Tag: Jesus

Where Do I Fit in My Church?

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Becoming part of a church family is one of the greatest blessings of following Jesus. Yet for new believers, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Where do I belong? How can I serve? What role does God want me to play?

Take heart—God’s Word assures us that He has a purpose for each one of us in His church. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Here are five biblical truths to help you prayerfully find your place in His family.

1. Be Comfortable in Who You Are. God created you uniquely and purposefully. Psalm 139:14 reminds us, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” You don’t need to imitate others to fit in—you simply need to rest in who you are in Christ. When you walk confidently in your identity as God’s child, you’ll naturally connect with your church family.

2. Discover Your God-Given Gifts and Talents. The Holy Spirit equips every believer with gifts to build up the church. Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Ask the Lord to reveal your gifts and consider how your natural talents may be used for His glory. Whether it’s serving, teaching, encouraging, or showing mercy, your gifts have a place in His plan.

3. Learn from Others Around You. Proverbs 15:22 teaches, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Seek guidance from pastors, mentors, and trusted believers in your church. They may see strengths and opportunities you’ve overlooked. God often uses the wisdom of others to direct us to the right place of service.

4. Stay Open to Growth and Change. Your place in the church may shift over time as God shapes you. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Be willing to try new areas of ministry and allow God to stretch you. You may begin in one role and later discover an even deeper passion in another.

5. Pay Attention to Where God is Working. Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17). Look around your church. Where is God moving? Where are the needs? Often, your place is found at the intersection of God’s work, your gifts, and the needs of others. Pray for eyes to see and a heart ready to serve.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for placing me in Your family, the church. Help me to rest in who You made me to be. Reveal the gifts You’ve given me and show me where to use them for Your glory. Surround me with wise counsel, keep my heart open to new opportunities, and give me eyes to see where You are working. May my life bless others and bring honor to Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Practical Steps to a Safe Church

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As Kentucky Baptist pastors and leaders, one of our sacred responsibilities is to care for the flock God has entrusted to us. That means preaching, praying, and shepherding spiritually—but it also means protecting our people physically.

Just as we lock our homes at night or install smoke detectors, we take precautions in our churches because we love the people God has placed in our care. With that in mind, here are some practical, common-sense steps every Kentucky Baptist church can consider.

1. Strengthen Your Welcome Team. Your greeters, ushers, and volunteers are the first line of awareness. Train them not only to warmly welcome guests, but also to be observant. A kind handshake and a watchful eye can both happen at the same time. If something looks or feels off, then report it.

2. Control Building Access. Once services begin, it’s wise to limit how many doors are open. Lock side or back entrances and funnel guests through monitored entry points. Post clear signage so visitors know where to enter. Consider cameras or door monitors if your budget allows.

3. Develop a Safety Team. Even small churches can benefit from a few trusted members who are prepared for emergencies. Look for men and women with calm spirits and sound judgment (law enforcement, military, medical backgrounds are a plus). Establish a simple chain of command so decisions can be made quickly. Provide radios or communication tools so the team can respond without disrupting worship.

4. Prepare for Medical Emergencies. In many churches, medical emergencies are more likely than security threats. Being ready can save a life. Keep first-aid kits in visible locations. Install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Train volunteers in CPR and basic first aid. During one of my pastorates, two heart attacks happened right in the middle of the church services. Fortunately, trained medical responders handled the situation immediately and effectively.

5. Partner with Local Law Enforcement. Your sheriff’s office or police department can be a valuable ally. Invite them to tour your facilities and point out vulnerabilities. Ask for advice on evacuation routes and emergency procedures. Let them know your service times so they can include your church in patrol routes.

6. Communicate and Train. A plan only works if people know it. Walk your team through drills—fire, weather, intruder, medical. Share emergency exit routes with your congregation. Keep communication clear, calm, and simple.

7. Keep the Balance. Our churches should always be places of warmth and welcome. Security must never overshadow hospitality. Done well, it will mostly go unnoticed—ready if needed, but invisible during worship.

In Summary, Pastor, now is the time to prepare. You don’t need a massive budget or an army of volunteers. Start small. Pray. Gather a few trusted leaders. Put simple, practical steps in place.

The people who sit in your pews week after week are precious souls made in God’s image. Protecting them is part of shepherding them. Let’s be faithful in this calling—not out of fear, but out of love.

3 Types of Peace for Believers

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

3 Types of Peace for Believers

1. We can have peace WITH God. Apart from Christ, none of us have this peace. The Bible clearly teaches that “none of us are righteous” (Romans 3:10) and we “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23). But, Romans 5:1 assures us that we can “…have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

2. We can have the peace OF God. We will never have the peace of God unless we first have peace with God. Sadly, many believers who have experienced peace with God do not regularly experience the peace of God as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle tells us that the peace of God comes as we walk with Christ on a daily basis. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

3. We can have peace WITH OTHERS. The Apostle Paul encourages us to “Live in harmony with one another…If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:16, 18). There are two qualifiers in vs. 18. He says “if possible.” Sometimes, regardless of what we do, people refuse to live in harmony. Similarly, “as far as it depends on you” reminds us of our personal responsibility, but it also reminds us that we are only half the equation. We cannot make people come to table and/or live at peace with us.

We serve a God of reconciliation and the Gospel is the ultimate example of reconciliation! God is good!

    “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Romans 5:10–11 (NKJV)

Is God A Kill-Joy?

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Sad

Many people think that God is some kind of cosmic kill-joy, but NOTHING could be further from the truth. The truth is, God is the happiest being in the universe! C.S. Lewis said “joy is the serious business of Heaven.” Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Luke 10:21 tells us that “…Jesus, (was) full of joy through the Holy Spirit” and we can be also.

God is the happiest being in the universe!

Keep in mind that joy and happiness are not the same. You can be happy without being a Christian, but only a Christian can experience the joy spoken about in the Bible. You can be happy when . . . 

  • You make good grades.
  • Your team wins the Regional Tournament.
  • You get engaged.
  • Your baby is born healthy.
  • You get a promotion at work.
  • Your checkup goes well.
  • Your portfolio is doing well.

Happiness is not wrong or bad, but happiness depends upon happenings! Happiness depends upon circumstances and is temporary at best. On the other hand, joy transcends circumstances and is eternal. You can be full of joy, even when . . . 

  • Your grades disappoint you.
  • Your team doesn’t play well.
  • Your relationship ends.
  • Your baby has health challenges.
  • You lose your job.
  • The doctor says, “I’m sorry, but it’s cancer.”
  • The market crashes.

Walk closely with the Lord as a believer and experience His amazing joy! Jesus desires that our joy is “complete.” God is full of joy and the Holy Spirit desires to produce the fruit of joy in our lives each day.

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  John 15:10-11

 

World’s Greatest Sermon

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This morning I read the Sermon on the Mount from the gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7.  One day an unusually large crowd gathered to hear Jesus, so he gathered them together on the side of a mountain.  There He preached the greatest sermon that has ever been preached throughout all history.

In the sermon, Jesus addresses some difficult topics like the following:

38″You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.'”  Matthew 5:38-42

Does Jesus mean this literally?  Do you know of anyone who has actually practiced this in real life?  I encourage you to read through this sermon–it will challenge you in your thinking and in your walk with the Lord.