Ministry

What Is the Distinctive Discipleship Bible Study?

by

For all those who feel stuck in their spiritual life, you don’t have to accept stagnation as the norm any longer. In this 8-week Bible study, I want to walk you through a model called Distinctive Discipleship. It attempts to encourage individual people with particular needs to develop a unique plan for a given season. You can use this model …

READ MORE

The 2 Groups of People Who Convinced Me to Write These Books

by

I released two books on discipleship last week. They are the product of a 2-year attempt to help our church have a tangible and accessible guide to engage in personal discipleship. As I finished the emphasis in our church, I had some people ask me to help share what we were doing. In particular, two groups served as the catalysts …

READ MORE

Each Spiritual Journey Demands Specific Directions

by

The destination of discipleship is the same for every individual, but each spiritual journey demands specific directions. Think of it like you would a Sunday morning. As people leave their homes to gather for worship, they all arrived at the same place yet traveled by different paths. Some took a left out of their driveways while others turned right. The …

READ MORE

He Shall Be Called

by

esus was prophesied to be the Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, and the Prince of Peace. Are you experiencing Jesus to be all these things to you?

You Were Made for Something Special

by

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10). Not only were you created by someone, but you were created for something. To understand your purpose, you must pursue the one who created you in the first place. God designed you distinct, and that is …

READ MORE

2020 Sermon Series

by

As I prayed for preaching direction for 2020, I could not escape from the pervading stress that attacks our church family. Financial, emotional, spiritual, and political stress seem to be at an all-time high for so many people. With that directive in mind, I searched the Scriptures to find the needed Word for this pivotal year. Take a look where …

READ MORE

It’s Not Always What You Believe, But How You Believe It

by

In counseling married couples, I often attempt to help someone see another’s point of view. It doesn’t always work, but it is necessary for reconciliation. “I don’t know why she is upset by what I said. It’s the truth!” As he hammers his point home, she sets up her defenses. Before the discussion gets more heated, I will often remind …

READ MORE

When God Appoints

by

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5 When does God appoint? He appointed Jeremiah the prophet within the womb. That means that his calling preceded his résumé. It helps me remember that God’s calling is more secure than my …

READ MORE

Admitting Your Needed Development

by

You’ve made some adjustments. You’ve seen some improvement, but you also admit that you’re not there yet. Each of us has many areas in our lives that could benefit from some further growth. In discipleship, you don’t have to be there yet, but you should be getting there. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in admitting your needed development. …

READ MORE

10 Things to Bring to a Ministry Staff Retreat

by

If you are leading a church or ministry staff retreat, there are many things you could bring, but what should you bring? Here’s a list to consider: Open Bibles – I know this comes as a surprise, but I would really encourage you to spend more time in the inspired Book rather than dallying in inspiring books. Too many ministries …

READ MORE

Don’t Whine About Sheep If You Want to Be a Shepherd

by

The Bible talks about God’s people as sheep. Out of all the animals he could have used, he compares us to helpless, defenseless, fluffy, clumsy sheep. It seems rather accurate. We know we are the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 100:3). We drift away from our shepherd (Luke 15:4). We are harassed and helpless sheep (Matt. 9:36). We have all …

READ MORE

The Danger of a Detached Worship Team

by

Where our worship wars used to be over what style of music a church should use, I believe the current worship war is the manner in which a worship team leads. While songs can still be divisive, subtle yet serious danger transpires when a worship team employs worldly practices instead of biblical principles. It’s time to go the second mile …

READ MORE

10 Traits of Bad Staff Meetings

by

All of us have been present at bad staff meetings. Many of us have led bad staff meetings! Instead of accepting it as the norm, have you ever considered changing some things up to improve the time spent together? Whether your meetings happen at a company or church, poorly organized meetings can waste time and deplete morale. Your stressful meetings …

READ MORE

Questions for Ordination

by

While different churches and denominations vary on the process of ordination, the process is very important. Ordination is meant to have a church set apart a minister of the gospel. Ordination doesn’t make a pastor but it does affirm a calling. The job of an ordination council is to determine: has God truly called this aspiring pastor to the ministry? …

READ MORE

2019 Sermon Series

by

At Rocky Creek, we are almost halfway through the calendar year. So, why share a list of remaining 2019 sermon series? Since the Gospel of Mark took us an entire year to get through, I haven’t shared where we are going as a church after its conclusion on Easter. I want you to pray and prepare where we are going …

READ MORE

Were the Whole Realm of Nature Mine

by

As Jesus prepares for His sacrificial offering on the cross, Mary prepared a sacrificial offering for Him through an alabaster jar. As followers of Jesus, there is no gift too extravagant to lay before our Savior. Mark 14:1-11 14:1 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were …

READ MORE

When a Church Changes Directions Too Often

by

My family and I were still learning our way around the church campus. It had been a few weeks into our new assignment, and we were heading back to the other side of the building to get in the truck and drive home. Somewhere along the way, I started quickening my pace to see if my kids could keep up. …

READ MORE

The Pastor as Missions Mobilizer

by

Churches with an effective mission strategy have pastors who not only cast vision but who are personally involved in the activities of the mission of the church. In this session, we will not share a specific model but rather biblical principles that any pastor of any church of any size can adapt to their context.  Audio from Impact Conference 2019 …

READ MORE

Pastoral Political Values

by

Someone recently asked me to describe my pastoral political values. What role do I think a pastor should have regarding political issues? Here is my incomplete and imperfect list to consider. Don’t speak on extra-biblical issues as if you had biblical authority. Many people equate the words of a preacher with the words of God. That is a dangerous line …

READ MORE

The 3 Churches You Visited Sunday

by

It’s a rarity when the task of visiting churches proves to be an exciting experience. The reason I say that is because normally when you look for another church, it implies that a significant change is taking place. Sometimes people move due to hurt feelings, disagreeing directions, or frustrating experiences with a previous church. Some people are visiting churches because …

READ MORE

When the Opportunity Is the Opposition

by

There is tension in how, when, and if someone should lead. On one side, we live in a culture that prioritizes education and experience being necessary for additional opportunities. On the other side, we love the one-in-a-million success story that an available opportunity provided for a go-getter. When it comes to ministry, I have oftentimes seen people fail at opportunities …

READ MORE

Surrendered for Service

by

As Jesus attempted to prepare His disciples for His death, their priorities were severely misaligned with His. Jesus came to serve, and we should seek to give our lives away as well. Mark 10:32-52 “And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. …

READ MORE

How to Tell If You’ve Joined an Imposter Church

by

imposter – a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain This post isn’t what you think it is.  I’m not describing an imposter church as those who teach subpar doctrine or use worldly practices or practice unwise methods.  In fact, I’m not talking about anything that calls itself a “church.” I’m writing …

READ MORE

The Most Critical Spiritual Environment (Is the One in Which You Live)

by

LifeWay Research conducted a national survey of 1,200 adults with children under 18 at home.  They attempted to discover what parents defined as “successful parenting.”  Their findings were interesting yet not shocking. 25% of those interviewed would view their jobs as parents as successful if their children were happy as adults. 22% were hoping their children would find success in …

READ MORE

The Stroll Around Seminary That Changed Everything

by

In the summer of 2018, I got the privilege to preach for Fuge Camps at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.  It was a part my alumni summer as I spent a week there and a week at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC.  I received my undergraduate from NGU and my masters and doctorate from Southern.  It …

READ MORE

How Should Worship Leaders Dress?

by

What standards should worship leaders hold regarding personal dress and physical appearance? While I am sure there is no shortage of opinions on this topic, I wanted to wade into such an important topic.  We each possess a certain amount of preferences on the issue, but is there anything we can agree upon?  I hope so.  For starters, we should …

READ MORE

Rethinking Family Ministry

by

The tide is growing for family ministry in churches all over America.  People see the need for a biblical approach to discipling all ages, but many are unsure of a path and fearful of initiating a change.  Maybe you feel like the building blocks are there, but you don’t have the diagram to tell you where to start. As you …

READ MORE

Jesus Does All Things [Astonishingly] Well

by

Jesus broke the status quo as He ministered to those who were on the fringes of society. Through His example, Jesus reminds us that no one is beyond deliverance. Mark 7:24-37 24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he …

READ MORE

Why a Man Fails to Finish Well

by

Many men start strong but fail to finish well.   Every person has stories of those men who became derailed overtime.  In losing their integrity, their family, or their commitments, many of them have no one to blame for the crash other than themselves for walking dangerously upon the tracks. Why do men fail to finish well?  The graphic story …

READ MORE

I AM in a Storm

by

Separated by chaotic elements, Jesus actually walked on water to reach the fearful in the boat and the needy on the shore. There is nothing so powerful that can hinder Jesus from meeting us in our most significant needs. Mark 6:45-56 45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed …

READ MORE

Compassion Never Clocks Out

by

As ministry needs increased, Jesus sought solitude but was unable to obtain it due to His prioritizing of others’ needs ahead of His own. When Jesus fed the five thousand, He demonstrated the powerful principle that compassion can never clock out. Mark 6:30-44 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.31 And he said …

READ MORE

Run Like a Girl

by

We live in a time that is in desperate need to protect the rights of women. My daughter is committed to doing her part so other girls have their chance as well.

The Ever-Changing Church

by

No matter what your church is like, change can be frightening.  Whether it’s a tradition of 50 years or 50 days, the moment that something changes, it’s a difficult process for people of every age and every background to embrace.

READ MORE

Fall Forward

by

Whether you are a member or a guest of Rocky Creek, we want to keep you informed during this time of transition in the Fall of 2018. Rocky Creek continues to celebrate spiritual and numerical growth, and the church must provide space for current growth and plan now for continued growth in the future.

READ MORE

+ MORE POSTS