Posts by Daniel Kendall (Page 3)
The Greatest Missions Opportunity is the Established Church
It has taken me many years to come to this conclusion, but I believe that one of the ripest harvests is the pews of churches in the American South. I understand that many people have “shaken the dust off their feet” and moved on from the established churches in the South, but I believe that this is a mistake. The question truly is this, have American’s heard the Gospel and rejected it or have they never heard the Gospel? I…
Regenerate Church Membership
Where do you begin as you seek to renew a church? There are so many issues from music to finances to leadership. Where do you begin? I would submit to you that the greatest need is a truly regenerate church membership. In Scripture there are sheep, wolves, and goats. If you are part of your typical church here in the South you will find that it is about 10-20% sheep, 10-20% wolves, and the rest are goats. Sheep are the…
The Key to Church Renewal
Before any church can be revitalized, you must settle one question: Who is going to revive the church, you or God? I believe that there is no greater offense to the Spirit of God than the spirit of dependence upon the flesh. The Word of God is clear. “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5.) There is nothing that God requires of us that we are actually capable of doing. We are without strength (Romans 5:6.) We are completely…
Church Health vs. Church Growth
Healthy churches will grow. Unhealthy churches can grow as well. Healthy bodies will grow taller and stronger. Unhealthy bodies will grow wider around the waste and weaker. Healthy cells multiply and divide. Cancer cells multiply and divide. This is very important to remember in church revitalization. The goal is a healthy church not church growth. The healthy church will grow in time, and the growth will be God glorifying and sustainable. A church may grow like a cancer cell, but…
Church Revitalization
In recent years the emphasis on church planting has been accompanied by a growing emphasis on church renewal. For the last twelve years, I have been part of two different church revitalizations. I am planning on discussing this process at length from start to finish. My prayer is that it will encourage each believer in Christ to help strengthen their local church so that it can be all that God has called it to be. What is meant by church…
Not Making a Decision is Making a Decision
I once asked a man if he would follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. He stared at the ground and did not answer. Eventually his answer came, “I am not going to say, ‘No.’” However, he would never say, “Yes,” nor did he follow Christ’s teachings. I have many similar conversations over the years. People know what God requires of them, yet they will not do it. They keep delaying and putting off what they know they should do. However,…
Understanding Grief
I know that dreams are largely a conglomeration of your thoughts and experiences throughout the previous few days, but I also know that the Lord does sometimes speak in dreams. For myself personally, I find that at times I tend to have insights and understanding in my dreams. I do not know if this is just a natural process of the mind detoxing and problem solving of if it is a supernatural process the Lord uses in my life. Whatever…
Straining at a Gnat: Thoughts on Christians and Politics
If I was to choose a verse for my life it would be Matthew 7:24. My aim is to build every facet of my life around Jesus Christ. This includes my views on government, politics, and voting. I have observed countless Christians from all points of the political divide endorse Trump, endorse Clinton, endorse Johnson, endorse writing in a name, and endorse not voting at all. Almost all of these would claim the authority of Scripture and claim to oppose…
When Racism Hits Close to Home
Most Sunday nights I sit down with my wife and watch funny videos to unwind from a hectic day of preaching, counseling, and fellowshipping. Tonight is different. I do not know how to describe the way I feel. I guess it is a mix of anger, bewilderment, frustration, and disbelief. Before the evening service I took time to talk with a police officer in our church and his young family. He was off duty today, but he told me of…
Black Lives Matter, the Dallas Shooting, Hillary Clinton, and Justice
“Ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.” – Malachi 2:9 I have been exceptionally grieved this past week as dozens of concerns and thoughts that I have had for years have come to a head. Like many Americans I am troubled by the senseless violence, racism, murder, and systematic corruption that has become the legal system in America. I used to refer to the “legal system” as the “justice system,” but I can no…
Rapists, Judges, and Hirelings
I just wanted to share a short thought that I have been meditating on for the last few months. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Revelation 21:8 I know we are accustomed to resigning murders, rapists, and hosts of other evil people to hell. However, the Bible is clear that…
Why are you upset about transgenders using public school restrooms?
In light of the recent government mandate concerning transgender bathroom use at public schools, I have one question. Why do you still send your kids to public schools? I could add to that, what will it take for you to withdraw them? With all that has happened over the last few decades, I can complain a lot about public schools. There is the faltering quality of education. (We are barely in the top 15 nations in the world as it relates to education.…