The Gospel and Relationships
Yesterday I preached a message entitled, “The Gospel and Relationships.” It’s a single message in a series of single messages until I begin preaching through the book of James in July in a series entitled, Authentic Faith. Ironically, I took my main text for this single message from the book of James, chapter 4:1-3. Essentially […]
Friday Five Interview: Micah Fries
Micah Fries spent time on the mission field in Africa and now pastors the growing Fredrick Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. He’s an influential blogger and leader in the Southern Baptist Convention. I’m grateful he’s taken time to chat for today’s Friday Five: You spent time as a missionary in Africa and now […]
Friday Five: Jared C. Wilson
If you’re a fan of Twitter (as I am), you’ll know that Jared C. Wilson is one of the great “follows.” He’s alternatively funny, serious, and poignant. Jared is a prolific writer, church planter, and conference speaker. He blogs regularly at his blog, The Gospel-Driven Life and at his group blog for writers, Thinklings. […]
Can We Retire This Word?
I’ve only been preaching for three years, so technically I’m a “rookie pastor.” But already I’ve seen some tendencies I’m working to correct. One I find in myself and also see in other Christian communicators is an over- use of the word, “most.” We arrive at a countercultural truth in our study, perhaps a doctrine […]
Friday Five Interview – Dr. Johnny Hunt
Dr. Johnny Hunt is a well-known pastor, especially to America’s largest body of evangelical churches, the 44 million member Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Hunt is the Senior Pastor of one of the largest SBC churches in America, 1st Baptist Church of Woodstock (Georgia) and has served as President of the Pastor’s Conference. In 2008, he […]
Why We Need Faithful Preaching
This is a snippet of my message for Sunday, “The Equipping Church” – 8th in a series of messages called Doing Church: It’s important that every generation hears the same faithful orthodox truths of the Bible. I want to read a quote from Eric Metaxas recently biography of Deitrich Boenhoeffer, the courageous pastor who resisted […]
How I Preach
Two and a half years ago, my wife and I moved to Gages Lake Bible Church, where I was called as the Senior Pastor. This was my first time doing any major preaching, though I had graduated with a degree in pastoral ministry and had spoken in church and in Sunday School and small group […]
Friday Five Intervew: Tony Merida
I’m always excited to meet new authors, especially new authors who are pastors, and especially new authors, who are pastors, who publish with my friends at New Hope, who has published all my books. I was asked a few months ago to consider endorsing a book by Dr. Tony Merida, entitled, Orphanology, to be released […]
Friday Five Interview: Ray Pritchard
It is my privilege to interview a pastor whose ministry I have long admired. I discovered Dr. Ray Pritchard while I was on staff and editing a Christian publication and was delighted to excerpt some of his books. I began following his blog. He began blogging way before blogging pastors were cool. Dr. Ray was […]
Friday Five Interview – Charles Stone
Several years ago, when I was working for a Christian organization and the editor of their monthly devotional magazine, I had the chance to meet Charles Stone, Senior Pastor of Ginger Creek Community Church. Actually I “met” him via email. We had the opportunity to print an excerpt from his then-new book, [amazon ASIN=”084990434X”]Daughters Gone […]
Book Review – 5 Ministry Killers by Dr. Charles Stone
What if you could give a pastor truth serum and ask him what ministry is really like? Behind the plastered-on smile and steady handshake are often men of God who struggle with depression, burnout, disappointment, and sin. And yet, God continues to call ordinary men to the most extraordinary position as shepherd of God’s people. […]