These have not been good days for the Southern Baptist Convention as a whole. I’ve been a part of this denomination all my life. I’ve watched it survive and thrive in the days following the Conservative Resurgence. Now, I wonder if we will survive. As we are days away from our annual convention meeting, controversy is in the air. We’ve had resignations of major leaders over inappropriate relationships and news stories that haven’t helped at all. Truth hurts. Many of these situations can’t be glossed over or excused. Wrong is wrong. Right is right. Continue reading →

I’m troubled by what’s happening in my denomination. I was born and raised in a Southern Baptist Church. I’ve been a Southern Baptist all my life. I’ve watched our denomination go through the Conservative Resurgence and a return to the inerrancy of Scripture. Yet, there are issues that can’t be ignored and problems that won’t seemingly go away. Continue reading →

We’ve just returned from our second ReFRESH® Northeast Conference. While our team is road weary, we are rejoicing in all God did in two short days. Gathering with pastors from all over the Northeast and as far south as Georgia was a blessing beyond measure. This year, we had over 300 pastors and wives register for the conference, and we were blessed to meet dozens of new people. This partnership has enriched my life and the life of our team. As Terri and I were talking last night, it’s been confirmed over and over again that the right thing to do was to go to parts of the nation outside of the Bible belt. Rather than asking pastors to come to our major “evangelical hubs,” it’s our responsibility to take the message and hope of revival to them. Continue reading →

We all want God to bless us. We all want God to answer our prayers. None of us would say we could live without the blessings of God. The question comes, are we on the pathway to God’s blessings? Are we walking in step with the Spirit in such a way that He can and will bless our lives? Can we say without reservation or hesitation that we are obeying Him fully? Continue reading →

I’ve seen it all my life – people who think, assume, or pretend they are entitled. The dictionary defines entitlement as “the state or condition of being entitled; a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract or the belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges.”

After forty years in ministry, I’ve seen my share of preachers and laity who believe they deserve or are entitled to certain privileges. It’s the “green room mentality” of the current celebrities in Christianity. It’s the demands for certain types of water, snacks, and amenities if I come to your church. It’s the unwillingness to stay around after a service and talk to people as if we are “all that.” Continue reading →