Surprising Insights by Thom Rainer

I am recommending to pastors and church leaders Thom Rainer's book entitled Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them. Besides shattering myths about the unchurched and giving the rationale that unchurched families and individuals have expressed on why they returned to church or embraced church for the first time, Rainer deals with leadership issues essential in responding to the needs of the unchurched seeking a church home. 

If a pastor in White River Baptist Association (Baxter and Marion County, AR) is interested in reading this book contact me at WRBA, and I will get you a copy. I am interested in seeing the impact this helpful book will have on churches that begin to better understand the unchurched in our communities.

Lily learns to stand

My granddaughter, Lily Taylor, will be 4 years old in August. She cannot walk, but is learning to stand. Her physical therapist has worked hard to help her learn basic balance skills and we are appreciative. Lily has a genetic disorder called Angelman's Syndrome that affects a lot of her normal progression of skills, and we are grateful for every new skill she learns.

Three Rivers Biker Church

On Sunday evening June 21st, Three Rivers Biker Church met for the first time. It was an interest meeting along with a worship service. 31 attended the service. Robby and Jimmie Lou Springfield led the music as they played guitars and accompanied by a bass player. Jim Greenslade expressed his vision for the Biker Church as he shared his personal testimony.

Bar None Cowboy Church

Bar None Cowboy Church features a talented bluegrass gospel band, featuring Bob Carson on the banjo or fiddle, Deanna Franks at the piano, Amy Flory playing the guitar or dobro, Simon Flory playing mandolin, banjo, or bass, and Lonnie Carson at the bass or guitar.

The band is supported by singers that include the band members plus Regina Mooney (Johnny Cash :-), Lou Donna Malone, Sandra Hitt, Frank Depriest, and sometimes Tommy Steen. I am adding a video as a sample of what the cowboy church experiences each week and some pictures.

Biker Church starting up

This coming Sunday -- June 21, 2009 -- a worship service and interest meeting will be held at the Western World building on College Street in Mountain Home at 6:30 PM. Jim Greenslade and others have been working on this idea for several weeks and they are excited about this opportunity.

My first blog posting

I'm sitting in my office visiting with Tim Wicker and Jack Gilliland. We are talking about missions -- strange subject for an associational missionary. Church planting is on our hearts, and we are seeking to respond to God's heart for the Ozarks.

Jack is pastor at Rea Valley Baptist Church and Tim is a church planting strategist for Arkansas Baptist State Convention. We have worked together on projects in Russia as well.

Looking forward to future posts.