CU Non-Tenured Faculty of the Year

September 5, 2011 2 Comments

This past Wednesday, I was awarded the Campbellsville University Non-Tenured Faculty of the Year Award.  I am honored and very humbled to have been presented this award after only 3 years at CU.  I am thankful to my Dean Dr. John Hurtgen, my Vice President Dr. Frank Cheatham and my President Dr. Michael V. Carter for choosing me for this honor.

After the convocation, I got to stand with my mentor and colleague, Dr. G. Ted Taylor, who has been teaching at CU for 17 years.  He has been so influential in my life as a minister and an educator.  In many ways, we share this award together.  If there was no GTT, there would be no G-Train.  

The baby blue Ed.D. garb was working that day.

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching

A Call to Garrard County

August 17, 2011 2 Comments

This Sunday (August 21st), I have the great honor of preaching a trial sermon to become the interim pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church in Garrard County.  I am so excited about this possibility and opportunity to serve an excellent church with a passion for the Gospel and mission to reach people for Jesus. 

This interim will be slightly different than the other three I’ve been involved with.  This will be a 2-day a week experience, instead of the Sunday-only setups before.  If called, I will teach the Wednesday evening small group for adults and be available to work with staff and leadership groups before or after that meeting.  On Sunday, I will preach the Sunday morning service and be available to meet with deacons or the search committee as needed. 

I will be surrounded by an outstanding staff of brother-pastors: Associate Pastor Michael York, Worship Pastor Nehemiah Wilkinson, and Youth Pastor Stephen Brogli.  These men are full devoted to the Lord and He is using them greatly in His kingdom work.

The vote will be at the end of the Sunday morning worship service.  If affirmed and called, I will begin in full on Sunday, August 28th.  I am so thankful for the local church and the small part Jesus has called me to play in serving His bride.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

The 4 S’s of Vision

August 10, 2011 2 Comments

Next week during our annual School of Theology retreat, I am presenting several proposals that would considerably change the way we do undergrad and grad level ministry training here at Campbellsville Univ in the future.

Of course, the entire team has to discuss, agree, edit, approve and be unified before it goes anywhere further.  Nevertheless, this whole lead-up process has reminded me of the 4 S’s of Vision.

To be a leader, you must have vision.  That is clear enough.  But vision is more than just having good ideas while you’re in the shower.  Good ideas are pointless unless the visionary has the ability to see it, say it, sell it and stamp it into action.

1.  See it.  This is the idea origination stage.  This is the spark of clarity.  This is the moment when something in you says “this might work.”  This usually happens either all at once in a blast of creativity or over time as you seek to solve a problem and advanced your strategy.   You got to be able to see it in your mind’s eye as a realistic, futuristic possibility somewhere, out there.  (Be cautious here though. Don’t let too many others “see it” before it hits stage 2.  Keep the cat in the bag until just the right time.)

2.  Say it.  Now communication comes into play.  Taking that idea and forming it into language that is understandable by others.  The idea is usually raw and unbaked in previous stage; now it has to be put in the oven and congealed for public consumption.  The most effective visionaries find some way to communicate their vision by writing, drawing or conceptualizing their plan in order to clearly communicate it to others.  You can be too detailed and “over say it” as well as be too brief and “under said it.”  The key here is balance in your communication approach.

3.  Sell it.  In stage 3, you put your sales face on.  It’s time to deal the pitch.  You have their attention.  You’ve caught them in an intriguing proposition.  Now you have to sell your vision with passion and determination.  Ultimately, everyone has to see the benefits of your plan and be willing to sign on knowing you are about to change the way they operate.  You have to use as much persuasion as allowable in your team dynamic while still allowing for others to edit, contribute and alter your plan.  A poorly sold vision is a failure of leadership.

4.  Stamp it.  The final stage is placing a stamp of approval on the new idea and making it come to reality.  You stamp out who is going to do what parts.  You stamp out who is going to move the idea up and down the chain of leadership.  You stamp out deadlines, goals and objectives for production and activation.  You can’t leave the vision in the discussion phase, there has to be a plan of action with specific names and faces attached to the process.

We shall see how well I make it through the stages in the coming days.

Filed under Leadership, Ministry

5 Things Millennial Pastors Despise about Church Administration

August 6, 2011 2 Comments

For the past 3 years, I have witnessed over 300 young pastors and church leaders, youth ministers and theology students walk across the stage to earn their diplomas at Campbellsville University.  They range in age from 22-32.  They are known as the Millennials (born between 1980-2000).  In many ways, they are changing the Christian church culture faster than any generation before them. 

As I have witnessed them, taught them and interacted with them, testing their views on the Bible, Christianity, and especially church leadership, I have found there are a few things they can’t stand.  In particular, there are 5 things they truly despise and they all revolve around church administration.

5 Things Millennial Pastors Despise in Church Administration

Adidos Mr. Robert's

1.  Robert’s Rules of Order and the dreaded church business meeting.  Many Millennial pastors and church leaders talk of church business meetings as the biggest waste of time, energy and effort in all of Christendom.  They don’t like the format and especially the lack of biblical and spiritual insight shown in following parliamentarian procedures.  Now to date, they’ve not offered much in the way of decision-making alternatives, but you can be assured they are never happy listening to a moderator entertaining a motion, calling for the first ballot or stopping the discussion to look something up in the constitution and by-laws. 

2.  Sitting on hordes of cash in church bank accounts.  The Millennial pastor is confronted daily with the need for social justice and the plight of the oppressed.  Their hearts ache for orphans, widows, the poor and neglected.  So when churches choose to stockpile hundreds of thousands of dollars in CDs and mutual funds, their heads explode.  Most Millennials despise significant debt AND significant surplus.  They believe if God has given them resources, they should be spent on kingdom purposes, not to pad accounts.

3.  Multi-million dollar facilities being used twice per week.  Let’s say you have a church in a major city or even in a rural town square that cost over 1 million dollars to build.  The Millennial pastor wants that building to be used 7-days a week.  Monday through Friday, morning, noon and night, people coming and going.  They want the building to be open to community groups, outside organizations, business luncheons, Christian schools and daycare.  This means higher utility bills and maintenance cost, but the Millennial pastor can not stomach having a huge facility and only turning it ”on” Wednesday night and Sunday morning. 

4.  Leadership boards of any kind, especially elder boards, deacon boards and trustee boards.  This dynamic is interesting because in the non-profit world and in secular business, a leadership board is quite natural and viewed as a necessary leadership structure promoting accountability and integrity. But younger Millennial pastors and church leaders are very anxious about the word “board.”  They prefer terminology like a body, team, or community.  In their minds, people get abused by “boards,” especially pastors and their families so they usually steer clear of them.

5.  Finally, Millennial pastors despise institutionalism for the sake of the institution.  When Millennials get a hint that the church has become overly institutional, meaning leaders on the various boards and committees are working only to support and propagate the institution to the neglect of the community, the lost, the prostitute, the addict or any collection of outcast, they become viciously irate.  They want nothing to do with country club Christianity or members-only gatherings.  They want to know they are serving and growing God’s kingdom, not a singular institution that happens to have the name Church on the sign.

Things are never going to be the same again in Church Admin.  Who knows, that might be the best thing for us all.

Filed under Leadership, Ministry, Teaching

My Hopes for the Upcoming School Year

August 2, 2011 Leave a comment

I will start my fourth year at Campbellsville University in a couple weeks.  Three falls, 3 springs, and 3 summer semesters have come and gone.  In many ways, I feel like I’ve been here for years.  But at other times, I still feel like a rookie, green behind the ears. 

At the beginning of each year, I try to select a Bible passage as my theme passage and set ministry goals for the semester ahead.  The theme passage hasn’t come just yet, but here are 5 things I am hoping and praying God does in and through me this 2011-12 school year.    

1.  Deeper, stronger mentor relationships with the young men I personally disciple.  There are a couple guys who I meet with on a very regular basis talking about life, ministry, relationships, school and their devotion to the Lord.  I am really hoping these relationships grow and expand.   Both men are facing school, relationship, and ministry challenges.  I am praying God allows me to walk alongside of them and coach them well during this pivotal time.

2.  Greater growth in my own servant-leadership.  I am hoping God continues to refine me as a second-tier leader in the School of Theology and as an emerging leader on the entire campus.  I have much to learn about humility, grace, patience and waiting on the Lord’s timing.  But as these past 3 years have progressed, God has brought more and more opportunity for leadership and influence my way.  To those who are given much, much will be expected. (Luke 12.48)

3.  More Jesus-centered, Gospel-focused moments in my basic Christianity course.  I am hoping God opens more hearts in my Religion in Life course than ever before.  I am only teaching 1 face-to-face RNL course this semester and I truly want God to use this one class to be transformational for all 35 students.  I am changing my approach and experimenting with new methods to better reach Millennials with the Gospel.

4.  Consistent church ministry involvement.   Last year I served in one local church pretty much the whole term, which I loved.  From August 2010 to July 2011, I preached every Sunday in Louisville at Bethany BC.  I don’t exactly know what God has in store for me this school year, but staying active and vibrant in local church ministry is a must.  Preaching the Word every Sunday and serving the needs of a local community gave me more passion and insight as I was teaching my Christian ministry students.  Be doers of the Word, not merely hearers. (James 1.22)

5.  Begin each day on my knees.  As some of you know, Bethany BC gave me a prayer bench as a thank you for being their interim pastor.  It now sits in my office, right next to my desk.  I am asking God to bring me to my knees every day before I turn on my computer, answer an email, or grab my books to head to class.  Spending my first few minutes every day before the Lord in prayer should change everything in 2011-12.

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching

KY Traveler

August 1, 2011 Leave a comment

Over the weekend, in just about 24 hours time, I traveled through 10 KY counties.  I live in Taylor county, but we won’t count that one.

On my way to Richmond, I went through Marion (1), Mercer (2), Boyle (3), Garrard (4) and ended in Madison (5).  Then on Sunday as I was driving to Monticello, I went through Adair (6), Russell (7), Pulaski (8), Wayne (9).  And as I came back home, I decided to take the  country roads home through Clinton (10).

I like cruising the backroads.  I like using a paper map, not a GPS system.  Navigating out in this great state of ours is fun to me.

Filed under Ministry, Travel

Maple Trail Ministry Consultants Turns 3

July 24, 2011 Leave a comment

The following post is from our Maple Trail site thanking all the churches and parachurch organizations that have allowed me or one of my team members to come and serve over the past three years.  All in all, it is overwhelming to think God has used this little firm so graciously to be a blessing to so many.
__________________________________

This week marks the 3rd anniversary of Maple Trail Ministry Consultants being in existence. In those three years, we have been honored to serve numerous churches, local associations, and Christian parachurch organizations.

We would like to thank each of the following partners in our Ephesians 4:12 vision to “equip the saints for the work of ministry.” These past 3 years have been the thrill of a lifetime.

Thank you for trusting us with your people.
Sincerely, The Maple Trail Team

Local Churches

  • Bethany BC, Louisville
  • Crestwood BC, Frankfort
  • Campbellsville BC, Campbellsville
  • Columbia BC, Columbia (4 consultations)
  • Living Grace Church, Campbellsville (3 consultations)
  • Anchor BC, Richmond
  • Pioneer BC, Harrodsburg
  • Salem BC, Campbellsville
  • Good Hope BC, Campbellsville
  • Mt. Gilboa BC, Campbellsville
  • First Baptist Church Monticello
  • Hope Community Church, Lawrenceburg
  • Calvary BC, Corbin
  • St. Mark United Methodist, Columbia
  • Parkway BC, Bardstown
  • Bethlehem BC, Cunningham
  • Main Street BC, Alexandria

Local Associations

  • Taylor County Bapt. Association
  • Central (Mercer & Boyle Co.) Bapt. Association
  • Blackford/Breckenridge Bapt Association

Conferences & Events

  • Campbellsville Univ. Louisville Contagious Churches Conference
  • Campbellsville Univ. Pastors & Church Leaders Conference
  • CU Think Again Workshop for church leaders
  • CU Worship Arts Conference
  • KBC Pastors & Deacons Retreat
  • KBC Super Saturday (9 events)
  • KBC Youth Pastors Retreat
  • KBC Imagine Children’s & Preschool Ministry Conference

Filed under Leadership, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching

Re-envisioning the Church Ministry Resume

July 20, 2011 Leave a comment

If you have ever served on a church search committee or personnel team, you have looked through church ministry resumes.  Page after page of white space with tons of words and bullet points. I know I have waded through a couple hundred or so in my day.   Blah, blah, blah.

Ministry Resumes: Bold & bulleted

Seeking pastors and church leaders get their ministry resume templates from two places.  Most use a standard Word document template designed for entry-level positions at a business office.  These are basic, simple and lack anything exciting. 

Others will use a seminary provided template that may even be more boring than the Word doc.  Both types really do not meet the questions being asked by those looking to fill positions in their churches.  They are stock formats with basic information attempting to put all prospective candidates on an even playing field.

Recently I have been experimenting with my church ministry resume (disclaimer: I am not leaving CU just to be perfectly clear) and I started noticing how boring it looked.  I recognize we live in a highly visual world.  We lean heavily on icons, logos, facebook profiles, and websites to communicate what is happening our the world. 

My thought then is, “Why don’t we start incorporating these visual elements in our church ministry resumes?”  If we live in a visual culture dominated by visual media and advertising, shouldn’t our resumes, which are essentially an advertisement for ourselves, not also be visually-stimulating.

So here are my suggestions on how to visually-enhance your ministry resume.

1.  Include a good picture of yourself.  Not the cheesy seminary yearbook or church directory photo in the standard preacher tie and suit.  Try something that appeals to who you really are:  family man, athlete, book nerd, etc.  Make sure the photo incorporates personality and vitality, not boring, staunch seriousness.  If you’ve changed your Facebook profile in the past 6 months try using that one.  It speaks to who you really are.

2.  Include the logos of the schools you’ve attended.  Show your school pride by labeling them with their icon or insignia.  Color-code your school information in the school’s team colors.  It will definitely add some pop to your Education section which is usually a snore. 

3.  Include church or business logos of places you’ve previously worked.  If the company or church is branded with a good logo, why not use it.  Most often the logo speaks more to the vision and direction of the church/business, more than your job title and bulleted accomplishments.  A savvy logo is eye-catching and speaks volumes about the kind of places you’ve been associated with.

4.  In your references, add their Facebook profile pic next to their contact information.  When these search committee members call your references, wouldn’t it be nice to have a name with a face.  It might make the conversation more friendlyand cordial to know what the person looks like.

I have added these visual enhancements to my church ministry resume as an example.  Take a look and let me know what you think.  Garrison Ministry Resume 2011

Filed under Leadership, Ministry

CU Theology Spotlight

July 13, 2011 Leave a comment

I am so proud to be a small part of the Campbellsville University School of Theology as both a faculty member and as a ’99 alumnus.

The following video tries to capture who we are as a school and what we hope to produce – World Changers for Christ.  Blending solid theological education with practical ministry leadership is our trademark style.   

Listen closely for a smooth talking narrator.

Filed under Ministry, Teaching

An Extra Special Gift to Say Goodbye

July 10, 2011 Leave a comment

This morning was my final day as the interim pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  I have served this fine church for about 10 months.  Bethany has been a wonderful church to love and be loved by.  As an extension of their love, they presented me with a gift this morning to say thank you.  Something I have been looking for for over 10 years.

They gave me this prayer bench. 

My Beloved Prayer Bench from Bethany BC

Back when we were in seminary in Fort Worth, our chapel had prayer benches down at the front of the auditorium.  I loved seeing students down there praying after a sermon and using the prayer benches to call out to God.  Even between classes, I would sometimes sneak into the chapel and spend some time talking with God on one of those benches.

Then later I was talking with one of my professors and saw they had a very old prayer bench in their office.  This particular bench had been taken from an old Catholic church and the kneeler was all worn out.  I desperately wanted a bench that had been used by other brothers and sisters in Christ, who were laboring in prayer. 

So for years, Jennifer and I went to antique stores, church sales, yard sales, and searched online for a prayer bench.  But never found one.  I asked an antique dealer one time if he ever got any prayer benches in.  His answer was “yeah, we get them. But we sell them the second we put them on the floor.”  In many ways, I had kinda given up hope.

But then today, as the interim search committee was pulling out something to present, my heart began to break.  They unveiled this brand new prayer bench built specifically for me.  I was overwhelmed to tears.  The kneeler is maroon to support Campbellsville University.  It has a cross on each side, a little slot to put a Bible or journal, and a placard on top reminding me of Bethany. 

I can’t say thank you enough to the people of Bethany for this gift.  They only way I can repay you for this gracious gift is to put it to good use.  And every time I kneel before the Lord, I will remember you always in my prayers (Phil. 1:3).  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  I love it with all my heart.  This means more than you will ever know.

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

A Dream that is Real

July 1, 2011 1 Comment

I had a very weird dream last night.  I dreamt that I was visiting an old friend in the hospital who was having a same-day surgery.  Apparently we had known each other for some time.  I arrived after the surgery was over and then helped him get back to his home.  At his house, he told me that he didn’t believe in the Gospel, Christ or the Bible anymore.  That he had become an agnostic over the past couple years.  He and his wife had divorced after 10 years of marriage and that tragedy sent him into a tailspin.

Then he told me that he was still a pastor of a local church.  He had been serving as a pastor of a conservative Baptist church preaching every Sunday and leading the congregation.  But when he went through the divorce, he resigned from the previous church and was jobless for a time period.  After about a year, he found another job.  Now he was pastor of another church, but with very different theological convictions.  He was now a pastor of a far-reaching liberal church who was fine with the divorce and actually okay with his non-belief in the Bible and Jesus.

So after we got him situated from the surgery, we went to his church for an evening “worship” service.  I sat there and observed what he said and how he taught…as an unbelieving pastor.  He talked a lot about personal independence and finding your strength in your own ability and skills.  He preached about how each person is responsible for their own progress and movement forward in life.  It was kinda health & wealth, prosperity teaching mixed with motivational speaking.  No mention of God.  No mention of Jesus.  No mention of God’s work in their lives.  And the people in the church loved it.  They even said “Amen” to his points and challenges. 

At the end of the dream, he and I had a talk about his new life.  He told me that people in his new church really didn’t care much about the Bible and Jesus, they just want a sermon which lifts them up and encourage them in their daily lives.  And that you didn’t have to have faith in Christ to teach those things.  He said as long as he visits his people, challenges them and loves them, they were satisfied with him as their pastor.

I immediately questioned his motivation about still being a pastor after leaving his faith behind.  And his response, being a pastor is a pretty good job.  It’s the only thing I’m trained in.  Why do my personal beliefs have to change my profession?

Then the dream ended…….thank goodness.

The problem with this dream is that is not really a dream.  It is based in some reality.  Tufts University put out a study back in 2010 that said there are a small percentage of unbelieving, atheistic pastors preaching in pulpits across America.  I first heard about the scandal on the Albert Mohler radio program and read about it on his blog.  The reporting of the study made it all the way up to World News on ABC.

Could there be pastors who don’t believe and still choose to serve as pastors?  Yes.  Why?  The pay and security of a church position.  It might be that their educational training only fits ministry and nothing else.  It could be they like the place of influence and power they possess over an organization.  It could be that they have chosen to live a lie in order to retire a couple of years down the road.  Who knows?

All I know is that my dream, which was based in reality, was very scary.

Filed under Ministry, Preaching

Love Expressed through Speed of Response

June 20, 2011 Leave a comment

I’ve learned yet another interesting dynamic in the wild world of Millennials and iGens.  This new dynamic concerns the way love is communicated in relationship.  It appears Millennials, and the younger generation becoming known as iGens, determine how much they are loved, or unloved for that matter, by the speed of response to their text messages.  The amount of time between receipt of message and sent response is a determiner of love and value in a personal relationship.

Sound confusing.  I understand.  But let’s walk out how this works in practicality. 

Let’s pretend you are a parent, teacher, coach, pastor, minister or mentor of a Millennial.   They send you a text message about something going on in their life and they want your input on the situation.  As you receive and read the message, you have to make a determination on whether or not the message is worth replying to at that moment. 

If you think the message needs immediate attention and is valuable enough to spend your time, thought and energy replying to, you fire a response back within minutes.  In the mind of the Millennial, this is true love.

But let’s say you decide the message isn’t worth responding to or not so urgent to get your attention right away, so you put off replying until the next day or possibly not at all.  In the mind of the Millennial, you don’t love them.

For the Millennial, love and value in relationships are expressed through the speed of communication response.  The more you love them, the faster you will respond to their messages.  If the relationship is healthy and vibrant, you will respond within minutes.  However if the relationship is strained or not as important as other things, you will choose to wait hours, days or not respond at all.

I guess I need to start texting.  Nah, not yet.

Filed under Life, Ministry

Sound Advice from a Ministry Veteran

June 13, 2011 Leave a comment

Dr. Tom Bolton

Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking at the ordination of now Rev. Sunkeun “Sunny” Bang, a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Louisville, where I am interim pastor. 

The charge to the candidate was brought by Dr. Tom Bolton, professor of church music at Southern Baptist Theo. Seminary and former dean of the School of Church Music and minister of music at Bethany. 

Dr. Bolton has been in church ministry for over 40 years serving in Arkansas and Kentucky.  He shared 12 words of advice that are huge for anyone going into or already serving in local church ministry. 

1.  Customize your ministry.  Every church and every leader are unique.  Buying into the latest trends or packaged fads will not work because that is not your unique gifting, its someone elses.

2.  Work with your people to be creative.  Creativity fuels worship.  Your people must be challenged to sacrifice their time, talent and creativity to the Lord. 

3.  Strive for excellence.  Excellence in the ministry is not competitive, comparative, pragmatic, or sporadic.  Jesus is worthy of your excellent effort every time.  Failure while striving for excellence is fine; failure while striving for mediocrity is unacceptable. 

4.  Stay humble.  There is no such thing as a self-made man.  God made the man and God continues to make the man.  Self has very little to do with it.

5.  Stay planted where God plants you until God transplants you.  Grass always looks greener elsewhere, but remember God planted you to tend His chosen field, not another.  If he needs you elsewhere, He will move you in His timing.

6.  Don’t be a people-pleaser, be a God-pleaser.  In the end, people are not your judge, only God.

7.  Longterm ministry is a balance.  Time with God, family, your people, lost friends, and in rest and refreshment must all be kept in a proper balance.  Anytime there is an inbalance, ministry will suffer.

8.  Be a life-long student.  Ministry methods and people are always changing.  Continual learning and reading are the only ways to understand those changes and shifts.

9.  Ministry requires changes in the leader as well.  The leader is not removed from constant change.  If your methods and practices are the same as they were when you began, then you haven’t kept fresh and engaged.  You must change with the times. 

10.  Involve others in your ministry.  Share. Replicate. Put yourself out of business, but know you never will.

11.  Be patient.  Waiting is not idle passivity.  Consider a waiter at a restaurant.  The food is not yet ready, but they are persistent in whatever they can serve at the time.

12.  Stay smiling.  Don’t let ministry change who you are.  Stay positive knowing you are doing the work of God which should bring you pleasure and joy.

Filed under Leadership, Ministry

Cell Phones in the Shower

June 13, 2011 1 Comment

Do you text in the shower?

Several weeks ago I was talking with a few youth pastors when I learned something new about American teenagers.  As you all know, teens are addicted to their cell phones.  They can’t leave home without them and seem to be on them almost 24 hours a day. 

Apparently this addiction has taken another step forward.  One youth pastor shared with me that his students are now sealing their cell phone in a Ziploc bag so they can text message in the shower.  They can’t wait the 10 minutes to takes to have a shower, so they have created a way to stay connected to their device even in the bathtub. 

Of course, I’ve seen my students texting in class with the phone tucked away in their jeans pocket or backpack.  Like you, I’ve seen them driving through town while tapping out a message in traffic.  But by far, this shower thing is absolutely over-the-top.

The conversation left me scratching my head and wondering about future generations.  But then I started to ask myself, “Am I any different?”  What addictive patterns are present in my life?  Whether it comes to drinking coffee or checking my email or watching TV, are their addictive behaviors in my life that I need to deal with?

What about you?  Are there addictive behaviors that you need to examine?  Are you addicted to your cell phone or laptop?  Are you addicted to caffeine or nicotine?  Are you addicted to a certain TV show or video game?  Are you addicted to something more serious such as alcohol, prescription drugs, pornography, gambling, shopping, or food? 

Living a life for Christ means putting him first above all things, including your behaviors and wants.  He must be our singular treasure, our first and primary love.  All other things must be placed in complete submission to him.  He wants you to live a life focused on him and his kingdom, not to the addictive things of this world which are fleeting.

It might be time to leave the _____________ (you fill in the blank) behind.  In other words, leave the phone on the sink.

Filed under Life, Ministry

Tribute to My Pastors

June 8, 2011 3 Comments

Six men have served as the pastors and under-shepherds in my life over the past 24 years as a believer in Christ.  Four of them have served as my pastor in the local church.  Two of them were not my  pastors officially, but played a major role in my spiritual growth acting as spiritual mentors and encouragers in my personal life.

I would like to pay tribute to these fine brothers and servants of Christ Jesus.

Dr. Ron Williams - My first pastor

1.  Dr. Ron Williams – Bro. Ron led me to Christ in VBS in 1987.  He baptized me and was my first pastor until I was 16 years old.  Bro. Ron and his wife Elaine and their sons Ronnie, Jameson, and Matt, were very influential in my life.  Bro. Ron was an innovative Bible teacher and a beloved shepherd.  He loved the New Testament and it showed up everywhere in his teaching and preaching.  He eventually earned his Ph.D. in NT and has taught at Gardner-Webb University for many years.

Bro. Mo

2.  Bro. Morgan Owen – Bro. Mo was my youth pastor.  He served my home church throughout my high school years.  He discipled me in small groups and personally in his home.  He and his wife Carrol lived close to my house and Morgan would come over and play football with us in the front yard.  More than anything he showed me how to be “in-love” with Jesus.  His passionate commitment to Christ came through in everything he did.  He is now serving as campus minister at Univ. Tenn. in Martin.

Dr. Taylor & I in Holy Land

3.  Dr. Ted Taylor – Once I got to college, another pastor took over in my spiritual development.  I didn’t attend Dr. Taylor’s church, I attended his classes.  He was my professor, advisor, life coach, and mentor.  He has remains those things today.  No single man has been more influential in my life than Dr. Taylor.  He is my father-in-the-faith.  Now he is my colleague with his office being just three doors down.  We talk nearly everyday.

Charlie in Naples, Italy

4.  Rev. Charlie Worthy – Once in seminary, another man of God became my unofficial pastor.  Again this was not a pastor of the church I attended or served at, but a man who became one of my closest friends and advisors.  Charlie and I worked together at PPC and went to school together at SWBTS.  He and his wife Shannon really took Jennifer and I under their wing, showing us how to be married and eventually how to be Christian parents. Charlie married us in 2002. Charlie and I spent a lot of time together in ministry and at his home over dinner.  He and his family serve in Naples, Italy.

Pastor Bob in white

5.  Pastor Robert Franklin – When I left seminary, I started my first “full-time” ministry position as the associate pastor of Main Street Church under Pastor Robert Franklin. For the first year, Pastor Bob and I shared an office. For the next 4 years, we prayed together every week on our knees before the Lord.  He trained me in all things pastoral: funerals, elders, deacons, confrontation, leadership, vision, faithful stewardship, and out-of-the-box thinking.  He encouraged me and called me out all the time, like a real pastor should.  He will forever be my boss/pastor/friend/brother.  He just celebrated 10 years as pastor of Main Street.

Skip & I at CU Homecoming 09

6.  Dr. Skip Alexander – After Main Street, we moved to Campbellsville.  We joined Campbellsville Bapt Church to be “members” for the first time in a long time.  It was the first church we had chosen in over 10 years; all the others had chosen us.  Pastor Skip was our pastor.  He truly became a friend to me.  We talked about ministry often.  We worked on several projects together in the church and in the community.  He understood how relationships were the currency of this community.  I learned a lot from him.  He left last month to serve as senior pastor of Northside Church in Indianapolis, IN.

I am thankful to God for these men and their role in my spiritual journey.  I pray I give to others as these men have given to me.

Filed under Family, Life, Ministry

Corporate, I Mean Church Mergers

May 20, 2011 1 Comment

Are Church Mergers on the Rise?

As a subscriber to the Wall Street Journal, I read about corporate mergers all the time.  Google always seems to be buying some little company for millions.  But more and more I am hearing about another type of organizational merger: church mergers.

It seems that a new trend is shaping American Evangelicalism, especially in smaller churches.  We are starting to hear of many churches merging togethe into one.   Two, three, sometimes four, smaller churches coming together to form one, but immediately larger, singular church.  I’ve talked to folks in rural settings and others in metro locations, both considering how a possible merger might be the ticket to long-term survival for all parties involved.

The reality is many smaller churches are in serious trouble.  The church culture is moving further and further away from the small family-run church with limited staff, services, and ministries.  Churches under the 75 attendee benchmark are particularly at risk.  At this attendance level, the church can barely support a pastor and the facility upkeep. 

It seems one survival method is merging with another small church within the same basic location.  This allows for multiple staff, more people, more finances, and more momentum to reach others.  It breathes new life and vision into a church plateaued or declining.  

I highly support church mergers, especially if closing shop is the other option.  The Gospel calls us into the family of God, brothers and sisters in Christ, united in faith.  When churches come together and become one, it reflects how the Gospel brings Christians together in love and unity. 

But navigating a church merger is quite difficult.  It is basically like to two middle-aged adults with long former lives getting married.  Everything must be sorted through and compressed.  There is a tremendous give and take.  Leadership must be disassembled and rejoined.  And there is a significant loss of autonomy on the part of both churches.

Despite the difficulty, I think church mergers will be on the rise in the next couple years.  When desperate times call for desperate measures, churches merger might be the best option on the table.

Filed under Leadership, Ministry

Busy Week Ahead

May 15, 2011 Leave a comment

This week is supposed to be the start of my summer break, but I won’t really be sitting on the porch all that much.

On Tuesday, I will be listening to the amazing Dr. Leonard Sweet, author of Postmodern Piligrims, AquaChurch, and many other titles, at the Contagious Churches & Leaders conference in Louisville.  I’ve read nearly everything Dr. Sweet has ever written and it will be a special treat to get 8 hours of content live and on-site.

After 8 hours of listening to great ideas and cultural analysis, I will be teaching 4 hours on the Baby Boomers in my Intergenerational grad class.  Quite anti-climatic for the students who were in the conference all day listening to Sweet and then have to end their day listening to me.  Nevertheless, class is class.

Then on Wednesday morning, I am up at the Contagious Conference sharing about my experience with Millennials and how to understand them spiritually.  I”m not thrilled being the first speaker to follow Dr. Sweet, but I am honored to participate in a small way.

My first session will focus on studies we’ve conducted on incoming Freshman at CU over the past 3 years and how they are responding to the Gospel in my Religion in Life classes.  The second session will attempt to analyze the spiritual convictions of Millennials offering 5 areas of concern and 5 reasons to have great hope.

Then on Thursday afternoon, the annual Suite 208 Golf Scramble will take place at Bright Leaf Golf Course in Harrodsburg, KY.  I will be joined by Mr. Chad Floyd (ABD) as my partner competing against Zach Rice and Brandon Carrier.  Last year Chad and I won in the 2-man best ball competition.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, I will be speaking at Hope Community Church in Lawrenceburg, KY.  I will be leading 2 workshops  Saturday evening and Sunday evening and preaching in the 2 services on Sunday morning.  The focus on the conference is Christian parenting and teaching believing parents how to engage their child in discipleship.  My message for Sunday morning will focus on how a church should respond to spiritual orphans in their midst and care for them once they are saved.

Should be a busy, but productive week.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching

Millennials in the Military

May 12, 2011 1 Comment

Who would have thought that Generation WHY? (aka the Millennials) could have ever made such an impact on the long-held military system called “The Chain of Command.” But guess what?  They have.

The US military has been the last institutional structure to embrace top-down, hierarchical leadership, not allowing for questions, excuses, or discussion about orders given.  When a commanding officer tells a lower ranking soldier to do something, they do it without hesitation.  Or so we thought.

It seems the armed services have begun to notice a significant change in the attitude of new recruits between the ages of 18-25 (i.e., the Millennials) concerning taking orders.  These newly enlisted men and women ask a never-before heard question to their commanding officers.  They ask, “Why?”  Why must I do this?  Why is that skill so important?  Why is this method the only method we can use?  Commanding officers respond confused and quite angry at such insubordination and breaking of the chain of command.

But wait.  Times, they are a changin’.  The craziest thing is the military is actually changing its style of leadership, to some degree, to accommodate this emerging generation.

According to recent conversations with retired military personnel from the Army and the Air Force, there are now orders that can be discussed on certain grounds.  If the order compromises a person’s ethical or moral convictions, the order can be questioned.  Or if the order puts the soldier in a situation where they feel “overly uncomfortable,” they can ask to discuss the order privately with their commanding officer.

This reshaping of the American military is truly astounding to me.  However, I am not surprised.  I get asked “Why?” all the time, in nearly every class.

But to see the Millennials changing military practice and long-standing tradition is completely shocking.  I guess an overarching principle must be learned here.  When people change, institutions must change around them.

Filed under Ministry, Teaching

Dr. vs. Rev. Which is Better in Ministry?

May 7, 2011 Leave a comment

It has recently come to my attention that many Christian leaders and pastors really don’t like the terminology “Reverend” anymore.

Apparently many young leaders, especially from Gen. X and the Millennial generations, see the formal Rev. title as being irrelevant in our society and unhelpful in ministering to their community and culture.  If you called them Rev. in public, they would cringe and be thoroughly embarrassed.  The title makes them feel out-dated, uncultured, and unable to relate to the normal person living down the street.  Besides no one wants to invite a Reverend to a party.  It’s like inviting the police.

The title that is preferred and desireable is Dr.  It does not matter what the Dr. stands for: Ph.D, Ed.D, D.Min., M.D., D.O., or D.M.D.  Anything but Rev.  To these young leaders, Dr. is more professional, more proper and respected within the community.  Dr. gives you credibility and a reason to be heard by a culture that despises religion, faith and moral absolutes.  Dr. sets you apart academically and professionally, but it does not change who you can hang out with or what social circles you are included in.

While this shift makes perfect sense to me, it also makes me sad.  When I was ordained to the Gospel ministry and became a Rev., I felt so honored and humbled by the calling God had placed on my life.  It was a significant spiritual milestone for me.  When I became a Dr., I felt the same honor and humility.  It was definitely the completion of a significant academic milestone, but it lacked the same spiritual flavor.  I could have gone through the entire Dr. experience and never said one word about my faith, my devotion to Christ, or my calling to ministry. 

I understand and know intuitively that our culture is moving further and further away from anything based in church life or earlier experiences of Christianity.  Ordination is frowned upon by many young leaders.  Being called Brother So-In-So or the Right Reverend Jimmy Bob is not happening any more.   I know many of my students will never go through ordination because to them it means they are loosing their street credibility and selling out to denominational structures and 20th century rules.  But in losing these vestiges of days gone by, we also lose a large part of our heritage of as evangelical Christians. 

I’m happy to be both.  Rev. first. Dr. second.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Teaching

Top 5 Questions I Get about Campbellsville Univ.

April 29, 2011 2 Comments


After 3 years of teaching at CU and being a proud alum, I find that I get the same 5 questions about my beloved university all the time.  So I thought I would give you the questions and my answer to the top 5.

1.  How many students does CU have?   The answer is about 3300 overall, but that consists of 200-300 in Louisville, some in Northern KY & Bowling Green, another good batch in Somerset, and many students studying fully online in all sorts of programs.

2.  Is CU a Bible college?   No.  While we do have a School of Theology (where I teach), we also have a School of Education, School of Music, College of Arts & Sciences, the Carver School of Social Work, and the School of Nursing.  We are a university offering associates, bachelors, masters and post-graduate degrees in numerous academic fields and disciplines.

3.  Are all the students professing believers in Jesus Christ?   No.  It is hard to know the exact ratio of believers to non-believers at CU because all we ask on the application is church affiliation, and that doesn’t always mean relationship with Jesus.  But from my involvement with the Freshman class and in my general education courses, I would say 70% of the students at CU are at least Christian in statement.  But even that is probably high if you ask how often they attend church or do they have a personal relationship with Christ.  In my unscientific estimation, I would say its close to 50/50, believers to non-believers.

Which always leads to the next question…

4.  Why would a student who is not a Christian go to a Christian university?   My answer is always three-fold:  1) Sports, 2) Parents, and 3) Proximity.

Sports promises many students the hope of playing college athletics.  These students are not getting scholarship offers to the big universities, but want to keep competing at a higher level.  We can give them a chance to keep playing after high school and still be competitive on the national level.

Parents love the smaller, Christian atmosphere.  Our campus prohibits drinking in dorms, has no fraternities or sororities, and is a very close knit community of faculty, staff and coaches who are committed followers of Christ.  The atmosphere is safe, small, and personal.

And finally, Proximity.  CU really connects well to the counties and towns that run between the I-65 and I-75 interstate corridor of KY.  Location is everything for students who want quality higher education without traveling hours away.

5.  And the final question I get all the time.  Has it changed since you were there?   ABSOLUTELY, YES!  I graduated way back in ’99 (nearly 12 years ago) and things have radically changed.  The campus is much larger, vastly more beautiful, and continues to grow every year.  The faculty is much more diverse ethnically, age-wise, coming from different parts of the US and world.  There are all kinds of new sports and opportunities for students on campus.

Most of all, CU is more of a Christian university now than it was when I was a student.  Not that it wasn’t a Christian university back in the ’90, but it is now more “distinctly Christian.”  More opportunities for worship, mission trips, Bible studies, and community service.  Our very slogans are “Find Your Calling” and “Preparing Christian Servant Leaders.”  There is a uniquely Christian vision and mission all across the institution.

I love this place and hope to keep answering these types of questions about my Alma Mater and school.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Teaching

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