Like many churches around the nation, Lancaster Baptist had a time of prayer last evening for First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Less than six hours earlier, twenty-six people’s lives were taken during the worship of that church.

Everyone knows that if you want to go on a great vacation, it’s not enough to simply choose your destination. You have to also plan the journey—how you will get there, where you will stay, what you will do…or your dream vacation may fall flat.

Recently, our two-year-old granddaughter braved shots and the drawing of blood while making a visit to the doctor. Through tears, she continually cried, “Tank you,” to the doctor and nurses.

Have you ever been to a nursery? Not the one with screaming children, but one with thousands of plants? We have a nursery right in front of our house and it is huge! I often wonder how much water and plant food they go through each week.

One of the ways that our church reaffirms and renews our commitment to praying for harvest laborers and participating in the work of those on the field is through our annual missions conference.

I love having a plan! A plan is a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something. If we want to grow people in the church, it is a good idea to have a plan.

In the previous post, we looked at eight indicators of an unraveling culture. We don’t study the needs, however, to become discouraged by them, but to more effectively meet them. I would suggest eight ways New Testament churches should be responding to an unraveling culture.

What did it feel like as you prepared to walk down the aisle on your wedding day? Were there butterflies in your stomach? Excitement like you didn’t know was possible? Once, I heard about a bride who was so nervous that she doubted she could make it to the front of the church.

Each year at this time, our ministry receives calls about liability for taking children to pumpkin patches, dairy farms, and other field trips. Is there a document that a church or school may have a parent sign whereby they will be released from all liability which arises in their ministry? NO!

I don’t think any serious, observant American Christian denies that our culture is on a fast downhill slide.