by Sam Rainer | Oct 9, 2016 | Uncategorized
This Sunday my church, West Bradenton Baptist, adopted a new constitution, covenant, and bylaws. Throughout the process of writing the document, our leadership teams researched several different examples of covenants. There were some good ones, but many... 
by Sam Rainer | Oct 8, 2016 | Uncategorized
http://www.westbradenton.org/assets/2079/161002_goodbadbeautiful_hypersensitivity.mp3 Loving the world like Christ means you will be controversial. Hypersensitivity is childish. Christians are to be childlike. Avoiding hardship is not... 
by Sam Rainer | Oct 6, 2016 | Uncategorized
Three notable articles I read this week: Mark Dance – Pastors are not quitting in droves. “Each time a pastor prematurely exits the ministry race, I grieve. I also grieve each time I hear the awful pastor retention stats which are unsubstantiated and sometimes... 
by Sam Rainer | Oct 2, 2016 | Uncategorized
On Sunday, I taught our new members class. It was a smaller class than usual, so I had time to converse a little more with those attending. One woman mentioned she had been a Christian for 75 years, almost to the day. The class took a moment to congratulate... by Sam Rainer | Oct 1, 2016 | Uncategorized
http://www.westbradenton.org/assets/2079/160925_goodbadbeautiful_hypersexuality.mp3 You are not defined by your desires. God designed sex as a gift. Outside of biblical marriage, sex always devours love.... 
by Sam Rainer | Sep 25, 2016 | Uncategorized
God speaks to us through his Word, the Bible. Amazingly, we have the privilege of speaking to God through prayer. There are good ways to pray. There are bad ways to pray. Our prayers can grow our faith. The selfless prayers of a dedicated Christian can change...
