By Scott Barkley, posted August 16, 2022 in Churches and Ministry SHELBY, Mont. (BP) – You wouldn’t think a pastor would have much in common with the bassist for one of rock’s legendary bands, but there’s a connection to be made. Chad Scarborough and First Baptist Church will mark nine years together in October. As a Texas native, Scarborough could identify with the Old … Read More
Responding to the Historic Flooding in Montana
When the waters of Rock Creek began to surge across its banks into homes and businesses in Red Lodge, Montana, the members of the Church of the Rockies began to respond. At first, it was neighbor helping neighbor, checking on one another and offering aid. Then, the Red Cross arrived. The church family quickly began to volunteer to be the … Read More
A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
As you look out on your congregation, what do you see? Do you see an abundance of potential resources, co-laborers, and disciple makers? Or, do you view your church family through the lens of scarcity? There really isn’t much there to work with, is there? What you believe about them is what you will see in them. Think about that … Read More
What’s the Difference between Shepherding & Disciple Making?
Clarity breeds brevity. Lack of clarity leads to lots of words. Our churches today lack clarity on disciple making. That confusion is evident by the long list of words used interchangeably such as discipleship, coaching, mentoring, disciple making, and shepherding. Unfortunately, these words aren’t synonyms. Instead of clarifying the call to make disciples, they complicate and confuse. In the past … Read More
The Disciple Maker Card
In any discipleship process, relationships are essential. A disciple maker is seeking to engage the heart of a new believer, or a disciple partner, with spiritual truths that lead to life transformation. These spiritual conversations have a high view of Scripture and emphasize our response to the Holy Spirit. What is God saying? What are you going to do about it? Discipleship can be … Read More
Who Has Your Back?
There is nothing more comforting than a friend or family group who has your best interest at heart. You know that no matter what you are facing, you can count on them to support and encourage you. They are a GRACE ZONE, because they understand what you are facing, and they sincerely care about you. In pastor life, these types … Read More
Discover, Develop, and Deploy
In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, we read an exhortation of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, which is a key principle in developing leaders. We are to entrust to faithful men (and women) what we have been taught, so those we are discipling can teach others. That’s four generations of discipleship in one verse. Our investment in developing disciple makers propels the … Read More
Being Known
Recently, I was face to face with the unenviable difficulty of having to admit sin, confess to another, and wrestle through the uncomfortable aftermath of, “Hey, I really stomped on your feelings there, and I’m sorry for doing that…again…” Predictably, I didn’t want to share. I didn’t want to own up to my failures. I didn’t want to be open. … Read More
Baptism Sunday
One of the great joys of summer is to see our churches celebrating baptism in the lakes and rivers of Montana. While the sun is hot, we seek to take advantage of the narrow window of opportunity for this format, even though the water is still very much cold. As those who have responded to the Gospel with repentance and faith identify … Read More
Everyone is a Counselor
Everyone is a counselor: But are you a good one or a bad one? In the 2007 comedy, License to Wed, engaged couple Ben and Sadie embark on a crash course in pre-marital counseling with a Catholic priest (played by Robin Williams) before their wedding. Of course, hijinks ensues. Throughout the movie, Ben has conversations with his friend, Joel, about the … Read More