I said at the funeral for Dr. Roy Fish last year that I believed him to be the most beloved seminary professor in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention. I’ve thought of him often in the last year and wanted to note some lessons he still teaches.
Lesson 1- Talent gets you admired; goodness gets you loved. Continue reading
Maybe you have asked God that question. It is commonly asked of the Lord, I suspect. “Why is this happening to me?” we cry out to God. But why do we ask that question only when facing problems? Why don’t we ask that question when we are blessed? Isn’t it just as legitimate to ask the question “why?” when good things happen to us as when bad things happen? Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, Church, discipleship, preaching, Uncategorized
Tagged Blessing, book, christian book, Christianity, church, God, local church, Lord, Prayer, Religion and Spirituality
Don’t worry, there is no imminent coup- and I would hope we would all aspire to something better. But, should I become the dictator of our beloved SBC, there are a few changes I will immediately install.
First, Continue reading
I make a big deal out of small groups (we call our Sunday School classes LIFE groups) at FBC O’Fallon, IL. Why would I even care since I’m not preaching in those classes? (Insert your own sermon joke punch line.) Here are 3 important reasons why Christians should be in a small group in their church.
1. For Connection. People are like legos- made for connection. Small groups allow people to get connected on more personal levels. You need that connection- even you computer nerds who are socially awkward! And, more importantly, other people need you. Small groups allow us to know each other’s names and favorite ice cream flavors.
2. For Information. I don’t let people ask questions during the sermon. I probably wouldn’t know the answer anyway! But discussions can happen in small groups. We can sharpen each other and think together. It is a great way to learn and study and grow. Attend a small group bible study long enough and you will probably know much more about the bible than you do now. And that is a good thing.
3. For inspiration. Okay, I can’t relate to the pastor. He’s kind of weird anyway. But I can sure relate to that guy in the class who is struggling to live out his faith in a hostile work environment. I can relate to the lady who wants to shine the light of Christ in her life even though she has a suspicious spot on the x-ray. Those people inspire me- and I hope I can inspire them!
I love small groups enough that Vickie and I are going to teach a LIFE group on Saturday nights for the 7 weeks our church goes through the “Immersed: 40 Days to a Deeper Faith” study beginning this weekend- even though I already preach my sermon 4 times each weekend.
Small groups or bust!
Posted in books, Christianity, Church, discipleship, faith, preaching, small groups, Sunday School, Uncategorized
Tagged bible, christian book, Christianity, church, devotion, discipleship, God, local church, relationship with god, scripture, small groups, Sunday School, worship attendance
“I like Jesus, I just don’t like the church.”
Here is the problem with that thinking. Jesus is the One who formed the church. It is His idea and He is for it. And if Jesus founded the church, He did it for a reason.
Let me encourage you to get involved in a local church. It isn’t perfect and do you know why? Because it is filled with people like you. There are no perfect churches just as there are no perfect people. We connect with others in a church because we need each other, not because any of us are perfect.
Maybe you have had a bad experience with a church. Maybe you got your feelings hurt or you met some unkind people or it just didn’t work out. But don’t give up on finding a church family and connecting.
I’ve had the great privilege of being part of some fantastic churches. The church I’ve served as pastor for the past 18 years is phenomenal and I love those people dearly. But even if that hasn’t been your experience, there is a church and a place for you.
One suggestion about church. Don’t make it just about you. Don’t just think of what you can get from the church. Consider serving instead of just attending. Love others whether they return that love quickly or not. Don’t make it primarily about styles you like but about worshipping the God of the universe.
Connect with a church that teaches and lives the truth. Get active, get involved, be faithful.
If you do, you might change your thinking from “I like Jesus, but not the church” to “I like the church because I love Jesus.”
Posted in Church, Uncategorized
Tagged bible, Christian, church, local church, scripture, worship, worship attendance
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave…” [Sir Walter Scott, Marmion, A Tale of Flodden Field] Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, having very long and very straight hair was very much in vogue. I had never had anything other than a trim in those early years and so one of my most taxing […]
Doug Munton 