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Hometown Hope Ministries
A Comprehensive Independent Baptist Church Revitalization Ministry
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Hometown Hope equips struggling Independent Baptist churches for revitalization and sustainable spiritual health, empowering leaders and congregations to thrive faithfully in their mission.
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When “Peace” Becomes an Excuse: Rethinking God’s Will
It comes up in all kinds of situations—whether someone is asked to serve in a ministry, consider a calling, reconcile a strained relationshi

Brent Madaris
Sep 15, 20254 min read


Shepherds, Beware the Wolves in the Church: Discernment & Response Guide For Difficult/Problematic Members
Churches today face a wider range of challenges than ever. We are called upon to care for all the flock. And it is defintely not "one size fits all." The degree to which a pastor can effectively engage interpersonal relationships is often the degree to which he can successfully pastor his church and move forward. Some men are better at this than others, but we can all learn.

Brent Madaris
Sep 9, 202512 min read


Northeast Church Closures - Empty Pews, Quiet Steeples: What’s Happening to Churches in the Northeast?
Walk through almost any town in New England or the Mid-Atlantic, and you’ll see it: the spire rising above trees and rooftops, a church stitched into the skyline like an anchor to the past. But step inside, and the story is different. Many pews are half-empty. Some sanctuaries are silent, locked, and listed on LoopNet as “redevelopment opportunities.” In the Northeast, the steeple remains visible — but the congregation is dwindling.

Brent Madaris
Sep 5, 20259 min read


Worm Theology, Pharisees, and Uriah Heep: False Humility in Christianity Still Misleads Us
Let me ask you a question. "Are We Evil?" or "Do I have an Evil, Wicked Heart?"
The answer to that question will determine a great deal about how you live and function in this world.

Brent Madaris
Aug 29, 20256 min read


Surviving Betrayal: How to Win When Life Turns Against You
Betrayal is one of the most painful and potentially devastating experiences that one can have. Almost everyone will face it at some point...

Brent Madaris
Aug 26, 20259 min read


Same Circus, Different Tent: How Independent Baptists Paved the Way for Today’s Church Spectacles
In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the Independent Baptist movement in America exploded with growth. Bus ministries filled pews. Sunday School contests brought in droves. Preachers got slimed. Clowns told Bible stories. One pastor offered a brand-new bicycle to the child who brought the most friends. Another swallowed a goldfish during revival week. These weren’t fringe stunts—they were part of the mainstream effort of some churches to build big churches, fast.

Brent Madaris
Aug 25, 20257 min read


What’s the Dress Code?” Navigating a Common Question with Biblical Clarity and Historical Honesty
The question, “What’s the dress code?” reflects cultural shifts, historical baggage, and fear of judgment. Churches can answer with clarity, grace, and biblical fidelity.

Brent Madaris
Aug 22, 202510 min read


Marijuana, Moderation, and the Christian Mind: Christian Sobriety - A Biblical Theology of Intoxication
The debate over marijuana is not just about a plant, but about the Christian mind. Scripture never blesses intoxication, whether mild or severe. The consistent biblical ethic is sobriety—clarity of thought, vigilance in spiritual warfare, and Spirit-filled self-control.

Brent Madaris
Aug 20, 20258 min read


Discernment in Public Ministry Associations (Part II): A Biblical Rubric for Evaluating Platforms and Invitations
When it comes to ministry affiliations, not every question can be answered by a single verse or quick judgment. Discernment requires weighing doctrine, character, reputation, and fruit together. This article introduces a practical four-category rubric that condenses broader biblical principles into a usable tool, helping pastors and believers evaluate potential partnerships with clarity and peace of conscience.

Brent Madaris
Aug 18, 20255 min read


One Bible, One Voice: Why Multi-Version Preaching is Failing Our Churches
When pastors preach from multiple Bible versions, they may think they’re offering variety—but instead they sow confusion, weaken authority, and rob the church of clarity. We must stand with one Bible, one voice.

Brent Madaris
Aug 16, 20255 min read


When God Sends a Friend to a Faithful Shepherd
On a summer evening in rural Michigan, ten people gathered in a church. The pastor preached on the mighty hand of God, but after the service he shared something even more powerful: the story of how God met his loneliness through the friendship of a visiting believer. This quiet testimony reminds us that struggling churches need more than programs — they need friends who show up, listen, and encourage.

Brent Madaris
Aug 14, 20253 min read


Discernment Rubric for Evaluating Ministry Invitations and Associations
From fallen leaders to compromising leaders, there is challenge on every side. Jesus did not align with everyone or every group to get His message “out there.” He literally started his own group! And that group was given guidelines on how to operate! This tool for evaluating potential associations is designed to help ministry leaders make wise, biblically grounded decisions about whom to partner with. It serves to protect our testimony while encouraging healthy, purposeful en

Brent Madaris
Aug 11, 202512 min read


Why Independent Baptist Identity Still Matters—And Where It Fits in the Baptist Landscape
Where Do We Go From Here? Introduction: Navigating Baptist Identities with Faithfulness In an age of denominational drift, moral...

Brent Madaris
Aug 11, 20258 min read


From Three to Thriving: A Story of Church Revitalization
After retiring from pastoring, George couldn’t ignore his burden for struggling churches. One Sunday, he walked into a congregation of three

Brent Madaris
Aug 10, 20252 min read


Before You Say, "Yes" - 21 Questions Every Pastor Should Ask a Church
NEW Copyright Notice This website and all blog/article material is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. For full copyright information, visit our Copyright Page. Accepting a call to a local church is far more than agreeing to serve; it’s a serious spiritual commitment requiring mutual understanding and discernment. Too often pastors leap into their first or next pastorate without asking the hard questions that s

Brent Madaris
Aug 6, 202510 min read


Educating with Vision: Lessons from Edward Thring for Today’s Classrooms and Churches
You Matter! In an age where education is often measured in test scores and ministry in metrics, it’s refreshing—reviving, even—to look...

Brent Madaris
Aug 3, 20253 min read


Revitalization or Replacement? Rethinking the "Missionary Mindset" in Dying Churches
"Can These Bones Live?" — A bold new series on reclaiming dead and dying churches through Spirit-led, Scripture-driven revitalization....

Brent Madaris
Aug 3, 20253 min read


Letter IV – The Ethics of the Pulpit
The work of God must be done in God’s way, by God’s men, for God’s glory. Then you...

Brent Madaris
Aug 2, 20254 min read


Power or Pragmatism? When Programs Replace the Presence of God
There’s a subtle yet serious pressure that is attempting to shape the church once again—a pressure not born of Scripture, but of results, and results-driven comparison. Pastors and churches are being measured less by faithfulness to the Word of God and more by visible success. Events, campaigns, and increases in attendance are once again being held up as proof of God’s blessing, while smaller or slower-growing churches are quietly deemed ineffective.

Brent Madaris
Jul 30, 20258 min read


Church Revitalization & Planting – A Unified Strategy for Independent Baptists
Abstract This paper explores the comparative value of church revitalization and church planting, especially within the context of...

Brent Madaris
Jul 28, 202514 min read
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