Bulletproof Church Growth Strategy - Introduction

Church-growth is all the rage these days in American Christianity. It seems that the number one question every pastor has to answer is, “How are you going to grow this church?” There are a multitude of books, audio CDs, DVDs, and conference teachings that church leaders spend millions on each year trying to find the magic formula that will grow their church. Mega-church pastors are touring the nation, teaching the principles and strategies they used to grow their church from a two-family Bible study in their living room to a several thousand member congregation meeting on a multi-million dollar campus.

Beginning Again

I love Spring. I love seeing the vibrant greens overtake the somber browns and grays of Winter. I love to hear the sounds of life breaking the silence of cold. The weather is not too harsh in either direction and each new day sounds forth the exuberant feeling of opportunity.

Nature is not the only realm that is beaming with activity. My life has been a whirlwind of motion in 2013. We welcomed the birth of our twins, M&M, and all the struggles and joys that come along with having six children. God has been so gracious to us, strengthening us when we have been weak (which has been often), supplying every need (which have been many) and allowing us to see His goodness in the gifts He has given us (which have been overwhelming). I am eager to see what He will do in us and through us this year, praying and knowing that whatever it may be, it will be to the glory of His marvelous grace.

In addition to the expanding of my familial boundaries, God, in His good pleasure, has seen fit to honor my desire to be used for His glory through the preaching and teaching of His Word, and has moved on a wonderful congregation of believers to call me as their pastor. This past Sunday, I was honored to preach my first sermon as the pastor of SweetWater Baptist Church, in Waycross, Georgia. Amidst the pressures, questions and uncertainty of taking on the tremendous responsibility of shepherding people's souls, there has been an exceeding peace that this is one of the things I was created to do. I am not speaking of an abundance of ability on my part, but an assurance that God has gifted me and that He is with me so long as I remain in Him. I lean wholly on His grace and power and look forward expectantly at what I believe He will do in a people who have given themselves over to His headship.

So it is a new beginning with this blog as well. I've set out to regularly blog a few, or maybe several, times before, but each time found myself giving up because the effort greatly exceeded the response. God has recently shown me that my motives are way off course if I measure my success in writing by how many pageviews or comments I receive. So I'm beginning again with a renewed purpose and focus: to please and be pleased in my audience of One. Soli Deo Gloria!

Five for Friday - 6/15/12

A Dangerous Set of DVDs - I can't wait to get my hands on a set of these. They look to be life-changing.

The Praise Belongs to God - See the Gospel in action. Katie Davis is an inspiration. Jesus is a great Savior!

Dirty Little Secret of Endorsements - As one who typically looks to endorsements to help when buying books, I found this eye-opening and concerning. There are also theological implications here.

7 Reasons Movie Illustrations are Lame - I have found Cripplegate to be a very though-provoking and insightful blog. With the flood of movie-based Bible studies on the market today, this post offers wise counsel.

That Awkward Moment -  Great post from Desiring God concerning the persecution we face in America when we share the Gospel. I needed this.

Wednesday's Wisdom - Wisdom That is Always Relevant

It never ceases to amaze me how a book so maligned and written off by skeptics as being irrelevant so clearly and accurately speaks of man's condition at the most fundamental level. As I read this week's focus passage, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. God really does know us. Are these words not as true today as they have ever been?

Five for Friday

What Do We Do With the Bible? (Part 4) – The final post in the series from NT Greek guru Bill Mounce. Especially not the last part regarding love of the Bible.

Walking Through Fire – Moving story of a cancer-stricken mother who would not abort her baby in spite of doctors, family, and even her husband telling her to. Tissue alert!

Letter to a 13-Year Old Asking How to Go Deeper in Bible Study – John Piper answers a question from a 13- year old. Sound advise that is helpful whether you are 13 or 103.

Can Christians Use Birth Control? – Albert Mohler offers extremely helpful counsel to Christians who wrestle with the use of birth control. Theology matters.

Running Out of Time – I know I’ve shared a lot of Jon Acuff lately, but he keeps writing killer stuff. Enjoy.