Praying for you and FBC LaPlace tonight!

SBC OPTIMISM (updated) #SBC26 I am thankful and generally enthusiastic about where we are in the SBC. I am just one man and I don’t claim to speak for anyone else.  10 reasons I am optimistic: 1. We have a strong cohort of hard-working, theologically solid, evangelistically minded pastors in churches of all sizes. Very encouraging. 2. Many of our SBC churches of all sizes are growing and multiplying. There is unprecedented interest in spiritual things right now in our country - especially from young men. I’ve never seen anything like it. Praise God! 3. Many of our state conventions are becoming stronger, more connected, more strategic, and more visible. Glad to see it. The more local the connections the better I think. 4. We have a solid confession that clarifies important doctrines and unifies us - the BF&M 2000. That document provides the boundaries of our big tent. @albertmohler’s amendment will bring greater clarity on the title, office, and function of a pastor. I’m all for it. 5. Our seminaries and mission boards are headed by clear, unapologetic conservatives. I don’t worship these guys and I disagree with them from time to time but I am thankful for every one of them. They have difficult jobs.  6. Our mission boards are doing excellent work. They are not perfect. But I believe they are effective. I am proud of their leadership and proud of the thousands of missionaries and church planters that we get to support through NAMB and IMB. 7. Our seminaries are a tremendous asset. Again - not perfect - but overall - effective. I was educated at SBTS. Almost all of our pastors at Family Church have degrees from SBC seminaries . I am grateful and supportive. 8. I do not believe the SBC has a widespread problem with feminism, liberalism, racism, sexual abuse, or women pastors. I definitely do not believe there is any large-scale “leftward drift.”   9. Every pastor I know wants to protect kids every way that we can. Every pastor I know wants to offer the gospel to every person regardless of ethnicity. There is near-universal clarity and biblical unity on gender, sexuality, and family structure. 10. If an entity leader is out of step (as some have been)? They can be corrected by their trustees. If a church is out of step (as some are)? They can be corrected at the associational, state, and national levels. Ultimately churches can be voted out. The SBC has a proven willingness to disassociate with churches (even large churches with famous pastors) in egregious and consistent violation of the BF&M2000. Must we be vigilant about articulating and guarding our conservative commitments? Absolutely. Are we perfect? Of course not.  Can we make adjustments or tweak certain things to get better? Of course. The thing I am most excited about for our Convention of churches is the unprecedented opportunity for gospel advance. It’s happening right now. We live in the greatest and freeest and most prosperous  country in the history of the world. The SBC is the greatest and most influential network of evangelical churches in the Western World. There is a highly unusual openness to spiritual things in our culture right now. And we have a powerful gospel that really saves. What a time to be alive. What a time to be Southern Baptist. What a time to serve Jesus.

Thankful that @MBTS posted an excerpt from my and @MattCapps book, Shepherding Renewal! We hope it helps pastors on the revitalization journey! ftc.co/resource-library/arti…

Healthy churches grow when leaders prioritize disciple‑making, tackle the most urgent issues first, and lead with clarity. Read this excerpt from "Shepherding Renewal: A Guide to Lasting Church Revitalization" by @MattCapps and @PastorSWade. ftc.co/resource-library/arti…

Releases Monday. Was blessed to get a pre-release copy!

Excited to dig into this new work by my friend @Benmerkle

Thanks to everyone for supporting us on launch day! #shepherdingrenewal is the #1 new release on Amazon!

Today is the day!!! It was a great joy for @MattCapps and I to write this book with @BHpub! If you are a pastor on the revitalization journey or training to be a pastor, this book is for you! lifeway.com/en/product/sheph…

“In a healthy church, the Word of God must be regularly preached and heard. As goes the pulpit, so goes the church.” — @MattCapps, @PastorSWade lfwy.co/fhCG50YXCyb

“Pastors, this is your call from Christ—‘to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,’ so that the church can mature.” — @MattCapps, @PastorSWade lfwy.co/y8o650YXCvU

Tomorrow is release date!!!!

Thanks @DJ__Horton We had a great time writing this book and pray it blesses pastors and leaders on the revitalization journey!

Excited to be a part of this @ncbaptist conference!!

If you get a minute, take a look at this incredible story! ncbaptist.org/article/life-s…

📚 Free book giveaway!✨ Everyone who attends the Shepherding Renewal Conference on April 30 in Youngsville will receive an exclusive early copy of @MattCapps & @PastorSWade's new book: Shepherding Renewal! Be among the first to open it! 📖 Register 👉 ncbaptist.org/shepherdrenew

Thankful that @edstetzer would write the foreword to our new book! It’s available for preorder: amzn.to/4sL1dMI

Join us for @ncbaptist's one-day "Shepherding Renewal" conference at Faith Youngsville! It's only $10 for the conference, lunch, and my and @MattCapps new book with @BHpub! Find out more here: ncbaptist.org/events/shepher… #OnMissionTogether

📖 Join N.C. Baptists for a one-day event designed to equip you with the biblical and missional health needed to lead change. Hear from @MattCapps, @PastorSWade and other experienced leaders. #OnMissionTogether Register at ncbaptist.org/shepherdrenewa….

⛪️ Join N.C. Baptists for a one-day event designed to equip you with the biblical and missional health needed to lead change. Hear from @MattCapps, @PastorSWade and other experienced leaders. #OnMissionTogether 👉 Sign up now at ncbaptist.org/shepherdrenew.

Just received my author copies of “Shepherding Renewal”, written with @PastorSWade. @edstetzer wrote the foreword. And, as always, the team at @BHpub did a fantastic job! - shepherdingrenewal.com