A friend recently reminded me “The Christian Life is an adventure or it is nothing at all” (Campus Crusade founder Bill Bright). Sandy and I are in the midst an adventure with many highs, but it is also not without hurts, betrayals and loss like all the saints through history have experienced. A. W. Tozer […]
Three important races are taking place in the United States: the Presidential race, the cultural race, and the race to see the American church turnaround from decades of declines. The culture is unveiling new challenges almost daily. The Presidential race result is uncertain, but concerns about whoever wins is certain. Left unchanged, the church will […]
Contrary to popular American culture, to have beliefs and deep convictions about God is not weird, but actually wise. And if you share those beliefs with others, it is not an act of (1) arrogance, (2) aggression, or (3) ignorance. Holding a Biblical view of God and life is wise, and to share that with […]
Confused, people all across America are spiritually confused. But, this is not just true outside the church. Actually, many inside the church are also confused, especially in determining what it means to follow Christ. We are asking all sorts of related questions, such as: Is the church there primarily to serve me, or I am […]
My family does not camp, but 4,000 miles in a car with a 6, 9, 12 year old daughters has to be similar to camping. The summer of 2001 included our family’s all-time favorite 16 day summer vacation to Tucson and work trip to Glorieta, NM. Beautiful scenery, Tombstone, the desert golf courses, a […]
We have got such a great past, BUT are we going to have a future? The Southern Baptist Convention has a strong historic foundation, but is currently declining in worship and small group attendance, baptisms, church plants, and cooperative mission dollars invested. QUESTION: With less resources and declines in most measurable indicators, what are Southern […]
Grandmother’s World from her 4’4” entrepreneurial view… In the small community of Lone Star in Southwest Mississippi, my grandmother Grace McRaney, “Mammy” as I called her, shared her living space with her business that she and my grandfather purchased together as a startup in 1930. For 74 years, the last 52 years by herself, all […]
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How are churches to carry out the Great Commission? The complexities of navigating Kingdom living in the current American landscape are many for individuals and churches. Among other items, you will discover the Great Commission’s connection to the Great Commandment, importance of resetting church values, and various approaches to advancing the Great Commission. Continue reading […]
Can church planting turnaround the Southern Baptist Convention’s steady decline in baptisms? In 2002, the North American Mission Board of the SBC commissioned me to determine whether church plants are more effective by ratio in baptisms than established churches. Short answer to a longer complex matter, church plants have slightly better baptism ratios. Church plants […]