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…)

The story is told of a struggling community who called an open town meeting to discuss their financial straits. Included in the group of a couple dozen people at the meeting was a stranger. No one knew him, and no one paid him any attention. In fact, once when he tried to speak up, he was interrupted as the townspeople continued to hash out possible solutions. Soon the stranger left.

A few minutes after he left, a late-arriving town resident ran breathlessly into the meeting. “What was he doing here?” he asked excitedly. “Is he going to help us?”

“Who?” the others looked at the man with surprise. “You mean that stranger? Who was he anyway?”

“You mean you really don’t know?” The latecomer’s body sagged with disappointment. “That was John D. Rockefeller. His yacht is in our harbor. Didn’t you get his help?”

This town missed its golden opportunity because they didn’t know who Rockefeller was.

Does this story sound familiar? (more…)

If you’re anything like me—and most people I meet are in this regard—you’ve shouldered too many burdens that you wish you would have given to the Lord.

Sometimes we forget to give them to the Lord.

Sometimes we just don’t want to let them go.

Sometimes we struggle to know how to give a burden to the Lord.

This fall, I wrote The Burden Bearer: Who’s Carrying Your Load? to remind myself—and hopefully readers as well—that we really can and should cast all our cares upon Him.

This book is a unique project in that it has an allegorical story about Carrier—a Lifter very much like you and me—woven throughout the book.

You can read the first chapter for free, or you can purchase the book in print or as a kindle edition. I pray it is a help and encouragement to you. The chapter titles are as follows: (more…)

A post-Christian culture questions everything related to Scripture, and the church certainly hasn’t escaped its scrutiny—or its dismissal.

Some claim that the church was man’s idea. Others suggest that it has deviated so far from the first century that it is no longer effective or worthwhile. Some ignore it altogether.

But Jesus believed that the church was precious—so precious that He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:18).

This fall, I wrote an adult Sunday school curriculum titled Real Church: Discover God’s Pattern for the Local Church

In these thirteen lessons, students take a close look at authentic church life. From the newly birthed first century churches in the New Testament, students learn basic doctrine concerning the local church as well as how God intended for us to function in the church body. From relationships, to prayer, to witness, to giving, this curriculum explores what the church is really all about. (more…)

The Lord has given us a great season of resource development at Striving Together Publications. We’re excited to have released a collection of new books, minibooks, and curriculum.

I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of our newest resources for you. We pray these will be a blessing and encouragement to you and a help in your ministry.

Stewarding Life—This book examines God’s greatest gifts and His principles for stewarding them wisely. It shares some insights the Lord gave me early last year when I took some medical rest and leave. You can download the first three chapters free here.

Sacred Motives—This 125-page paperback was developed from a lesson I first shared with our staff. It lists ten biblical motivations to serve the Lord and provides some tips on putting these motivators into practice. (more…)