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What Are You Looking For?

2/15/2023

This morning at 5:27 am in Hughes Auditorium

Monday evening at 10:06 pm in Hughes Auditorium

This morning I arrived shortly before 5 am at Hughes Auditorium on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Middle of the night, every business is closed, very few cars - yet 75-100 people, mostly college students are in the chapel worshiping and praying - many at the altar.

A week ago, Asbury held their Wednesday morning chapel service, and it hasn't ended. What I attended this morning was a continuation of last week's chapel service - a revival. As I was leaving this morning before 6 am - I was standing in the lobby, the custodian was emptying the trash nearby, I spoke with an older lady who just walked into the auditorium. She said she just arrived, driving to Wilmore, Kentucky in the middle of the night, from Florida. She was so excited to be there. Smiling, she said she wanted to spend the day worshiping the Lord.

On Monday night, I saw a friend I haven't seen in 12 years, he drove from Prattville, Alabama. I also met a man in the balcony, he said he came from Dallas, Texas.

In John 1:38, two men were following Jesus, they had heard John the Baptist declared publicly that Jesus is the One who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. As these two men were following Jesus, He turned around and asked them, "What are you looking for?"

How you answer that question determines if Asbury's 24/7 chapel service is a revival.

America has experienced two Great Awakenings.

In 1734 in Northampton, Massachusetts - Congregationalist pastor, Jonathan Edwards - preached with such intensity, the First Great Awakening broke out in the American colonies.

In August 1801, a Presbyterian evangelist, Barton Stone, led a revival at the Cane Ridge Meeting House in Bourbon County, Kentucky - launching the Second Great Awakening - this awakening was known for camp meetings, altar calls, and personal evangelism. Awakenings spread - circuit riding preachers brought the Gospel to rural areas of America.

It's been 200 years since America has experienced a Great Awakening. There are two characteristics of Great Awakenings:

The focus is on Christ.
It spreads.

Every Christian needs to make a pilgrimage to the Hughes Auditorium in Wilmore. You need to go the altar and meet the Lord.

But when you leave and head home, Christ will ask you, "What are you looking for? What is happening in Wilmore, should not stay in Wilmore.

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3 Ways to Invite Someone to Church Without Verbally Inviting Them

11/18/2022

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Lexington, Kentucky

You go to work, school and play sports - you want to invite your co-workers, friends, and teammates to church, yet for various reasons, it's "off limits," "awkward," or "not really discussed."

As Christians, we know God has placed people in our circle of influence with a purpose. The Lord wants us to share the Gospel; point our friends to the saving power of Jesus. A way to begin this conversation is to indirectly invite them to church.

There are ways to let others know we are Christians and active in a local church, without verbally inviting them to, "come with us this Sunday."

1). When you hear of a physical need, tell that person you're praying for them. Pray for them, and then follow up a few days later. Ask how their family member, health concern or challenging situation is coming along. If they're still burdened by it, ask the person if you can add their need to your church's prayer list.

By this point - you've already told them that you're praying for them, you followed up with them several days later, and they still need prayer - your co-worker will likely be open to your church family praying for their need.

Your church's Wednesday night prayer list is a powerful tool to see answers to prayer and personal outreach.

Now your friend at school knows New Hope Baptist Church in Glencoe, Alabama (where I preached my first sermon) is praying for them.

Pick-up a copy of your church's prayer list; give it to your friend, showing your church family is praying for them. You have just let your friend know what your church is doing for them - and you haven't once invited them to attend, but they're grateful.

2). List on your social media bio that you:

Teach Sunday School at Valley Baptist Church.
Worship at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.
Sing in the choir at First Baptist Church, Atlanta.
Serve as a deacon at Sumiton Church of God.

When you list on your bio how you serve at your church, you're declaring not only are you a Christian, but actively serve the Lord at a local church.

Also, the "check in" feature on Facebook is an indirect way of saying, "I'm here." You're not vocally inviting others to attend, just stating here's where I attend worship.

3). Talk about something you learned or something God taught you while at church. For example:

Reference peace from God, "My pastor preached last Sunday on having peace as we go through storms."
"God reassured me that everything was going to be okay while I sang to Him on Sunday."
Share a main point you learned at church from a recent sermon. "I recently learned at church when you quit praying about something, you've accepted the outcome."

All of these statements include pastor, church, choir, preached, praying and God - these are words unchurched people typically don't use - you're using language and making statements that invite listeners to ask a follow-up question such as, "Where do you go to church?" "Are you a Christian?" "What do you believe about God?"

Related Posts:
3 Ways to Invite People to Church Without Saying a Word
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5 Spiritual Changes You Should Make in 2022

12/31/2021

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2022 is almost here. Covid is still with us. God is still on His throne. Masks are still required in some places. Jesus is coming soon. Alabama has a great football team. Some things never change, but there are critical spiritual changes you need to consider for the new year.

1). You need to begin January with a commitment to daily read the Bible. Answer these questions:

Will you read the Bible on your phone or read a physical Bible?
Will you read the entire Bible in 2022?
Will you follow a Bible reading plan?
Will you listen to the Bible on a podcast?

2). You should commit to pray over a weekly prayer list. If you know of someone who doesn’t know the Lord, make a commitment to pray that person to Christ in 2022. Write their name down in your Bible – pray for your pastor, your church, your Sunday School class – God listens when His people call upon Him. Prayer is access to God.

3). Begin looking at your network as a mission field. You go to work, to school, the doctor, the grocery store, the gym, the family who lives above you, the salon – the people you regularly see and speak to – invite them to church, ask how you can pray for them, shift your conversations from college football to the Lord. Evangelism is telling a lost person you know about Christ. God wants people saved in 2022.

4). Commit to a Sunday School class or small group. Sunday School is your spiritual connection to like-minded believers. You connect to people who are in the same stage of life as you – your closest friends should attend with you in Sunday School – they’re the friends you text at 1 a.m. for prayer – your children should likewise be with others in small group. Christians who connect in a group are more committed to their church. Being fully devoted to a Bible-believing church is God’s plan for His people. For those who've fallen away from church, 2022 should be a rededication to weekly worship.

5). Remove the clutter – sinful compromises towards other things in your life should disappear in order for you to commit to reading the Bible, prayer, evangelism, and attending worship. Many Christians aren’t able to make spiritual changes because of busy clutter – social media, TV, hobbies, even church work – harmless things that don’t allow time for spiritual growth. You’re doing things God hasn’t assigned you to do – you need to get rid of good things to become godly.

5 spiritual changes for you in 2022 – commit to reading your Bible, commit to a dedicated prayer life, commit to leading others to Christ, commit to your church, and commit to removing the clutter that prevents the first four changes.

Related Posts:
3 Commitments You Needs to Make in 2020
3 Bible Reading Plans for 2018
The Five Subtle Ways Christians Become Worldly Without Knowing

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Five Secrets to Making More Friends at Church

11/12/2021

3 Comments

When a church has multiple services, multiple Sunday School times, online services, and a variety of different ministries to be involved in - it becomes tempting to know fewer and fewer people at church. You'd like to know more folks, but you don't know how.

Being connected at your church is a must. Your spouse and children should have friends and look forward to seeing those they know on Sundays and Wednesdays. If you have family members in your home and they don't know anyone, you should help them cultivate friendships and connections.

I can look at someone's circle of friends and tell you how happy they are attending church.

Here are five secrets that remind us that we don't "find friends" we "make friends.":

1). Arrive 10 minutes early, hang around 10 minutes afterwards. If you arrive after the service has started and you bolt for the door when it's concluded - you will speak to very few (if any) people. Arrival / Departure time will determine the effectiveness of making friends.

2). Do not sit down. You're likely to speak to more people standing up - you're free to move around. If you sit in a chair (or pew) and pull out your phone, you're saying, "Off Limits." Sitting down is isolating.

3). Attend Sunday School. Small groups connect - they're conversational, casual and you'll discover other people who have things in common. Make sure you join the class' email list - speak up when the teacher asks questions. Volunteer to read Scripture - go to lunch with the class after worship.

4). Don't talk about yourself. Asking questions, sharing encouragement, and listening always wins friends. People love talking about themselves, their travels, their children & grandchildren - use that to your advantage.

5). Come with a, "I'm here to serve attitude." If you arrive with an evaluation attitude, your thought pattern will be:

"She didn't speak to me."
"I didn't get anything from the sermon."
"I don't like this kind of music."
"This is an unfriendly church."

This should be your thinking while at church:

"Who can I speak to?"
"Who can I pray for?"
"Who needs encouragement?"
"What need can I meet?"

3 Comments

3 Ways to Improve Your Sunday School

7/31/2021

2 Comments

I love Sunday School - it's the small group connection that keeps many people connected in church and cultivates friendships. It's challenging to get to know folks in a worship service, but Sunday School is all about connections - from my experience Sunday School is what keeps church members committed. Sherri and I teach two year-old Sunday School and our young students make friends and learn Bible stories - Sunday School is a positive experience for all ages.

Here are three simple steps to improve your Sunday School class - even if you're not the teacher, you can talk with your teacher about implementing these improvements.

1). Send a weekly email. Every week, email to your class: prayer requests, praises, birthdays, anniversaries, upcoming Scripture you're teaching on, and upcoming lunches / mission opportunities. Members in your class will begin to look forward to your email of FYI - I recommend it have a, "Everything you need to know" format in case someone misses several Sundays.

2). Plan get togethers outside of class. A monthly lunch, partner with a local non-profit your class can serve together, organize a cookout at the park, summer pool party, and plan a Christmas party. There should be opportunities outside of class for building friendships.

3). Contact class members who've missed two consecutive Sundays. Keeping a role will grow your class - write, email, text or call attendees whom are absent. They need to know they were missed. Folks should be expected to attend every Sunday - spiritual growth matters. Establish a, "We want you here" culture. Raise the bar of expectation.

The new school year is about to begin - now is the time for Sunday School outreach and a recommitment to the blessing of being apart of Sunday School.

Related Posts:
5 Steps to Grow Your Sunday School Class

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3 Spiritual Advantages of Running

7/16/2021

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Finish line of the Bluegrass 10,000

Sherri beat me on July 3

Regularly running is one of the best physical activities a believer can practice. Running is biblical - David wrote about the sun maintaining it's course, "It is like a bridegroom coming from his home; it rejoices like an athlete running a course" (Psalm 19:5). Like the sun, a runner stays on course. Our life should maintain the same God-centered focus.

Paul compares the Christian faith to running a race, "Don't you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24). When you run, you want to try your best, set a personal record.

If you're desiring spiritual revival / removal from worldliness / repentant heart towards God - running could meet these goals.

1). Running allows for alone time with God. You can listen to a sermon podcast, spend time in prayer, and meditate on God's Word. Don't waste your run listening to secular music - make time with God.

2). Running keeps you away from other forms of media. No TV, movies, video games, and scrolling your phone. Not only does it free you of media - but can free you from addictions - alcohol, unhealthy eating, and pain. Your attention and time moves towards exercise and goal setting. Signing up for a race is how to begin a goal. I'm training for a 50-mile ultr a in April 2022.

3). Running reveals indwelling sin. When you're miles into a run, tired, weak, and hot - God convicts you of sinful attitudes, actions and motives. Job had lost everything, he was depleted and God spoke to him. When you're at exhaustion, the Lord comes near. Job 42:6, "Therefore, I reject my words and am sorry for them; I am dust and ashes." Running puts our life in perspective.

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Top 10 Kentucky Day Trips

6/4/2021

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Pinnacle Overlook at Cumberland Gap

Summer is for day trips. Plenty of daylight, warm weather, and no need to pack for an overnight stay. If you live in, plan to visit, or driving through Kentucky, here are the top 10 places you must visit - parents and grandparents should pick a day, grab the kids, and go - many of these places are free. These are in order - you don't have to go to these places every year, but they are better than a "one and done."

1). Ark Encounter - Williamstown - most expensive on the list - life-size Noah's Ark one hour north of Lexington - truly brings the Bible alive. Every believer has to visit the ark.

2). Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge - Slade - most-dangerous on the list - this is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest - best outdoors place in Kentucky - has something for everyone - one hour east of Lexington.

3). Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park - Hodgenville - America's most-famous president was born in Kentucky, while you're there, visit his boyhood home nearby - also not too far is, My Old Kentucky Home, in Bardstown - two hours west of Lexington.

4). Cumberland Gap National Historical Park - Middlesboro - Daniel Boone found a gap in the Appalachian Mountains and westward migration came through this gap - also visit nearby Chained Rock at Pine Mountain State Resort Park - 2.5 hours southeast of Lexington.

5). Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate - Lexington - the must-visit home of America's statesman - first-class preservation. Afterwards, drive two miles down Main Street and tour the Mary Todd Lincoln House (Abraham Lincoln's wife).

6). Mammoth Cave National Park - Mammoth Cave - surprisingly, Kentucky is filled with caves all over the state - Mammoth Cave is the world's longest cave system - book a tour - 2 hours west of Lexington.

7). Cumberland Falls State Resort Park - Corbin - visit Little Niagara Falls - also part of the Daniel Boone National Forest - book a boat ride to the falls - view the moonbow - two hours south of Lexington.

8). T he State Capitol - Frankfort - Kentucky's state government comes from a small town - you can tour the capitol and see the governor's mansion nearby - one hour north of Lexington.

9). Kenneland - Lexington - book a tour at America's nicest horse racing track - you also can tour where horses are auctioned in September - afterwards, tour the Kentucky Castle four miles down the highway.

10). Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory - Louisville - if you love baseball, this historic bat company is the perfect tour - you can also watch bats being made - while in Louisville, tour the race track of the Kentucky Derby, Churchhill Downs - tours are booked through the Kentucky Derby Museum - 1.5 hours west of Lexington.

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16 Breakthroughs in 16 Years

4/17/2021

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College Graduation Recognition at First Baptist Church, Moreland, Georgia in December 2007

Baptism Service in the Flint River at Sprewell Bluff State Park in Upson County, Georgia in May 2009

Broadway Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky's Staff in December 2016

Today is my 16 year anniversary as serving as pastor - the past 16 years, I've only once missed two consecutive Sundays being at either First Baptist Church in Moreland, Georgia or Broadway Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. The two consecutive Sundays was our adoption trip to China in July 2014 to bring Esther home.

Every year provides new breakthroughs in pastoral ministry. Here's what I've learned in 16 years (no order of importance):

1). Change must be embraced. Only the Word of God doesn't change. People, technology, ministries, and possibilities - they're always changing. Yesterday isn't returning. Don't begin a sentence with, "We've always done it."

2). Conservatism kills churches. Not theological conservatism, rather playing it safe with ministry. The day you pull back, begin to take it easy, let off the gas - is the day you begin to die. Outreach, evangelism, missions, worship - must be the DNA of every Christian and church. Churches always need to be in a growth mode.

3). How you respond (or don't respond) to criticism is actually more important than the criticism. There's usually a grain of truth in all criticism - you must be able to differentiate truth from attack. Use criticism as a learning opportunity.

4). Friends and connections are everything. Unconnected people drop out of church - if you're connected to God, connected to a group of friends, and connected to a place of service - your worship experience will skyrocket. Having someone to sit with determines whether someone worships online or in-person.

5). Fasting is the secret to spiritual growth. If you want to draw close to God, walk around hungry all the time - every time you think you're starving, you'll remember your hunger's for God.

6). Worship is an experience with God. Folks want to walk away from a worship service having felt they encountered God. An experience with God can be felt.

7). Middle school ministry might be the most overlooked area of church life. Parents of 6th to 8th graders want a strong group for their preteens and young teenagers. If a church doesn't make this age group a priority, families will look at other churches that do.

8). Senior adult ministry is the most stable and most supportive area of church. I've learned senior adults are very open to change as long as you communicate the change in advance. People do not like surprises - I utilize a weekly email on Friday afternoons to accomplish this.

9). Pastors could become viewed a public health emergencies. I fear pastors who preach biblical truth will be viewed as harmful, hateful and intolerant. Pastoral censorship can't be ignored.

10). Learn to notice who's not there. If someone's missing 3-5 consecutive Sundays, something's usually wrong.

11). Monthly meetings wear people out. If you're meeting every 4-5 weeks - two things start to happen: folks begin looking for reasons to miss the meeting, and you run out of things to talk about - which can lead to gossip.

12). Your discipline on the front end determines if you're playing catch-up on the back-end. The decisions and spiritual disciplines in your 20s and 30s shape who you are in your 40s and 50s. Decades of spiritual neglect and prayerlessness have an ongoing impact on someone's spiritual life.

13). Local culture is waning. Teenagers in San Diego and teenagers in South Alabama both watch YouTube, Netflix, and post pictures on Instagram - the internet is erasing local context.

14). Churches must help answer these questions, "What's my place?" "Who am I?" "How do I find myself in this world?" - these are the questions a hyper individualistic America are asking. Pastors should keep this in mind when preaching.

15). You notice what you're looking for. This is from the perspective of guests and church attenders. People can discover anything they want from a church.

16). Fear is contagious. A church must be governed by faith, not fear. The attitude of, "We're broke, everyone's leaving, soon we'll close our doors" - isn't healthy and doesn't encourage new folks to belong to something exciting. People want to be on a winning team.

Related Posts:
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11 Truths in 11 Years
10 Discoveries in 10 Years
9 Truths in 9 Years

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Time is Slipping Away

2/19/2021

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On Wednesday, February 17, Rush Limbaugh, passed away. He was 70 years old and died from a year-long battle with lung cancer. I've been listening to Rush since 2015 - I didn't listen everyday, he would become repetitive and had too many commercials. Half his show seemed like he was selling something - but he had a keen observation of American culture and politics - he's had great influence in my political beliefs. Limbaugh has shaped conservative thinking more than any other media personality.

I even bought our children a Rush Revere book to teach American history.

I went back and listened to his final show he broadcasted before he was too ill. It was Tuesday, February 2, 2021. He's been on the radio for over 30 years and probably didn't think February 2 would be his last show. One of the final statements he made before signing off, "Time is slipping away."

Time is slipping away - how you spend your time influences how close you'll be with Christ and your service to God. How sad to see talented, God-gifted believers who squander their time.

From my personal experience, here are the five time-squandering things I have to guard against:

1). TV (especially news)
2). Movies
3). Social Media
4). Sports
5). Conversations about Nothing

If you don't manage your time, someone or something will manage it for you.

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7 Things We Owe President Biden

1/15/2021

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The White House

On Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Joseph Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States of America. As Christians, owe President Biden 7 things. Maybe you didn’t vote for Biden, but come January 20, he will be sworn in as your president. Many Christians didn’t vote for Biden because of his views on abortion and same-sex marriage – these 7 things do not compromise your biblical convictions.

First, you should commit to pray for your president. Scripture commands us to pray for those in leadership – pray President Biden seeks the Lord with his decision-making.

Second, you should give him the benefit-of-doubt. President Biden has not signed a single bill, law or executive order yet. We do not fully know what a Biden presidency will look like. Christians should not have a dark view of Biden before he takes office.

Third, you should not use social media to slander Biden. He can’t defend himself and you likely hurt your Gospel witness. We also have to make sure we’re not circulating conspiracy theories.

Fourth, President Biden is America’s second Roman Catholic president, first was President John F. Kennedy. He’s a member of St. Joseph on the Bradywine in Greenville, Delaware. Biden professes Christianity and Bible-believing Christians should view our president as a brother in Christ.

Vice President Kamala Harris is a member of the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco – which is affiliated with the National Baptist Convention. Harris’ pastor, Rev. Amos Brown, is one of only eight students who attended the only college class taught by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Morehouse College in 1962, the class was titled, “Social Philosophy.” Vice President Harris is a fellow Baptist and we should think of her as a sister in Christ.

Fifth, we owe our president a spirit of peace. Christians are called to display the fruit of the Spirit, one of those is peace. Promoting political division does not encourage peace. Christians should not be known for causing trouble. We don’t advance the Kingdom with a sword.

Sixth, you owe President Biden your eyes. You should be watching and aware of what our new president is doing. We don’t want new restrictions on religious liberty or freedom of speech – our president needs to know we’re watching.

Seventh, you owe the president respect. The office of president is the highest in our country. It’s the most-difficult job. You might not agree with anything President Biden does – but we’re called to be respectful of the office he holds.

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3 Fasts for Election Day

10/31/2020

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I hope you fast for our nation on Election Day - Tuesday November 3. Fasting is abstaining from food. Here are three ways you can fast for spiritual renewal:

1). Eating no food. On Tuesday, you do not eat, only drink. You replace the time you would have eaten with prayer and hunger for God. Instead of talking about the election, you talk about the Lord. You can also use the time you would have eaten to go vote.

2). Fasting one meal. You might skip lunch or dinner. You replace the hour (preparation and clean-up including) with a longing for God. Write a note of encouragement or call someone battling cancer.

3). Forfeiting dessert. This is a good way to introduce children to fasting. They've been eating Halloween candy and they can do without on Tuesday - spending dessert time with reading the Bible, praying for our nation to turn to God. The king of Nineveh called for a fast, it included even the animals too (Jonah 3:6).

God relented from destroying Nineveh - He responded to their fast. We're asking God to respond to believer's throughout America, fasting for revival in our land.

Just like you make plans to vote on Tuesday, make plans to fast as well.

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Call to Fast on November 3

10/20/2020

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Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah. Three vast armies from beyond the Dead Sea came to fight against him. He was afraid. They were only 50 miles away from Jerusalem. King Jehoshaphat resolved to seek the Lord. How did he do this? He proclaimed a national fast - all of Judah gathered to seek the Lord. Rural areas of Judah participated too - it wasn't a local fast. (2 Chronicles 20:1-4)

Fasting is abstaining from food. It's not the end in itself - rather we replace the time we would have spent eating with seeking God. We fast because we're hungry for the Lord. We fast because God offers us something better than politics. Appetite dictates the direction of our lives. Shift your appetite towards the Lord.

Christians don't fast because they're full of worldly food. God is looking for believers hungry for Him. God offers more than what our world offers.

Our nation needs believers to fast on Election Day. Will you fast Tuesday, November 3? Practice the discipline of self-denial for the sake of our nation. Replace the food you'll eat with prayer for our nation.

We're looking to the wrong people to solve our problems. I'm inviting you to practice the spiritual discipline of fasting for our nation on November 3.

If you're going to participate, invite others to join you by using the hashtag: #LexFast

God answered Jehoshaphat's fast - the Lord said, "For the battle is not yours, but God's." (2 Chronicles 20:15)

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How to Respond When Your Children Don't Want to Attend Church

7/4/2020

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You didn't raise them that way. All of a sudden - your children, grandchildren, spouse or boyfriend has lost interest in church. Nothing particular or offensive happened - they just have other interests.

Disciples are developed in the mundane - the everyday, weekly, monthly routine habits. "In person" worship is one of those habits - it's the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11). God's people keep the Sabbath day holy - a day believers are to set apart for the Lord.

When your children fail to worship on Sundays, they're unknowingly declaring, "I'm not part of God's people."

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it easy to slip out the back door - all of a sudden, those closest to you haven't been to church in months and you're concerned they've lost interest.

Here are four ways to re-engage your children to church:

1). Communicate on Saturday that you want them to attend with you on Sunday morning. Sunday morning worship is a Saturday decision. Don't make late Saturday night plans - get your clothes ready, offering ready, Bible ready - you want to communicate that Sunday mornings are for the Lord. If you wake-up on Sunday, trying to decide if you're headed to church...it's tempting to stay home. "As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord." Joshua 24:15 CSB

2). Offer to take your children to lunch after church. It's 4th of July Weekend, after worship, take them out to have BBQ. City Barbecue is down the street from our church - instead of going out on Friday or Saturday - take your family out for lunch on Sundays.

3). Buy your child a new Bible or a new Christian book to read together. Sherri and I read books together - we recently began reading, "Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity" by Nabeel Qureshi. The strength of reading together is accountability - if you get your children to begin reading together, it's much easier for them to accept attending church together. The goal is to grow in the Lord with your son, wife, or granddaughter - you have to establish common spiritual things to discuss - when you read the same verses of Scripture, chapter of a book, and listen to the same sermon - you can discuss what God is teaching you.

4). Stay and sit with your family. If you're always serving in the nursery, children's church, welcome center, or singing in the choir - your children or spouse doesn't want to sit alone in the pew. You have to look through the lenses of people who don't know anyone at church - to expect your grandchildren to "feel at home" while at church, will take some time.

Church attendance is about connections - you want your children to connect with God - one of the ways you make that possible is to remove every possible barrier and excuse.

Related Posts
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4 Keys to Disciplining Teenagers
Which Children's Bible Should You Buy?
Which Bible Should you Buy your Preteen or Teenager?

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A New Normal for Pastors?

6/30/2020

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I'm writing this at the halfway point in 2020 - a year a change. Today, a record 48,000+ new cases of COVID-19 were announced in the U.S. In many ways, now is the worst time so-far of the pandemic.

In 15+ years of pastoring, this is the most unusual time. You've heard the phrase, "New Normal" - there is a likelihood of a "New Normal" for churches moving forward amidst COVID.

First, online worship will continue to thrive. If a vaccine for COVID is discovered tomorrow, many folks have become so accustomed to online worship - they'll continue using that option. They've also realized online worship allows them more time. Pastors must become accustomed to preaching for a camera, accustomed to empty pews (see above).

Second, masks are here to stay. Until there's a vaccine, many Americans, including those attending "in person" worship - will wear and expect others to wear a mask. I believe fighting against wearing masks is a losing battle - it's not a moral issue. It displays love for neighbor.

Third, churches should start thinking missions as local. This Friday, our church was supposed to bring 40+ people on a mission trip to Vermont. COVID postponed the trip. Instead of Vermont in July, we'll be collecting and delivering food throughout Lexington. Local missions is an urgent need - churches need to raise their hand to go and become community-centered.

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What I've Learned From Empty Pews

5/29/2020

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Recording Sunday Evening - May 31st's Sermon

Last Sunday Broadway welcomed back people in the pews. We haven't had an "open service" since Sunday March 15 - that's 9 consecutive Sundays of preaching on Sunday mornings to a live online audience - locked doors and empty pews in the sanctuary.

Here's from I've learned from "online church:"

1). It began exciting and missional, but then it waned. I've always viewed online church as second-best. If you're sick, homebound, you're at work Sunday mornings, you're on an airplane - it's there if you physically can't come to the sanctuary. I believe COVID has changed the attitudes of worship. The doctrine of worship needs to be preached and taught among believers. Online worship shouldn't be a believer's primary worship experience.

I'm seeing many believers who want to worship on their schedules. They might tune in Sunday mornings, but if something's going on, they'll choose to worship Monday or Thursday evening and listen to the podcast. It's extremely consumer-driven and can be dangerous. In Acts 20:7, the early church met on the first day of the week, this is Sunday, the day Christ rose from the dead. Jesus didn't rise on Tuesday, He rose on Sunday. Every Sunday is an Easter celebration. You're remembering the first day of the week that Christ is alive.

2). Age-group ministries, such as children, youth & collegiate can't be tied to public school systems and universities. If churches are waiting to "return to normal" with public schools and colleges, then the school administration or state governor is setting the schedule for a church's ministry. What if the school year for 2020-2021 is 100% online?

The way to avoid this is to pivot from age-group ministries to connection, community life, family and missional living ministries. It's a model that continues to minister to all age groups, but a minister isn't stuck in one lane - and government has less influence on scheduling.

3). Telephone and snail-mail ministry is appreciated. Folks stuck at home have enjoyed a call or card. A note of encouragement carries meaning - let the mailman bring others a blessing. Our children love receiving mail and answering the landline. If you can't see people "in person" you can stay connected without being online. Ministry leaders should be taking extra time on the phone and mailing notes of encouragement.

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