-
Overcoming Attendance Plateau
Every church has a life cycle. Aubrey Malphurs represents this by using the bell curve approach or as he calls it “the sigmoid curve”. The bell curve of church life involves a start (birth), growth, various levels of plateau, decline and eventually death. Everything has a life cycle, even churches. The key is to create… Continue reading
-
Why Plant New Churches?
This was a question posed to me in a phone conversation with an associational leader. I didn’t call him to speak about church planting, but I guess he just needed to vent. “I have many established churches that are struggling to keep their doors open. We need to focus more on revitalizing these churches and… Continue reading
-
The Greatest Miracle of Christmas
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 This prophecy by Isaiah was given over 600 years before the birth of Christ. The titles listed for the… Continue reading
-
Five ways to make your church”Guest Ready”.
Is your church “guest ready”? Most church members never consider this question because they assume the answer is YES! However, after visiting a number of churches over the past few years it is my observation that most churches are not very “guest ready”. The best advice I have seen pertaining to this subject is… Continue reading
-
Spiritual Warfare and Ministry
Over my 25 plus years in ministry there has been one consistent theme, intense spiritual warfare. And yes I mean, INTENSE. Every person born of the Spirit will experience spiritual warfare, but I think it is safe to say that those serving in ministry will receive the fiercest of the enemy’s might. If Satan can… Continue reading
-
Is There Still a Need for Denominations?
Much has been written on this subject in the last ten years likely due to the fact that this question is being asked more and more by the “don’t label me” Millennial generation and post-modern thought. As a life-long Southern Baptist, I have enjoyed the benefits my denomination offers such as educational opportunities, resources… Continue reading
-
5 Qualities of Effective Church Leaders
It seems these days I have become a professional observer. For years as a full time pastor, I was totally engrossed with my own church. I was aware of other great ministries and admired many great pastors, but I never had the opportunity to study them and find out what made them effective. When… Continue reading
-
These 4 Things May Be Limiting Your Worship
“Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see, kings, kingdoms, rulers and authorities. Every thing has been created through Him and FOR HIM”. Colossians 1:16 Through Jesus everything has been created. Everything has his touch on it,… Continue reading
-
Are you a Spiritual Tourist?
I wish I could say that I thought of that title but I didn’t. Recently I was speaking at a pastor’s conference and one of the pastors in the room spoke of the frustration of church members moving to the church down the street in search of a “greater experience.” He referred to them… Continue reading
-
Open Letter to the Class of 2016
It is hard for me to believe that my oldest daughter Maggie is counted among those receiving diplomas this year. Seems like just yesterday I was feeding her strained carrots and making sure her bottle was the right temp. A few weeks ago I sat down and penned a letter to Maggie. I laid that… 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 