By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman While serving as an Associate Pastor years ago, it somehow became my lot in life in various churches to become the “Minister of Pictorial Directory” along with my other official church responsibilities. While the goal of the churches was knowing who everyone was, my personal challenge was to get this “masterpiece” […]
Is Your Mission Up to Date? Read More »
By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV) Living on a minister’s salary for almost 40 years, I
By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan As a Bible Study teacher, I create my lesson plan with three movements. First, there is a fellowship question. That is followed by a longer information session. I conclude the lesson with a transformation exercise. It happens that this process fits an acronym FIT (Fellowship, Information, Transformation). My goal is
Fellowship Questions Validate Learners Read More »
By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan My wife, son, and I were playing the board game, TransAmerica. The board is a map of the United States with 35 cities highlighted. Each player picks five cities at random, then must connect them with train tracks. For example, you might get San Francisco, Santa Fe, Dallas, Boston, and
Where Have You Been? Read More »
By: Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon I am blessed to serve in a congregation that has developed healthy attitudes and perceptions over the last 50 years of our 200+ year history. Both pastors during those years*, in very different ways, reminded us that “we’re going to do the right thing, the Jesus thing.” Pastors and lay
Do the Right Thing or…?, Read More »
By: Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon In the days when we were still numb in the midst of the devastation of Hurricane Helene, I was in a Zoom meeting with Baptist pastors from across Western North Carolina and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina (CBFNC). A seasoned pastor from East Carolina, David Elks, was there
Do the Right Thing, Right in Front of You Read More »
By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman 2024 has been an eventful year for us! We have had activity in all three areas of ministry that we concentrate on helping local churches. As we enter our 15th year in the partnership, we are grateful to God for these opportunities to serve. One way we help congregations is Encouragement.
Looking Back – Going Forward Read More »
By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman As the holiday song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Of course, if you are in the ministry your tune may be a bit different! Yet this season is coming whether we like it or not. In preparation for Advent this year, I am a bit like my
Advent Risk-taking Read More »
By: Rev. Jerry Chiles As a child, what were you afraid of? Did you have monsters under your bed or in your closet? Did you have imaginary people who bothered you or did you have imaginary friends to comfort you? Did you have a fear of falling or were you a daredevil? When did you
Do Not Be Afraid – Part 2 Read More »
By: Rev. Jerry Chiles How many times have we heard the phrase, “Do not be afraid” or have we said this to a family member, a friend, or a church member? Athletes at the 2024 Olympics were told to “shake it off”! Even Taylor Swift has a song about “Shaking it Off!” To be afraid
