As part of a recent news story, a Christian spokesperson was quoted authoritatively as a leader in our movement. He was given this platform because – as his online bio indicates – he is a thought-leader and social media influencer. Never mind he has never led a church, directed an organization...
The current issue of Sports Illustrated has a feature article about the influence of Christianity on the Clemson football program. Their head coach, Dabo Sweeney, expresses his faith publicly and often. The Clemson program includes a team chaplain, Bible studies, character development mentors...
The International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention is my preferred partner for fulfilling my global missions responsibility. Of course, Gateway trains future missionaries and promotes the IMB as a primary channel for graduates serving overseas. But the IMB is more than my...
In many ways, Southern Baptists are stronger than at any time in our history. For example, we have record enrollment across our six seminary system. Our efforts over the past decades have produced the most well-educated clergy in Christian history. Our six seminaries now have the largest...
While preaching in a southern state this past weekend, the invisible yet tangible support Southern Baptists give their entities revealed itself in a meaningful way. After my message, an older gentleman came up to talk with me. He said, “It was good to hear about Gateway. We have always prayed...
This past spring, Gateway had a successful social media-driven fundraising campaign. We raised $75,000 in seven days to launch our 75th anniversary celebration. The money was mostly donated by text message. It was a contemporary approach to fundraising that resonated with donors – particularly...
Over this past weekend, the shootings in El Paso and Dayton (just after Gilroy) left many of us numb – devastated at the pain of the victims and angry about our cultural milieu contributing to random acts of violence. We have lost our spiritual, social, moral, and ethical moorings – no news...
The major method for motivating people in the American workplace is money. That’s not part of the equation in motivating volunteers. How then can ministry leaders effectively motivate volunteers?
Every ministry leader knows the pressure and frustration of not having enough workers. The question then is, “how do we find more volunteers?”
Over the next three weeks, I want to address the issue of volunteers in churches and ministry organizations. Next week, we will consider issues related to recruiting volunteers. The following week, motivating volunteers. Each week I will also be addressing these issues in greater detail in my...