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
It Started in a Coffee Shop
How can the prayers of 5 college students in Pullman, WA, be used by God to start a collegiate church planting movement? That’s a great question! It’s an amazing story of life transformation, which is now unfolding at the University of Montana and Montana State University! I They longed to see the Kingdom of Heaven experienced on earth! As they … Read More
How is your Spiritual Love Tank?
Do you ever feel like you are running on empty and there is nothing left to give? You are not alone, pastor. If we are not careful, the unrelenting pressures of life and ministry can put stress and strain on our relationships and leave us emotionally unhealthy. Though we know the value and promise of “Abide” from John 15, our … Read More
Southern Baptist census data reflects COVID’s impact on churches
By Carol Pipes, Originally published on May 20, 2021 by LifeWay Newsroom NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the early weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Southern Baptist churches joined the wave of school and business closures to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. Churches shifted to online worship services, while Sunday School classes and small groups met in … Read More
Wild and Wide-Open
If you ask Morris Hill about what God is doing in St. Regis, MT, he couldn’t be more excited. The church is growing, leaders are being developed, and souls are being saved! He says ministry right now is “wild and wide-open” as they prepare for mission teams this summer. Like many churches, New Day Fellowship uses the summer months to engage their … Read More
Raise Expectations!
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus called His first disciples. He said… “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This calling was a personal invitation to know Him, to live in relationship with Him, and to join Him in His mission. This incredible life changing, paradigm shifting invitation from the Messiah also came with a cost. A true disciple … Read More