In the early days of Lancaster Baptist Church, our new members orientation consisted of an afternoon reception at the Chappell home. Terrie and I would set up chairs in the living room and provide food for the time of fellowship. We would both share our testimonies, and I would explain to our new members the structure and vision of our church as well as answer questions they asked.

Over the years, our new member’s orientation has evolved into a process that I believe is more equipping for the new members and yet still allows for the personal fellowship and bonding.

In this month’s Spiritual Leadership Podcast, I share some practical ideas on helping new members of your church become committed disciples of Christ. (more…)

Servant leadership has been one of the three cornerstones of our emphasis at the Spiritual Leadership Conference.

True servant leadership can only take place when the heart is, as Hebrews 13:9 puts it, “established with grace.” Such a heart has room in its worship for God alone and serves only for the approval of Christ.

In this growth points podcast, I share three characteristics of a servant leader whose heart is established in God’s grace.

(If you cannot see this video in your RSS reader or email, you can watch it here.)

Make sure you get all future Growth Points videos by subscribing to the Spiritual Leadership Podcast.

I cherish the relationships God has given me with our church family. As an undershepherd, I am grateful for the privilege of visiting members in the hospital, attending our young people’s ball games, having families in our home for fellowship, going soulwinning with men from our church—connecting with our church family in any and every way I am able.

I am also grateful for church members who make an effort to connect with me. As the church grows, I am less able to attend every social event or to initiate fellowship with every member as I would like to.

Not only is it a blessing to me to connect with our church family, but according to 1 Thessalonians 5:12, it is a need for church members to connect with their pastor: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.” The word know in this verse means “to acknowledge and esteem.”

As a church member, you need—for your own Christian growth—to acknowledge and esteem your pastor. You need to stay connected with him and to give him entrance into your heart and life.

How then, can you, as a church member, best stay in touch with your pastor? (more…)

It is a tragedy that when America desperately needs the authority of the preached Word of God, the influence of preachers and churches on our culture is not what it should be.

Every one of us recognizes God’s command to be salt and light in our world. And yet, it seems that our influence is declining rather than growing as moral perversion and doctrinal compromise abound.

What specifics undermine a church’s ability to influence its community and culture? In this podcast, I share three trends that have poisonously taken root in churches across America.

(If you cannot see this video in your RSS reader or email, you can watch it here.) (more…)

In a recent post, I shared several concerns and hopes for young preachers. Here I would like to continue the theme with some thoughts regarding older preachers.

I get concerned when older preachers view all those with a question as “in rebellion.” It encourages me to see older preachers take time with younger preachers.

I get concerned when older preachers won’t admit the shortcomings of our generation of leadership. I get encouraged when older preachers say, “Here are some mistakes we made; try not to make them.”

I get concerned when older preachers elevate preference to the place of doctrine. I am hopeful when an older preacher says, “Nothing in the Bible says a man must wear a tie (etc.), but here is why I prefer doing it that way.” (See Romans 14.) (more…)