Blog Posts

O LORD our Lord

9/2/2013

Psalm 8:1-9
1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

This is certainly one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It is a Psalm of David. There is some debate as to whom this passage speaks. Was David thinking of himself and others as he was inspired of the Spirit to pen these words or was he speaking expressly of the Son of God who would come in the form of a man to redeem fallen humanity. Take a moment to consider the introductory thoughts of Matthew Poole, taken from his commentary.

It is a great question among interpreters, whether this Psalm speak of man in general, and of the honour which God put upon him in his creation; or only of the man Christ Jesus. Possibly both may be reconciled and put together, and the controversy, if rightly stated, may be ended. For the scope and business of this Psalm seems plainly to be this, to display and celebrate the great love and kindness of God to mankind, not only in his creation, but also and especially in his redemption by Jesus Christ; whom, as he was man, he advanced to the honour and dominion here mentioned, that he might carry on that great and glorious work. So Christ is the principal subject of this Psalm, of whom it is interpreted, both by Christ himself, Mt 21:16, and by his holy apostle, 1Co 15:27; Heb 2:6-7.

One cannot possibly separate the love of God for fallen humanity and the Savior who came to redeem from sin. There can be no greater blessing bestowed upon man than the offering of Christ upon the cross for our sins. As we consider the words of this powerful and magnificent Psalm, one has to wonder and even question: what is man that thou art mindful of him? Who are we that God would love enough to provide a means of salvation and reconciliation from sin? Who am I that the Son of God would willingly bear my sin and shame upon the cross as He endured the wrath and judgment of God for my sin. He was innocent; I was guilty! He was holy and pure; I was sinful and depraved!

These questions and thoughts have been on my mind as of late. We are unworthy of any blessing from God and yet He is faithful to continue sending blessing after blessing our way. I stand amazed at His presence among us as we gather for worship. I enjoy His peace and guidance each day that I live. I rejoice for the eternal hope and assurance I have in Christ my Savior. As I try to comprehend all these eternal truths, it is more than I can possibly discern. I will admit, I do not understand it all, but I rejoice in the many blessings I receive. It is impossible to think on these things and not declare as David: O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Preacher Chris

Powerful and Compelling

6/29/2013

Please take five minutes to watch this video of excerpts from Dr. Adrian Rogers. It was produced by Love Worth Finding Ministries. All I can say is: Thank you Lord! What a Savior!!

Preach, Pray, Love and Stay!

6/8/2013

I was reading a blog the other day with a post by Thabiti Anyabwile entitled: Everything I Know about Pastoral Ministry I Learned Riding with Pastors, that really spoke to me. In the blog, he addresses pastoral wisdom gained over the years, with much of it coming from just listening to other pastors talk as he traveled with them in an automobile. I suppose there is much to be said for actually listening to what others are saying once in a while rather than immediately contemplating how we will respond. Anyway, I have been unable to get away from one particular bit of wisdom shared in the blog:

“Teach and pray. Love and stay.”

That’s a short summary of pastoral ministry from Mark Dever. Teach the people
God’s word. Pray down heaven on the people. Love the people. And, if possible,
stay with the people over the long haul.

Take just a moment and let that sink in. There is an abundance of wisdom in that simple approach to ministry. In fact, I would go so far as to say, every pastor ought to make this a priority in their own ministries. Let's consider these four essential elements and the enormity of such thinking.

Teach - I will admit, something within me caused me to pause and think about that one for just a moment. I was raised under the perception that a man hadn't preached unless he had ran the isles, sweated his shirt wet, and because of his tendency to "spit" while preaching, those who knew him would try not to sit on the front row. I was raised around that type of preaching, and have no problem with it, if that is the way the preacher is wired. However, it is beneficial to incorporate teaching into preaching. I have heard some say certain individuals were more of a "teacher" than they were a "preacher." That is referring to style, not content. Men we need to consistently, and passionately, feed our congregations a steady diet of the Word. Take the time to study out a passage, or better yet, a complete book of the Bible, and teach that to your people. They will thank you for it. We have not been called to preach current events, or the latest social trends. We have been called to preach the Bible.

Pray - This one seems to be a "no-brainer" but I fear we fail in regard to prayer many times. I know the Lord has dealt with my heart concerning this responsibility as of late. We must be committed to pray if we are to honor the Lord and see fruit among our people. We must be men of prayer, not just an hour or so before we preach, but every day. We need to pray for our people, their needs, our services, those who serve alongside us within the church, and for those who do not know Christ as their Savior. I am convinced the lack of power in our lives and services is directly related to our lack of prayer. Make prayer a priority!

Love - It is imperative that we love people if we are to be effective in ministry. I know that some are easier to love than others, but we have been commanded of our Lord to love others as we love ourselves. I heard that a preacher once said, "Ministry wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the people." Sadly, I fear many preachers have developed that mentality, even if they are unaware of it. We must love our people, regardless of where they are in the journey. We must love them in the good times and the bad, when they agree with us and when they don't. Pastor, love your people in such a way they will know you love them. How long has it been since you told your congregation you loved them? I don't do it as often as I should, but I do tell Fellowship I love them from time to time.

Stay - I realize there are no perfect churches because they are all made up of imperfect people. Every church has its problems. You may be in the midst of trouble right now, but I can assure you, there will be problems at any church you pastor. We must be sensitive to the leadership of the Lord. When He reveals our ministry is finished in a particular place, we must follow wherever He leads. However, we must not jump ship before the Lord is finished with us in a particular place. I know men who are enjoying the best years of their ministry right now, but they were forced to endure some difficulties along the way to get to where they are. We must be committed to staying where the Lord has placed us as long as it pleases Him! If you know you are where God called you to serve, serve faithfully until He releases your burden.

These were just a few things that I have been dealing with this week and I hope they have been a help and challenge to you in the ministry you are currently serving. Preach (teach) and pray. Love and stay!

Preacher Chris

Embracing Change Requires Faith

6/1/2013

I have been thinking lately about the changes we are forced to face in life. Most people don't do well with major changes in life. We tend to be creatures of habit and enjoy things remaining relatively the same in our lives. Change requires us to step outside our comfort zone and embrace something new or different.

Although I had experienced changes along the way, my life had remained within the bounds of comfort, until a few years ago. I had lived in the same area all my life and had attended the same church since I was saved as a young boy, until I went to pastor Pilgrim Baptist Church. Pilgrim was a ten minute drive from our house, so even then, life was comfortable for me and my family. Then the Lord called us to serve in Mount Airy, approximately 75 miles from where I was born and raised. (I always try to keep things in context. I am aware many have been called of God to relocate half-way around the world, and to them, 75 miles would be local.) But, for us, it was a major change in our lives. Three years have now passed and God has been faithful to us as we continue this new path in life. It may seem difficult for some to understand, but I am as happy now as I have ever been. I have learned that contentment is not obtained through physical locations, but being where God wants you to be. When we respond to God, by following Him in faith, He will provide what we need, even in a new environment.

Change is once again looming on our horizon. Makayla, our oldest daughter, graduated from Mount Airy High School last Saturday and she is planning to attend East Carolina University in the fall. Greenville is a four hour drive from Mount Airy. I am very proud of Makayla and the young woman she has become. She wants to pursue a career in nursing and I am certain she will do well. However, it will be difficult to adjust to her not being with us as before. Once again we must walk by faith and trust the Lord. I am confident His grace and guidance will be sufficient.

I have no way of knowing what you are facing in life at this moment, but I am certain the Lord does. He may be leading you in a path that is completely outside the bounds of comfort for you. If so, embrace the changes that lie ahead and follow God by faith. Change is inevitable in all our lives, but our Lord has promised to never leave nor forsake us. As long as you are walking with the Lord, He will provide for you and supply the peace you need as you face an uncertain and sometimes uncomfortable future.

PreacherChris

Back in Mount Airy

5/3/2013

I made it back home to Mount Airy yesterday from Ellenboro. I enjoyed the privilege of being in revival services with Brother Scott Huffman and the fine folks at Campfield Memorial Baptist Church. They were very gracious each day and I felt welcomed among them. The Lord is using them greatly in that area and I was humbled to have been able to have a small part in what He is doing among them.

As I said, I felt welcomed among the folks there, and even felt at home. I have thought much about that this week. That is one of the attributes I most admire about Fellowship. We are a compassionate congregation that seeks to make everyone feel welcomed in the services. Really all churches should be known for their hospitality and welcoming spirit, but sadly that isn't always the case.

I had been a member of my home church for over twenty years when I started pastoring, so you could safely say that I was used to a certain way of doing things. I was used to the people I worshipped with, and really never imagined being asked to leave Bethel, but God had other plans. As my family and I have followed the leadership of the Lord, we have worshipped with several congregations, some of which we knew nothing about prior to attending for that particular service. We have been in churches where there was not a familiar face to be seen. I suppose we may have a bit of an advantage since I was there to preach for them, but there is always a bit of anxiety going into a church for the first time. Most of the churches we visited made us feel welcomed and at home, but that wasn't always the case.

As I pondered these thoughts, I was reminded of the need for the church to go out of their way, making a special effort to make visitors feel welcome. In fact, we shouldn't treat them as a visitor, but rather a guest. A visitor is someone that stands on the porch, but a guest is invited in and made welcome. I really believe that many folks desire to attend church, but have a hard time finding one where they feel welcome. Wouldn't it be awful to attend church, week after week, and never really feel as if you belong?

Now I know a certain amount of responsibility rests on the individual, but unless you are a particularly outgoing person, it is hard to take the initiative in an unfamiliar setting. We all could assume if they want to feel at home then they need to get involved, but we must not neglect our responsibility of greeting them and letting them know we are honestly glad they attended. A warm smile and a kind word will go a long way. In fact, it may make the difference in whether they choose to come back for another service.

Having said all of that, I would like to challenge you to make a point to speak to a visitor on Sunday. The Lord has blessed us with several visitors as of late, and we have tried to make them feel like a wanted guest. Most of them have come back several times since their initial visit. Hospitality may not have made the difference, but I can promise you it didn't hurt!

Preacher Chris

Services Going Well

4/30/2013

I am in revival services this week at Campfield Memorial Baptist Church in Ellenboro, North Carolina where Brother Scott Huffman is the pastor. It has been a good meeting thus far. The services have been well attended and we have enjoyed the Spirit of the Lord being present in each service. I am looking forward to getting back this evening to see what the Lord has in store for us. In fact, I am expecting Him to do some things of eternal significance. Some might think that is being a bit presumptuous or even arrogant, but I disagree. Campfield has been earnestly praying for this meeting for a month now. There have been cottage prayer meetings and special services dedicated to prayer. I am convinced that God will honor the faithfulness of His people.

It has been good to see Brother Scott again. He and I pastored sister churches in Hiddenite prior to being led to our current places of ministry. Brother Scott is a precious friend and I have enjoyed spending time with him this week. God is clearly working among the folks at Campfield and they are diligently working in several areas of ministry, seeking to reach the lost for Christ.

I will try to post another update later in the week. I always enjoy being used of the Lord, but I am looking forward to being with the folks at Fellowship on Sunday. There is no place like home. Please pray for us this week and if you are in the area, we would love to have you come by and worship with us.

Preacher Chris

Spending the Day with the Lord

3/15/2013

I love those times when the Holy Spirit speaks in such a way that it radically transforms my perception and changes my life. I experienced such a time yesterday, and I am still pondering that truth today. I have heard folks say, and I have even said myself, "I want to be used of the Lord, or I hope to do a work for the Lord" Those are certainly noble thoughts, something every believer ought to desire. But really when we think about it, would it not be much better to be to work with the Lord rather than simply trying to do something for Him? I know I run the risk of sounding judgmental or even guilty of over-analyzing our efforts for the Lord, but I feel this is something we really need to consider.

Most Christians, pastors especially, have an idea of what they would like to accomplish, for the Lord. Often we look at the success of others and automatically assume that we might ought to try that as well. The modern church may be in decline, but she is certainly not inactive. There is an abundance of church growth books, filled with new ideas and strategies to keep us busy if nothing else. Do we ever stop to question if the latest activity was what God desired for us? We can be so busy doing work for the Lord, desiring to be used of Him, that we fail to spend quality time with Him. I firmly believe there are times when He just wants us to sit still, spending quality time with Him, waiting on His lead.

He is a radical idea, but I firmly believe it is worth a try. Rather than seeking a new activity, why not commit to spending some quality time with the Lord each day? Why not take a blank sheet of paper, viewed as our agenda for the day, and ask the Lord to fill in the blanks? I have realized I will be much happier and productive working with the Lord instead of simply wanting to be used of the Lord. I want Him to be with me in my endeavors rather than simply heading out supposedly in His name.

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. The yoke spoken of here pictures one that was made for two animals to bear at a time. If one of the animals was young and unlearned, the farmer would pair it with an experienced animal in an effort to train it more efficiently. They needed to learn to work together in order to get the job done. Jesus illustrates our need for Him. We need to be yoked together with Him, laboring alongside Him, rather than seeking to bear the yoke alone in an effort to accomplish His purpose.

Ephes. 3:16 - That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; [20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, It is apparent that Paul had learned this principle as well. He knew where his strength came from. He didn't want to merely work for the Lord; he wanted to experience His Spirit and power working within as he labored with the Lord.

I desire to spend the day with the Lord rather than seeking to spend the day for the Lord. I want to walk with Him in such close fellowship that I am literally depending upon Him to guide each step and divinely orchestrate each event. I don't think we'll get lazy or be unproductive that way, rather I firmly believe we'll accomplish those things the Lord desires. I don't want good things to get in the way of the best things He desires for me!

Preacher Chris

What is Missing?

3/2/2013

Take a moment to consider the modern church. We are blessed beyond measure (at least here in the South) with beautiful facilities, the best in sound equipment, and an abundance of resources to help us "do church." Pastors have more resources at their disposal than they can read. Most have computer programs and software with literally hundreds of commentaries, dictionaries, sermon outlines and manuscripts, and many other enlightening materials. Most pastors that I know have the benefit of printing their sermon notes to carry to the pulpit, or in our new age of technology, download them to their iPad. To put it bluntly, we are spoiled.

Yet with all of this, many churches seem to be struggling. Statistics show us that there is a downward trend in church attendance and baptisms, which naturally reveals a decline in genuine conversions. In many areas, churches are struggling just to survive.

I know that there are many factors that figure into this complex equation. Our society as a whole is much less receptive to the Gospel. We are experiencing a generation in which many were not brought up in church and see no value in it. The course of our nation is heading in a direction contrary to the dictates of Scripture. These are troubling and difficult times, even for the well equipped church and pastor.

Now take a moment to consider the Apostles and their ministry in the days of the early church. They didn't have the benefit of volumes of commentaries, internet access, printable sermon notes, or iPads. They too faced a hostile environment regarding their faith and commitment to the Gospel. In fact, many early believers gave their lives for their faith. We may think we are facing difficult times, but the early church knew what adversity was.

Their daily lives faced enormous difficulty and yet they prospered for the Lord. Thousands were coming to Christ in single services. Whole cities and societies were shaken due to the influence of the Gospel. The church faced great adversity and yet she prospered and grew.

So, that brings me to our question: What is missing? What did the Apostles and the early church have that made the difference? It would appear that we are much better equipped today to engage the world for Christ than they were, but we are not seeing the results they did. As I ponder this important question, I am convinced they enjoyed one essential element that we lack. They possessed something so significant that all the technology and information in the world could never compare. They possessed power. I am not talking about general influence or the ability to persuade people with clever techniques; I am talking about the power of God upon their lives. The Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and the Spirit moved and worked in power among them.

We may have all the latest technology, well planned outlines (I will admit, I love a good outline), beautiful facilities, and abundant material resources, but all of that is vain unless we have the power of God in us and on us. We need the Spirit to move in our midst as He did in days of old. We need a genuine stirring of the Spirit within the modern church. It is possible to obtain the missing ingredient, but it will require sacrifice. We must get to the place that we realize we need His presence in our midst more than we need anything else. Preachers we need the anointing of God upon us every time we step behind the pulpit to preach. We need conviction among us that only the Spirit can bring. We need His power to enable us to fulfill the work we are engaged in. If the church is to prosper in our day, it won't come through more technology or the cleverness of men, but through the power of God bringing profitable change through the Holy Spirit.

Preacher Chris

Meeting Expectations?

1/26/2013

I knew it had been a while since I posted any new thoughts to the blog, but I didn't realize it had been almost a month now. I suppose at times I tend to neglect this aspect of the site, but it has been quite busy since Christmas and I have had more pressing obligations.

Anyway, I was thinking about meeting expectations. I have no way of knowing exactly how many people visit Pulpit Pages expecting to find new comments posted here. If you are disappointed in my efforts, then I haven't met your expectations. I know I am not regular enough to be considered "dependable" in the social media venue, but at times it just isn't viewed as a priority. As I have said in the past, I am blessed to pastor a great church and I want to ensure that I am giving them all the attention I possibly can.

Here is the real depth of my thoughts on meeting expectations. We all have certain expectations related to various aspects of our lives. Sometimes those expectations are met, and at other times they are not. I was wondering how we measure up in light of God's expectations for the church. Could any of us genuinely say that we are truly meeting the expectations that Christ has for His church? Some are certainly doing better than others, but I think it is safe to say that none of us are doing all we can, measuring up to what our Lord expects.

I have thought about three simple things that would be a great start, at least in trying to meet the expectations Christ has for us. The first of these is:

1. Commitment - This is an area that seems to be lacking in the average church in America. We can make any excuse we want to try and justify our lack of commitment to the Lord and the church, but the fact remains, we are failing miserably in commitment to the Lord. If we are aren't committed to the Lord, His church, and His work, we have failed to meet God's expectations for our lives. Mark 12:30 - And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. It isn't possible to consider the Great Commandment Christ gave us and not see the need for commitment. It is impossible to love something will all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (literally all your being) and not be committed to it. If we lack commitment to the Lord, we are not meeting His expectations!

2. Compassion - This too appears to be an area where the average church is failing to meet expectations. It goes hand in hand with our commitment. If we were as committed to the Lord as we should be, we would also possess great compassion. Mark 12:31 - And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Once we love the Lord as we should, completely and entirely committed to Him, then we must love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

That is very simple to comprehend, but it is quite difficult to put into practice. Most churches, and individual Christians, speak of a desire to see the lost come to Christ in salvation. We talk of the great need to reach out in our communities and compel them to come to Christ. Some are even willing to take the time to share the Gospel with others on occasion, but do we really possess the compassion we need? I really think we are failing in this area as well. We may think of it on Sundays or Wednesdays, but most of the time we are so consumed with our daily lives and needs that we fail to love others as we should. If we lack compassion, not loving our neighbor as we love ourselves, we are not meeting the Lord's expectations!

3. Conviction - This is an aspect that will vary from time to time, and within certain areas or congregations, but as a whole, we are failing to meet expectations in regard to Holy Ghost conviction in our lives and services. I stand amazed at times at the lack of conviction we experience. There are times when I know that the Spirit is working within the service or in a particular situation, but there is no response, no movement toward Him.

Isaiah 59:2 - But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Jeremiah 5:25 - Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.

I have given this much thought, and I am convinced that it is due to a lack of conviction in our day. Our personal lives are so consumed with meeting our wants and desires that we have given little, if any thought, to the things of God. There is little personal reflection regarding our spiritual condition prior to the services. We are surrounded by sin and wickedness and it seems as if many have grown accustomed to it and even numbed by it. Our weeks are spent indulging the things that appeal to the flesh, with no preparation to meet with or worship the Lord, and then we wonder why folks aren't responding to the call. Our services are cold and indifferent, and sadly, many assume this is the new "normal" for the modern church.

No, a thousand times, NO!! We must not assume that all is lost and God is through with the church. May we as God's people come before Him with repentant hearts, confessing our sin, and seeking His holiness. May we spend some time in honest reflection to our spiritual condition and beg God to cleanse us of our apathy and defilement, and then move forward in our Christian lives expecting God to move among us once again.

We may seek to place the blame for lack of conviction on any number of areas, but I think if we would be honest, we will have to admit that the lack of conviction in our lives and even in our services lies squarely on our shoulders. It is due to a lack of purity in our lives. If our lives are lived in such a way that God cannot bless us with His presence, how can we expect to experience conviction that is essential to the drawing of the Spirit. If we lack conviction, we are not meeting the Lord's expectations!

Where are you in your personal relationship with Christ? Has the Spirit done an evaluation of your heart? Can you honestly say that you are meeting God's expectations? If not, and I am sure that most of us aren't, may we seek God in confession and repentance with a desire to genuinely meet His expectations as much as we possibly can!

Preacher Chris

What is the Church to Do?

12/31/2012

As we stand upon the threshold of the New Year, many questions remain unanswered. There is still much anxiety in the hearts' of people, even among the church. It seems as if many have acquired a gloomy outlook regarding our future.

My thoughts have been focused on the challenges the church faces in these difficult times. There can be little doubt that we face great adversity and undeniable challenges. The naysayers would have us to believe there is little hope for revival and any hope of spiritual renewal are long gone. It is apparent that the spiritual climate of our modern society has deteriorated at an alarming rate. We face an increasing struggle to engage those who are lost without Christ, hoping to help them recognize their need of salvation. Numbers and attendance are down across the board. Clearly we have entered a spiritual climate that ought to drive us to our needs in prayer and supplication before God.

As we survey the needs and difficulties of our day, there should really be no surprise. In fact, the Bible teaches that this environment must evolve prior to the Lord's return for the church. 2 Thes. 2:3 - Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; The phrase "falling away" speaks of a departure, literally apostasy. We are seeing that come to pass in our generation, right before our very eyes. Our nation as a whole has clearly turned away from God.

So, that begs the question: What is the church to do in such a time as this? We are seeing the prophecy of Scripture fulfilled. God's Word will be accomplished in His time and in His way without fail. Just as there was an appointed time for Christ to come in the first advent, so too there is an appointed time for Him to come again. Many seem to have given up on their responsibility. They would say, "The Bible is being fulfilled and there is nothing we can do about it. People are not as receptive as they used to be, and there is little use to try and reach them."

I fear that is the attitude of many within the church today. They may not readily admit it, but many are all too ready to chalk up the lack of genuine conversions and a drastic decline in attendance to unchangeable circumstances.

Be that as it may, we have a choice to make. Are we going to sit idly by, waiting within the comfort of our salvation for the Lord to return, or are we going to rise to the occasion and meet the challenges of our day for the glory of God. We know these events must transpire, and they will just as God pleases, but that is no license for us to abandon the work that Christ has left us to fulfill. We are still in the age of grace. The Spirit of God is still at work, even if we fail to see it. There are still countless souls lost and undone before God. The church has a responsibility to continue in the faith as long as she is here.

We face great challenges, but I choose to rise to the occasion, striving to do all I can in the time that I have. These are dark days, but light shines brightest when it is darkest. We still have a work to do! I don't want to stand before the Lord and realize that I gave up in the third quarter when the victory could have been won! I am committed to staying in the race, seeking to serve the Lord as He would have me too, even if the results are not what I desired or what former generations achieved.

What will you choose for the coming year? If you were to meet Christ our Lord this year, would you be confident in your accomplishments? Surely there is still much to be done, and it has fallen our lot to labor in the harvest at this particular time!

Preacher Chris

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I am Chris Benfield, pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Boonville, NC. Here you will find some of my thoughts, particularly relating to the church and serving our Lord.

O LORD our Lord

Powerful and Compelling

Preach, Pray, Love and Stay!

Embracing Change Requires Faith

Back in Mount Airy

Services Going Well

Spending the Day with the Lord

What is Missing?

Meeting Expectations?

What is the Church to Do?

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