I recently posted a photo on my Instagram account noting I was in the process of revising our church’s approach to assessing and equipping U.S. church planting teams. Several of you wrote and asked for a copy of what The Church at Brook Hills has been doing over the past […]
Leadership
The development of a team covenant and memorandum of understanding (MOU) is one of the most important parts of field preparation. This is also one of the most overlooked components of training. Teams should develop this document before developing their strategy. Conflict will happen (e.g., Acts 15:36-41, Gal 2:11-14). While […]
Don’t Leave Home without It: Church Planting Team Covenant and ...
Lord willing, next Monday, I will be speaking at the Business as Mission Conference hosted by Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham. My assigned topic is “Careers for the Kingdom,” and I am supposed to keep pastors in mind as my primary audience members. If you would like a glimpse into […]
Shepherd Your People to the Marketplace: Soft Skills Needed
I grew up in Appalachia. Southeastern Kentucky. Corbin, home to Knox, Whitley, and Laurel counties. Home of the first KFC. It was a blessing to come from an area where, among churches, there was a love for Jesus, passion for evangelism, and high view of the Word of God. Throughout […]
Preaching and the Missing Mission of God
Spurgeon rightly warned his students, “Brethren, if you are not theologians you are in your pastorates just nothing at all” (Lectures to My Students, 74). Well said, brother. Well said. While I completely agree, I am compelled to revise these timeless words to include: “Brethren, if you are not theologians […]
The Theological Skew in the Pulpit
It is that time of the year again. I am about to sign off of the blog for about a month. What is going on with the Payne tribe during this time? Family festivities. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day worship gatherings. I am also scheduled to teach […]