Enjoying the Journey
Church Ministry
Update on the Rest Conference
Many of you have asked in recent days about this year’s Rest Conference. Pastor Scott Hooks and I, along with our wives, love hosting this meeting each September. It is a refreshing time in God’s Word and with many of God’s servants. Due to the unusual situation this year with COVID-19 restrictions we have decided to make some adjustments to the schedule. We will not be gathering in Hickory, NC as normal. Please note the following: We will be hosting an online conversation on Tuesday, September 8 for pastors, evangelists, and Christian workers. This will be an encouraging few minutes and I hope you will make plans to join us. More details will be sent out soon about how you…
Read MoreReigniting The Pioneer Spirit
Churches are beginning to open back up. Pastors are trying to find some rhythm again. It will take some time to get everyone back and schedules fully normal, but it is a start. In fact, it is an opportunity for a new beginning! Over the last months I have had the privilege of working with and talking to many pastors who have had to “get out of the comfort zone” and do some thing for the first time. We all have been stretched, and the world should see a difference among the people of God. Some things should not change. Our doctrine, our commitment to Scripture, our faithfulness to biblical distinctives – all of these must never change. On the…
Read More4 Things You Can Do To Help Your Pastor At This Time
These are unusual days for everyone and unique days to serve in a church. Over the last few weeks I have spent a great deal of time talking and praying with pastors who are doing their best, under God, to lead their churches through this crisis time. While these faithful pastors are working to help God’s people, we should also be thinking about how God’s people can help God’s pastors. Remember, we are all in this together! Be prayerful. The most effective use of our words is always in talking to the One who can do something about it! In Hebrews 13 we are encouraged to “remember…follow…obey…and submit” to spiritual leaders (Hebrews 13:7, 17). However, one of the most overlooked…
Read MoreWhat To Do When The Crisis Has Passed
Perhaps like me you are beginning to get impatient or bored with the current state of things in our nation. A little stir crazy? We must remember that, like everything in this world, “this too shall pass.” Soon the crisis will be over. The great question is not: “Will the crisis every pass?” but, rather, “What will God’s people do when the crisis has passed?” This could be – should be – a new beginning for the work of God in this world. Remember that it was after the breaking up of the early church in Jerusalem that the greatest gospel advance in the history of the church took place! O, Lord, cause that to be the case in our…
Read MoreDo What You Can Where You Are
We have become a nation of “shut-ins” in many ways. (This should make us more compassionate and caring of those who truly are shut-in and unable to ever leave their homes!) The current shift in schedule has disrupted a mobile society and the ripple effects are just beginning to be felt. What should Christians do? They should do what they can where they are! The will of God and the work of God always begins with what is right at hand. As we do our part, God will surely do His. If we want to get to the ends of the earth we must begin at our Jerusalem (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). When we began 2020 I challenged churches to…
Read MoreRevival of The Family Altar
The term has been lost with the passing of time – and so has the use. Few people today think much about a “family altar.” Yet in days of revival in our nation the principle of families praying and worshiping together was vital. True revival does not start at the church house, it starts at our house! The family altar does not mean that we build a physical altar in our homes. It means that we build into our schedules and routines the priority of praying with the family and talking about the Lord. The home altar is greater than the church altar in this way: it can be accessed every day! Matthew Henry wrote, “Wherever man has a tent,…
Read MoreThank God For The Shepherds!
In crisis hours we are all reminded of what is most important in life, and who truly watches for our souls. We are all living through a season that reminds us of the importance of the local church. This season will pass but the church remains. Christ is building His church even now! He is purifying it. The gates of hell will not prevail against it. You can count on that! In good times and bad believers need one another. We need the church. Sheep need to be led and fed. This is why the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, calls under-shepherds to care for the flock. Though schedules have come to a screeching halt pastors are working harder…
Read MoreHow Is Your Church “Meeting” At This Time?
This week I had the privilege of participating in an extended discussion with a group of pastors. These are unique times for those who are leading churches and feeding God’s people. While each local church and community is unique they all have one thing in common – they are being called on to minister in unprecedented ways. One of the greatest challenges is simply staying connected with the church family in the midst of “social distancing.” As I listened to these good men talk I heard their heart. The shepherd will always find a way! Allow me to share a few of the ways pastors are working to “gather” the sheep… Enabling People To Join A Worship Service Using YouTube,…
Read MoreThis Is Not The Time To Rob God
First let me say that I am not a pastor. I do not have the responsibility of shepherding one flock and overseeing the needs of a local church. As an evangelist I spend much of my time trying to encourage pastors and help churches advance the gospel in many places. I love pastors and local churches. Most of all, I love the Lord. Our generation of Christians has never seen anything like the current state of emergency in our world. Many people are frightened and all of us are unsure of some things. Yet as a Christian there is one thing I know: God is with us and we must continue to obey His Word. Truth always endures. In times…
Read MoreNew Resource For All Christian Workers
One of the great desires that I have is to get helpful resources to those who are laboring faithfully in God’s work. There is no lack of available resources, but there is often a dearth of trustworthy ones. That is why I enjoy partnering with other likeminded ministers to develop tools for Bible study and gospel work. I am excited to share with you a brand new podcast that has been designed with one goal in mind: to edify and encourage Christian workers. Each Labor Day my friend Pastor Scott Hooks and I co-host The Rest conference in Hickory, NC. This is not a meeting for preachers to come and take a nap (although that is a good idea!). It…
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