Decision Making and the SBC Related School

May 17, 2013 3 Comments

Denominationally affiliated colleges and universities are slightly different than secular, state-owned colleges and universities when it comes to the distribution of campus power and the process of decision making.

The following graphics are from my Ed.D. dissertation entitled Models of Academic Governance in Southern Baptist Related Colleges and Universities (2009) which shows in rank order who holds the most and least power within SBC-related versus secular, state-owned institutions.

For SBC-related schools…

power holders

For state-owned institutions…

power 2

Three key observations:

1.  SBC-related schools have denominational leaders, which are obviously not present in secular, state-owned institutions.  Denominational leaders are in the middle of the pack in institutional power and decision making.

2.  Legislators and federal/state governments are at the bottom of SBC-related schools, but are obviously much more involved in the secular, state-owned institutions.  This makes perfect since state funding and accountability are directly routed to state-owned universities.

3.  The president and trustees/governors/regents are always at the top in both categories.  The non-administrative faculty are in the middle for both categories.

Conclusions:

The conclusion of my dissertation is that with a slight exception here and there, SBC-related colleges and universities follow very similar decision making paths as secular, state-owned institutions.  There is not much deviation between the two rank orders.   I contend that this makes perfect, tangible sense because of regional accreditation issues, federal regulations for all degree conferring institutions, and the need to be competitive in the higher education market, which is full of all sorts of players – public, private, for-profit, non-profit, online, international.

However, I do believe and can confirm from personal experience, that SBC-related institutions are unique in wanting to balance the influence and partnership with denominational leaders.  The connection between churches and SBC-related schools is a needed relationship.

As there is diversity within SBC churches and their individual relationships with the state and national denomination groups with some closer, some further away, so goes the SBC-related college and university, some closer, some further away.  The reason for the variance is the same as with the churches – leadership, history, future vision, priorities, and frankly investment dollars.

Filed under Study, Teaching

May 2012 to May 2013 : A Ministry Look-Back

May 15, 2013 2 Comments

mayEvery May, at the beginning of my summer break, I try to stop and look back over the past year and reflect on the opportunities the Lord has opened for me to do what I love and was called to do.  This particular 12 months has been a little bit of everything.  Ministry opportunities have flowed from all sides.

From…

  • Traveling to Greece, Turkey, and Switzerland with the Apostles & Epistles Tour.  You can’t beat teaching Revelation 1 on the Island of Patmos overlooking John’s cave.  Indescribable.
  • Finishing one interim pastorate at Lancaster Bapt Church and beginning and finishing another at Living Grace Church.
  • Training young pastors for LifeWay’s CentriKid Camps and then being a camp pastor myself for a couple weeks.
  • Preaching in various pulpits around KY like Corinth BC in London, Immanuel, Pioneer, Hopewell and Bruner’s Chapel BC all in Harrodsburg, Simpsonville BC, and First Bapt Clarksville, TN.
  • Leading training workshops for Eubank BC, Beechland BC, Pioneer BC and First Bapt Clarksville.
  • Teaching breakout sessions at ministry conferences – the CU Transformational Church Summit, the KBC Seminary for a Day, and CU Louisville’s Contagious Churches & Leaders.
  • Serving alongside the tireless LifeWay VBSi & Preview Team as a speaker & breakout session leader in 4 cities: Ridgecrest, NC, Fort Worth, TX, Nashville, TN, and Kissimmee, FL.  This opportunity has been one I will never forget.
  • Great times of sharing with my students outside of class like doing the DNow Team training, teaching alongside Jennifer for BCM about relationships, pre-marriage counseling in our home with Chris Price and Anna Step, witnessing Jacob Howard, one of my guys, ordained to the Gospel ministry, and taking a group of 13 to LifeWay’s headquarters in Nashville for CU Day at LifeWay.
  • All the while completing two amazing semesters with my students in class after class.  Year 5 was my best in class teaching year so far.

It is simply amazing for me to see what God has done in my life, if I would make myself available to Him and His purposes.  As I reflect back, I am overwhelmed by God’s grace and kindness toward me and my family.  This is way more than I could have ever imagined back in 1996 when I surrendered to the call of ministry.  God has taken my 3 loaves and 2 fish and multiplied them time and time again.

Where will God lead from May 2013 to May 2014…who knows?  But wherever He leads, I will follow.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching, Travel

My Experience as a Campbellsvillian

May 2, 2013 5 Comments

Teaching in Druien Hall.

Rampant news has been swirling – some true, some false – about my alma mater and employer Campbellsville University with specific attention directed toward my area the CU School of Theology.

I have not had any desire to pour more fuel on this raging fire and have actually encouraged my students to stay out of the fray, however, I have been encouraged to speak about my experience at CU as a student back in the 90′s in the School of Theology.

I offer three truths about my alma mater and school.

1.  As a student, this place changed my life forever by exposing me to Christ, to his calling for my life, to the truthfulness of Scripture, to the ministry of serving others as unto the Lord, to the task of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and to the role of loving people who are from every Christian tradition.  As I had the opportunity to serve Christ in closed countries, in major urban centers, and down dirt paths, I learned that you shouldn’t get too bothered about who is a Methodist and who is a Baptist.  You are just happy to serve alongside people who, like you, love Jesus and want to tell others about Him.

2.  As a student, I was trained by great men and women of God who loved Jesus, His Word, the Gospel and the mission of the church.  Faithful men like Dr. Ted Taylor who has served 40+ years in local church ministry and Dr. John Hurtgen whose passion for the New Testament and Christian fellowship are as evident today as they were back then.  Also outstanding Christian women and scholars like Dr. Paula Qualls who loved the Old Testament more than anyone I’ve ever met and showed me how to love it as well.

3.  As a student, I formed lifelong friendships with many brothers and sisters in Christ who are now serving around the world as missionaries and in our nation as pastors and ministers.  These friendships continue to model one of the School of Theology core values: partners in enduring fellowship.

Lastly, I want all to know that I came to faith in Jesus through the ministry of a KBC church in Lewisport, KY.  I was baptized, discipled and called to ministry in a KBC church.  I have served on two KBC church staffs.  I have been an interim pastor for three KBC churches.  I have four CP-supported theological degrees – one from CU, two from SWBTS and one from SBTS.  I am a Southern Baptist and KY Baptist through and through.

I believe the Bible is true.  I believe the Gospel is the only means of salvation.  I believe that my role as a man, husband, father, pastor, and professor is to offer and explain this glorious Gospel to every person I meet.   These biblical convictions have never been questioned or prevented while attending, or now while teaching, at CU.  They have only been encouraged and enhanced.  I have a platform that most pastors never have.  I get to teach unbelieving young men and women the Gospel in class every day and they have to come and listen.  This is a wonderful mission.

I am proud to be a small part of the CU story.  I love my alma mater and employer.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching

Jesus and the Cross Verse 3

March 27, 2013 Leave a comment

Part 3 of 6 Jesus and the Cross Holy Week Reflections

John 1:14  And the Word [God the Son] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God had dealt with the sin of humankind time and time again throughout the Old Testament.  Making animal coverings for Adam and Eve in the garden.  Cleansing and remaking the world with Noah’s flood.  God gave the 10 commandments and the 613 laws to Moses to govern the people and when the people broke the laws (as God knew they would), He provided an annual Day of Atonement, or day of forgiveness, to cleanse their hearts.

But these dealings with sin were all shadows, or mere pictures, of the ultimate means by which sin would have to be dealt with.

God the Father choose to deal with sin personally.  He did so by sending God the Son to dwell among men in human form.  In sending His only Son Jesus, we not only witness God in the flesh, but we also see in him in his fullest glory.  Jesus said, “If you have known me, you have known my Father also.” (John 14:7)

Jesus was sent to deal with sin. The price to be paid for sin, however, would be costly.  But that is for verse 4.

Filed under Ministry, Preaching, Teaching

Jesus and the Cross Verse 2

March 26, 2013 Leave a comment

Part 2 of 6 Jesus and the Cross Holy Week Reflections

Romans 3:10-12 As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

In a world where we constantly prop each other up with our words and admiration, making mini-celebrities out of everyone. In a day and age when we constantly quote mantas from self-esteem gurus and self-help books relying on our own self-sufficiency and pride to make us feel better about our choices. It is quite counter-cultural to think that each and every human being on the face of the earth is a desperate, wicked, corrupt sinner.

I don’t have to call you a sinner for it to be true. But you can call me one any time you like, because I know it is true. It is what the Bible says I am; it is what I know I am. There is none righteous, no, not one.

We often say, “nobody’s perfect” to dismiss our sinful nature and feel better about our shortcomings. But perfection is the standard of Heaven. Remember God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. There can’t be any darkness in His Heaven.

In order for heaven to be reached, sin must be dealt with by a righteous, holy, just God. And sin will be dealt with, just not by you or me.

Filed under Ministry, Preaching, Teaching

Jesus and the Cross Verse 1

March 26, 2013 Leave a comment

Part 1 of 6 Jesus and the Cross Holy Week Reflections

1 John 1:5  This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

God is not like us. We are nothing like Him. He is altogether, entirely different from anything we see, know or experience. While we are made in His image, we only vaguely reflect the attributes of God such as love and forgiveness.

God is holy. God is completely just and fair. God is righteous being completely without sin or fault. God is infinite having no beginning or ending. God is creator and sustainer of all things. God is all glorious, all good, all perfect, there is no darkness in Him at all.

The complete story of the Cross and Resurrection begins with God creating the world, including us, for perfect fellowship with him, but that changed because of sin.

Filed under Ministry, Preaching, Teaching

What Will You Be Wearing This Easter? 2.0

March 19, 2013 1 Comment

Back in 2011 I wrote this post about fashion on Easter Sunday.  This year I will be wearing my SHOW HOPE t-shirt on Resurrection Sunday in support of orphan around the world as part of the “Forget the Frock” movement.  Not that I would be wearing a frock, but supporting orphans by wearing a t-shirt sounds likes a good thing to me.

_________________

Lilac Easter Dress

The clothing people wear to church, especially on Resurrection Sunday, says something about what they believe about church and the worship of the Risen Lord. Dressing up for church (or wearing your Sunday Best) is done to show respect, honor and reverence to God. Most folks who wear a creme-colored suit or a lilac dress and sweater set believe their clothing helps them focus on God who is holy, almighty, divine, and awesome. They want their exterior appearance to match their interior gratitude.

Jesus Sandals

There are others who differ in their views on clothing at church. People in the more casual church community ask the question, “What did Jesus wear to church?” Their answer: “He wore the clothes he had been wearing all week. Jesus didn’t have church clothes because there was no church.” Therefore sandals, shorts, street clothes and shoes are reasonable and appropriate. They hold firmly to the “come-just-as-you-are” mentality. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. If you want to dress up, okay. If you want to dress down, that is okay as well. They believe their exterior appearance has no relevance on their interior affection for Christ.

But even for the casual-lovin’ church member put away the Jesus sandals and Hawaiian shirts on Resurrection Sunday. They are exchanged for something more fitting for the solemn occasion of the Holy Week and the joyful celebration on Resurrection Sunday.

So here’s my question: What will you be wearing Resurrection Sunday? Jesus Sandals or Sunday Best?

Filed under Leadership, Ministry, Teaching

Spring Tour of KBC Churches

March 19, 2013 Leave a comment

rural-church-on-cape-breton-islandFor the past few weeks (and the next few months ahead), I’ve been on a little tour of KY Baptist churches teaching and preaching on youth and children’s ministries and VBS.

A couple Sunday’s ago I had the great honor of being at Hopewell Baptist Church in Harrodsburg with pastor Doug Wesley, a CU alum and now a CU dad, talking about raising up the next generation for Christ.  They had kids running everywhere.  God is working to help them reach children and families in their rural community.

Then onto Eubank Baptist Church in Pulaski Co this past Saturday to spend the morning with pastor Shelby Reynolds, youth pastor James Griffith (CU alum), family pastor Jeremy Johnson and a great group of parents discussing how to disciple our children in Christ.  We had parents from EBC, Beacon Hill BC and Polly Ann BC join us.  Great time together.

Looking ahead a few weeks to April, I get the privilege to spend an evening with the fine people of Hillcrest Baptist Church in downtown Lexington with pastor Tony Hancock and his sweet wife Mrs. Rhonda, the children’s director, sharing about VBS and helping them train their leaders for the upcoming summer.

Then back to Mercer Co. and to Bruner’s Chapel Baptist Church for their spring revival April 21-24.  I will be joined by my dear brothers and fellow CU alums Brandon Carrier, Jason Dunbar, Tim Hervey and Zach Rice of Sola Grace leading the revival.

Finally at the end of April, my wife Jennifer and I doing a family conference for Beechland Baptist Church in Louisville for youth pastor Corey Young, one of my former CU students.  Corey and his wife Jessica are approaching their first year at Beechland and are doing a tremendous job with the students and families.

With all this, I have to mention Seminary for a Day April 13 at Greenwood Baptist Church hosted by the KY Baptist Convention and Campbellsville Univ.  I will be leading a morning session on preaching, which I am really excited about.  It is always a pleasure to be with bi-vocational and part-time pastors encouraging them in their service to the body of Christ.

Ministry opportunity abounds.  God is gracious and kind.

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching, Travel

The Changing Shape of Sunday School Literature

February 9, 2013 Leave a comment

sunday schoolAs a former Minister of Education, I knew that every quarter I had to make a purchase from LifeWay Christian Resources for our church’s Sunday School literature.

From youngest of ones through the senior adult classes (or as I liked to called it, from womb to the tomb), I had to purchase the “quarterlies” along with the various teacher’s guides.  This was a sizable part of our annual discipleship budget.  Thousands of dollars every year was spent to buy literature.

The material would arrive in a large shipment from Lebanon, TN and then I would organize all the material in the appropriate classrooms or give the quarterlies to the teachers.  This process went on like clock work year after year.

Fast forward to 2013.  In the past couple weeks, I’ve had several interesting discussions with key leaders in various Christian publishing companies about the future of Sunday School literature. They are telling me that the old system is simply not the case any longer.

With free curricula and teaching materials proliferating the internet and discipleship groups happening in homes, at work, at church on all days of the week including Sunday, Christian publishers are looking at a whole new way of thinking about literature.

One prominent leader said, “What happened to the music industry 10 years ago with iTunes and downloading mp3s is now happening in Christian publishing and literature.”

As a professor of Educational Ministries training 18-22 year olds in the methods and principles of classical Christian Education for youth, children, adults, small groups and other types of teaching ministries, the new world of Christian publishing is opening all kinds of avenues of ministry for them.

Such as:

  • Writing and posting your own Bible study materials on your blog or website without being accepted or sponsored by a Christian publishing house.
  • Blessing people and churches in far-reaching locations, who have access to the internet, but not the finances to purchase material.
  • Writing Bible study material for your church and then distributing it to them so the whole body can be studying the same thing at the same time.
  • Customizing the teaching ministry of your church with your people in mind, not buying materials that are made for the masses.

Last conclusion.  Outside of leading people to Jesus, worshipping the Lord in Spirit and truth, and teaching and preaching the Word, there are no ministry strategies that will remain in place forever.  Methods constantly change.  Paradigms of doing things always change.  People, culture, churches are always changing.  Even the Christian publishing world is changing.

I believe that is a good thing.

Filed under Ministry, Teaching

LifeWay VBS Preview & Institutes

January 25, 2013 3 Comments

It has been a great joy over the past two weekends, and again in the coming two weekends, to be part of the LifeWay VBS Preview team.

As many of you know, I came to faith in Jesus Christ through the ministry of VBS (Vacation Bible School) back in the summer of 1987 in my home church, Lewisport Baptist Church.  Since that time, I have been passionate about this ministry to unbelieving children and families through the Gospel bridge of VBS.

So being invited to speak and teach at these 4 events has been an absolute joy and treasure.  I am praying that my story will inspired thousands of VBS leaders, volunteers and teachers to share the Gospel with unbelieving children this summer.  My hope and prayer is that they will make an extra effort to build a bridge to unbelieving children so that they might have a chance to hear about God’s love for them in Jesus Christ.  My desire is to encourage them to go the next mile and make sure we are not hosting another event for our church-kids, but to truly dig deep and think about the spiritual orphans in their neighborhoods and communities that have no access to the Gospel in their homes.

I am asking God to make this VBS summer a banner year in which more children, teens and families hear the Gospel, possibly for the very first time time.  Say Yes to VBS.

Special thanks to Austin Adamec , our worship leader for the events, for the photo.  From Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX.

Travis Ave

Filed under Ministry, Preaching, Teaching, Travel

Mr. Eddie Price Visits Campbellsville University

October 17, 2012 Leave a comment

I had the great privilege of visiting with my former Hancock Co. High School world history professor Mr. Eddie Price on Monday.  He was selling his new book Widder’s Landing at the Campbellsville University Barnes & Noble and we got a chance to talk and visit.

Mr. Price was an inspiration teacher from my high school years.  He was always lively and energetic in his teaching and story-telling.  I remember well sitting in his class spell-bound as he told of adventures and conquests from the past.  I wish him all the best in his retirement and great sales of his book.  I am through the first chapter and it is really very good.

Mr. Eddie Price at his book signing at Campbellsville University

Filed under Life, Teaching

Finding a College Church

August 31, 2012 Leave a comment

Members of Living Grace Church helping move in students to Campbellsville Univ.

It’s the beginning of a new college semester. Moms and dads with loaded-down pickup trucks have dropped off their students with everything in tow. Those parents will talk to their students about study habits, time management, social responsibility and financial restraint. But the one conversation most parents will never have with their college student is about how to seek and find a local church while at school.

Students who are committed believers in Christ will be left with two options: go to the church where all their friends attend or just venture out to some random church that sounds vaguely familiar to what they had back home and see what happens.

Both options leave much to be desired. So here are five tips for finding a college church from a guy who loves college students and the church deeply.

First, the most popular church is not always the most healthy church. Simply because “everyone” goes there does not necessarily mean the church is a good place for you. Every college town has a “sexy” church that attracts the masses. But in my experience, sexy churches are often pretty and alluring on the outside, but not so healthy on the inside. Be cautious in going to the place that everyone is talking about. There’s a reason they are talking.

Secondly, consider the lead preacher/pastor’s preaching style. Students must put on their theology thinking caps here and try to discern where the lead preacher/pastor stands on the Bible. Students should ask: “Are they committed to teaching God’s word or do they use the Bible to teach modern pop psychology? Do they open the scriptures and explain their meaning to the lives of their people or is the Bible something that sits on the pulpit opened, but not taught from.” The use and treatment of scripture is a good indicator if the church is conservative or liberal in its theology.

Third, consider the atmosphere and authenticity in worship. When you go in and everything starts, do you sense that the vast majority of the people are there because they love Jesus and want to grow closer to him or are they there out of duty and obligation? This cannot be determined by counting the number of people who sing loudly or how many make some response at the end of the service. You must look for something deeper. Try to look past physical appearance and discern a person’s heart. It’s tough, but it can be done.

Fourth, pick a church where you can serve somewhere immediately. The most dangerous thing for a young believer to do during the college years is to become a church consumer. You were not a consumer in your hometown church or in your previous youth ministry. You were out serving others, going on mission trips, making a difference in the world. Do not put your spiritual gifts on the shelf during these four years of college–they might dry up.

Finally, try not to visit too many. The more you visit, the more likely you are to keep changing, and the consumer mentality grows. As Joshua Harris, pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Md., eloquently stated, “Stop dating the church.” Visit two or three times, make a decision and stick with it. Your delay in commitment will severely stunt your growth in Christ.

Remember the church is Jesus’ bride and you need to find one quickly. Godspeed on your search.

Originally posted for http://kyforward.com

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching

Life at the Garrison Ranch

August 28, 2012 Leave a comment

A short video I made for my opening day of class.  Jennifer is quite jealous of my skills.

Filed under Family, Life, Ministry, Teaching

Summer 2012 Recap

August 7, 2012 1 Comment

Riding a hot air balloon on the 4th of July.

When the blog went down in July, I frantically tried to get it back up and running.  And when I finally got the thing going again, I just didn’t have anything interesting to say or post.  So I haven’t.  But now the summer is nearly over, so I thought I would fire some one-liners about life, ministry, parenting, and the culture.

  • The Olympics – Team USA is awesome, but the Chinese are machines. 
  • Living Grace Church – I am 1 month in and am having a very good time.  The health of the church is tremendously better than compared to 3 years ago when I was here before.  That goes in a very large part to the leadership of Pastor Jason Fox.  His steady hand and commitment to biblical health for the church paid off.  I tip my hat to you my friend.  Well done. 
  • Jennifer’s father – Earl – was in the hospital nearly all of July with a serious infection through out his body.  He is home now and we are very thankful.  God spared his life.
  • CentriKid Camp - Getting to be camp pastor of CentriKid camp was way too much fun.  3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders are so sweet and gracious.  They actually paid great attention to the messages each morning and evening, which I didn’t expect.  Organized Mass Chaos (OMC) was pure craziness.
  • Both boys in school - Isaac started 1st grade, Ethan started pre-K.  For 3 hours each morning, not one kid is in our house.  Very strange phenomenon.  I think Jennifer likes the quiet mornings.
  • Chick-Fil-A - Americans can’t spell the name of the store, but they sure do love themselves some Jesus chicken.  The original and the spicy are my favs.
  • Summer movies - Didn’t see anything at all.  Not Batman, not Spiderman, not Brave.  Nothing.  Nada.
  • Books – Great reads this summer mostly from the secular world.  Into Thin Air by Jon Krakaur, Moneyball by Michael Lewis, Theodore Roosevelt – an Autobiography, and The Rise and Fall of the Anabaptist by E. Belfort Bax.
  • Downtown Abbey Season 1 - Extraordinary.  Season 2 needs to get on NetFlix asap.
  • Jennifer’s book – The Leaders Guide to “Christian History Made Easy” – was released in July and we got a copy.  I am so happy she beat me to the publishing punch.
  • Greece/Turkey Trip – The May study tour has really helped in preaching and teaching.  I will start my series on the 7 churches of Revelation in September and have tons of video to show.  The dates for Israel/Jordan 2014 are available if you’re interested in traveling with the School of Theology.
  • My sister Crystal got married.  Small, sweet ceremony in a quaint Methodist chapel.  Congrats Sis.
  • Finally Turning 35 – With July came my birthday and officially rolling into the middle-age demographic.  All demographic studies have 21-34 and 35-54 as categories determining young adults and middle adults.  10 years of marriage, 2 kids, a mortgage, a Buick sedan.  Yup, we are middle adults.

Cheers to Summer 2012.  You’ve been a wild one.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Study, Teaching, Travel, Writing

When the Glasshouse Cracks

June 13, 2012 Leave a comment

News cycles reeled last week after the arrest of well-known prosperity preacher and pastor Rev. Creflo Dollar Jr, pastor and founder of World Changers Church International in College Park, Ga. Dollar was released on bail after allegedly choking his 19-year-old daughter during an argument in their home.

Pastor Dollar came to the pulpit the following Sunday to a packed auditorium and to the reception of a standing ovation. His congregation showed unfailing support for their leader and believe he is innocent of all charges. Prior to his sermon, Pastor Dollar denied all allegations saying that there was a family argument that got “emotional” but nothing more. He asserts he was simply disciplining his daughter and things “escalated.”

This brief look into the private life of a celebrity pastor has brought to bear the undeniable interest of the media and public in the domestic affairs of spiritual leaders. The pastor’s home life, no matter if one is leading a church of 50 or 5,000, always generates a lot of attention.

Some have even named the pastor’s house a glasshouse where everyone wants to look inside finding out what really happens behind closed doors. Church members, neighbors, complete strangers are eager to get a look what the preacher does in private.

There is something voyeuristic about seeing how a pastor treats his spouse and kids. Undoubtedly people want to know how he deals with everyday pressures in comparison to their own lives. Does he yell in frustration at his kids? Does he spank with his hand or a belt or at all? Do he and his wife get into heated debates using swear words? The world wants to know.

Even the more mundane daily rituals are tantalizing tidbits of information. Does he do chores around the house like laundry or dusting? Does he watch R-rated movies? Do they have a filter on their internet? Is the checkbook organized or are bills laying everywhere? Inquiring minds want to know.

But when the glasshouse cracks, when obvious sin seeps into the pastor’s family, it becomes headline news. As the glasshouse shows signs of wear and tear, the peeping eyes increase.

However, two overarching principles about ministry and family need to be identified and spoken to. First, pastors, ministers, priests and their families are sinful, morally broken people. They make mistakes. They have conflicts with each other and within themselves. They have real issues that arise at times, inevitably making their way out in the public square.

This should not be a surprise to anyone, no matter if a believer or not. The Bible is very clear on this issue. No one is perfect. Everyone is sinful (Romans 3:10). That is life. That is the reason Jesus came, died and was raised again. Sin was the human problem that the Gospel, or the Good News of Jesus, came to fix (Luke 19:10).

Secondly, pastoral ministry has and will always include living in a glasshouse. So here’s my personal invitation: look in and enjoy. You are free to take a peek. There will be cracks at times in the walls. There will be messes and mistakes strewn all over the living room floor. There will be good days and not so good days, and you are free to witness them all.

But remember when you look in, the Christian life is not a journey into perfection for those in ministry or otherwise. The Christian life is a continual walk with Jesus in grace and in truth, through growth, correction, failure, forgiveness, reproof, assurance – all surrounded by God’s love and mercy.

You are welcome to look inside the glasshouse, but don’t be surprised by what you see. Our house, like your house, always needs to be fixed up.

Originally written for and posted on www.kyforward.com – June 12, 2012

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching, Writing

Apostles & Epistles Tour of Greece & Turkey

May 28, 2012 Leave a comment

Here is the first installment of pictures from my trip to Turkey & Greece with the CU School of Theology.  More photos and videos are coming.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Teaching, Travel

KBC Imagine Conference 2012 – ParaKlete Your Kids

February 11, 2012 Leave a comment

This is the message from the KY Bapt. Conv. Imagine Preschool & Children’s Ministry entitled “ParaKlete Your Kids.”

Filed under Family, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching

The Christian College & the Military School

January 29, 2012 4 Comments

A new dynamic is shaping the landscape of Christian higher education.  For the greater part of the 20th century, the Christian college was primarily meant for Christian students sent by Christian families seeking a Christian academic environment.  There was a united effort by believing parents to keep their students away from many social problems found in state, public universities making the private, Christian university option more desirable.

The Christian college was intentionally designed to be a setting where morals, values, biblical worship, prayer, and the Christian environment all met together.  Undoubtedly rigorous academic requirements would be present, but there was a desire for the soul to be equipped along with the mind.

That was then.  This is now.  It seems in the early part of the 21 century, things have begun to shift.  More and more non-believing, non-Christian parents are sending their non-believing children to Christian colleges not because they believe the Bible or want their students to participate in weekly chapel services.  Instead they desperately want their child’s character to be formed and/or reformed.

Much like a military schools of old, where discipline, character, integrity and personal responsibility are mandatory requirements to survive, the parents of today are sensing that without divine intervention their students are going to be menaces to society.  So they send them to private, expensive Christian colleges where both academics and character are co-mingled in the curriculum.

Smaller classes where accountability and attendance are essential.  Coaches and professors who demand respect and responsibility on the field and in the classroom.  There is the expectation of more Christian-like character in speech, interaction with others, especially members of the opposite gender, selection of appropriate clothing, and non-alcohol induced extra-curricular activities.

Unlike the major universities where is beer is plentiful and shaking up in co-ed dorms is par for the course, the Christian college attempts to instill in their students respect for others, diligence in priorities, servant-leadership, civic duty within the local community, and moral convictions like telling the truth, being responsible for your own actions, and making wise choices.

Call it militaristic if you like, but the outcome is starkly different.  Most, but certainly not all, graduates of Christian colleges are academically equipped and qualified for the job world, but they have other assets that many companies desire: character, honesty, moral bearings, and dependability.  

And those characteristics, my friends, are rare these days.

Filed under Leadership, Teaching

InGen Photo Shoot

January 4, 2012 Leave a comment

Thanks to CU Communications Office for taking this photo shoot of my Intergenerational Ministries course.  These are some of my best students in one of the best classes ever.

Caleb & Brad

Chelsi & Austin, Kristen & Chance, Me & Nathan

 

Darryn, Warren, Me & Chad

 
  

Caleb, Holly D, Brandon, Nathan, etal

 

Anna, Holly D, Michael, Caleb

   

Instructions for the Class

 

Austin, Warren, Darryn, Chad, Brandon T, Brad, Sarah, David, Brandon B, Brad N

  
 

Chad, Brad T, David, Brandon B, Brad N

  

Chelsi, Kristen, Anna, Mendi

 

InGen from the Backrow

Filed under Life, Ministry, Study, Teaching

Two Faces of Discipleship in the 21st Century

December 31, 2011 1 Comment

As most of you know, discipleship is very important to me.  How a person grows in their faith in Christ has been a passion of mine for quite some time.  In this postmodern, post-Christian digital age, I think we have two primary avenues to develop in our faith as followers of Christ: Person-to-Person and Person-to-Content. 

Person-to-Person Discipleship involves at least two people, possibly more, who have a general knowledge of each other.  It is more relational and communal.  There is a human touch and presence that can be felt. 

Person-to-Person discipleship might include:
- Listening to your pastor preach on Sunday mornings
- Attending a small group on Tuesday nights
- Being in an accountability group
- Having a one-on-One mentor
- Attending retreats, events, conferences, workshops, seminars
- Going through biblical and pastoral counseling sessions

Person-to-Content Discipleship is more individualistic and less communal.  It is when a Christ followers seeks out content for their own personal growth without any direct contact with another person.  For the longest time, this was done through reading Bibles, books and literature, but now it comes mostly in digital form.

Person-to-Content discipleship might include:
- Reading a study Bible
- Reading Christian literature on a Kindle or eReader
- Listening to a sermon podcast from any pastor in the country
- Perusing a Christian e-zine on an iPad or iPhone app
- Attending a worship service online
- Listening to the Bible read on CD or podcast
- Reading blog posts by Christian writers
- Receiving daily email devotionals
- Using online Bible study tools such as biblestudytools.com, blueletterbible.com, or mybiblestudy.com
- Taking a Bible course through an online university or seminary

As the digital age offers us more and more options for Person-to-Content discipleship, the danger to become less communal and more isolated grows.  We must remember that no matter how many virtual options there are, we must have people walk with us and us with them in this Christian journey.  Going solo was never part of Jesus’ plan.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Teaching

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