Several weeks ago, I began recording weekly “Growth Points” video blogs. These videos were initially birthed from a desire to stay in touch with our West Coast Baptist College graduates who are now pastoring and in ministry. But they are also a greeting to our pastor friends and Christian servants around the world.

My heart as a pastor and the president of a Bible college is to mentor and train the next generation for the cause of Christ. Specifically, I want to do it on a personal level. The Growth Points videos are brief and often consist of me simply clicking the “record” button on my computer webcam. They are a quick, often unedited, sharing of what is on my mind and heart. (more…)

This lesson speaks to the very heart of local church ministry. Jesus Himself came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). But in so many of our churches today, I see pastors fervently reading books and attending conferences, but never really settling in for intentional soulwinning—building the church the way God designed.

If you want to reignite the soulwinning fervor in your church and in your own heart, this lesson is for you. You may not need to read another book or find another conference. You may need to simply take some time with the Lord and ask Him to stir your heart once again with a passion for souls.

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Before and after this lesson, I answer the following in-studio questions: (more…)

Through the economic challenges our country has faced, churches have needed—more than ever before—to understand biblical principles of faith, stewardship, and compassion.

In this podcast, we discover fourteen principles that should shape our church budgets, stretch our faith, and increase our fruitfulness.

God’s Word is not bound by a tight economy. I pray that this lesson is an encouragement to you to joyfully serve the Lord and see His Word furthered during this tough economic time.

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Before and after the lesson, I answer the following in-studio questions: (more…)

One of the most exciting aspects of ministry for a pastor is the privilege of seeing other leaders developing in the church—whether they be staff or lay leaders. As a pastor, I embrace my responsibility to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11–12), and I am thankful to see staff members reaching their potential.

Every senior pastor should have a great desire to see his staff fulfilling their purpose in life and ministry with excellence. This includes wise hiring, systematic training, increased challenges and opportunities, and much more.

In this month’s spiritual leadership podcast lesson, we explore several aspects to the senior pastor’s role in developing a church staff.

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I thank the Lord for the team He has assembled here at Lancaster Baptist Church. I count it a joy to serve with these co-laborers and to help them reach their potential for Christ. (more…)

The very heart of local church ministry is soulwinning—reaching lost people with the Gospel of Christ. A church that is not actively engaged in obeying Christ’s Great Commission is not fulfilling Christ’s purpose for the church.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.—Matthew 28:19–20

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.—Mark 16:15

This month’s spiritual leadership podcast lesson is a challenge to lead your church to become more fervent in its soulwinning efforts and to make your church known in your community as a church that reaches out and sees people receive Christ as Saviour. Through this lesson, we look at several practical ways you can encourage this heart in your people. We also learn from Scripture the underlying philosophy and structure that supports soulwinning fruitfulness. (more…)