Hometown Hope Ministries

What happens when visible success becomes the defense against biblical accountability? This article exposes the spirit of pragmatic triumphalism taking hold in some conservative circles—and calls pastors back to truth, holiness, and trembling before God.

Church revitalization isn’t second-class ministry. As churches close across the country, we must not overlook the call to rebuild and restore Gospel witness where it once thrived. Revitalization is biblical, strategic, and urgent—and it belongs alongside church planting, not beneath it.

The Faithful Shepherd Guiding Commitments in an Age of Combative Christianity 1. I will contend for the faith without craving conflict....

What should we do? “Serious question: Do you think there are times a church should close their doors? What would be your reasons?” This question was recently posed to me in response to a post on church revitalization. It’s a weighty question—and it deserves more than a quick or casual answer. As a pastor and researcher who has spent over four decades in various churches, and as someone who has studied church revitalization academically and practically (with over two decades p

When one church grows by absorbing others, is the Body truly growing—or cannibalizing itself? It’s time to ask hard questions about...

Don’t be loud and wrong. Study before you shout. A Call to Deep Preparation and Biblical Accuracy Young preacher, The pulpit is no place...

When churches are targeted, shepherds must stand. Be alert. Be bold. Be faithful. When churches are targeted and no shepherd is present,...

It’s time to stop pretending everything’s fine—and start facing the mission we’re losing. We don’t need another glowing report or glossy brochure—we need a reality check. Behind the pulpits and programs, beneath the polished social media posts, something is quietly crumbling. Attendance is thinning. Churches are closing. Entire regions of our country are Gospel deserts. And yet, many still speak as if everything is thriving. Let’s be honest: Many Independent Baptist churches

This article draws on findings from a recent doctoral research project examining the role of women’s ministry in church revitalization.

Another Letter to a Young Pulpit Young brother, A subtle temptation follows every man who climbs into a pulpit: the temptation to wow and...

Almost 2/3 of Georgians are not in church on any given Sunday! Wake Up! 🚨Red Alert: Church Attendance in Georgia Decreasing! A noticeable and heartbreaking shift has taken place in Georgia’s religious landscape. Once among the most churchgoing states in America, the Peach State has now dropped to about 34% in weekly church attendance ( the national average is around 30%) according to the latest reports. That’s down from 39% in 2014 and more than 42% in the early 2000s. Let t

Have you heard? Revival is...ON! If you don't believe it, just read the next quote....ripped from the headlines of the "Revival...

Revitalization is possible—every church has a story worth rewriting. I recently overheard someone say, “You’ve heard the old saying,...

Why facts matter, grace must lead, and the church must speak clearly. Child sexual abuse is a scourge that demands truth, not...

Introducing “Letters to a Young Pulpit” Young preacher, I know you. How do I know you? I was you. I started preaching when I was 14, way...

When Victory Clouds the Battlefield: The Urgent Need for Church Revitalization A compelling reminder that some victories don’t mean the...

The angry Baptist! And they don't want you to be happy either! We’ve all heard of the Hyper-Calvinist — the theologian who out-Calvins Calvin until no one can respond to the Gospel...they are just forced to believe! But there’s a lesser-known cousin who shows up in a different wardrobe and a louder voice: Meet the Hyperbaptist . Yes, he’s real. And no, this isn’t a punchline. I'm a Baptist — gladly and unapologetically. I believe that Baptist doctrine, as a general expressio

Church Revitalization is Possible! When a church is on the brink of death—attendance in the single digits, buildings in disrepair, and a...

The Loss We All Feel I was driving back from Florida, and I began to notice all of the signs for lawyer services. As a kid, I remember it was considered unethical and unprofessional for lawyers and doctors to advertise. I certainly didn't think of it that way as a child, I just somehow knew in my mind they were not supposed to do it. As I was driving along, I began to wonder what had happened. Why the change? As I meditated on this, my mind began to wander, and I began to que

Don't Fall For It! Yes, programs are a key ingredient to the successful revitalization of a church, however, we must be very careful, and biblical in choosing what programs we implement. The programs must be biblically sound and discipling in nature. In every generation, well-meaning pastors and church leaders have sought ways to reach their communities and grow their churches. Many have been deeply sincere, driven by a desire to see souls saved and pews filled. During the mi