Building a Root System: A Guide to Implementing Bible Reading in Your Student Ministry
Let's play a game! How 'bout a good, ole, trusty classic? Two Truths and a Lie. I'll give three statements, and you tell me which one is the lie. The Word of God is alive,
Pruning, Purging, and Transplanting
My wife Carol has a green thumb. The joke around our house is that my daughters kill their house plants, bring them to their mother, and she brings them back to life. Carol loves her
Train People Before You Need Them
There is only so much one person can do. That is not false humility; it is arithmetic. You can preach, visit, counsel, lead, and pour yourself out completely, and you will still hit the ceiling
Before the Fire Gets Hot
There's a lesson I learned the hard way as a kid — one that involved rubbing alcohol, matches, and a decision I'd rather not repeat. The short version: I watched someone else handle fire and
Starting 2026 Right: A Holistic Planning Guide for Ministry Leaders
Starting 2026 Right: A Holistic Planning Guide for Ministry Leaders As we approach a new year, ministry leaders face the
Is Your Christmas Service Actually Guest-Friendly?
Is Your Christmas Service Actually Guest-Friendly? Christmas services are one of the biggest opportunities of the year. People who haven't
Send Them Sooner: 2026 Missionaries Ready Now
We've compiled a list of BCMN-endorsed missionaries who will be stateside during 2026, available to share their ministry stories, challenge
Why Every Church Needs a Veteran Ministry (And How to Start One)
There are over 30 million veterans and their family members in the United States—more than the entire youth population—and most
Exciting Ministry Opportunity: Shape the Next Generation in Central Missouri
Is God calling you to invest in the lives of college students and young adults? Bethel Baptist Church in Warrensburg,
The Neglected Tool: Why Your Next Sermon May Need More Than Words
A single domino. A baseball home plate. Simple objects that carried eternal weight. These weren't props in a children's church
Your Complete Guide to BCMN 2025
Welcome to Springfield! We're thrilled you're joining us for "Looking Up, Reaching Out: Ministry in the Light of His
The Heart Behind the Harmony: Keeping Christ Central in Music Ministry
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord"
When Ministry Becomes Dangerous: Recognizing and Preventing Burnout
Information about pastoral burnout can be easily accessed in today’s information culture, but sadly the percentage of pastors who consider
Transform Your Ministry Events: Why Planning Makes All the Difference
Every ministry leader has been there. You have a vision for an incredible event that will impact lives, build community,
The Ultimate Ministry Dilemma: Choosing Your BCMN 2025 Breakout Sessions
Picture this: You're a kid in a candy store, but you can only choose two pieces. That's exactly how ministry
Beyond Sunday Services: Why Every Church Needs a Family Resource Center
We've all been there. The Sunday afternoon phone call. The Wednesday evening conversation. A family facing a crisis that can't
Moving Students from Spectators to Participants in the Great Commission: 3 Reasons to Plan a Student Ministry Missions Outreach
One of our primary missions as student pastors and leaders is helping our students live out the Great Commission. If
From Crisis Mode to Calm Leadership: Moving Beyond Constant Firefighting
A word of encouragement for ministry leaders who feel like they're always putting out fires On any given Sunday, you
Looking Up, Reaching Out: Why BCMN National Meeting 2025 Could Be Your Ministry’s Most Important Conference
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption
The Lost Art of Awe: Rediscovering Wonder in Faith
There's nothing quite like the sunset at our local beach. The sky continuously changes colors as the sun lowers itself
7 Simple Strategies to Make Your Ministry More Welcoming to Newcomers
Every Sunday, newcomers walk through our church doors carrying invisible questions: "Will I fit in here?" "Do these people actually
5 Steps to Navigate Difficult Conversations in Ministry
If you've been in ministry for more than a few months, you've faced them: the conversations you dread, the phone
5 Simple Steps to Transform Church Volunteers from Helpers to Leaders
As ministry coordinators, we often find ourselves caught in a familiar cycle: recruiting volunteers to fill immediate needs, training them
On the Mission Field with Bryan and Sandy Wise
Karen and I recently had the privilege of visiting Bryan and Sandy Wise, BCMN-endorsed missionaries serving in Nicaragua. Our trip
Gearing Up for Summer Chaos: It’s Not Too Late to Navigate the Busy Season with Purpose
With spring nearly behind us and summer just around the corner, many church leaders might be feeling the pressure of