As we think about our topic today, there is an uneasy tension that exists between the pulpit and ballot box that often is easier to overlook or just ignore. Today we are going to address that issue... I interviewed Attorney David Gibbs this past week about the freedoms and restraint that pastors have in the pulpit when it comes to issues that are political in nature. I have a feeling this discussion will help clear up some misconceptions that are floating around our circles about what can and cannot be said form the pulpit in regard to elections and political issues.

In this episode, Josh and I talk about the keys to being a bold church...becoming impactful in your church's community!

There is authority that comes with being a pastor of a local church...however...if you are a young pastor, there can be added strains on your ministry because of your age. How do young pastors balance that tension? That is what we discuss in this episode!

Today, we are going to dig deeper into the topic of preaching by discussing in greater depth the richness of expositional preaching. If God’s Word is our highest authority, then the message of God’s Word must take precedence in our study, our preaching, and our exhortation!

Every word that came out of Christ's mouth was inspired...they were the very Word of God! Us? Not so much! Though Jesus had perfect interpretation and perfect application, we have to work very hard not to force our own ideas into the message of Scripture. Paul's exhortation to Timothy? Preach the Word!!

The Great Omission is that we have left 'discipleship" out of the Great Commission! It isn’t enough to win the lost…we are commanded to then make disciples. As a church, what does that look like?
-Many churches are strong in the area of evangelism, with programs, pushes, ministries…all geared toward reaching the lost
-What are we doing as churches to bring those new converts along in their knowledge and growth of the sound doctrine and the Scriptures?

Sadly, Independent Baptists have taken the concept of 'independent' to an extreme that is not supported by Scripture. What do we see in God's Word? We see churches working together to plant other churches and spread the gospel. That is interdependence!!

Often we look at missions trips from only one perspective....OURS! In this conversation we look at the same trip from the perspective of the pastor as well as the missionary to learn what works and what pitfalls to avoid!

When you think about deputation or the travel that comes with evangelism, what comes to mind? Is it the thousands of miles that you have to travel? The months and years of spending time on the road? Going to church after church and presenting your ministry…

It is easy to look at travel time and become frustrated…or even bothered. Yes, deputation is hard, but God has called us to willingly bear the burden of ministry. With that in mind, the attitude that you have toward deputation is so important. You unknowingly will communicate your joy and contentment or your frustration and discontentment to pastors, to the churches that you visit…and even to your children.

Just because you are at a church for a long time doesn’t guarantee spiritual and numerical growth, a short pastoral tenure will almost always keep those from happening. It is so easy to begin focusing on the short term, especially as a new pastor, and forget that God has plans for your church for years to come!