Author Archives: ashtoncsmith

As a younger pastor, I learned that I had respectability in the community. I’ve been asked to speak and pray before various groups that weren’t specifically Christian. I’ve even had a few opportunities in public schools. Those opportunities are gone or at least fading. Some wring their hands over the situation and talk about theContinue reading “No Homefield Advantage”

Preachers and Bible teachers may be prone to write about issues that press home to them. As a young believer, who didn’t grow up in a committed Christian home, I wrestled with the assurance of my salvation. At the time I came to Christ, I knew next to nothing about the Bible and Christianity. ThroughContinue reading “Assurance of Salvation”

That question was asked on a pastor’s forum recently? The assumption was, what are you reading that’s ministry related. I’ve been a reader ever since Miss Lacy, my kindergarten teacher, asked me if I wanted to learn to read. It was the early 1960s. Miss Lacy, who was in her last year of teaching, sawContinue reading “What Are You Reading?”

Jude verse 3 tell us, “to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” In this one chapter book the writer was eager to write about “our common salvation,” but he had to ask the recipients to stand for the truths of scripture. In church growth, leaders may be veryContinue reading “Contend for the Faith”

One of my shortcomings as a pastor was doing everything myself. Now, I don’t mean I literally did everything, but a lot that I could have delegated, I did myself. Why? First, I have prided myself in being a person who is indispensable, I have liked to think if someone doesn’t come through, then atContinue reading “Delegation”

Many congregations have lost attendees following Covid 19. A commonality for those who have come back to church is that they were a part of a small group. The relationship factor from being in a small group has demonstrated that those who are a part of such a group are much more likely to continueContinue reading “Small Groups”

Too many congregations are weighted with mostly older adults. The Millennials, born between 1980 to 2000, are our largest generation, surpassing even the Baby-Boomers, who were born between 1946 and 1964. According to Pew Research, there are 72.1 million Millennials. Those of us who are older may have concluded that Millennials, on the whole, don’tContinue reading “Reaching Millennials”

There’s a lot to feel down about for believers and congregations. We hear statistics about fewer people identifying as Christians and the rise of the nones–those who don’t identify with any religion or faith. The nones can be explained as basic honesty. Formerly, it was advantageous to profess Christianity and be a part of aContinue reading “Encouragement for Churches”

During my time as a pastor, I’ve witnessed too many congregations that are inwardly focused. People were focused on their own preferences. I heard about one church years ago where the older members threatened to withhold their giving unless they were catered to. They wanted a bus so they could be taken on trips. ToContinue reading “An Essential for Church Growth”

Carneal, George. From Queer to Christ: My Journey Into the Light, 2016 I saw a brief interview with the author and decided to buy the book, read it and review it. Carneal grew up in the family of a Southern Baptist pastor in the southern United States. He had effeminate traits, such as carrying hisContinue reading “Book Review: From Queer to Christ”