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5 Signs your Church may be in Trouble
“Write this letter to the angel of the church at Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: ‘I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, Continue reading
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The Simplicity of the Gospel
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 Paul reminds the Corinthians Continue reading
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I want to be like Harry…you should too!
“As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me.” Ezekiel 33:7 Around midnight on October 15, 1854 the students of Howard College, now Samford University, lay in their beds asleep. No one Continue reading
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Is there a growing theological chasm between SBC seminary grads and the local church?
For years SBC churches have depended on our 6 seminaries to adequately train pastors and ministers for the work of ministry. For the most part, our seminaries have done (and are doing) an amazing job to this end. Our 6 seminaries are among the finest theological training grounds in the United States. Students often leave Continue reading
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Old Testament Synagogue or New Testament Church?
After the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians and the resulting exile, synagogue life began for the Jews. The word synagogue means, “bringing together” or “assembling together”. Since there was no more temple, the traditions of the temple were brought into synagogue life. The Jews would come together and perform their religious duties, discuss Continue reading
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5 Common Mistakes Church Leaders Make
There are many subjects which fall beyond my knowledge and capabilities, but blogging about ministry mistakes is well within my expertise. I have made my share of them in 25 years of serving churches. It is only by God’s grace that those ministries were successful and yielded fruit. As I ponder on leadership, and in Continue reading
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His Creation, His Workmanship
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. My life is not about me. It is not about my fancies, my desires, my goals, my dreams or even my ministry. I have been created for one reason only, to Continue reading
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What Church Growth is not
“Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16 Church growth is not numerical first. The biblical idea of church growth is never about numbers, Continue reading
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Defining Success in the Pastorate
As I drove to the associational pastor’s conference that Monday morning I was on a spiritual high. As a pastor, my moods on Monday mornings often reflected the Sunday that I had experienced the previous day. The day before was a great Sunday. I remember it well. We had 12 new members, many by profession Continue reading
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Ready When Sickness comes to Stay
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18; 12: 7-10 Paul was no stranger to difficulties. His road was a difficult journey in which he was physically burdened (2 Cor. 11:23-27), spiritually burdened (2 Cor. 11:28) and emotionally burdened (2 Cor. 11:29). We will never fully know all of the physical difficulties that Paul had to overcome. His words Continue reading
About Me
I have been in ministry for 31 years serving in various capacities including senior pastor, youth pastor, education, and associate pastor. I serve at Samford University as Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the Ministry Training Institute. I am co-author of the book, Cultivate Disciple Making and my new book, Repairing the Missional Breach, will be released this summer. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Samford, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology from the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. My D.Min project was in the area of church health and revitalization. I earned my Ph.D. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. My dissertation title, An Analysis and Critique of Disciple Making Within Ecclesial Movements in the United States, 1970-2020, With a View Toward Implementing a Faithful New Testament Missio Ecclesia.
Dr Kevin Blackwell 