As we approach the day of Thanksgiving, it feels like this season of reflection should bring two things to mind for us. First, it should remind us of all of the things in this life for which we can give thanks. From the material blessings and the comforts they can bring, to the gifts of health, family, friends, a faith community, and…

One thing is for sure, our congregation has faced a great amount of loss in the last year-and-a-half. We feel the weight of each loss, as with each passing it feels like another pillar seems to be removed from our congregation. We then feel the responsibility to look to each other to reinforce the mission and the ministries to which we are…

One morning while eating breakfast, our daughter Hattie was watching an old episode of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Some have said that part of the genius of the show was in its simplicity and relatively low production value compared to the shows of today. Even deeper than that, however, the true genius is probably in the ways it teaches some of the most profound…

Toward the end of my sermon on Sunday, July 29, I commented that we have spent a great deal of time over the last couple of years burying men and women who have served as pillars of our church. I noted that while these individuals might not have always been famous, or well known in the community, or seen as accomplishing great things…

We are stronger together. That is what I took away from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s annual General Assembly meeting in Dallas, TX from June 13-15. I was grateful to be there with likeminded Baptists, including our own Bridget Kokolis and Kelli Kirksey. I am not always able to go to the annual CBF meeting, but each time I am I come back…

So what now? I know that has to be what many of you are asking. We have just concluded our vision process, and I am truly excited about our future. We have come to a clarified sense of where we believe God is leading us as we journey together toward our 100th anniversary in 2024. So where do we go from here?…

Thank you for the ways in which you have participated in our vision process. You have shown up to offer your thoughts about our past, present, and future. You have written us with analyses of our current ministries and dreams for where God may be leading us in the future. You have shown your unwavering commitment to participating in the life of…

He Is Risen! This is the great proclamation of our faith. It is what we are reminded of as we celebrate together on Easter Sunday. It is not, however, a proclamation merely for Easter. We are Easter people. We live each day with the news of Christ’s Resurrection ringing in our ears and flowing from our hearts. It shapes all of who…

I want to invite you to be part of a special Sunday Bible study series at ARBC during the season of Lent. The Lenten season is the forty days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday (February 14, 2018) through Holy Saturday (the day before Easter, March 31, 2018). This is traditionally a season of fasting and reflection as we prepare ourselves for the…

As I reflect on the year that has just concluded and the new one that has just begun, I am overcome with a sense of gratitude. It is something that has been building for the last four years that we have been together as we have become closer and been able to be church with and for one another. So I want to…