The United Methodist Church strayed many years ago from the fundamentals of the faith and has long been ecumenical in affiliations. But a recent tragedy (reported in the Los Angeles Times) is a $40 million gift designated and being used by a United Methodist seminary to begin training programs for Muslim imams and Jewish rabbis. This school, Claremont School of Theology located here in California, hopes to later add training for other religious clergy as well—such as Buddhists and Hindus.

Of course, many are celebrating this move as a leap toward recognizing “religious diversity.” Yet, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Training leaders of religions that plainly deny Christ discredits the exclusivity of the Gospel and endorses false faiths.

Revelation 17 tells of a coming one-world religion that will embrace every religious diversity, but persecute Christianity. Moves like this of Claremont School of Theology reveal that many already see little distinction between various religious beliefs. (I cover the coming one-world church more thoroughly in my book Understanding the Times.)

Please pray for people who may be saved in some of these liberal denominations to awake to doctrinal integrity and join a biblical church that preaches the truth. And pray that Bible-believing Baptists will live in anticipation of Christ’s return and be diligent to obey Christ’s command to “Go…into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Perhaps it was ingrained into our minds during elementary school, but there is something about summertime that seems to change people’s thinking. Even adults seem to develop a kind of “recess mentality” that focuses on self and lets responsibility slide.

As a pastor, I’ve noticed that this summer pattern can become one of the “wiles [tricks] of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11) that is used to cause lasting spiritual harm. Sometimes it is helpful in the middle of the summer to pause and evaluate, “Am I maintaining my walk with God?”

Below are five suggestions for enjoying a productive and pleasurable summer while at the same time maintaining your walk with the Lord and your family relationships. (more…)

Over the past few weeks, as we’ve celebrated our church’s 25th anniversary, a few people have asked me, “What will the next twenty-five years be like?”

I think they understand our philosophy of ministry enough to know that the basics—biblical preaching, soulwinning, and developing hearts for God through discipleship—are not likely to change anytime soon! I think that what they are really asking is, “What do you see for the future? What do you envision happening during the next twenty-five years?”

I’m excited about the future! I’ve shared with our church family some of the new ministries, classes, and buildings we hope to begin. And I believe God to do even more than I’ve dreamed of—“exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). (more…)

Spiritual Leadership Conference has already held so many blessings. My heart has been stirred through the preaching, sharpened through the fellowship, and touched through the testimonies of others. But the watershed moment for me happened yesterday afternoon when I stepped into the room where our annual West Coast Baptist College alumni luncheon was served. (Many of our alumni attend the conference, and this luncheon is a great way for them to get together each year.)

One of the decisions requiring the most faith that our church ever made was to start West Coast Baptist College. From its beginning, the college surpassed all of our resources in every way—time, money, facilities—everything! To this day, overseeing and caring for the college is a daily walk of faith.

Not only that, but it’s a lot of work! Over the years, God has brought together a team of staff and faculty who tirelessly give of themselves to this work of training laborers for His harvest. Of course, even as we pour our lives and our hearts into our students, we do it with gratefulness to have a part in their future labors.

But yesterday afternoon, when I stepped into the room where the alumni had gathered for lunch, I was overwhelmed by what I saw—hundreds of men and women who are literally serving the Lord all around the world as pastors, missionaries, assistants, Christian school teachers—faithful servants of God. Seeing so many at the same time astounded me as I realized the magnitude of what God has done through these years of faith and labor. (more…)

Today we celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary at Lancaster Baptist Church. How the time has flown!

The past weeks have been somewhat of a reflective journey for Terrie and me. So many people have been a part of these twenty-five years, and so many special events have taken place.

The years have been full—holding more than I could have imagined when I first moved my family to a small town in the desert. I knew there would be some challenges, but as a twenty-four-year-old pastor, I was probably a bit naïve.

What have the years held? Trials? more than I expected. Sleepless nights? plenty. Challenges? they’ve been part of every building program. Heartache? it’s part of loving and shepherding people.

But that is only a fraction of the story. Overwhelmingly, these twenty-five years have been full of the goodness and blessings of God! (more…)