Do you know the internal struggle of trying to forgive someone who has deliberately hurt you or someone in your family? Reverend Anthony Thompson knows exactly what that feels like. His wife Myra was one of the nine people murdered on June 15, 2015, at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. Recently, I heard […]
Church Revitalization: Turning the Church Inside Out
Do you ever feel like the world has been turned upside down? From our culture’s rejection of authority to generational, political and racial divisions, it seems that instead of striving for the American Dream, our society is living an American Nightmare. Unfortunately, this not only describes modern culture but the Christian church as well. Today, […]
Suicide, Depression and Pastors: One Way Church Members Can Help
The suicide death of a young pastor is being felt throughout the world. Andrew Stoecklein, lead pastor of Inland Hills Church in California, left behind his wife, Kayla, and three young sons. I am the father of three sons. I cannot look at a photo of the young family without getting tears in my eyes. […]
Guest Viewpoint: Loving Your Pastor’s Family
Sometimes those who are most vital to a pastor’s ministry — his family — can be forgotten. Yet, they are the ones most often ministering to the minister. As a pastor’s wife, I pray for my husband like no other. I encourage him when he needs to be built up and challenge him when he […]
Human Trafficking Is Thriving in S.C.
Lanie’s school bus dropped her off every day at the strip club where her mother worked. When she was younger, Lanie simply grabbed a bite to eat and did her homework while her mom worked. However, one day when she was 10 years old, the strip club lacked enough employees, so they “recruited” Lanie to […]
Guest Viewpoint: Don’t Ditch Your Denomination
In September 1986, my life was changed forever when I was elected as pastor of a dying Southern Baptist mission called Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. I grew up in the National Baptist denomination. I was the middle of five kids raised by a single mom who required everyone in her house to attend church on […]
God’s Portion: Sufficient to Sustain and Delight
Spending some time in Brazil this summer was an experience I will treasure forever, and the Lord taught me so many precious truths. I’ve always known that various cultures exist, but to experience it firsthand was something entirely new for me. My observations evoked a number of thoughts that I began to wrestle with: Would […]
The Nations Are Closer than You Think
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Can’t see the forest for the trees”? I believe the opposite is the problem concerning major missions strategies at this time. I believe we have become so overwhelmed by the lostness of the world that we are missing the opportunities God is giving us to make a difference. Both […]
Reigniting Evangelism In Our Changing World
Let’s face it: The world is changing rapidly. Neither God’s Word, nor the gospel, nor His church is eligible to change in terms of the absolutes of God’s truth. But the environment in which these truths are shared and the manner with which these truths are heard are changing even as we speak. The Great […]
Are Special-Needs Families Part of Your Outreach Strategy?
Special-needs families are an under-reached demographic, but when committed to church, they can become some of the most faithfully involved members. Church ministry to my autistic son depends upon my being a flexible and involved parent. It also depends on the willingness of those who serve my son to do whatever it takes to show […]