Strengthen: Social distancing & social media
There is no doubt is my mind that the phrase of the year for 2020 will be “social distancing.” The efforts taken to stop the spread of COVID-19 have changed almost every facet of life and has caused us to look for different ways to interact with each other. Social distancing endeavors have led to a significantly increased utilization of social media to stay connected, and it has thrilled my heart to see social media filled with...
When COVID-19 comes to your church
We are thankful for the resources and suggestions provided to pastors and churches related to steps that need to be taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. What we have not seen or heard much discussion about is suggestions for when someone in the church family tests positive. The sad reality is that we need to be prepared for what we hope and pray does not occur. We think there are multiple levels of response: First, we...
Strengthen: Lessons from the ‘no clutch shift’
Growing up around the farm in southwest Oklahoma provided many wonderful opportunities, including learning how to drive at any early age. While I’m not sure of the details of the transaction, my dad acquired my grandfather’s late 1960s Ford farm truck when I was a boy. Because of the age and the condition of a well-used farm vehicle, they thought teaching a boy to drive it would not do any further damage. The truck had a standard...
Strengthen: Takeaways from a church revitalization panel
We recently had the privilege of hosting at Falls Creek a group of leaders from across the Southern Baptist Convention who are striving to assist churches in their state and regions in need of revitalization. I have had the opportunity to participate in this State Revitalization Network for the past four years and have noticed a common thread in our group. This is the thread: church revitalization is hard work, and there is a great...
Strengthen: Encourage church-wide Bible reading
As another year draws to a close, our thoughts naturally trend toward the celebration of the gift of God’s Son at Christmas. It’s a special time of the year that I pray will be blessed in your family and church. It is also a time of the year when we start to consider the New Year and what it has in store. In the life of the church, that often means new committees and budgets with new emphasis and initiatives. I want to challenge you...
