Due to having to deal with abusive situations in my years as a pastor, I learned a lot by asking questions of friends who deal with such issues in their professions. I was shocked to be educated on certain things. I decided to pull together an expert panel who could help churches and ministries navigate through the legal requirements concerning abuse. …
I’ve had the privilege to officiate many weddings. I tried to count the other day, and I have led almost 40 weddings so far. With those weddings, I have also counseled about 40 couples as they embark upon marriage. One of the greatest sources of conflict in marriage is finances. It doesn’t matter concerning family backgrounds, experiences, or amount of …
We finished up our “Everyday Church” series today as we focused on “Everyday Evangelism.” I have loved how this series has started some great conversations and hearing some incredible stories of what God is doing. Service Order Reading – 1 Pet. 3:13-15 Prayer Time Christ Is Risen – Matt Maher Because He Lives – Bill Gaither He Will Hold Me …
I learned a lot in seminary, but there are some things they don’t train you for in seminary. One of those issues is concerning how pastors are to handle situations relating to abuse. Many pastors believe a myth that they don’t have to report something that is shared in a counseling session. That is simply untrue. Some pastors and churches …
In this final week of our prayer course, we talk about how to pray strategic prayers. The 8-weeks of teaching were a part of our NSU’s “The Battle Plan for Prayer” course. I taught it once in the Fall and once in the Spring. I changed the way I taught it in the Spring and liked it so much better …
Voddie Baucham has made a significant impact on my life during every stage of my life since college. As a preacher at some events at which I led worship, I got to know him and see that he is off the stage who he is on the stage. His thoughts on family discipleship sparked a fire in me that I …
When studying God’s attributes, one must ask the question, “In light of this truth, how now should I think. What am I to do?” When our humanity intersects with his divinity, what damage is left from the collision? In the case of God’s independence, this truth needs no one to impact. In fact, none of God’s attributes actually need human …
The following sermon I recorded for university athletic team on the road. I love Matthew 25:14-30 and the parable of the talents. Jesus’ words still change me today! Notes Not everyone receives the same amount of competency, but all are to show the same amount of faithfulness (Matt. 25:15). No distinctions between these two regarding the degrees of faithfulness. Slothful …
The question is not if we have been called. It is where will we be going? Week 4 in our Everyday Church series was powerful. All across the board. It was such a pivotal focus for our church family. Service Order Reading – Luke 9:23-25 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus Build Your Kingdom Here – Rend Collective I Have …
The Book of Ruth is a link between the time of the judges and the time of the kings. In this book, we see a unique story of how God brings about provision for two widows. Through this story, God is showing that his promise to reach all nations (Gen. 12:3) is being fulfilled. Here is a great summary of …
Here is the 7th week of our prayer course. In this session, it’s time to unpack what it means to be strategic in our prayers. A foundational game changer is if you can learn to pray the Bible. The key passage is John 15:1-7. Audio Key Points The best words to use in counseling are God’s Words. The best words …
I met Kelly McCorkle (now Parkison) when I was at North Greenville University. What I appreciated about Kelly as a sister in Christ was that she was such a humble, easy-going friend. She loved Jesus, she loved others, and she didn’t make a bunch of fuss about it. Kelly has lived a lot of life since graduating from NGU. She …
The search for the next president of North Greenville University is underway and gaining serious momentum by the day! Do you know the next NGU president? Do you know someone who you think would do a great job? You might have just the right candidate in mind. If so, I want you to read through the presidential profile that our …
Here is notes and audio from week 6 of our prayer course. The focal text for this study is Mark 9:14-29. Audio Key Points The power of our prayers is that they can outlive us. Prayer is not what we do when we can’t work; prayer is what we do because we want to work. Some people’s ministry are more …
We had our 3rd week in our “Everyday Church” series. Powerful time watching the light bulbs come on in our services. People are starting to get this truth: We don’t come to church – we are the church! Service Order Reading – 1 Peter 2:9-10 You Are Good – Israel Houghton Build Your Kingdom Here – Rend Collective Baptism (9:30) …
We tend to imagine God to be as petty as we are. Assuming he holds grudges due to previous mistakes, sometimes our prayers are stifled because we believe he doesn’t want to hear from us. While our Father is diligent to discipline us, he is also eager to pardon us. He loves to show compassion to his children. Do you …
My family was able to hit the beach last week. I cannot overstate how needed of a time it was. I told someone that I hadn’t hit the wall, but I sure was bumping up against it. The last few months have been great. Crazy, but great. We finished up services on Mothers’ Day, packed the van, and hit the …
Vacation was awesome last week. I got to do my favorite things and do them a lot! It was much-needed and well-timed. One of my favorite things about vacation was extra time to read. I really enjoyed getting into 3 books last week either in the morning, at the beach, or at nighttime. One of those books was an intentional …
In this 5th session of our prayer course, we tackle the topic of “Spiritual Warfare” Audio Notes The Christians who get annihilated are the ones who never acknowledge that they are at war. We have a real enemy and his name is Satan. Satan is called the ruler of this world (John 16:11). Satan leads people to walk in the …
In week 2 of our “Everyday Church” series, we talked about what the biblical community of a church is supposed to look like. Service Order Reading – 1 Peter 1:13-16 Lay Me Down – Chris Tomlin Lord I Need You – Matt Maher Confessional Prayer Time VBS Prayer Time Offertory Prayer Time Reading – John 10:27-29 He Will Hold Me …
This hymn has quickly become one of our team’s favorites as it has been rediscovered. Robert Harkness had an experience at an invitation with a young convert in 1906. The young man was unsure if he could “hold out” following Jesus and worried he would lose his grasp. He wrote to Ada R. Habershon and asked if she could write …
I can’t even begin to put into words what God was up to within our church family today. I felt like an army was receiving a set of instructions to go to battle. The eagerness in the room was noticeable. I cannot wait to see what Jesus does in the next 5 weeks. Service Order Scripture Reading – 1 Peter …
The Agnews have been homeschooling for the last three years, and I really haven’t talked about it much. Besides the video below that I made on the boys’ first day of kindergarten chronicling their long walk to school, I really haven’t opened up about why we chose this path. Homeschooling can be a divisive topic in our society, and so I haven’t made a …
We all have those conversation stoppers in life. Either what the person says or who the person is saying it may cause us to cover our ears. Scripture reveals there are 12 ways in which God closes his ears to our prayers. UNCONFESSED SIN. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he …
Our elders read Everyday Church a few months back. The book, by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, is a fantastic, eye-opening read on who we are called to be as the Church of Jesus Christ. We are starting a series with the same title this week, and many of our members have already begun to dissect the book. I am …
The issue of women leading in the Church is always a stumbling block for many. Too often, we swing that pendulum too far in the opposite direction of a dangerous trend. We either make women completely the same as men, or we say they can’t do anything that a man does. Both are incorrect. Women are equal to men, but …
Last week, our entire church started studying through Judges. As I picked up my boys from Gospel Groups, I was approached with information concerning Obadiah’s comments during large group discussion. In order to tell Amanda accurate information, I texted for clarification. I asked Obadiah where he had heard that, and he said, “You told us, remember?” Such a great laugh …
I have been overwhelmed with encouraging words concerning our latest release, “The Old Rugged Cross.” This 13-hymn collection was a live recording Easter weekend. It is incredible sounding! So amazed by the team God has put together with North Side Worship and so thankful for the way the worshipers sang out over the weekend. We have the album available at …
Parents are called to reflect the character and nature of God in their discipline Weeks ago, I got to partner with area churches and put on a parenting workshop. We got many requests to make the content available. Here is the second session, The Principles of Discipline. Use it however it helps you or your church! The Principles of Discipline Key Points …
It was a great privilege to serve the people of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church in Laurens, SC. I preached for the DNOW and then the Sunday morning services. This sermon, “As for Me and My House,” was from Joshua 24 on family discipleship. Travis Agnew from Northside Bapt. Church from Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church on Vimeo.
The goal of parental discipline is to make disciples within your home. Weeks ago, I got to partner with area churches and put on a parenting workshop. We got many requests to make the content available. Here is the first session, The Goal of Discipline. Use it however it helps you or your church! Key Points The Word of God is …
I had the honor of heading over to Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church this morning. I took a team of North Side Worship leaders and we led worship and I got to preach for two services, and I taught a class in the middle. Wonderful day with these wonderful folks! I got the privilege to spend the weekend with their student …
“Lord, teach us to pray…” -Luke 11:1 Out of all the things the disciples saw Jesus do, they asked him to teach them how to pray. He gave what we know as the Lord’s Prayer. Oftentimes, it is repeated verbatim, but ultimately, it was given as a template for our prayers. Below are some notes and audio recording from the …
The Book of Judges is one of the most depressing books in the Bible. As indicated in the graphic above, the people are in a continual cycle of sin, suffering, supplication, and salvation. The people would sin. God would bring about suffering in their lives for punishment. They would pray for deliverance. God would use a judge to bring about …
Abuse is rampant in homes across America. What is your family and church doing to ensure it is addressed? Mandated Reporting Training Resources Enjoy this video? Check out the growing collection of Family Alter videos!
Here are some notes and audio recording of the 2nd week of our prayer course. Praying this helps you put together your battle plan! Key Points: For what would you like to be known to be devoted? For what would God say you are devoted? The more we prioritize scheduled times of prayer, the more often we will gravitate towards …
I was first introduced to Donald Whitney during my time at Southern Seminary. When I began my doctoral project on family evangelism and discipleship, I picked up a copy of Family Worship. The concepts were so simple and revolutionary in my life as I read books during the night watching over my six-week-old son in the seminary hotel while my …
“The Old Rugged Cross” is a 13-hymn live recording from Easter weekend 2016. Track Listing The Old Rugged Cross When I Survey the Wondrous Cross At the Cross Hallelujah! What a Savior There Is Power in the Blood There Is a Fountain Nothing But the Blood Are You Washed in the Blood? Grace Greater Than Our Sin I Stand Amazed Crown …
Today’s services weren’t supposed to happen. Our staff had some planning adjustments for the next few weeks of services. We were supposed to conclude “The LORD Is Salvation” series today with Isaiah 66. Due to some unforeseen dynamics, we needed to stretch it out a week, and so we added a service focused on Isaiah 62 today. I’ve never been …
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