark, to legacy churches celebrating anniversaries of 50, 100, 150 or even 200+ years, these significant milestones are
The essence of Christianity in found in the local church Read More »
“Dad, how will people know you haven’t done something like that?” asked my 19-year-old daughter as we discussed the growing list of resignations and terminations in Baptist life. “Because he’s still above the ground,” quipped my wife, Michelle, as only a 20-year veteran middle school teacher can. Later, Michelle took a more serious tone when she
Ten things I’ve learned from those who have NOT fallen in ministry Read More »
We waited and waited. For hours. Hundreds of families were packed into the middle school cafeteria hoping to hear the name of their teenager called, anxious to see them and know they were okay. Besides those families, the first responders and school staff were there. And one other group was welcomed into North Marshall Middle School
Pastors: They are there in good times and bad Read More »
Was it just the churches where I served as pastor or is it the case in most churches that getting the music ministry and the children’s ministry on the same page can be a struggle? Was it only in my churches that the Sunday School director and the youth ministry leaders, at times, seemed to
We work together better as a ‘Team of Teams’ Read More »
Each year, your KBC Mission Board staff members sit down with their immediate supervisor to review their work over the past year and agree upon goals for the upcoming year. This meeting is important to help each team member plan his/her work in concert with the mission statement of the KBC and is one part
Annual review highlights serve as encouragement for churches Read More »
I read an article this week about one of our Kentucky pastors, Tim Morgan, who is doing a great job leading Silent Run Baptist Church in rural Hopkins County. It reminded me yet again of the incredible group of men God has called to serve as pastors in the 2,400 Kentucky Baptist churches. Tim served
Pastors are ‘special forces’ Read More »
If state conventions went away, would we miss them? That question might sound strange coming from an executive director of a state convention. Nevertheless, I think it is a fair and helpful question that I like to ask from time to time. Might I propose some answers? Before I do, keep in mind that, like
Who would miss the Kentucky Baptist Convention? Read More »
As I near a quarter of a century of ministry in and to churches cooperating with the Southern Baptist Convention, I can reflect upon countless conversations about the cooperative missions offering known as the Cooperative Program. In my role as a pastor, those conversations took place in budget committee meetings, missions committee meetings, in church hallways
10 Reasons to stop giving through the Cooperative Program…and why they’re wrong Read More »
