Jan
01

Happy New Year! Couple of things for a great start…

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I am so thankful for all that happened in 2011, so many good things and great memories.  From first baseball team play for my son, to great camps and vacation trips, to incredible things happening with our church family, God is good!  I am certainly optimistic about a powerful and challenging 2012.  Aren’t you excited about the new things that the Lord will show us this year.

With the new year here I added a couple of things for my own quiet time journey that I am pretty pumped about.  One is a Bible that my wife got me for Christmas.  It has been out for some time, but I have just added it to my library.  It is the ESV Study Bible, and it is solid.  Plus this particular version as seen in the picture is quite handsome at the same time.  I already enjoy the simplicity of the text, powerful and clear notes, plus the bonus extra study materials throughout.  It is very well done.  And an additional bonus is the online study version that is packed with many helps in study and teaching prep.  I definitely recommend this and I am looking forward to using this tool in reading this year.

You’ll also notice in the picture The Purpose Driven Life.  I have read this before, but a few weeks back I was drawn to buy a brand new copy and launch 2012 with a prayerful review.   Plus a new copy is a clean slate to write in new thoughts and underline yet again things that jump out to me.  The link above takes you to some resources that are also available to augment the study; I have signed up for the email Daily Hope delivery and the daily itunes podcast of the Drive Time.

Here’s praying that you and everyone you love experience an incredible, growing, challenging, stretching 2012.

 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)

Categories : Discipleship, Personal Growth and Development
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Oct
10

Church Planting Part 4: Great Resources

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The journey for me over the last few months in particular in the realm of church planting has been a stretch.  I am a basic small groups/Sunday School kind of guy.  I have a huge amount of respect and appreciation for the pastors and families who boldly step out to create and begin church body life, literally where none existed before.

I am also grateful to those who have been patient in explaining processes and joining in the journey along the way.  Some of those resources are linked below.  I have found insight and help from our local Baptist association, particularly our Director of Missions, Dr. Harry Black.  He has good direction on steps and establishing good works, and I appreciate his enthusiasm.

Capital Baptist Association

Another great help along the way has been the staff at Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.  Their help as listed ranges from the personal direction I’ve received to specialized training.

BGCO

Finally, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention has a great planting outlet through their website at the church planting village.

Church Planting Village

Also, it goes without saying that each of the above entities make financial contributions to church plants that help these young starts get vital resources to thrive.  I still have so much to learn, but I am thrilled with the opportunity already to watch the Lord do amazing things!

 

Categories : Church Planting, Help for the New Minister, Leadership
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Oct
04

Church Planting Part 3: Bylaws

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Godly Passion.  Excitement.  Pioneering spirit.  When church planting is considered and even launched, these are common responses.  There is a zeal and a robust attitude when some large work is being considered.  But as I have learned, and had affirmed at a recent church plant conference, that energy and momentum will not take you far without some very solid roots.  One area to take time to research and implement relates to foundational structure.  Constitution, bylaws, tax issues, risk management, insurance, etc are not flashy topics, yet in a flash, if overlooked all the passion in the world can come to a screeching halt.

One very helpful contact and resource is a friend of mine here in Oklahoma, Steven Lewis.  His work on bylaws in particular could be of great benefit to any planter.  You can find out more information about Steven and his ministry at the following link.

Church Excellence

One final post on church planting on the way…

Categories : Help for the New Minister, Leadership
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Sep
30

Church Planting Part 2: Mark IV

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Admittedly, one of the reasons I have this site is to point to resources I have found.  My prayer is that there are others on the same journey, and I certainly appreciate learning from others where the trails are.  One slightly hard to find trail relates to church planting, that is healthy church planting.

After traveling in September to a church planting conference, I came across a few resources that could be of benefit.  One is from the leader of the conference, Bill Agee, who serves as the church planter at his home church.  Currently they sponsor 17 healthy plants!  Obviously he hosted the conference for their church, but he also is the leader of his own ministry outlet related to church planting.  Follow the link below for more information. To be continued…

MARK IV ministries

Thanks Bill for your heart and direction in planting healthy churches!

Categories : Evangelism, Help for the New Minister, Leadership
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Sep
26

My wife’s blog…

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Well, I have been hit or miss blogging; but I am so excited that my wife Jennifer is hitting the ground running in the blogger world.  She just launched a site recently.  Many, including myself, had been encouraging her to take the plunge.  She is so creative, and beautiful, and smart, and fun.  You would think I was in love with the gal.  Right you are!

I am looking forward to seeing what she posts about her life, special projects, family, and the general journey.  Take a moment to drop by Jennifer’s Blog at the link below.  Perhaps it will motivate me to be more consistent in posting!

 

 

 

Categories : Marriage and Family
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