Author: Jayson Larson

EMPOWER 2026: Life-changing decisions made at fourth annual Student Rally

IRVING—More than 400 students and leaders gathered at the Irving Convention Center on Feb. 22 to have a little fun, worship, and hear the gospel during the fourth annual Empower Conference Student Rally.

The rally featured Portraits Worship, comedian and illusionist Jared Hall, and Daniel Ritchie, a motivational speaker and evangelist born without arms. Grant Byrd, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention student ministry associate, also used the occasion to announce upcoming student opportunities including M3 Camp, a student mission trip to Budapest, Hungary, and a Following Your Calling workshop for students who may feel called to ministry.

Hall presented a crowd-pleasing routine heavy on audience participation. He entertained the room with card tricks, a levitating table, and the adventures of his “pet raccoon” Rocky, a stuffed animal made to appear lifelike. Hall’s final trick engaged the audience in a group calculation that ended up with a number representing the current time and date.

“This moment is happening right now,” Hall said. “My hope is that God would use you.” Before exiting the stage, Hall reminded students that time is short and the Lord has plans for all who respond to Him.

Voices raised across the auditorium as Portraits Worship led a time of praise before Ryan Fontenot of R.A.G.E. Ministries introduced Ritchie.

“We are not here by accident. Nobody in this room is here by chance. God has orchestrated this moment,” Fontenot said.

Survival and salvation

Ritchie recounted his experiences growing up in rural North Carolina, including times at school when he was bullied mercilessly.

“That was the worst time of my life,” he said, adding that by age 15, he was nearly “done with God” and ready for his own life to end.

Daniel Ritchie, a motivational speaker and evangelist born without arms, was the featured speaker at the Empower Conference Student Rally. SBTC PHOTO

One Friday, a classmate invited him to a church lock-in that evening. With few friends, Ritchie agreed to go, discovering in horror that the evening involved a dodgeball tournament in the church gym.

Miserable, he retreated to the bleachers, only to be approached by a student pastor who explained the gospel from Romans, encouraging Ritchie that Jesus had not forgotten him.

“Jesus made you to go and show the world more of Him,” the student pastor urged, telling Ritchie that his greatest problem was not his disability, but the fact he had fallen short of God’s righteousness. “You cannot do enough right things to save yourself from sin.”

After hearing the gospel, Ritchie trusted Christ as Savior. “He changed every bit about my life. He changed every bit about my eternity,” he said.

God did not, however, change his physical situation. The bullying did not suddenly end.

“What I now had was hope in the midst of my mess,” Ritchie said. “What I now had was the voice of God that was bigger and more robust than the bullies in my life. Jesus truly became everything.”

Using Philippians 1:19-27, Ritchie challenged students with three truths from the life of Paul—no stranger to adversity:

1. Jesus is our courage.

Darkness may be “choking and enveloping,” but the “great news is you don’t have to do this by yourself. … God’s got you,” Ritchie said. “I would challenge you to just trust God.”

2. Jesus is our purpose.

“Do people know that you go to church, or do people in your life know that you follow Christ? There is a difference,” Ritchie said. “Jesus doesn’t want [only] your Sunday; Jesus wants your every day.” This is the key to the abundant life, he noted.

3. Jesus is our life.

For Paul, to live is Christ and to die is gain. “The promise for us is that when this physical life ends, we step into eternity and we spend all of eternity with Jesus in heaven,” Ritchie said, asking students to consider salvation. “Some of you have kept Jesus at a distance. … Jesus knows everything about you. All you have to do is trust Him at His word.”

Later, Byrd noted those in the crowd who, upon Ritchie’s invitation, had professed faith in Christ. It was the chief purpose of the evening: to show the Savior to students who had not known Him.

For more information about SBTC Student Ministry opportunities and events, visit https://sbtexas.com/church-ministries/student/.

Youth sports guidance for the church? What would Cyprian do …

Editor’s note: This column was written by a member of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Shepherds Collective. For more information, visit sbtexas.com/networks/shepherds-collective.

Cyprian, an early church father, pastored during a period known for the “lapsed controversy.” During the rule of Rome’s emperor, Decius, many Christians renounced their faith under threat of persecution or death. When peace returned, these believers sought to be readmitted to the church—which was deeply divided on how to respond.

A different issue has many modern pastors wondering how to respond: how to minister and guide families who are incredibly busy—and often absent from church—due to youth sports. Though Cyprian wouldn’t have understood our relationship between sports and the church, I believe his pastoral approach offers valuable insights for how we shepherd families navigating the world of youth athletics today.

Strive toward the goal

When confronted with two extremes regarding how to deal with the lapsed church members—either excommunication or not holding them accountable at all—Cyprian considered telos, a Greek word that means goal or purpose. The purpose of the church’s pastor is to care for the flock (1 Peter 5:2–3). Cyprian wanted the lost sheep to return—not cheaply, but authentically. He also wanted the church to welcome them back.

Challenge your families to think about telos. Many parents, including those with children in sports, have never thought about what the goal of such an overcommitted life is or whether it’s good or bad. This busy stage of life may be a great opportunity to pastor them toward God’s goal.

Know your players

How did Cyprian resist both extremes? He emphasized discernment regarding the lapsed church members on a case-by-case basis. In our modern context, some absences from church may stem from family pressure, lack of spiritual maturity, or cultural expectations. A wise pastor discerns individual motives and applies compassion while maintaining truth.

Many parents have been deceived by the promise of a scholarship that coaches promise to young athletes who are fully dedicated. Others just enjoy the thrill of watching their child—it truly is a joy. Regardless, it is our job as pastors to guide them. We should insist that absence from church is not good for them, but at the same time, not lash out at them from the pulpit.

Emphasize teamwork and unity

Cyprian understood the church is a visible and unified body. He taught reconciliation not just for individuals, but for the health of the whole community. He believed that when true Christians are apart from the church, it hurts both them and the church. “Think not that you are thus maintaining the gospel of Christ when you separate yourselves from the flock of Christ,” he once said. He strove for unity by bringing back those who were absent and by softening those who opposed their return.

If you have a hard heart toward those missing from your church, pray for them. If you don’t see anything wrong with long sports absences, think about the unity of Christ’s church and the sheep for which He died.

Practice gentle correction

Like Cyprian, a pastor must remind absent members of the importance of worship and fellowship with their local church. The lessons learned in sports are valuable, but the local church is God’s Plan A. There is no substitute. Roll up your sleeves and do the hard work of shepherding your individual members. Be patient with them, but be firm.

Cyprian’s world and ours are very different, but his pastoral heart remains a model worth following. He led with conviction, compassion, and clarity—holding fast to truth while never giving up on those who strayed.

In a culture where Sunday games compete with Sunday worship, pastors must do the same.

Marking the milestones that matter most

Editor’s note: This column was written by a member of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Shepherds Collective. For more information, visit sbtexas.com/networks/shepherds-collective.

We live in a day when the busyness of families and the many facets of the culture enticing the hearts and souls of our kids is off the charts. In the last three churches I have served, we found that one of the best tools to combat these challenges is to train Christian parents to celebrate the spiritual and physical milestones of their children.

This conviction is founded with the truth of the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-7: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Marking notable milestones provides a tangible rubric parents can grasp for easy wins on their journey toward Christ and as they lead their families. May I humbly suggest two milestones that have been a blessing for my wife and me as God continues to guide us to raise three teenagers to love God with their all?

Write a blessing letter

Becoming a teenager is a unique adventure. In our home, we chose to celebrate rather than lament. Prior to our daughters’ 13th birthdays, I prayed, sought Scripture to reference, and collected my thoughts in writing to communicate the love, admiration, and pride we experienced by observing our two girls who were quickly transitioning into godly women. My wife took the opportunity to do the same for our son when he was 12. The result of this affirmation was palpable confidence for our children to forge ahead in their individual faith journeys—so much so that they have these letters framed and in prominent places in each of their bedrooms.

Plan a pre-rite of passage weekend

Our desire is to launch our children into adulthood before they leave our home. In this way, they have time to practice making decisions on their own while still having the security of their parents if they fall flat on their faces. As this time drew near, my wife and I realized we failed to adequately communicate to our now 17-year-old the full measuring stick for forming a biblical worldview, obeying the mission, and maturing in the faith on which we were basing our decision to launch her. By God’s grace, we course-corrected and planned a father/daughter weekend where we could outline these categories, grow in heart connection, and make lasting memories. Upon our return, my wife and I have intentionally sought opportunities to reinforce these Scriptures and themes to our oldest with truth and grace. Our two younger children eagerly look forward to this special time.

For churches, ministries, pastors, and lay leaders who already practice a milestone strategy, my hope is that these suggestions will be a fruitful addition as you continue in faithful ministry. Those who are considering this conversation for the first time might experience a wave of intimidation and fret over all that needs to change. Relax and take it one step at a time.

Remember that every intentional faith talk or milestone celebration is better than not doing anything. It has been said, “While the best step is to start from the beginning, the next best step is to start today.” May God pour out His grace and blessing on you as you seek to equip and/or create a Christ-centered home.

SBTC DR in the field: San Saba rebuild and winter ice storm relief

SAN SABA—Marsha was in desperate need. Her San Saba home was swamped during the July 2025 floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country, overflowing the banks of the San Saba River and inundating the town.

Still reeling from that summer disaster, Marsha faced yet another devastating challenge when her husband died unexpectedly on Christmas Day.

Help came in the form of Southern Baptists of Texas Disaster Relief volunteers partnering with First Baptist Church of San Saba. Texas Rebuild teams from SBTC DR began arriving in early January to continue the repair of Marsha’s home that had begun earlier.

Immediately following the initial July disaster, SBTC DR teams rapidly deployed to San Saba, partnering with First Baptist in clean-up and recovery efforts. They removed soggy sheetrock and damaged flooring, performed mold remediation, shoveled mud and debris from dozens of homes, and shared the love of Jesus with the community.

Rebuilding had to wait until after the floodwaters receded and the land dried out.

Their home still uninhabitable through the fall and beginning of winter, Marsha and her husband were living in a travel trailer on their property, said SBTC DR task force member Jesse Hauptrief, unit director of the First Baptist Melissa crew serving in San Saba. Marsha’s husband wandered outside the travel trailer and into the still-damaged house on Dec. 25, where he collapsed and died.

Hauptrief shared Marsha’s story with the First Baptist Melissa team—consisting of volunteers from across the state—so they could be sensitive to her loss. “They needed to know her story. We worked with her. She came to the house several times and was pleased with the progress. A team from First Baptist Farmersville came in after we left and finished almost all of the house.”

Hauptrief added that the Farmersville team focuses on rebuilding, whereas his crew featured “chainsaw guys” converted into rebuilders. “Normally we tear stuff up,” he said with a laugh, highlighting the differences between rebuilding and relief work.

This time, they put things back together.

Volunteers helped finish work on Marsha’s home rebuild by installing chair molding and hardwood flooring that she had acquired. They installed cabinets and rebuilt a dangerously rickety porch.

“We were afraid the porch would fall in when any of us stood on it,” SBTC DR volunteer Paul Wood said. “We took it down and put up a nice, durable porch and stairs.” He added with a chuckle, “If a tornado hits, that porch will still be there.”

Of more eternal significance, the team shared the gospel with Marsha. “She was receptive,” Wood said. “She listened to what we were saying about Jesus’ love and that’s what we’re here for. The work comes secondary to that.”

With the help of SBTC DR volutneers, Marsha had a new porch and renewed hope after the loss of her husband. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Disaster rarely takes a holiday

From late December 2025 through January 2026, a veteran SBTC DR team from Flint Baptist Church also served in San Saba in addition to the Melissa crew and the new Farmersville rebuild team.

SBTC DR Director Scottie Stice called the San Saba rebuild the most successful to date. Rebuild follows on the heels of relief and can be difficult to organize, he added.

“It’s exciting. It’s gone very well,” Stice said, also praising the “outstanding” assistance from First Baptist San Saba.

Still, disaster rarely takes a holiday.

SBTC DR shower teams are currently deployed at sites around Monroe and Delhi, La., assisting first responders, volunteers, and churches helping the community following late January ice storms.

“That work, too, is going well,” Stice said, adding that SBTC DR chainsaw teams are scheduled to deploy to Louisiana and Tennessee to serve the ice storm survivors by removing downed trees—sharing their skills and their Savior.

For more information about SBTC DR, or to get involved, visit sbtexas.com/disaster-relief.

Liele’s groundbreaking work remembered

One of the most significant figures in the history of Christian missions is a freed Georgia slave named George Liele. Even though William Carey may be called the father of the modern missionary movement, George Liele left America and planted the gospel in Jamaica a full 10 years before Carey left England.

Conversion and early ministry

George Liele came to Christ in 1773, at the age of 23, and was baptized by his White pastor, Matthew Moore. Sometime after Liele’s conversion, his owner, Henry Sharp, who was a Baptist deacon, gave Liele his freedom so he could pursue God’s call. After his conversion, Liele preached for two years in the slave quarters of plantations surrounding Savannah and into South Carolina.

Because of his faithfulness and powerful preaching of the Word, many surrendered their lives to Christ. George Liele was ordained on May 20, 1775, becoming the first ordained Black Baptist preacher in America. After his ordination, he planted the first Black Baptist Church in North America, a church still in existence today.

An open door to preach in Jamaica

In 1778, Henry Sharp was killed in the Revolutionary War. After his death, Sharp’s heirs took steps to re-enslave Liele. As result of their actions, Liele was thrown in jail. Eventually, he was able to produce proper documentation concerning his freedom and was set free.

Soon after his release, Moses Kirkland, a colonel of the British army, befriended Liele and helped him leave the country. Kirkland helped pay for Liele’s trip to Jamaica, and after two years Liele paid this debt and obtained a certificate of freedom for himself and his family. George and his wife, Hannah, and their four children left Savannah and landed in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1782.

When Liele landed in Jamaica it was a British colony. There, Liele found land and a people who needed a missionary. Slaves were brought from Africa to Jamaica to work on the sugar plantations. These men and women had no real knowledge of Jesus Christ and the gospel. Liele planted a church and held a baptism service every three months. These baptisms were public events in which professing converts were baptized in a nearby ocean or river.

The growth of an integrated ministry

The work of the church and the public baptisms caused persecution. Eventually, Liele was charged with preaching sedition and was thrown into prison. He was later acquitted of these charges. Despite facing these hostilities, during the eight years of preaching, he was able to baptize 500 people and establish a strong church.

Not only did Liele’s ministry lead to a spiritual impact on the island, but his work also made a social difference for the Jamaican slaves. By July 31, 1838, slavery was eradicated in Jamaica.

In 1814, there were only about 8,000 Baptists in Jamaica. This number included slaves, freedmen, and some Whites. However, as a result of Liele’s ministry, by 1832 there were over 20,000 believers.

Author David Shannon summed up Liele’s life of ministry this way: “The Christianity practiced by Liele was not limited to one nation, colony, or ethnic group but was a faith found and spread through interaction with colonists and national leaders in the Americas and England. In turn, this broad vision of Christianity shaped and spread a variety of Christian experience that became widespread and influential in Black, White, and integrated congregations in Georgia, South Carolina, Jamaica, Nova Scotia, Sierra Leone, and beyond.”

Training and sending out missionaries beyond Jamaica

Not only was Liele an effective missionary and evangelist, he was known for encouraging his converts to go preach the gospel to the lost. As a result of his leadership, they went to Savannah, Georgia, Nova Scotia, and Sierra Leone.

Adoniram Judson is often cited as the first Baptist missionary from the United States. But, in fact, this designation belongs to George Liele. His story is an important part of missionary history and is worthy of emulation.

George Liele died in 1828. He may have begun life as a slave, but he lived as a free man in Christ. He left a rich legacy of thousands who were transformed by the good news of Jesus.

This article first appeared on IMB.

More than anything, successful pastoral transitions hinge on this

Editor’s note: This column was written by a member of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Shepherds Collective. For more information, visit sbtexas.com/networks/shepherds-collective.

In late 2024, I stepped in as senior pastor elect of my church, beginning an 11-month transition after a pastor who had served faithfully for nearly 30 years.

If you’ve heard stories of pastoral transitions, you know they can be difficult. But by God’s grace—and thanks to a thoughtful plan put in place by the previous pastor, David Lindow—my experience was overwhelmingly positive. It was good for me and my family, good for the church, and even good for the outgoing pastor.

Pastoral transitions come in all shapes and sizes, and no two are exactly alike. Still, I hope the following reflections from my experience can encourage pastors and churches preparing for a similar season.

Make sure the plan is clear

If you’re stepping into a role like this, be sure you understand the plan. If it’s vague, ask for clarity. Know who makes the decisions, when authority will officially be transferred, and what your job description is during the overlap. Clarity prevents confusion and protects relationships.

Spend lots of time with the outgoing pastor

Not everyone can do this, but if you’re able, make it a priority. I learned so much from our outgoing pastor—not only about the history of the church, but about ministry itself. Even after a decade of pastoring, those conversations were invaluable. I still meet regularly with Pastor David.

This time together also helps prevent unspoken frustrations or misunderstandings. Healthy communication builds trust on both sides.

Lead with humility and patience

This applies equally to the incoming and outgoing pastor. The biggest blessing in our transition was the humility and graciousness of the outgoing pastor. From Day 1, I was welcomed into leadership conversations and treated with respect, even though I was still new.

But I also had to be patient. I had plenty of ideas and hopes for the future, but a transition—especially a long one—takes time. I set a years-long timeline for changes, not a months-long one.

Honor the outgoing pastor

Pastor David and I get along very well, which helped immensely. But even in joking, I tried never to dishonor him, even unintentionally. Keep disagreements (even small ones) private and respectful. Be present for every celebration of the outgoing pastor’s ministry. Honoring faithful service is good for those being recognized, good for the church, and good for your own heart.

Love God’s people

This one feels obvious, but it’s essential. Get to know your people. Love them, preach the gospel clearly, and shepherd them well. Attend meetings—even just to learn—and see the church through others’ eyes.

I loved having 11 months before officially becoming senior pastor. It allowed me to meet deacons, leaders, staff, and members, and it gave the church time to get comfortable with me. Relationships take time, but people can sense genuine love very quickly.

Be yourself

When I went in view of a call, I told the church I could never replace Pastor David—I’m not him. But I promised to serve faithfully as the man God made me to be. If you’re not secure in your identity as a child of God, transitions like this may feel especially heavy. So keep walking closely with the Lord. It matters more than you think.

At the end of the day, a pastoral transition isn’t ultimately about the outgoing or incoming pastor. It’s about serving Christ’s church well. When we lay aside our egos and trust the Lord, transitions like this can not only work—they can become a beautiful testimony to God’s faithfulness in His church.

 

The difficult and necessary work of battling greed

Editor’s note: This column was written by a member of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Shepherds Collective. For more information, visit sbtexas.com/networks/shepherds-collective.

I’m a dreamer. I constantly look at our church, my life, and everything around me wondering how things could be better. And while holy discontentment aided by godly ambition is a good thing in ministry, an insatiable desire for more can be a pastor’s downfall. At its core, an excessive obsession of progress, gain, or power is the overflow of a greedy heart.

Greed is a sin many of us are aware of, but that we do not think we struggle with. In fact, when Tim Keller prepared to teach on the seven deadly sins early in his ministry, his wife rightly predicted that the week on greed would be the lowest attended of the classes. While some pastors are willing to admit to being an impatient father or a short-tempered leader, no one thinks of themselves as a greedy person.

Greed is most often considered in its most obvious form: financial greed. But greed at its core is a self-centered, obsessive, insatiable desire for more. In other words, it’s a heart condition that can manifest by obsessively wanting something more and being willing to do nearly whatever it takes to attain it.

Is there one thing you can’t live or do ministry without? In the depths of your heart, what do you hope to receive at the end of each Sunday’s sermon? What keeps you from quitting each Monday morning? What is the next goal you think will finally make ministry not as difficult? What is the one thing you want more and more of, but somehow you never seem to get enough of?

It could be money, power, or fame. It could also be the desire to be liked, complimented, or simply recognized for all the long hours you put into caring for your church. It could be wanting to control your own schedule so you can truly give yourself to what you love. It could be the desire to know how to respond to every difficult pastoral situation that walks in your office. Or it could be wishing one day your church was big enough to not have to deal with the problems plaguing you today.

The danger of ministerial greed is that self-centeredness is baptized in the waters of ministry, and we end up chasing a romanticized mirage rather than Jesus. Left unchecked, the desires of our heart end up driving our ministry. And if its dissatisfaction doesn’t spur you on to try harder, it may end up leaving you feeling alone, bitter, and hopeless.

Pause right now and pray Psalm 139:23-24 to God. Ask Him to search you, your heart, and your thoughts to see if there is any grievous way within you. Ask the Spirit to convict you of any ill motive or carnal desire in your ministry. If the Spirit convicts you, confess your sin to God. Confess your sin to trusted pastors or brothers He has placed around you. Pray that God would lead you in His everlasting way, that your heart may be fully content in Jesus, and that your life and ministry might be aimed toward His glory alone.

Brother pastor, if greed has crept into your heart, there is no greater thing you can do than to bring it to the light, walking in transparency before God and in community. Invite people into the depths of your soul, asking them to pray for your heart. This is not fun or easy work, but it is necessary—not just for your ministry, but for your soul. Look at the assurances of 1 John 1:5-9 and James 5:16: God promises forgiveness, cleansing, healing, and fellowship to all those who lay their hearts bare before Him and His people. Then and only then will we be able to lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

A greedy heart will never be satisfied unless it is redeemed and transformed by the all-satisfying power of Jesus. God has put eternity in man’s heart, and Christ alone will truly satisfy his deepest longings. As Augustine confessed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Only when you come to Jesus and rest your heart in Him can you find true, lasting satisfaction.

The challenge of anger

Editor’s note: This column was written by a member of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Shepherds Collective. For more information, visit sbtexas.com/networks/shepherds-collective.

My son ought to be given a black belt in misplacing items. He’s fluent in it. When he was younger, I opened the pantry to find a warm carton of milk. I laughed on that occasion, but what wouldn’t be comical is to regularly go looking for milk in the pantry. That would be senseless. The pantry is not milk’s home.

I’m convinced it’s the same with our sin. We go looking for all the things Christ offers in all the wrong places—and pastors are no exception. One misplaced and prevalent sin in the life of a pastor is anger. It’s historically known as one of the seven deadly sins because it is highly volatile like old dynamite. Anger is old, universal, and complicated.

We find it in the first family. After God rejected his offering, Cain “was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?’” (Genesis 4:5b-6).

Anger is as old as Adam’s family and it’s as universal as air. We’ve all felt it. A member prefers your predecessor’s preaching. A Sunday school teacher steps down during the holidays. A family leaves for petty reasons. You work with excellence on a project only for it to be misunderstood by the congregation. And right amid these disappointments, anger wells up like Old Faithful.

Anger is also complicated. God gets angry (Psalm 7:11), and yet He cannot sin (1 John 1:5; Psalm 92:15; Habakkuk 1:13). Anger isn’t inherently evil. God’s anger against sin—which is a form of love—motivates His judgment. Pastor, our problem with anger isn’t that we feel it; it’s that we misappropriate it. We decide a certain reality is intolerable, and our anger rushes in to defend what we cherish.

When anger rises, we must ask the same question God asked Cain: Why am I angry?

Take a simple example: a deacon suggests you wear a sports coat. Why does that comment feel painful? Perhaps you feel he’s questioning your competence, maybe threatening your freedom, or making you feel insecure. Whatever the case, your anger exposes a cherished idol—competence, freedom, or praise—that feels threatened.

So, we see red and spiral. We vent (baptized gossip). We defy the command, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19b). In worst-case scenarios, we let loose our tongue, leaving a wake of hurt. In the best-case scenarios, we become embittered, writing people off.

OK, all this is really bad news. What is a pastor to do? Here are four simple steps to help you defeat anger.

Ask early

Right when you begin feeling angry, ask the question: Why am I angry? This will help you understand if your anger is righteous or not. Are you being selfish with your time, schedule, or money? You might just find that your anger is all about you.

Repent immediately

Don’t let the sun set on this deadly sin. An angry pastor will be more inclined to wound sheep, breed fear surrounding their leadership, and distort grace—particularly if unrighteous anger seeps out in public settings. Take it to the Lord in prayer immediately.

Remember rightly

Anger grows out of misplaced affection, out of treasuring something more than God. When we interpret a situation as unacceptable, anger rushes in to protect our conclusion. Thus, we become beholden to something lesser than God and His glory. And in that, we lose out. We miss God’s best for us. We forfeit wonder. We become calloused to intimacy. Anger is a thief.

Love outrageously

Love is the virtue that puts anger in its place. Love is the great commandment. The more we love God and God’s people, the less we will give way to the sin of anger.

Deep down, I believe we want the carton of cold milk—which is Jesus and His presence. But anger keeps us reaching into the pantry only to come up with something far less than it’s supposed to be. Almost every instance of anger pulls us away from the fulfillment we long for in Christ and the joy we desire in our pastoral work.

Pastor, Christ offers something better. We don’t have to be awash in the deadly sin of anger.

FBC Brownsville’s Dorman reflects on the ‘goodness of God’ as he shifts into a new season

BROWNSVILLE—In the nearly quarter century Steve Dorman has been senior pastor of First Baptist Church Brownsville, he has seen vast changes in the Rio Grande Valley and remarkable consistency in his mission-minded congregation.

Dorman—who recently marked 53 years of church ministry, the last 23 at FBC Brownsville—will retire in December. The church plans to recognize him with a reception Dec. 14 from 2-4 p.m. and has already voted to designate him pastor emeritus.

“We’ll be in and out the rest of our days,” Dorman said of his continuing relationship with the congregation.

But Dorman is also going to be quite busy—nothing new for the pastor who has engaged in a “lifelong quest to prepare … to teach the Bible and serve in church ministries.” He also served eight years on the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Executive Board.

When he arrived at FBC Brownsville in 2002, Dorman inherited a mission-focused congregation engaged in active ministry in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. First Baptist School, founded 65 years ago, served students through the eighth grade. During Dorman’s tenure, the fully accredited school added a high school. The school of 240 students from the U.S. and Mexico continues to thrive.

Dorman acknowledged the work done by one of his predecessors at the church, Pastor Bob Clements, who pioneered missions work along the border and in Mexico after Hurricane Beulah, founding orphanages and schools and starting the church’s mission center.

Today, the Hendrick Mission Center, with housing for 160, hosts volunteer church teams from across the U.S. that come to work in the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico assisting impoverished churches, aiding missionaries, and supporting church plants

“We have just tried not to mess it up,” Dorman said of the rich legacy he inherited at the beginning of his FBC Brownsville pastorate.

The church’s disaster relief ministry grew during Dorman’s tenure, with the congregation participating in SBTC DR projects in Texas, Mexico, Japan, Haiti, Chile, the Philippines, and Nepal.

Building the future

In retirement, Dorman plans to continue the emphases characteristic of his ministry—not only teaching the Bible but working with missions, disaster relief, church plants, and pastors.

Through the recently incorporated non-profit called Nehemiah Blueprint, Dorman and his wife, Karen—a Christian school educator, administrator, and adjunct college professor—will be hitting the road in retirement. Dorman will teach theology, preach, work with pastors in impoverished areas, engage in DR work, and generally do the work of “building the kingdom.”

A travel trailer, a gift from their oldest daughter who also assisted with the incorporation, will enable the Dormans to head to various locations, drawing upon the relationships and mission partnerships built over the years at FBC Brownsville to do ministry in the field.

The nonprofit is a family affair—with the Dormans’ four adult children contributing to honor their parents.

Retirement will also be a family affair, as Dorman said he looks forward to spending time with his children and 10 grandchildren scattered across Texas.

“Now we will be able to go see them, spend a week, and pester them,” he said with a laugh, musing that the travel trailer will come in handy for extended visits.

“I am looking forward to making up some time with my kids, grandchildren, and wife … and still teach, preach, and do DR,” he said. “I am thankful I have the liberty to do that.”

The Dormans are seen during a trip to Alaska—which presented a much different landscape than their beloved Brownsville. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Going out in gratitude

What will he miss?

“The people,” he said. “We have the best people of any church I have been in. … They have loved me, my wife, my children, my grandchildren.”

He will also miss being the pastor of a church along the Texas-Mexico border. The location has attracted church members—including many chaplains, former pastors, and ministry minded people—who embrace outreach.

Dorman called his deacons “godly, spiritually minded men” who are ministry oriented, noting church business meetings have never been contentious.

“In the end, we can pray, get together, and go forward,” he said.

He will miss his colleagues, including Craig Smith, his executive pastor who will spearhead the search for Dorman’s successor. Dorman also acknowledged the service of ministry staff Terry Roberts, Jeremy Knight, and Daniel Simons, and church planters James Martinez and Samuel Gomez.

Above all, Dorman expressed gratitude at how God has provided for FBC Brownsville over the years.

“The RGV is among the poorest sections of the U.S. and God has supernaturally provided financially for the church, the Christian school, and the mission center in incredible ways,” he said. “ … God has made it work. We have been shocked and blessed.”

His career, he said, has seen “the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

 

How pastors can influence the prayer climate at their churches

As the spiritual leaders of the local church, pastors can adjust the prayer climate of their congregations. No pastor wants to be the thermometer when he is called to be the thermostat as it relates to the spiritual fervor and prayer culture of the church. Still, pastors need help in this area. With that in mind, here are five effective, practical ways pastors of any size congregation can adjust the prayer climate in their churches.

The pastor shapes the prayer climate by example

You can never lead anyone spiritually to a place you’ve never gone. Pastors lead more by example than they may realize. As Matthew Haste observed, “A brilliant sermon can be silenced by a lifestyle that contradicts it.”

Haven’t we all seen enough pastoral failure in recent years to agree that a good example, by contrast, is worth its weight in gold? Unfortunately, more than 70% of pastors struggle with consistent faithfulness in prayer.

The spiritual ceiling of the local church, therefore, is greatly determined by the pastor’s personal example—whether good or bad—in prayer. This was clear from the earliest days of the church when our apostolic role models devoted equal time to the priorities of “prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). Can we do less? Obviously not. If you want to lead a praying church, you have to be a praying pastor.

The pastor strengthens the prayer climate through preaching

The 19th century Anglican Bishop J.C. Ryles taught that preaching is God’s “principal instrument” of “the edifying of saints.” No wonder Stephen Olford said, “Only one thing will ever take the place of great preaching and that’s greater preaching!”

For most pastors, the pulpit is ground zero of his leadership. He influences more people from the pulpit than from any other platform. For this reason, the pastor must preach on prayer if he hopes to lead a house of prayer.

There are hundreds of passages in Scripture where the word “prayer” appears. In fact, one pastor could preach on prayer every Sunday for a decade and never use the same passage twice.

For this reason, a faithful pastor’s preaching schedule should include numerous Sundays devoted to thundering the truth about prayer.

The pastor supports the prayer climate with resources

We live in the information age. The average American consumes 74GB of information every day—about 850% more information consumed than only 30 years ago. That’s the equivalent of reading four or more books daily.

Americans crave information, and pastors must intentionally enter the arena of providing quality information if we want to make a difference in this culture. Our teaching role demands that we resource what we believe in. Tell people which books on prayer you recommend. Write or otherwise provide free prayer material for your church website. Guide people to sermons and teaching online. Remember, the appetite grows on what feeds it; so, provide excellent resources which feed a growing hunger for more prayer.

The pastor sustains the prayer climate by equipping

God has placed “watchmen on the walls” who are “never silent” in prayer, and they give God “no rest” (Isaiah 62:6-7). There are prayer warriors and intercessors, the watchmen on the walls, already in your church who will help the pastor change the prayer climate.

In addition to these few “watchmen,” the pastor should organize prayer conferences and training events to equip as many prayer warriors as possible. Equip men to pray. Equip teenagers in prayer. Host prayer training for women. Equip the staff in prayer. Of course, the pastor should be on the lookout for those men and women who are most inclined to intercede but train the entire church!

In this way, the church becomes saturated with a passion for prayer. Never stop equipping prayer warriors and intercessors.

The pastor stewards the prayer climate in prayer meetings

In order to ignite a climate of prayer, we must break out of the anonymity of the prayer closet alone and let the church see prayer in action (Acts 1:14).  The church was born in a prayer meeting, but today an astonishing number of believers know nothing of the power of praying together. In fact, 98% of believers never join with their church in a gathering for prayer.

It seems like an outrageous claim, but it is true that no church will ever develop a dynamic culture of prayer apart from regularly scheduled, organized, powerful prayer meetings. The pastor, therefore, must do whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes, to host life-giving prayer meetings for the entire church.

The New Testament is clear about the need for praying churches, and the pastor’s leadership is essential in creating a climate for prayer. It will take time, but every minute invested is time well spent.  The time is now, therefore, to turn the prayer temperature up!

This article was originally published by Baptist Press.