The Lord must be trying to tell me something. I’ve been reading about change and attended what I thought was a seminar on church revitalization, but it was really about leading lasting change. Many of the same principles were used. John Kotter has the best reputation in the business world for “leading change.” He’s got a great book by that name, too. Kotter has eight steps to change that are widely recognized as successful. If your church or ministry needs change to actively making … [Read more...]
Are we training our pastors wrong?
The email said, “Mark, we’d like you to address this topic: ‘Are We Training Our Pastors Wrong?’” Now, there’s a good way to alienate yourself from godly men you have served alongside for several decades! At least I was able to add, “Or How Can We Train Pastors More Effectively?” The article required hours of research. I began to understand that there was a disconnect between pastors and their church members. The Bible created the biggest gap. Biblical ignorance is rampant in our churches. … [Read more...]
Underwear at the Oscars, liberalism, religious liberty
Perhaps you saw it when it happened on TV or you saw pictures of it later in the media. You know news is being made when Hollywood’s elite sit for a moment in stunned silence followed by a smattering of nervous laughter. I think, perhaps, many of them even knew a line had been crossed. I am referring to Neil Patrick Harris, who hosted the Oscars Feb. 22 that was beamed around the world on ABC, who stood on stage in nothing but his underwear. Several emotions came over me: shock, … [Read more...]
Time to push ‘Pause’
What will it take for American Christians to stop doing what we are doing and stand up for God’s righteousness in such a fashion that the enemy quivers in fear? I fear it will take more than the media images showing the barbaric practices of zealots who have no qualms about killing men, women and children for being followers of the Lord Jesus. One of the reasons we won’t stop is because the demanding nature of the pace of life. We are so busy it inhibits our capacity to make good value … [Read more...]
Cultivating financial faithfulness
As a preparation for a meeting in Nashville next week with the SBC Executive Committee, I was reminded about the need to train generations with faithful giving patterns. The sustainability of Southern Baptist ministries throughout this nation and the world depend significantly on our passion to make fully devoted followers of Christ who understand the importance of Jesus being Lord of all, including our finances. A couple of years ago, I wrote the following article to accentuate the … [Read more...]
Who are Roman Catholics?
This is the first in a four-part series on Roman Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Church traces its beginning to the apostle Peter, claiming he is the rock upon whom Jesus built His church (Matt. 16:18). Following Peter is an unbroken line of successors stretching to Pope Francis today. Non-Catholics, on the other hand, establish the beginning of the Roman Catholic Church at A.D. 590 with Gregory I, who consolidated the power of the bishopric in Rome. In any case, the Catholic … [Read more...]
Is awakening imminent, and will you be included?
Bob Bakke is an authority on revival and spiritual awakening. In a symposium in which Jim Wells, MBC team leader, Strategic Partnerships, and I participated, Bakke spoke in detail about the movement in Scotland that spilled to America and exploded in Cane Ridge, Ky. The Cane Ridge Revival united whites and blacks, rich and poor, rural and urban for weeks. Known as the Second Great Awakening, the Holy Spirit had people praying and crying out to God. And God moved in their midst. Moving … [Read more...]
Dorcas-like faith at FBC Browning
They may not be part of the biggest congregation in the Missouri Baptist Convention, but the WMU ladies of rural First Baptist Church, Browning, are making the love of Christ felt in a big way in a faraway land. The ladies, part of the approximately 40 worshippers who attend the church in Linn County in north-central Missouri, have made more than 600 “pillow case” dresses for orphans in Haiti. They work in partnership with Red Bridge Baptist Church in Kansas City, which distributes the … [Read more...]
Seven keys to keeping clean
Health departments are serious about people washing their hands. It is not uncommon for Sharon and I to be away from home speaking at churches and sharing with Missouri Baptists. Every place we go, the facilities are marked with signs that encourage washing hands. Washing our hands is good hygiene. As followers of Christ, we also need to experience the washing of our hearts. Life is filled with plenty of moral distractions and intellectual traps that lure us away from a pure heart. Even … [Read more...]
Christianity without hell
John Shore recently authored a commentary for Patheos entitled, “What Christianity Without Hell Looks Like.” Patheos is a website providing information about various religions. Reprinted in TIME Ideas and complete with a photo of a dove soaring in the sunlight, the article’s main point is that Christianity without hell “would allow Christians to point upward to God’s love.” Shore is a popular Christian blogger and author, yet his column features a string of shockingly bad theological … [Read more...]
Mohler: Newsweek on the Bible — So Misrepresented It’s a Sin
Newsweek magazine decided to greet the start of 2015 with a massive cover story on the Bible. For decades now, major news magazines have tended to feature cover articles timed for Christmas and Easter, taking an opportunity to consider some major question about Christianity and the modern world. Leading the journalistic pack for years, both TIME andNewsweek dedicated cover article after article, following a rather predictable format. In the main, scholars or leaders from very liberal … [Read more...]
Servant evangelism: ‘Crazy love’ lights up Missouri
Reports are coming in from churches lighting up their communities for Jesus! Darron Edwards serves as pastor of United Believers Church in Kansas City. They conducted “Transformers” evangelism training in April. “Mothers Like You,” was a prayer breakfast conducted on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. There were 21 women that made a commitment to return to church. In June, the church distributed more than 1,100 water bottles in 10 strategic locations. In July and August, they conducted VBS … [Read more...]
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