Our local association newsletter had a section recently that listed six secrets of a turnaround church. Thom Rainer, president of Lifeway Christian Resources, conducted a survey of churches that were in decline and experienced a great turnaround. From that survey these six things were evident in every church that made a turnaround: They became highly…
It is true that “what you reap is what you sow.” What goes around comes around. Even though we are forgiven for our sins and we received the wonderful grace of Jesus; there are still consequences for our sin in this life. I am a firm believer that ‘decisions determine destiny.’ The things we do…
It has been noted that the book of Acts is an apologetic work. It provides evidence for the Christian faith. Luke’s focal point of his apologetic is the resurrection of Jesus. In Acts 1:3, it mentions that there are many infallible proofs pertaining to the resurrection of Jesus. The evidence for the resurrection sets the…
The coming of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church, the preaching of the Gospel, the expansion of the church, the missionary journeys of Paul; these are just a few of the events recording in the book of Acts. It is a very exciting book to read. It has a way of drawing…
Have you ever been deceived? Have you deceived someone else? In literature and in history there are many stories of deception. Here are a few examples: The Last Leaf (O. Henry) In this short story, a woman suffering with pneumonia and close to death believes that she will die once the last leaf drops from…
In Genesis 26 we learn how Isaac followed in the footsteps of his father, Abraham. However, at the end of chapter 26 we find two obscure verses that mentions Isaac’s eldest son, Esau. Notice what the scripture says: “And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Berri…
Ronald Reagan said, “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” America is a nation made of families. The God ordained institution of the home is the fabric that knits America together. I have often said that as goes the family so goes the church and as goes the church so goes the…
I have heard of pastor’s who have the attitude that they do not visit people because that is the deacon’s job. I have heard of pastor’s who get angry when someone tells them that they should visit someone. This, I believe, is a lack of having a pastor’s heart and perhaps even having a calling…
In order for a local church to function, there must be a preacher. There must be a man to shepherd the flock and to lead the church. In Ezekiel 37 we see the famous vision of the valley of dry bones. This passage is speaking of the nation of Israel being revived. Though it does…
I grew up as a Southern Baptist. However, over the years I served in various churches. I have pastored three Southern Baptist Churches, served as a youth pastor at an Independent Baptist Church, and pastored one non-denominational church. As a result of my journey in ministry, I do have an interesting perspective on being a…
Pastor Chris Noland 