Over the past several months, I’ve been writing a book for independent Baptist pastors and leaders—The Road Ahead.

This book shares personal midcourse adjustments the Lord has worked in my spirit and ministry philosophy. Particularly, it addresses the needs I see in independent Baptist leaders and churches to look to Jesus and serve with authenticity.

As I travel, I’ve met hundreds of Bible-believing pastors who love God, are faithful to their families, and have a pulpit ministry that is grace-based and Bible-centered. Some of these men have shared with me their concerns about the testimony of Christ and the future of biblical Baptist churches.

As with other institutions, and even other denominations, we serve in a day when the actions and reactions of a few have been broad-brushed over all of us. In these times, it is more vital than ever that we understand our biblical position and allow the Holy Spirit to thoroughly search our lives for imbalances in ministry.

Packaging these thoughts into book form with written steps of action has been a challenge. In fact, I haven’t written a book with more prayer…or a greater passion to clearly communicate. (more…)

I’ve seen it more times than I want to remember, and it’s the most tragic aspect of my labor for the Lord.

A spiritual leader goes from having a growing walk with the Lord and a healthy ministry to a seemingly sudden state of decline. Before you know it, his life is in pieces. He’s out of the ministry, his family is wounded and sometimes fragmented, and he is spiritually shipwrecked.

A Christian goes from spiritual growth and faithful service to a seemingly sudden apathy or antagonism toward the things of God. Soon, his family is divided, and his life is shattered.

How does it happen? How can a spiritual leader move from a strong and solid walk with God to a state of destruction?

As with almost any calamity, there are multiple aspects to consider. But in the Sunday morning message of our Winter Revival, Dr. John Goetsch so clearly drew the path we follow to this destruction. The steps he outlined resonated so strongly in my heart as what I have observed so many times, that I’m sharing them with you—as the warning that they are to all of us. (more…)

There’s not a committed Christian in America who wouldn’t like revival. But I’m afraid there are few who are desperate for revival.

We stand in dire need of revival, but we don’t always carry a personal urgency for revival.

Much of the book of Lamentations is the cry of a prophet who sensed the immediacy of his nation’s need for revival. Yet his cry was one of anguish because the people to whom he ministered were content to live without it.

In shocked agony, Jeremiah asked a piercing question: “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?” (Lamentations 1:12).

His question could be repeated today. None of us would mind revival; but few are desperate for revival. (more…)

No one could have listened to John the Baptist’s preaching and left wondering what they were to do. John had a one-word message: Repent!

John’s purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry. Repentance—true, heart-plowing repentance—is the key to making room for the seed of God’s Word to take root.

Do you want personal revival? Than you need personal repentance.

But what does repentance look like? When John the Baptist challenged his listeners to prove their sincerity by bringing forth fruits of repentance, they asked a simple question: “What shall we do?”

To this question, John gave four directives. These instructions can serve as a litmus test for repentance. (more…)

I was saved in 1972, and since then, I’ve been to more revival services than I can remember. Over the years, I have found there to be a common delineator between the revivals when I sense God’s mighty work in my heart and the revivals when I haven’t. The key? Preparation.

I suggest three ways to prepare before revival services.

Pray

Before the first sermon is preached, earnestly seek God’s face. Sometimes we forget how desperately we need revival. Without even realizing we’re doing it, we excuse away our own carnality and the distance that has grown between us and the Lord. (more…)