Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 360
January 29, 2013
Grammar Cop: Sausage, Sneaky Mountains, and Lottery Tickets
I continue to be amazed at the Grammar Cop pictures I am sent. Many times the signs which are not professional are more likely to be incorrect, but, as you will see below, even large corporations are susceptible to mistakes.
As always, you can submit your Grammar Cop photos by tweeting them to me (@ThomRainer).
I seem to receive a disproportionate number of entries from grocery store signage. I’m open to suggestions as to why that is. (via Todd Caudel)
This incorrect word usage happens much too frequently– unless those mountains are really that sneaky. (via Dan Kassis)
Finally, yet another reason not to play the lottery. (via Greg Williams)
Please Welcome Chuck Lawless to the Blog
I’m excited to announce the addition of Dr. Chuck Lawless to the blog team here at ThomRainer.com. Several of my readers likely know of Dr. Lawless through his various academic and missions tenures over the years, but for those not familiar with him, here is a short bio:
Dr. Lawless currently serves as Professor of Evangelism and Missions and Dean of Graduate Studies at Southeastern Seminary, in addition to serving as Global Theological Education Consultant for the International Mission Board where he previously served as a Vice-President for Global Theological Advance. Prior to that, he was dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, where he also served as Vice President for Academic Programming and the Director of Professional Doctoral Studies.
Dr. Lawless pastored two Ohio churches prior to joining the Southern Seminary faculty in 1996. He received a B.S. degree from Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands) and M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southern Seminary. He and his wife Pam reside in Wake Forest, NC.
He is the author of eight works, including Membership Matters, Spiritual Warfare, Discipled Warriors, Putting on the Armor, Serving in Your Church Prayer Ministry, and Mentor. He has contributed articles to multiple periodicals, written Sunday School curriculum for LifeWay, and led conferences on spiritual warfare, healthy church growth, leadership, evangelism and discipleship, and prayer.
You can connect with Dr. Lawless on both Twitter and Facebook. His columns will begin next week and run on most Tuesdays.
January 28, 2013
Last Chances for Churches to Reach 50 Million Americans
My generation was the largest generation. It was the generation businesses and churches wanted to reach. We were the sixties generation. The self-indulgent generation. The “me” generation. The Vietnam generation. The Watergate generation. The Civil Rights generation.
And now we are the dying generation.
I’m not trying to be morbid or sensational. I’m simply reporting census realities. We were born between 1946 and 1964. The oldest among us is 67 years old. Mortality is inevitable. We are shrinking in numbers.
During the baby boom that followed World War II, more than 76 million live births were recorded in the United States. At the time we were the largest generation in history. We have since been supplanted by the nearly 80 million Millennials born between 1980 and 2000.
But here is the harshest reality about my generation. We estimate that only about one-third of Baby Boomers are Christians. That means that 50 million adult Americans in this generation are unchurched and have yet to be reached with the gospel of Christ.
And time is running out.
Here are a few (hopefully) helpful facts about the Baby Boomers and churches. Of course, our findings depict the majority of Boomers, not all of them at any one time.
Most churches, if they have an intentional outreach ministry, gear it toward the younger generations. That is understandable. But relatively few church leaders are asking the question, “What can we do prayerfully and strategically to reach the Baby Boomers?”
Most of the unchurched Boomers do not have an anti-church mentality. They are more receptive than most imagine.
Most of the unchurched Boomers would not be caught up in worship wars. They have a wide tolerance and even fondness for many musical and stylistic approaches. A church’s worship style would most likely not be a hindrance to reaching a Boomer.
Though Boomers are fast becoming senior adults, they will not appreciate many churches’ approaches to senior adult ministry today. They want to make a difference, not simply be entertained and take trips. You may very well reach many Boomers by demonstrating how the Christian life is the only true life of meaning, and how they can make a difference as a believer.
Boomers are becoming increasingly introspective. They are asking life questions that really matter. Their receptivity to matters of eternal import could be great right now.
This generation largely doesn’t want to talk about retirement. They speak more in terms of career shift or new vocational opportunities. They are not ready, and probably never will be, for traditional approaches to retirement.
The Boomers are thinking about relationships now more than any point in their lives. A simple but powerful way to reach the unchurched in this generation is to get Christian Boomers to connect with them. Many Boomer Christians haven’t invited someone to church in years. Now is the opportune time.
As you celebrate this new year, allow one sobering reality to be before you: more than one million Baby Boomers will die before the year concludes. If it took you five minutes to read this article, ten Boomers died while you were reading. By 2015 the death rate will increase significantly.
We have but a few chances left to reach the lost and unchurched among the Baby Boomers. Time is growing short.
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest’” (Matthew 9:37-38, HCSB).
January 27, 2013
Pray for Wadesboro Baptist Church
Location: Ponchatoula, Louisiana
Pastor: Les Fogleman
Worship Times: 11:00 AM Central Time
Fast Facts: Wadesboro Baptist Church is located on a back road in the charming city of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Lack of visibility is a real challenge for this small congregation. Pray that God will help his church grow from a worship attendance of twenty-six and a Bible study attendance of only eight. Pastor Fogleman asks for prayer that God would raise up Bible study leaders to start a discipleship class for young couples and one for children.
Website: http://www.wadesborobaptistchurch.org
“Pray for . . .” is the Sunday blog series at ThomRainer.com. We encourage you to pray for these churches noted every Sunday. Please feel free to comment that you are praying as well. If you would like your church to be featured in “Pray for . . .” contact Steve Drake, director of pastoral relations, at Steve.Drake@LifeWay.com.
January 26, 2013
Largest Churches in the Southern Baptist Convention
On occasion I will write a blogpost specifically related to my denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention. I am aware that a large number of my readers are not a part of the SBC. Thanks for your willingness to “listen in” as I write about my denominational family, the largest Protestant denomination in the world.
We now have the most recent data on the churches of the SBC. In this post I simply note the largest churches, those with an attendance of 1,000 and above. My purpose is simply to inform, not to make qualitative comments, at least at this point.
Here is some additional information related to these churches:
All numbers are self-reported by the churches.
If a church does not report, it obviously is not on this list. I know of at least a few churches that did not report.
There are 603 reported churches in the SBC with a worship attendance of 1,000 or more. With approximately 46,000 churches in the denomination, only 1.3% of the churches are this large. Inversely stated, 98.7% of the churches in the SBC have an attendance under 1,000.
There are 190 reported churches in the SBC with a worship attendance of 2,000 or more. With approximately 46,000 churches in the denomination, only 0.4% of the churches are this large. Inversely stated, 99.6% of the churches in the SBC have an attendance under 2,000.
CHURCH
CITY, STATE
WEEKLY WORSHIP ATT
1.
Second Baptist Church
Houston, TX
25,221
2.
Woodlands Church
The Woodlands, TX
18,322
3.
Saddleback Valley CC
Lake Forest, CA
18,000
4.
Fellowship
Grapevine, TX
17,418
5.
Prestonwood Baptist Church
Plano, TX
14,395
6.
Thomas Road
Lynchburg, VA
13,500
7.
NewSpring Church
Anderson, SC
13,472
8.
Potential, Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL
12,513
9.
The Village Church
Flower Mound, TX
10,000
10.
Elevation, Matthews
Matthews, NC
9,747
11.
The Fountain of Praise
Houston, TX
9,000
11.
Higher Dimension Church
Houston, TX
9,000
13.
Lake Pointe Church
Rockwall, TX
8,691
14.
Cross Church
Springdale, AR
7,849
15.
Bay Area Fellowship
Corpus Christi, TX
7,600
16.
Shepherd of the Hills
Porter Ranch, CA
7,500
17.
Shadow Mtn Cmty Church
El Cajon, CA
7,148
18.
Christ Fellowship, Palmetto Bay
Palmetto Bay, FL
6,838
19.
Voices of Faith Ministries
Stone Mountain, GA
6,800
20.
Idlewild, Lutz
Lutz, FL
6,518
21.
Bellevue, Cordova
Cordova, TN
6,483
22.
Elizabeth, Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
6,300
23.
Albq Sagebrush
Albuquerque, NM
6,284
24.
First, Woodstock
Woodstock, GA
6,270
25.
Pinelake, Brandon
Brandon, MS
6,075
26.
Hope Community Church
Raleigh, NC
6,060
27.
Long Hollow, Hendersonville
Hendersonville, TN
5,844
28.
The Summit Church, Durham
Durham, NC
5,750
29.
Church by the Glades, Coral Springs
Coral Springs, FL
5,731
30.
Brentwood, Brentwood
Brentwood, TN
5,710
31.
Orlando First
Orlando, FL
5,583
32.
Fallbrook Baptist Church
Houston, TX
5,300
32.
Crossing, Tampa
Tampa, FL
5,300
34.
Emmanuel Bapt Ch, Pa
Pago Pago, AS
5,144
35.
Saint Paul’s
Richmond, VA
5,122
36.
First, Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
4,980
37.
Houston’s First Baptist Church
Houston, TX
4,964
38.
Hillvue Heights Baptist Church
Bowling Green, KY
4,855
39.
Biltmore, Arden
Arden, NC
4,839
40.
Green Acres Baptist Church
Tyler, TX
4,713
41.
Cascade Hills, Columbus
Columbus, GA
4,575
42.
West Ridge
Dallas, GA
4,541
43.
Franklin Avenue, New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
4,500
44.
Clear Creek Community Church
League City, TX
4,444
45.
Champion Forest
Houston, TX
4,317
46.
Brentwood Baptist Church
Houston, TX
4,300
47.
Johnson Ferry, Marietta
Marietta, GA
4,281
48.
Hickory Grove, Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
4,255
49.
Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church
Dallas, TX
4,250
50.
Jacksonville First
Jacksonville, FL
4,200
51.
Lenexa Westside Family
Lenexa, KS
4,089
52.
Faith Promise Church, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
4,079
53.
Brook Hills
Birmingham, AL
4,000
54.
Sagemont Church
Houston, TX
3,956
55.
Hebron, Dacula
Dacula, GA
3,902
56.
Sandals Church
Riverside, CA
3,800
57.
Metropolitan Baptist Church
Houston, TX
3,700
57.
Brookwood Community
Simpsonville, SC
3,700
59.
Gardendale First
Gardendale, AL
3,607
60.
McGregor, Fort Myers
Fort Myers, FL
3,606
61.
Sugar Creek Baptist Church
Sugar Land, TX
3,581
62.
Sevier Heights, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
3,552
63.
Riverbend Baptist Church
Austin, TX
3,500
64.
Celebration Church (SBC), Metairie
Metairie, LA
3,484
65.
Naples First
Naples, FL
3,420
66.
Southwest Community Baptist Church
Houston, TX
3,400
66.
Spartanburg First
Spartanburg, SC
3,400
68.
Liberty-Hampton
Hampton, VA
3,399
69.
Calvary, Win
Winston Salem, NC
3,323
70.
First Baptist Church
Pasadena, TX
3,300
71.
Valley Baptist Church
Bakersfield, CA
3,258
72.
Highview Baptist Church
Louisville, KY
3,200
73.
Hunter Street
Hoover, AL
3,115
74.
Church at the Mall, Lakeland
Lakeland, FL
3,086
75.
Olive, Pensacola
Pensacola, FL
3,036
76.
Church at the Springs, Ocala
Ocala, FL
3,000
76.
Sharon Baptist Ch
Philadelphia, PA
3,000
76.
Central
Bryan, TX
3,000
76.
Community of Faith
Sugar Land, TX
3,000
80.
Mud Creek, Hendersonville
Hendersonville, NC
2,940
81.
Highlands-Abingdon
Abingdon, VA
2,930
81.
Bear Creek Baptist Church
Katy, TX
2,930
83.
The People’s Church, Franklin
Franklin, TN
2,901
84.
The Heights Baptist Church
Richardson, TX
2,875
85.
First Baptist Church
Dallas, TX
2,874
86.
Concord First, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
2,860
87.
Kingsland Baptist Church
Katy, TX
2,835
88.
Bell Shoals, Brandon
Brandon, FL
2,824
89.
Dawson
Birmingham, AL
2,820
90.
Indian Rocks First, Largo
Largo, FL
2,812
91.
Beltway Park Baptist Church
Abilene, TX
2,800
91.
Brandon First
Brandon, FL
2,800
91.
Metropolitan Bapt
Washington, DC
2,800
94.
Hendersonville First, Hendersonville
Hendersonville, TN
2,795
94.
Blackshear Place, Flowery Branch
Flowery Branch, GA
2,795
96.
Baptist Temple
Mcallen, TX
2,786
97.
Grace, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
2,785
98.
Pleasant Valley, Liberty
Liberty, MO
2,766
99.
Calvary, Clearwater
Clearwater, FL
2,725
100.
Oakwood Baptist Church
New Braunfels, TX
2,700
101.
Abundant Life
Lees Summit, MO
2,698
102.
Cleveland First, Cleveland
Cleveland, TN
2,654
103.
Edmond, Henderson Hills
Edmond, OK
2,614
104.
Crossroads, Newnan
Newnan, GA
2,606
105.
LifePoint, Smyrna
Smyrna, TN
2,604
106.
First-Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
2,583
107.
Cedar Creek
Aiken, SC
2,555
108.
Willowbrook
Huntsville, AL
2,546
109.
Rock Bridge Community, Dalton
Dalton, GA
2,545
110.
The Church on Rush Creek
Arlington, TX
2,533
111.
Waters Edge-Yorktown
Yorktown, VA
2,517
112.
First Euless
Euless, TX
2,510
113.
Sojourn Community Church
Louisville, KY
2,508
114.
FBC Jackson
Jackson, MS
2,500
114.
Shandon
Columbia, SC
2,500
114.
New Faith Church of Houston
Houston, TX
2,500
114.
Sweet Holy Spirit Baptist Church
Chicago, IL
2,500
114.
Rock Springs
Easley, SC
2,500
114.
Cleveland Community, Clayton
Clayton, NC
2,500
120.
First Baptist Indian Trail
Indian Trail, NC
2,497
121.
First Baptist Church
Midland, TX
2,476
122.
Opelika First
Opelika, AL
2,466
123.
Shadow Hills, LV
Las Vegas, NV
2,461
123.
Englewood, Jackson
Jackson, TN
2,461
125.
Ames, Cornerstone
Ames, IA
2,450
126.
Oviedo First
Oviedo, FL
2,421
127.
Arnold, First
Arnold, MO
2,418
128.
Faith, Bartlett
Bartlett, TN
2,413
129.
North Spartanburg First
Spartanburg, SC
2,400
129.
Sunnyvale First Baptist Church
Sunnyvale, TX
2,400
131.
New Vision (Mboro), Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, TN
2,397
132.
Springfield, Second
Springfield, MO
2,396
133.
Park Cities Baptist Church
Dallas, TX
2,375
134.
Colonial Heights-Colonial Heights
Colonial Heights, VA
2,370
135.
Central
Jonesboro, AR
2,365
136.
Valley View Baptist Church
Louisville, KY
2,356
137.
First, West Monroe
West Monroe, LA
2,350
138.
Shades Mountain
Vestavia Hills, AL
2,323
139.
Fort Lauderdale First
Fort Lauderdale, FL
2,300
139.
The Journey
Saint Louis, MO
2,300
141.
Lenexa Lenexa Baptist
Lenexa, KS
2,299
142.
Glenview Baptist Church
Fort Worth, TX
2,280
143.
Fielder Road Baptist Church
Arlington, TX
2,278
144.
First Baptist Church
Arlington, TX
2,275
145.
Broken Arrow, BattleCreek
Tulsa, OK
2,249
146.
Mobberly Baptist Church
Longview, TX
2,232
147.
Geyer Springs First
Little Rock, AR
2,228
148.
Broken Arrow, First
Broken Arrow, OK
2,222
149.
Burnt Hickory, Powder Springs
Powder Springs, GA
2,218
150.
Silverdale, Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
2,217
151.
Woodcrest
Columbia, MO
2,200
151.
LifePoint, Tampa
Tampa, FL
2,200
151.
Russian Baptist Church
West Sacramento, CA
2,200
151.
Igl Bau Glenview
Ponce, PR
2,200
151.
Apex
Kettering, OH
2,200
151.
Grace Community, Clarksville
Clarksville, TN
2,200
157.
Eagle’s Landing First, McDonough
McDonough, GA
2,189
158.
East Cooper
Mt Pleasant, SC
2,183
159.
New Vision Church
Milpitas, CA
2,160
160.
Second – North
Kingwood, TX
2,150
161.
First Baptist Church
Mckinney, TX
2,134
162.
East Bayou, Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
2,131
163.
Alamo City Christian Fellowship Church
San Antonio, TX
2,125
164.
Calvary Baptist Church
Beaumont, TX
2,106
165.
Casas Church
Tucson, AZ
2,100
165.
First, Bossier City
Bossier City, LA
2,100
165.
Central, Hixson
Hixson, TN
2,100
168.
Carmel, Charlotte
Matthews, NC
2,083
169.
Broadmoor
Madison, MS
2,076
170.
Simpsonville First
Simpsonville, SC
2,068
171.
Crossgates Bapt Ch
Brandon, MS
2,067
172.
First Baptist Church
Amarillo, TX
2,050
172.
First Baptist Church Woodway
Waco, TX
2,050
174.
Hyde Park Baptist Church
Austin, TX
2,046
175.
First Baptist Church
Wichita Falls, TX
2,015
176.
Ingleside, Macon
Macon, GA
2,011
176.
Spotswood
Fredericksburg, VA
2,011
178.
Skyland, Kannapolis
Kannapolis, NC
2,006
179.
Bethlehem, Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
2,005
180.
Sherwood, Albany
Albany, GA
2,004
181.
First, Jonesboro
Jonesboro, GA
2,000
181.
Sixth Avenue
Birmingham, AL
2,000
181.
Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church
Allen, TX
2,000
181.
East Brent, Pensacola
Pensacola, FL
2,000
181.
Greenforest Community, Decatur
Decatur, GA
2,000
181.
Northstar, Kennesaw
Kennesaw, GA
2,000
181.
First Baptist Church
Forney, TX
2,000
181.
Riverland Hills
Irmo, SC
2,000
181.
St Paul Msny Baptist Church
Sacramento, CA
2,000
190.
Midway Macedonia, Villa Rica
Villa Rica, GA
1,992
190.
Mosaic LA
Los Angeles, CA
1,992
192.
Taylors First
Taylors, SC
1,989
192.
NorthPointe Community Church
Fresno, CA
1,989
194.
Cuyahoga Valley Church
Broadview Heights, OH
1,983
195.
Living Hope Baptist Church
Bowling Green, KY
1,979
196.
Immanuel Baptist Church
Highland, CA
1,961
197.
Marathon Community
Piedmont, SC
1,952
198.
Providence, Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
1,928
199.
Northwood Church
Keller, TX
1,926
200.
Tallowood Baptist Church
Houston, TX
1,925
201.
Thompson Station, Thompson Station
Thompson Station, TN
1,906
202.
Temple, New Bern
New Bern, NC
1,904
203.
Colonial Hills Bapt
Southaven, MS
1,902
204.
Hillcrest, Pensacola
Pensacola, FL
1,900
204.
Rock Creek
Little Rock, AR
1,900
206.
Humble Area’s First
Humble, TX
1,886
207.
North Metro First, Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville, GA
1,881
208.
Ridgecrest, Springfield
Springfield, MO
1,878
209.
Summit, Estero
Estero, FL
1,871
210.
First Baptist Church, Rockwall
Rockwall, TX
1,860
210.
Oasis, Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines, FL
1,860
212.
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church
Herndon, VA
1,850
212.
Mandarin First, Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
1,850
214.
Hutchinson Cross Point
Hutchinson, KS
1,848
215.
First Baptist
Montgomery, AL
1,842
216.
Warren, Augusta
Augusta, GA
1,839
217.
Mountain Lake Community, Cumming
Cumming, GA
1,835
218.
Chets Creek, Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
1,832
219.
St Stephen Baptist Church
Louisville, KY
1,825
220.
Panama City First
Panama City, FL
1,817
221.
Sevierville First, Sevierville
Sevierville, TN
1,802
222.
Berendo St Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA
1,800
222.
Broadmoor, Shreveport
Shreveport, LA
1,800
222.
First Baptist Church
Texarkana, TX
1,800
225.
Church On the Eastern Shore
Fairhope, AL
1,796
226.
Fairview Bapt Ch, Co
Columbus, MS
1,795
227.
New Hope, Fayetteville
Fayetteville, GA
1,785
228.
Johenning Temple of Praise, Wash
Washington, DC
1,763
229.
Omaha Westside Church
Omaha, NE
1,750
229.
North Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
1,750
229.
Columbia First
Columbia, SC
1,750
232.
First, Snellville
Snellville, GA
1,745
233.
True North Church
North Augusta, SC
1,740
234.
First, Augusta
Augusta, GA
1,729
235.
CrossPointe, Valdosta
Valdosta, GA
1,725
236.
Dallas Bay, Hixson
Hixson, TN
1,720
236.
First, Covington
Covington, LA
1,720
238.
Brand New
Harrison, AR
1,714
239.
Forest Park
Joplin, MO
1,713
240.
First Baptist Church
Wylie, TX
1,700
240.
Cornerstone
Arlington, TX
1,700
240.
La Familia de Dios
Ontario, CA
1,700
240.
The Fort Bend Church
Sugar Land, TX
1,700
244.
Raytown, First
Raytown, MO
1,697
245.
Trinity, Lake Charles
Lake Charles, LA
1,695
245.
Global Mission
Silver Spring, MD
1,695
247.
Galilee Baptist Church
Suitland, MD
1,694
248.
Twin Cities Cmty Church
Grass Valley, CA
1,691
249.
Ridgecrest
Dothan, AL
1,675
250.
Mandarin Baptist Church of LA
Alhambra, CA
1,658
251.
Jersey BC
Pataskala, OH
1,655
252.
Temple Bapt Ch, Hatt
Hattiesburg, MS
1,654
253.
Jacksonville FBC
Jacksonville, NC
1,653
254.
First Chinese Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA
1,650
254.
Cornerstone Peaceful
Upper Marlboro, MD
1,650
254.
Tuscaloosa First
Tuscaloosa, AL
1,650
257.
Scotts Hill, Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
1,648
258.
Trussville First
Trussville, AL
1,645
259.
Middleburg First
Middleburg, FL
1,638
260.
Millington First, Millington
Millington, TN
1,635
261.
Brainerd, Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
1,634
262.
First Baptist Church of O’Fallon
OFallon, IL
1,620
263.
North Monroe, Monroe
Monroe, LA
1,614
264.
Clarksville First, Clarksville
Clarksville, TN
1,611
265.
Greater Exodus Baptist Church
Philadelphia, PA
1,600
265.
Stonegate Fellowship Church
Midland, TX
1,600
265.
Mt Calvary Baptist Church
Fairfield, CA
1,600
265.
North Phoenix Baptist Church
Phoenix, AZ
1,600
265.
Calvary, Alexandria
Alexandria, LA
1,600
270.
West Palm Beach First
West Palm Beach, FL
1,598
271.
Rogers First
Rogers, AR
1,595
272.
Westwood
Alabaster, AL
1,585
273.
Cowboy Church of Ellis County
Waxahachie, TX
1,581
274.
Okc, Quail Springs
Oklahoma City, OK
1,580
275.
North Richland Hills Baptist Church
North Richland Hills, TX
1,561
276.
Mount Ararat
Stafford, VA
1,556
277.
Whitesburg
Huntsville, AL
1,555
278.
First Baptist Church
Garland, TX
1,551
279.
Istrouma, Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA
1,546
280.
FBC, Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg, MS
1,532
281.
Kirby Woods, Memphis
Memphis, TN
1,525
282.
Moore, First
Moore, OK
1,520
283.
First Redeemer, Cumming
Cumming, GA
1,507
284.
Okc, Newchurch
Oklahoma City, OK
1,500
284.
Zion, Marietta
Marietta, GA
1,500
284.
Crossword Christian Fellowship
Riverside, CA
1,500
284.
Grace Point Church
San Antonio, TX
1,500
284.
Shawnee, Immanuel
Shawnee, OK
1,500
284.
Woodland, Bradenton
Bradenton, FL
1,500
284.
Foothills Community
Seneca, SC
1,500
284.
Hibernia, Green Cove Springs
Fleming Island, FL
1,500
284.
First Baptist Church
Hurst, TX
1,500
293.
ClearView, Franklin
Franklin, TN
1,499
294.
Harvester, First
Saint Charles, MO
1,497
295.
Richland Creek Community, Wake Forest
Wake Forest, NC
1,492
296.
Anastasia, St Augustine
St Augustine, FL
1,490
297.
First Baptist Church
San Antonio, TX
1,483
298.
Roswell Street, Marietta
Marietta, GA
1,457
299.
Bannockburn
Austin, TX
1,454
300.
Tulsa, First
Tulsa, OK
1,451
301.
University, Coral Gables
Coral Gables, FL
1,450
301.
Benton First
Benton, AR
1,450
301.
Genoa BC
Westerville, OH
1,450
301.
Skyway Church of the West Valley
Goodyear, AZ
1,450
305.
Bon Air
Richmond, VA
1,440
305.
Albq Hoffmantown
Albuquerque, NM
1,440
307.
Graceland Baptist Church
New Albany, IN
1,425
308.
Collierville First, Collierville
Collierville, TN
1,422
309.
Powell First, Powell
Powell, TN
1,421
310.
Lakewood, Gainesville
Gainesville, GA
1,418
311.
Oak Ridge Baptist Church
Salisbury, MD
1,417
312.
Hope
Las Vegas, NV
1,413
313.
SouthCrest, Newnan
Newnan, GA
1,411
314.
First Baptist Church of Maryville
Maryville, IL
1,408
315.
Fellowship of the Parks
Keller, TX
1,405
316.
Fruit Cove, Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
1,404
316.
Lee Park, Monroe
Monroe, NC
1,404
316.
Hendersonville First, Hendersonville
Hendersonville, NC
1,404
319.
First Keller
Keller, TX
1,400
319.
Plant City First
Plant City, FL
1,400
319.
Greater St Matthew Baptist Church
Houston, TX
1,400
319.
Community Life Church
Forney, TX
1,400
319.
Canaan Christian Church
Louisville, KY
1,400
319.
Okc, Southern Hills
Oklahoma City, OK
1,400
319.
Vaughn Forest
Montgomery, AL
1,400
319.
Boiling Springs First
Boiling Springs, SC
1,400
319.
Valley Creek Baptist Church
Flower Mound, TX
1,400
319.
Cross Pointe, Duluth
Duluth, GA
1,400
319.
Fellowship-Salem
Salem, VA
1,400
319.
Concord Missionary Baptist Church
Dallas, TX
1,400
319.
First St John Missionary Baptist
Fort Worth, TX
1,400
319.
121 Community Church
Grapevine, TX
1,400
319.
Hopewell, Gainesville
Gainesville, GA
1,400
319.
Grove Level, Maysville
Maysville, GA
1,400
319.
Praise Temple, Shreveport
Shreveport, LA
1,400
336.
Germantown, Germantown
Germantown, TN
1,392
337.
Bay Leaf, Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
1,380
337.
New Life Community Baptist Church
E Saint Louis, IL
1,380
339.
Paramount Baptist Church
Amarillo, TX
1,379
340.
Westside, Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce, FL
1,378
341.
St Stephen Baptist Church
Houston, TX
1,375
342.
First Baptist Church
Carrollton, TX
1,365
343.
Spring Baptist Church, Spring
Spring, TX
1,361
344.
First, Conyers
Conyers, GA
1,354
345.
Central Florida First, Orlando
Orlando, FL
1,353
346.
Lawndale, Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
1,350
346.
Resurrection Baptist Church
Schertz, TX
1,350
348.
Enid, Emmanuel
Enid, OK
1,348
349.
Great Hills Baptist Church
Austin, TX
1,347
350.
Aloma, Winter Park
Winter Park, FL
1,346
351.
Cornerstone Community
Orangeburg, SC
1,345
352.
Sarasota
Sarasota, FL
1,344
353.
First-Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
1,342
354.
First Baptist Church
Lubbock, TX
1,335
355.
PaulAnn Baptist Church
San Angelo, TX
1,332
356.
First Baptist Church
Georgetown, TX
1,330
357.
Westside, Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
1,328
358.
Longview Heights Bap
Olive Branch, MS
1,326
359.
Hopeful, Lake City
Lake City, FL
1,325
359.
Johns Creek, Alpharetta
Alpharetta, GA
1,325
361.
CrossPoint
Trussville, AL
1,312
362.
Windermere First
Windermere, FL
1,308
363.
Pioneer Drive Baptist Church
Abilene, TX
1,307
364.
Fort Smith First
Fort Smith, AR
1,304
365.
Bayside, Harrison
Harrison, TN
1,300
365.
Greenwell Springs, Greenwell Springs
Greenwell Springs, LA
1,300
365.
Clovis Hills Cmty Church
Clovis, CA
1,300
365.
Dsm, Grace
Des Moines, IA
1,300
365.
East Leesville, Leesville
Leesville, LA
1,300
365.
Heartland Worship Center
Paducah, KY
1,300
365.
Del City, First Southern
Oklahoma City, OK
1,300
365.
First, Gainesville
Gainesville, GA
1,300
365.
Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church
Mesquite, TX
1,300
374.
First Baptist Church
Universal Cty, TX
1,298
375.
Second, Warner Robins
Warner Robins, GA
1,291
376.
Hyland Heights-Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA
1,290
377.
Jersey Village Baptist Church
Houston, TX
1,283
378.
Eden Westside
Pell City, AL
1,280
379.
Beach Church
Myrtle Beach, SC
1,279
380.
New River Community
Lake Wylie, SC
1,275
380.
Avalon Church, McDonough
McDonough, GA
1,275
380.
Immanuel
Little Rock, AR
1,275
383.
Green Street, High Point
High Point, NC
1,273
384.
Osborne, Eden
Eden, NC
1,272
384.
Peace, Decatur
Decatur, GA
1,272
384.
First Baptist Church Lone Oak
Paducah, KY
1,272
387.
Lindsay Lane
Athens, AL
1,270
388.
Prattville First
Prattville, AL
1,267
388.
Westside Baptist Church
Lewisville, TX
1,267
390.
Lakeview
Auburn, AL
1,260
390.
Dogwood Church
Peachtree City, GA
1,260
392.
Ocean View Church
San Diego, CA
1,259
392.
Merritt Island First
Merritt Island, FL
1,259
394.
Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Houston, TX
1,258
395.
Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church
Garland, TX
1,256
395.
Hermitage Hills, Hermitage
Hermitage, TN
1,256
397.
Higher Ground, Kingsport
Kingsport, TN
1,253
397.
Gladeville
Gladeville, TN
1,253
399.
Tacoma First
Tacoma, WA
1,250
399.
Friendship Baptist Church
The Colony, TX
1,250
399.
Southcrest Baptist Church
Lubbock, TX
1,250
399.
Antioch Church
Long Beach, CA
1,250
399.
First Baptist Church
Allen, TX
1,250
399.
The River Community Church, Cookeville
Cookeville, TN
1,250
399.
Bentonville First
Bentonville, AR
1,250
399.
Dickson First, Dickson
Dickson, TN
1,250
399.
Lexington
Lexington, SC
1,250
399.
Daybreak Community
Carlsbad, CA
1,250
399.
Arran Lake, Fayetteville
Fayetteville, NC
1,250
399.
Hilldale, Clarksville
Clarksville, TN
1,250
399.
Stevens Street, Cookeville
Cookeville, TN
1,250
399.
Morristown First, Morristown
Morristown, TN
1,250
413.
Jacob’s Well
Eau Claire, WI
1,248
414.
Ardmore, First
Ardmore, OK
1,242
415.
The Fellowship at Two Rivers, Nashville
Nashville, TN
1,231
416.
Consolidated Baptist Church
Lexington, KY
1,228
417.
Parkwood, Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
1,226
418.
West Jackson, Jackson
Jackson, TN
1,225
419.
Severns Valley Baptist Church
Elizabethtown, KY
1,224
420.
Metro Community Church
Edwardsville, IL
1,215
421.
Alice Drive
Sumter, SC
1,212
422.
Kissimmee First
Kissimmee, FL
1,211
423.
First Baptist Church
Denton, TX
1,209
424.
Dothan First
Dothan, AL
1,207
425.
Calvary
Tuscaloosa, AL
1,206
426.
Bethany, Council Road
Bethany, OK
1,205
427.
Golden Acres
Phenix City, AL
1,201
428.
Russell, Green Cove Springs
Green Cove Springs, FL
1,200
428.
Cedar Street Baptist Church of God
Richmond, VA
1,200
428.
Woodland Park, Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
1,200
428.
Fairview, Corryton
Corryton, TN
1,200
428.
First, Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
1,200
428.
Emmanuel Haitian, Miami
Miami, FL
1,200
428.
Hope, Ocala
Ocala, FL
1,200
428.
Northeast Houston Church
Humble, TX
1,200
428.
Faith, Youngsville
Youngsville, NC
1,200
428.
First Baptist Church
Richardson, TX
1,200
428.
West Acres, Evans
Evans, GA
1,200
428.
Rock Hill First
Rock Hill, SC
1,200
428.
Bay Life, Brandon
Brandon, FL
1,200
428.
Fraternite Haitian, Miami
Miami, FL
1,200
428.
Westside, Gainesville
Gainesville, FL
1,200
428.
Oakwood, Chickamauga
Chickamauga, GA
1,200
428.
First, Douglasville
Douglasville, GA
1,200
428.
Travis Avenue Baptist Church
Fort Worth, TX
1,200
428.
Heritage Baptist Church, Texarkana
Texarkana, TX
1,200
428.
New Port Richey First
New Port Richey, FL
1,200
448.
First, Watkinsville
Watkinsville, GA
1,196
449.
Brushy Creek
Taylors, SC
1,195
449.
First Baptist Church
Bryan, TX
1,195
449.
North Side
Greenwood, SC
1,195
452.
Waterstone Community Church
Littleton, CO
1,194
453.
Columbia Baptist Church
Falls Church, VA
1,187
454.
Harrisburg Baptist Church
Tupelo, MS
1,185
455.
Copperfield Church
Houston, TX
1,182
455.
First Baptist Church
Lewisville, TX
1,182
457.
Keystone Community Fellowship
North Wales, PA
1,175
458.
Binghamtown Baptist Church
Middlesboro, KY
1,174
458.
Immanuel Baptist Church
Lexington, KY
1,174
458.
South Biscayne, North Port
North Port, FL
1,174
461.
Pelham First
Pelham, AL
1,170
462.
Grand Avenue
Fort Smith, AR
1,168
463.
Northside, Liverpool
Liverpool, NY
1,167
464.
Columbia First, Columbia
Columbia, TN
1,163
464.
Harvest Baptist Church
Watauga, TX
1,163
466.
Warrensburg, First
Warrensburg, MO
1,160
466.
Tallahassee First
Tallahassee, FL
1,160
468.
Magnolia Ave Baptist Church
Riverside, CA
1,158
469.
NorthPark
Trussville, AL
1,156
470.
Weston First
Weston, FL
1,153
471.
Hill Crest
Anniston, AL
1,151
471.
Columbus Avenue Baptist Church
Waco, TX
1,151
473.
Temple Terrace First
Temple Terrace, FL
1,150
473.
North Oxford
Oxford, MS
1,150
473.
Hardin Baptist Church
Hardin, KY
1,150
473.
The Journey
New York, NY
1,150
473.
Lifepoint-Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, VA
1,150
478.
Dauphin Way
Mobile, AL
1,149
479.
Florence Baptist Church
Florence, KY
1,147
480.
Crossland Community Church
Bowling Green, KY
1,146
481.
Western Avenue, Statesville
Statesville, NC
1,136
482.
Second Baptist Church
Baytown, TX
1,133
483.
Little Flock Baptist Church
Shepherdsville, KY
1,131
484.
Church at Viera, Melbourne
Melbourne, FL
1,130
484.
Fellowship The Rockies, Pueblo
Pueblo, CO
1,130
486.
First Baptist Church
Midlothian, TX
1,129
486.
Charlotte First, Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
1,129
488.
Northcliffe, Spring Hill
Spring Hill, FL
1,125
488.
Grove Avenue-Richmond
Richmond, VA
1,125
490.
Pathways Community Church
Santee, CA
1,120
491.
Sugar Hill Church
Sugar Hill, GA
1,118
492.
West Conroe Baptist Church
Conroe, TX
1,117
493.
Village, Fayetteville
Fayetteville, NC
1,114
494.
Walnut Ridge
Mansfield, TX
1,111
495.
Central Bearden, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
1,110
495.
Stuart Heights, Chattanooga
Hixson, TN
1,110
497.
Immanuel, Tallahassee
Tallahassee, FL
1,109
497.
Deep Creek-Chesapeake
Chesapeake, VA
1,109
499.
Calvary, Shreveport
Shreveport, LA
1,108
499.
Highland Baptist Church
Waco, TX
1,108
501.
Southcliff Baptist Church
Fort Worth, TX
1,107
501.
First, Lilburn
Lilburn, GA
1,107
503.
Mount Zion
Huntsville, AL
1,106
504.
Englewood, Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount, NC
1,105
505.
FishHawk Fellowship, Lithia
Lithia, FL
1,104
505.
Anderson Mill Road
Moore, SC
1,104
507.
Franklin Heights
Rocky Mount, VA
1,103
508.
Grace Fellowship Church
Paradise, TX
1,100
508.
Vanguard Church, Colo Spgs
Colorado Springs, CO
1,100
508.
Cielo Vista Church
El Paso, TX
1,100
508.
Parkway Baptist Church
Victoria, TX
1,100
508.
Cornerstone Baptist Church
Roseville, MI
1,100
508.
Redeemer Fellowship
Kansas City, MO
1,100
508.
Oakland, Corinth
Corinth, MS
1,100
508.
Belle Aire, Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, TN
1,100
508.
Hunters’ Glen Baptist Church
Plano, TX
1,100
508.
Old Fort
Summerville, SC
1,100
508.
New Song Church
Carrollton, TX
1,100
508.
Central, Warner Robins
Warner Robins, GA
1,100
508.
Branson, First
Branson, MO
1,100
508.
Rich Fork, Thomasville
Thomasville, NC
1,100
522.
Summit
North Little Rock, AR
1,099
523.
North Asheville Baptist Church
Asheville, NC
1,094
524.
First, Cumming
Cumming, GA
1,093
525.
Crossroads Baptist Church
The Woodlands, TX
1,091
526.
High Rock
Salisbury, NC
1,090
526.
Houston Northwest
Houston, TX
1,090
528.
West University Baptist Church
Houston, TX
1,086
529.
Brookwood, Shreveport
Shreveport, LA
1,085
530.
Hot Springs First
Hot Springs, AR
1,080
531.
Ocala First
Ocala, FL
1,079
531.
North Augusta First
North Augusta, SC
1,079
533.
Foothills Community, Arvada
Arvada, CO
1,077
534.
First Baptist Church
Belton, TX
1,075
534.
First Baptist Church
Burleson, TX
1,075
536.
First Baptist Church
Richmond, VA
1,072
537.
Del Sol Church
El Paso, TX
1,071
537.
First, Loganville
Loganville, GA
1,071
539.
Journey, Evans
Evans, GA
1,070
539.
Coral Park Hispana, Miami
Miami, FL
1,070
539.
First, Statesboro
Statesboro, GA
1,070
539.
Leesburg First
Leesburg, FL
1,070
539.
Calvary Baptist Church
Lexington, KY
1,070
544.
FBC Madison
Madison, MS
1,063
544.
Dayspring
Mobile, AL
1,063
546.
Salem, McDonough
McDonough, GA
1,062
547.
Castle Hills First Baptist, San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
1,058
548.
North Side Baptist Church
Weatherford, TX
1,056
549.
Millbrook
Aiken, SC
1,050
549.
University Heights Baptist Church
Huntsville, TX
1,050
549.
Crestview Baptist Church
Georgetown, TX
1,050
549.
Hillcrest, Lebanon
Lebanon, TN
1,050
549.
Harris Creek Baptist Church
Mc Gregor, TX
1,050
549.
Russellville First
Russellville, AR
1,050
555.
Life Community Church
Jamestown, NC
1,049
555.
First Baptist Church
Odessa, TX
1,049
557.
St Luke Missionary Baptist Church
Humble, TX
1,045
558.
First Baptist Church of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
1,043
559.
Hillcrest Baptist Church
Hopkinsville, KY
1,042
560.
Gulf to Lake, Crystal River
Crystal River, FL
1,040
561.
Forest Hills, Nashville
Nashville, TN
1,038
562.
Immanuel, Lebanon
Lebanon, TN
1,036
563.
First Baptist Church
Colleyville, TX
1,034
564.
Altus, First
Altus, OK
1,030
564.
First Baptist Church Woodbridge
Woodbridge, VA
1,030
566.
Morrison Heights Bap
Clinton, MS
1,027
567.
Porter Memorial Baptist Church
Lexington, KY
1,025
567.
Fort Mill First
Fort Mill, SC
1,025
569.
Mt Pleasant First
Mt Pleasant, SC
1,020
570.
FBC, Brandon
Brandon, MS
1,019
571.
Iglesia Bautista West Brownsville
Brownsville, TX
1,018
572.
North Mobile First
Saraland, AL
1,013
573.
Cornerstone, St Cloud
St Cloud, FL
1,012
573.
River Oak
Chesapeake, VA
1,012
575.
Pleasant Garden, Pleasant Garden
Pleasant Garden, NC
1,011
576.
Tri-Cities, Gray
Gray, TN
1,006
577.
Broadview Missionary Baptist Church
Broadview, IL
1,005
577.
New Hope Church
Lorton, VA
1,005
577.
Lifepoint Church
Albertville, AL
1,005
580.
Severn Run, The Church at
Severn, MD
1,004
580.
First Baptist Church
The Woodlands, TX
1,004
582.
Valley View
Tuscaloosa, AL
1,003
583.
Cross Brand Cowboy Church
Tyler, TX
1,001
583.
Wallace Memorial, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
1,001
583.
First Baptist Church
Magnolia, TX
1,001
586.
New Life Christian Fellowship
Blacksburg, VA
1,000
586.
Tabernacle-Danville
Danville, VA
1,000
586.
Sharon-H, McDonough
McDonough, GA
1,000
586.
Brazilian First, Pompano Beach
Pompano Beach, FL
1,000
586.
First, Rincon
Rincon, GA
1,000
586.
First Baptist Church on the Square
LaGrange, GA
1,000
586.
Village, Destin
Destin, FL
1,000
586.
Daystar Church, Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
1,000
586.
Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church
Indianapolis, IN
1,000
586.
Indian Springs
Bryant, AR
1,000
586.
Wilshire
Dallas, TX
1,000
586.
Amite, Denham Springs
Denham Springs, LA
1,000
586.
Emmanuel, Grenada
Grenada, MS
1,000
586.
Family Fellowship
Greenville, TX
1,000
586.
Mims Conroe
Conroe, TX
1,000
586.
Sardis
Birmingham, AL
1,000
586.
Second Missionary
Grandview, MO
1,000
586.
Tulip Grove, Old Hickory
Old Hickory, TN
1,000
January 25, 2013
Friday Is for Freebies – Mission of God Study Bible
This week’s giveaway features the Mission of God Study Bible.
The Mission of God Study Bible was edited by Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation and is the latest HCSB study Bible from B&H Publishers. It encourages followers of Jesus Christ to see their everyday life from God’s perspective and have His heart for people. It’s a reminder that we live around people in desperate need of redemption and reconciliation with God, which can only be found in Jesus. The mission of God has never been just for specialists; it is for all believers to live out through their daily lives and by sharing the good news of what God has done through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus.
To be eligible to win, answer the following question:
What is the coldest temperature you’ve experienced so far this winter where you live?
The deadline to enter is midnight CST this Saturday. We will draw one winner from the entries on Monday morning.
I also want to invite you to the special webcast Ed will be hosting this Monday, January 28, at 3:00 PM Eastern (2:00 PM Central) on his blog at EdStetzer.com. He’ll be giving away a few dozen copies of the Mission of God Study Bible during the show, so if you don’t win this one there are plenty more to be had. Here’s a short video with more information on the webcast.
January 24, 2013
Notable Voices – January 24, 2013
Can I Be an Effective Pastor if I Don’t Like Management? — Sam Rainer
Whether you pastor a large church or a small church, at some point you will need to use basic management skills. It may be just supervising one assistant or it may be supervising the entire church staff and budget. Pastors need management skills regardless of the situation, however many either lack the skills or are not confident with their current level of experience. Sam provides three quick tips that can help.
If Days Could Speak — Trevin Wax
This week marked the 40th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision. Trevin penned this eloquent and stirring post on the darkness the day represents and the hope of a day to come when this injustice will cease.
10 Major Trends for 2013 — Brad Lomenick
As we set out into 2013, Brad provides 10 trends to look for this year. Will these trends become positives or negatives? The question remains.
The Obnoxious Job Candidate Who Looked So Good on Paper — Liz Ryan
Liz shares a parable of sorts on the danger of the “perfect candidate.” For those of you looking to hire employees, there are multiple applications throughout the story.
How I Do Weddings Now — Bart Barber
Bart has an interesting marriage contract idea. You might need to read the full post and the explanation to fully appreciate and understand Bart’s intent, but this wedding ceremony contract will certainly make couples think.
10 Tips for Christian Leaders Who Don’t Want To Become Self Promoting Jerks Online — Mark Sayers
Social media has several positives and even more negatives at times. These are good reminders of what our focus should—and should not—be when engaging others online.
January 23, 2013
The Perfectly Unified Church
I like to have fun with my own denomination and the churches affiliated with it. I often joke that where there are two Baptists gathered in His name, there are at least three opinions.
But the lack of unity in many churches is a serious manner. Church splits, congregational infighting, and church divisiveness are more common than we often like to admit. Not too long ago, I heard my co-worker at LifeWay, Eric Geiger, make a presentation on church unity. Actually, he largely dealt with training and equipping the saints to do the work of ministry in his presentation, but he beautifully tied that issue with church unity.
Training Results in Unity
Eric simply demonstrated the obvious truths from Scripture. Unfortunately, I don’t always see the obvious, so his presentation was both enlightening and encouraging to me. His thesis was straightforward: If pastors equip or train others to do ministry, there will be unity in the church. How do we know this reality? It’s clearly stated in Scripture:
“And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness” (Ephesians 4: 11-13, HCSB).
For the sake of brevity, let’s deal only with the role of pastors/teachers. Note these truths from the text:
Christ (He) personally gave this role. It was important to Him, so it has to be important to us.
The role of pastors is not so much to do ministry, as it is to train or equip others to do ministry.
If pastors fulfill this role, the body of Christ is built up.
As the body of Christ is built up, the believers become unified in the faith.
The passage is clear. As pastors are more involved in training others to do ministry, there will be greater unity in the church.
The Problem
As we began to research this issue in local congregations today, we uncovered some sobering statistics. Almost all pastors we surveyed affirmed their critical role in training others to do ministry. But almost three fourths of these pastors had no plans to do so. For most pastors, the reasons behind this gap were simple: they either didn’t know how to take the next steps, or they didn’t feel like they had the time to do so.
The Opportunity
At LifeWay, we began to make this issue a major priority. We saw a great opportunity to provide almost unlimited training in this digital age that could not be done in earlier years. So we created something that will be convenient for the church leaders and those being equipped at an affordable cost for all churches. In May of this year, we will launch Ministry Grid, an incredible tool for developing leaders in your church. We are excited to work alongside church pastors, staff, and lay leaders in this way, and I will share with you more about this resource later.
Let me hear from you. How is your church equipping and training others to do ministry? What are some stories you can share to help other churches? What are some lessons we can learn from you?
The text is clear. As pastors/teachers do more equipping and training, the church will become more unified. It’s just that important.
January 22, 2013
Pastoral Advice from Fred Luter
As I’ve written before, it has been my joy to call Fred Luter my friend for many years. Many years ago, when I was serving as dean and on the faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the campus newspaper did a profile on me. I remember the question, “Who is your favorite living preacher?” I answered without hesitation, “Fred Luter.” My opinion has not changed in the fifteen years since then.
Fred and I seem to cross paths quite frequently. We seem to have a lot in common:
We have spoken on the same platform dozens of times. One of my greatest fears is following Fred Luter speaking.
We are about the same age.
We began serving as pastor close to the same time.
We both married our high school sweethearts.
Fred served on the board of LifeWay Christian Resources when I was voted as president.
But the commonalities end there. In reality, I could never come close to comparing favorably to a man like Fred Luter. I have rarely known a greater preacher. I have rarely known a greater pastor. I have rarely known a greater family man. I have rarely known a greater man of God.
Simply stated, Fred Luter is one my favorite people. Period. That’s why I am pleased to share these short videos LifeWay recently shot with Fred for the Pastors Today newsletter. Enjoy.
January 21, 2013
The Main Reason People Leave a Church
Numbers of gifted persons and organizations have studied the phenomenon of the church “back door,” the metaphorical way we describe people leaving the church. And there will always be the anticipated themes of relocation or personal crises. We should recognize those issues, though we can respond to the latter more than the former.
But all the research studies of which I am aware, including my own, return to one major theme to explain the exodus of church members: a sense of some need not being filled. In other words, these members have ideas of what a local congregation should provide for them, and they leave because those provisions have not been met.
Certainly we recognize there are many legitimate claims by church members of unfulfilled expectations. It can undoubtedly be the fault of the local congregation and its leaders.
But many times, probably more than we would like to believe, a church member leaves a local body because he or she has a sense of entitlement. I would therefore suggest that the main reason people leave a church is because they have an entitlement mentality rather than a servant mentality.
Look at some of the direct quotes from exit interviews of people who left local congregations:
“The worship leader refused to listen to me about the songs and music I wanted.”
“The pastor did not feed me.”
“No one from my church visited me.”
“I was not about to support the building program they wanted.”
“I was out two weeks and no one called me.”
“They moved the times of the worship services and it messed up my schedule.”
“I told my pastor to go visit my cousin and he never did.”
Please hear me clearly. Church members should expect some level of ministry and concern. But, for a myriad of reasons beyond the scope of this one blogpost, we have turned church membership into country club membership. You pay your dues and you are entitled to certain benefits.
The biblical basis of church membership is clear in Scripture. The Apostle Paul even uses the “member” metaphor to describe what every believer should be like in a local congregation. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul describes church members not by what they should receive in a local church, but by the ministry they should give.
The solution to closing the back door, at least a major part of the solution, is therefore to move members from an entitlement mentality to a servant mentality. Of course, it is easy for me to write about it, but it is a greater challenge to affect it.
May I then offer a few steps of a more practical nature to help close the back door by changing the membership mentality? Here are five:
Inform church members. Though I do not have precise numbers, I would conjecture that more than one-half of church members do not have a biblical understanding about church membership. Providing that information in a new members’ class can move an entire congregation toward a servant mentality.
Raise the bar of expectations. We have dumbed down church membership in many congregations to where it has little meaning. Clarify expectations of members. Again, doing so in the context of a new members’ class is a great way to begin.
Mentor members. Take two or three members and begin to mentor them to become biblical church members. After a season, ask them to mentor two or three as well. Let the process grow exponentially.
Train members. Almost 100 percent of pastors agree that their role is to train and equip members. But almost three-fourths of these pastors have no plans on how they will train them (see Ephesians 4:11-13). I will address this issue more fully on my blog next Wednesday.
Encourage people to be in small groups. Those in Sunday school classes and small groups are more likely to be informed and functioning church members. In others words, there is a much greater likelihood of a member with a servant mentality to be in a small group than not.
What are you doing in your church to close the back door? What are you doing to move members from an entitlement mentality to a servant mentality?
