The Pre-Requisite of Starting a School
When we set up the Engage Church Network, we had a plan we thought would work. We wanted to work with churches and pastors. I wanted to coach pastors and help churches discover their God given visions on how God had called them to minister to and evangelize their specific communities. We immediately ran into […]
Patchwork Theology
When I was in high school, my math teachers made me show my work. When our class was given a test, we were given a sheet filled with problems and the best teachers would leave plenty of blank space on the test paper to work out the problems. Why? Because according to my teachers, knowing […]
Between the Steeple and the Stock Ticker
When I accepted the call to serve as a bivocational pastor at College Grove Baptist Church two years ago this month, I didn’t realize just how literal the “bi” in “bivocational” would feel. Most days, I’m toggling between a spreadsheet and a sermon, between training teams in corporate strategy and shepherding souls in a local […]
Keeping a Journal
Growing up Southern Baptist, I was expected to attend Sunday morning and evening worship services, Sunday School, Church Training and of course, Wednesday night fellowship dinner and prayer meeting. I was also encouraged to have a “daily quiet time” that was expected to last about ten minutes. The plan was to read a passage of […]
Training for the Church That Actually Exists
Written by Matt Pearson If you live in Middle Tennessee long enough you will learn who the “unicorns” are. The unicorns are those who are actually from Middle Tennessee. We call them unicorns because they are so rare. The vast majority, so it seems, are from all over the United States. Individuals and families from throughout the […]
The Myth of the Marlboro Man
When I was growing up, a famous cigarette company featured a cowboy sitting alone on a horse in the middle of the vast American west. He was called, “The Marlboro Man.” He personified the myth of the great American hero, alone against nature, unencumbered by any social restraints or relationships. He lived his life by […]
Drop the Mic! – Discover the Heart of God
Dr. Tim Harlow Retired Senior Pastor, Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park, IL Author of Life on Mission: God’s People Finding God’s Heart for the World and What Made Jesus Mad? Rediscover the Blunt, Sarcastic, Passionate Savior of the Bible “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew […]
Why You’re Probably Preaching Better Than You Think
When I was growing up, I was told I had to give 100% effort all the time in everything. Whether it was math class or basketball practice, I had to give my maximum effort and I had to give this maximum effort all the time. No breaks. No rest. I was taught to go as […]
The Whole Gospel for the Whole Person
When I started in the ministry, evangelism was the only thing that mattered to most local Baptist churches. Every sermon, regardless of where it started, ended up getting back to John 3:16 and every service ended with an extended invitation. We were trained in how to use the “The Four Spiritual Laws” and if we […]
Getting Started: Loving our Communities
Whenever I talk to churches about becoming engaged in their communities, a few common objections keep coming up. There are all kinds of reasons – or excuses – given as to why a congregation stays away from getting involved in the real problems of their neighborhoods. These problems are hard to solve, difficult to understand, […]
