One of the joys of expositional preaching is preaching through a book of the Bible. Great joy and real challenges exist in preaching through books...
Preparing to Preach Through a Book of the Bible
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Feeding
Preaching the Gospel through all elements of the Worship Service
Seeking to ensure our worship services bring glory to the Lord and impact those gathered can feel daunting. Though not exhaustive, here are six...
Working with the Minister of Music to Create Powerful Worship
Worship is a vital part of any effective ministry. The relationship between pastor and minister of music is key to consistently presenting powerful...
Reading Scripture Publicly
The Associate Pastor slowly meandered to the pulpit. The congregation could nearly hear the second hand on the clock ticking it took so long as the...
Incorporating Apologetics Into Your Ministry
A few years ago I talked with a college student who had been a part of our ministry at Olivet. As we talked I mentioned some of the other students...
Leading
Engaging with Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children
By James Swain, President of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children When I started to write this article, I realized that I have been President of...
Giving Strength To And Gaining Strength From One Another
Something powerful happens when people and churches work together. Beyond our commitment to scripture and passion for the gospel, no other...
Things a Pastor Should Think About When Making a Nursing Home Visit
Both of my grandmothers spent a few years in nursing homes during their final years on earth. During part of that time I served as the interim...
The Power of Presence — Incarnational Ministry
Pastor, one of the two biggest moments in the history of the cosmos centers upon the ministry of presence. What is the incarnation if it is not the...
Pastors and Financial Integrity
Ministry should be messy at times, but the same should not be said about our books. Brothers, a lack of financial integrity has the power to destroy our ministry as fast as a moral failure. Money, or the lack of it, has this unique ability to expose the depth of our character. And as my father always told me, “our ministry will never rise above the depth of our character.” Marked by that thought, here are a few humble attempts to help. Not to become professionals, but simply to stay faithful.
Elements of Graveside Service
Oklahoma Baptist churches have been aging in demographic for several years. Part of the answer has been to program to reach younger people. However, in the course of doing this we likely overlook a valuable group of God’s people who need to be evangelized, discipled, equipped, and deployed for Gospel ministry: Senior Adults.
Revision…Revitalize…Ministry to Aging Adults
Oklahoma Baptist churches have been aging in demographic for several years. Part of the answer has been to program to reach younger people. However, in the course of doing this we likely overlook a valuable group of God’s people who need to be evangelized, discipled, equipped, and deployed for Gospel ministry: Senior Adults.
Moving to a New Ministry: Leaving and Arriving Well
Moving from one ministry assignment to another is an extremely important time for you, your family and both churches involved in the transition.
Making the Transition to a New Pastorate
I was the pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Beggs, Oklahoma for four and a half years. The church loved us and we loved them. I genuinely...
How to successfully follow a long-term/beloved pastor
Oh, “you have big shoes to fill” has been uttered through the vocal chords of church members for decades without a scriptural filter to stop it. Both seasoned and unseasoned pastors have been on the receiving end of the “sharp” message meant to acknowledge what was and forewarn what is.
Podcast
26: Conflict Mediation with Ken Sande
Todd and Andy are joined by Ken Sande, the executive Director Relational Wisdom 360 (RW360) and author of the best selling book “The Peacemaker.” Listen as Ken shares insights into the cause, concerns, and first steps toward conflict resolution and reconciliation.
25: Pastors and Criticism
Pastors experience criticism. It is inevitable. But every pastor can choose how to receive, process, and respond to criticism in a manner that is constructive. Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor provide practical principles for handling criticism in pastoral ministry.
24: The Art of Illustration
Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor explain how powerful sermon illustrations can drive home biblical exposition for the listener.
23: Making a Great Hospital Visit
Pastors rightly make preaching the word a priority. Hear how pastoral care like hospital visits also make an important, positive gospel impact.
22: Using Notes in Preaching
Every preacher has to make a decision about the use of notes. Listen to Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor give some helpful insights into the structure and use of preaching notes.
21: Preparing for Easter
Research suggests that many people are more likely to attend church on Easter than almost any other Sunday. Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor discuss helpful ideas for pastors in preparation for Easter and this special ministry opportunity.
20: Extending an Effective Invitation
Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor discuss the biblical foundations and helpful approaches to extending invitations in response to the preaching of God’s Word.
19: Helping the Called
It is the local church that sends missionaries, ordains pastors, and commissions those who are called by God to vocational ministry. Hear Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor offer insight for churches who are helping those who are sensing a call to ministry.
18: Constructing an Effective Conclusion
It can be argued that the conclusion of a novel either makes or breaks the entire storyline. Preachers MUST do the hard work to conclude a sermon well and not simply come to an end. Sprint to the finish instead of falling across the line.
17: Grief Counseling with David Willets
Hear David Willets share key insights for pastors that he learned from walking through a tragedy and from his own years of ministry experience.