Fairburn Baptist Association

10/28/2026

The church must speak to public life—but it should sound like Scripture, not a political commercial with better lighting.

In “Prophetic, Not Partisan,” I examine the difference between biblical courage and partisan loyalty. Prophetic preaching applies God’s truth to every side, including our own, and calls people to something deeper than winning an election: repentance, obedience, and faithfulness to Christ.

Fair warning: this blog may unsettle Republicans, Democrats, independents, and anyone convinced Jesus quietly joined their party. That may be a good thing.

Read the final installment of The State of the Local Church at https://www.fairburnba.org/post/prophetic-not-partisan

10/23/2026

10/22/2026

We’re Baptists. We have opinions. Some of those opinions have podcasts.

But what happens when national SBC controversies start straining relationships in your local church?

Questions about doctrine, spending, accountability, and trust deserve a fair hearing. Pastors need a biblical way to lead that conversation—and everybody could probably use a deep breath.

My latest blog, “Local Flock, National Noise,” offers six ways to lower the temperature while taking truth, people, and accountability seriously.

We’re a family. Family loyalty ought to survive an honest question.

Read it here: https://www.fairburnba.org/post/local-flock-national-noise

10/22/2026

An annual report in 7½ minutes. We’re doing our part to redeem the time.

Behind every training event, pastor gathering, and church partnership are people—and opportunities to help them flourish.

Our 2026 Fairburn Baptist Association video report gives you a glimpse of that work: strengthening churches, encouraging pastors and their wives, equipping leaders, and serving our neighbors with the gospel.

Your church’s generosity helps make it possible. I’m grateful to serve alongside you.

Click Play, celebrate what God is doing, and share this with your church. The only motion required is moving your finger.

10/19/2026

We love a full church calendar. But a full calendar and an empty pastor make a poor ministry strategy. 🌱

Our 2026 Fairburn Baptist Association Annual Meeting at One Church South Fulton centered on a timely theme:

THRIVE: Cultivating Health in the Leader’s Home and the Lord’s House.

Pastors spend their lives caring for others. Their families often carry the weight in silence. Caring for them belongs near the top of the church’s priorities—somewhere above replacing the fellowship hall coffee maker. And yes, we understand that’s serious business.

Thank you to One Church South Fulton for hosting us, to Will Langford for serving as our speaker, to Dr. Dwight Boone as Moderator, and to everyone who joined us.

Let’s carry the theme home: pray for your pastor, encourage his family, protect time for rest, and help cultivate a church where people can thrive.

https://www.fairburnba.org

Georgia Baptist Mission Board

10/08/2026

A towel better symbolizes deacon ministry than a gavel. And it's considerably more useful when someone spills coffee.

Karen and I enjoyed leading “Serve Well: Deacon and Wife Training” at Griffin Church in Griffin, Georgia, Saturday morning, October 3.

In three sessions over three and a half hours, we explored the biblical foundations of service, meeting needs, protecting church unity, supporting the pastor, communicating wisely, and serving without trying to carry everything.

The format? We met in separate sessions for deacons and wives, then together again. The wives’ session focused on the character and conduct described in 1 Timothy 3:11.

Each session paired biblical teaching with realistic case studies—because knowing what to do gets more interesting when people are involved!

Thank you, pastor David Chancey, for inviting us, and thank you, Griffin Church, for welcoming us. Our aim: servants who strengthen the church and remain faithful, not frantic.

10/06/2026

Great day at Friendship Baptist Chatt Hills ! ✝️

They officially installed three new Deacons in a God-honoring ceremony led by Rev. Joe Stephens. (And yes, we put them right to work!)

Afterward, we celebrated in true Baptist fashion—a fellowship hall potluck stacked high with casseroles. Between plates, they also surprised Pastor Joe with a gift for his upcoming birthday.

Help us congratulate our new Deacons in the comments below—and leave a birthday wish for Pastor Joe! 👇


https://www.friendshipbaptistchatthills.com/

09/26/2026

A good meal. Plenty of laughter. And room for an honest conversation about the hurts ministry wives can carry.

At Held & Healed: Finding Freedom from Ministry Wounds, Karen Kinnaird and Toni Hebel shared from their own experiences of hurt and the healing the Lord has brought. We’re grateful for the women who gathered, the connections made, and the resources each lady received for ongoing support.

Thank you, Karen and Toni, for speaking with such openness and care. We’re praying that the encouragement of this evening continues long after everyone has gone home. 🤍
www.fairburnba.org