Hometown Hope Ministries

A Necessary Conversation Independent Baptists have historically been a people marked by conviction. We have not been perfect, but we have been clear. Clear about doctrine. Clear about the authority of Scripture. Clear about the primacy of the local church. Clear about separation, not as a personality trait, but as a theological necessity rooted in holiness and truth. Yet in recent years, a noticeable shift has been taking place—quietly, incrementally, and often unquestioned.

A pastoral letter to young Independent Baptist preachers, guiding them on spiritual depth, obedience, and the centrality of biblical authority. Learn how to cultivate genuine spiritual maturity without drifting into pragmatism, experientialism, or compromise.

Well done” is not the same as “well attended. I want to give you a pastoral word on faithfulness, metrics, and the long game Monday mornings have a familiar feel in church life. Social media fills with glowing reports. Carefully worded reflections. Attendance totals. Baptisms counted. Souls reported. Discipleship headcounts. Phrases like “God moved,” “the Lord met with us,” and “what a day” are often attached—almost reflexively—to visible outcomes. Sometimes these reports are

God still calls men to preach, but calling is not confirmed in a moment. This article explores why the church must slow down discernment to help young preachers endure and finish well.

Many pastors sense that something is deeply wrong but struggle to name it or know what to do next. Recent national data confirms this unease is not imagined. This is not a call to panic, but a call to clarity.

The Way of the World, or the Way of the Cross? “If the Independent Baptist movement is to experience revitalization, its leaders must...

What Does Blameless Really Mean? When Paul laid out the high qualifications for pastors in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1, he wasn't writing to...

There’s a painful reality in ministry life that few are willing to talk about—not because it’s scandalous, but because it’s silently...

You don't have to choose one style over the other. There is somthing deeper to learn here. The Independent Baptist movement has long...

If we desire to see the Independent Baptist movement thrive, we must rediscover what it means to engage others with both strength and grace.

The Pastor-Bully Pastors are called to be shepherds, guiding and protecting the flock of God. However, some take that role beyond biblical authority and turn into domineering figures who control, intimidate, and even harm those under their care. I remember a situation where a man came to pastor a church. His father came and preached a sermon, and from the pulpit, he said, "Since my son is going to be in charge of this place, I thought I had better come down and check it out."

I will never forget the moment. As I stood on the platform, seeking to quell a brewing rebellion…

Why do some young ministers leave Baptist churches behind? One key reason is the allure of celebrity within the ministry. Too often,...

“ The highest moral character must be sedulously maintained. Many are disqualified for office in the church who are well enough as simple...

Much research has been done in the field of leadership. Quality leadership in churches is important, especially in revitalization works....