Blog Archives
Useful Things This Week
- Mind Pumps MAPS Programs – I’ve been running MAPS Workout Programs for almost a year now. Decided to try weightlifting after giving up running due to arthritis in my feet. I’ve completed MAPS 15, MAPS Anabolic, MAPS Performance, MAPS Aesthetic, and now working through MAPS Strong. Mostly 12-week programs that change it up enough to keep it interesting. And programmed well, so there is very little soreness or joint pain. Feeling stronger.
- Bible Memory App – 2,037 straight days of using the Bible Memory App. I picked it up years ago to reboot scripture memory as a habit and it has been a great tool and companion. I now have over 2,000 verses mastered in the app. I review those scheduled for review every morning and evening. And I review those I read during my regular Bible Reading time every morning. Memorizing the word aids in witnessing, preaching, and meditating. I’ve written about how to get started with the Bible Memory App HERE. And about why and how of Scripture Memory HERE. Get a discount off the Pro Version HERE.
- Masters of the Air – Loving Spielberg’s latest WW2 series about the B-17 Bombers in Europe. New episodes every Friday.
- The Importance of Children’s and Student Ministry: 72% of Evangelicals came to faith before adulthood. We must prioritize Kids and Student Ministry. It’s not just a way to get more people in church. It’s THE way to reach the nation.
- NewChurches.com Preaching Masterclass – Starting the masterclass with our church’s Preaching Collaborative. Short vids with discussion guides. Looking forward to getting sharper in this area of my life and ministry.
What are you finding useful in life and ministry right now?
Report: Baptisms Rebound in Louisiana
Last week Lifeway Research released a report on Baptisms and other stats across the Southern Baptist Convention. Find it HERE. How does Louisiana’s data fit into that picture?
Louisiana Baptist churches reported 8,120 baptisms in 2022. That’s a 21% increase from 2021 to 2022. And a 44% increase from 2020 to 2022. Up from 5,637. Still a long way from a high of 16,187 in 1994. A steep drop started in 2016, the last year above 10,000 baptisms in our reported history.
38% of Louisiana Baptist churches that reported in 2022 had zero baptisms. 35% baptized 1-5 people, while 10% saw six to nine baptisms. 16% reported at least 10 baptisms.
Newer churches are not as evangelistic as they once were. This is something I’ve written about before HERE. Church’s founded before 2000, averaged 7.5 baptisms per church. Those founded between 1950 and 1999, baptized 8.3 per church. Those founded from 1900 to 1949 baptized 9.2 per church. And those founded pre-1900 averaged 5.3 baptisms per church.
If you’re concerned, you can do something about low baptism numbers today! SHARE THE GOSPEL. Here is three questions and a to do list for increasing baptisms in short order:
Question: Do we have a list of potential candidates?
1. Look over our church directory and circle the names of people that I know have not been baptized or that I’m not sure have been baptized.
2. Make appointments with at least one of these each day, until everyone circled has been challenged to consider where they are in their journey toward Christ.
3. Plan a sermon on Baptism where everyone will be challenged to follow and obey Christ with the opportunity to respond.
Question: Are we making Evangelistic Contacts?
4. Pray for open doors to share the gospel.
5. Plan a time today and at least three times each week, to intentionally interact with people that are far from God.
6. Put at least three outreach events on the calendar between now and the end of the year that are sure to engage people who are far from God. Get names, pray, follow up.
Question: Are we developing an Evangelistic Culture in our Church?
7. Plan at least one evangelism training for the entire church between now and the end of the year.
8. Put on the calendar at least one monthly special prayer time for lost and unchurched people in our community.
9. Challenge our church leaders by email and in person to right down the names of five people that they know who need Christ. If they don’t know five people, challenge them to get to know five people who need Christ.
Bible Reading Plans for the New Year
Time to plan for Devotional greatness in the New Year! Following a Bible Reading plan is a challenge for many people. Like many other areas of life, we are good at starting but struggle to finish our best-made devotional plans. It’s worth the struggle! God’s Word breathes life into my weary soul; it provides wisdom and direction, answers life’s deepest questions, and pierces the hearts of those I’m hoping to influence in a new direction. So, I hope you think about a Bible Reading goal for the New Year. Here are a few that I’ve greatly benefited from that might be a fit for you:
- The One Year Bible Reading Plan is a Whole Bible in 365 Days Plan. It is a great challenge to read the Bible all the way through in a year. It can be done in about 15 minutes per day. I’ve utilized the One Year Bible Reading Plan for years. Daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. And you actually go through Psalms twice. Breaking up the reading like this assures there’s always some meat and milk, even when reading through difficult books in the Old Testament. I’ll be following this plan again next year. Friend me on the Bible App, and let’s do it together. PDF Version Here.
- The Disciple Journal Bible Reading Plan from NAV Press – If you’d like to tackle the whole Bible but are unsure if you can do it daily. I understand. No commandment says, “Read the Bible every day or else.” This is a get-to, not a have-to kind of thing, with more benefits the more you read. But anyway, the DJ Bible Reading Plan is a 25-Day per month Plan. So you have 5 catch-up days every month, 60 for the year. I’ve followed this plan several times. If you can stick with daily or almost daily, you’ll finish before the end of the year and can do something different during the holidays. Get a PDF Version Here.
- The F260 Plan – Replicate Ministries has a great plan that covers its picks for the most important major themes in the Bible. It’s a 260-day plan, so 105 days to catch up. There’s also a suggested Scripture Memory Plan provided by Replicate. I’ve put them in the Bible Memory App HERE. Solid plan. I followed it a few years ago and greatly enjoyed it.
There are three of my favorite plans. What’s your plan for the New Year? What plans would you recommend to others?
“Dad, are you almost finished with the Bible?”
Question from Hudson, our 7 year old a few weeks back. Led to a great conversation about the fact that even though dad is a VERY slow reader, we never FINISH the Bible. God’s truth are meant to be digested over a lifetime. They’re our nourishment (Matthew 4:4), our directives (John 14:21), our curriculum (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 28:18-19), our protection (Psalm 119:9), & so much more.
Grateful to God for giving us His word. The more I know it, the more I realize I need Him everyday.
If you’ve never started a journey of discovering God through the Bible, check out this short resource from Bridge Church called How to Get a Grip on the Bible. It will guide you through FAQ’s, then some habit & practices to develop that could lead you to a vibrant devotional life with God.
Lane Corley 