I’m excited to let you know that West Bradenton Baptist Church has announced me as their candidate for senior pastor. I’ll preach in view of a call August 16th. Assuming an affirmative vote of the congregation, we’ll be moving to Bradenton, FL in late August. We’re thrilled and honored! We would appreciate your prayers during this transition. Also, our third child is due… yesterday. You can join us in cheering Joel’s arrival, hopefully sooner rather than later. Forgive me Read more [...]
I'll never forget the young man who shouted, "Let's do this!" just before he was baptized. His attitude reflected the vision of the church. He was completely submitted to Christ, optimistic about God’s mission, and ready to share the gospel. He came up out of the water to a roaring applause. The church felt his optimism. The church shared his optimism. I don’t wake up every morning saying, “Let’s do this.” But I should. Every believer should. Biblical optimism is neither Read more [...]
Some churches stay in a perpetual cycle of growing and declining. The church peaks, then dips, only to peak again. It’s possible for a church to stay in this cycle for decades. For example, look at the below chart. The above chart is an annual average of weekly worship attendance, charted for 20 years. Two factors stand out. I’ve highlighted them with a dotted line. First, a clear ceiling exists. Second, a clear floor exists. The church has been in a 20-year cycle of growing Read more [...]
Today a story broke about how Planned Parenthood sells the parts of aborted unborn children. I can’t believe I’m typing these words. The mutilated parts of murdered children are being sold in an underground market by an organization that receives taxpayer funds. How did this story break? Deborah Nucatola, Senior Director of Medical Services for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, was filmed in an undercover video. In it she explains how Planned Parenthood sells the parts Read more [...]
Your discouragement is understandable. The church in North America is deteriorating. Just reading the reports of decline can make me exhausted. Some sensationalize how hard the church is falling, but few deny the unhealthy state of the church. The church is not doing well. Perhaps your church is not doing well. Maybe you’re tired, or disheartened. Maybe you’re hurt. Don’t give up. Your church is worth the effort. Some churches reek of selfishness, but even the unpleasant bodies Read more [...]
My first church was a megachurch of six people. The congregation was small in number, but it felt like a mega task to shepherd them. One of the first questions I asked of the lone deacon was, “What’s the deal with the old bell out front?” “I don’t know, but it’s really important." On our first work day, the lone deacon handed me a paint brush and gave me the honor of painting the bell red. Why red? I don’t know, perhaps it was the only color of paint the church had on hand. Everyone Read more [...]
In the 1970s, one researcher noted, “There are almost as many different definitions of leadership as there are persons who have attempted to define the concept.” According to these definitions, leadership is influence, power, mobilization, motivation, processes, inspiration, among many others. The same could be said of the church: “There are almost as many different ways of leading the church as there are persons who have attempted it.” As a researcher of leadership and one who has Read more [...]
On Memorial Day, we honor those who have died while serving our country. I believe every Christian should do two things on Memorial Day: Remember and pray. Remember. My grandfather, Samuel Solomon Rainer, Sr., served in World War II. He flew D-Day. Below are his flight plans from June 6, 1944. His plane was called the Hoo Jive. My great uncle was a spy for the OSS. Another great uncle, Charles Spurgeon Keller, Jr., died in battle one week before World War II ended. He was in his late Read more [...]
“So what can I do right now?” I recently had coffee with a young(er) minister. He asked a great question. What can I do right now? The young minister (he’s around 20) wanted to know how he could lead better. Starting today. He caught me a bit off guard. After all, leadership is learned and refined over time. Pastors spend years growing. He knew that, but he also wanted to know what could be done immediately. I’m not that far removed from being a “young” pastor (at 35, Read more [...]
Commentary is popular right now. Some of the biggest names in news are opinionated commentators, not fact-driven beat reporters. We like to start “conversations” about all sorts of things, which basically means anyone can comment about an issue, regardless of qualifications. Ironically, more data exists now than ever before, yet we still rely heavily on the opinions and comments of others. Obviously, the popularity of commentary is not in itself a bad thing. You are reading this blog, and Read more [...]
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