Sep 21
One of our outreaches for Seven Oaks Church of Christ this year was a “Friends Night in the Park.” We have a local park with a nice pavilion, playground, basketball courts, and lots of open space. We reserved the pavilion, took our grill, bought 400 hotdogs, chips, drinks, and desserts. We encouraged our people to …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/church-outreach-idea-worship-in-the-park/
Aug 14
Most of us don’t know much about other religious groups besides our own. For many we have only had experience with one or maybe a couple of groups. There is much ignorance and misunderstanding about what we teach in the Church of Christ. If I had the opportunity to share with everyone some information about …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/what-i-wish-everyone-knew-about-the-church-of-christ/
Jul 16
Since coming to preach in Mayfield, Kentucky I have been involved with the New Pathways for Children ministry. The work began in 1990 and has grown through the sacrifices of Christians in this region. The facility has undergone a renewal in the last three years through the leadership fo Glen and Ricky Burse. Their number …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/government-religious-restrictions-come-to-new-pathways-home-in-kentucky/
Mar 25
The work of the church is the greatest work on earth. Its work is urgent and eternal in nature. Yet, every church I know struggles with getting attendees and members involved in the work. Our Lord taught us to pray for more workers, because the laborers are few (Mat. 9:36-38, 20:5-7) Everyone needs to be …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/how-to-get-more-people-involved-in-the-church/
Jan 21
“By failing to plan, you are preparing to fail.” Benjamin Franklin. This year at Seven Oaks we are trying to be more intentional in our efforts for Christ. We don’t want to just take a shot-gun approach where we have lots of things going on, but not much productivity. Nor do we want to take …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/2014-plan-of-work-for-seven-oaks-church-of-christ/
Dec 01
I have a dear friend who has spent his professional life involved in mission work and church planting and now works in recruiting mission teams to plant local churches. When last speaking with him, he noted how he is increasingly seeing more Christians who are not interested in church planting. There is a desire to …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-local-church-is-the-hope-of-the-world/
Nov 17
In speaking to those at Give-Away Day about their souls, I realized once again that many people feel saved, yet they have no affiliation, and certainly not regular involvement with a church. While there are lots of important issues there regarding being a part of the church of the Bible and worshiping correctly, I just …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/does-salvation-exist-separate-from-the-church/
Nov 08
This Saturday is our 11th annual Give-Away day at Seven Oaks church of Christ. I want to share a little bit about this ministry with you as it might be something your congregation would like to do as well. The Aim of the Ministry To remember the poor. Paul wrote, “they asked us to remember …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/give-away-day-a-church-outreach-effort/
Oct 29
Does church doctrine still have a place in our world today? The family is in a crisis. Traditional marriage is under attack. The homosexual movement’s agenda is being trumpeted incessantly in our culture. Cohabitation and divorce are commonplace. Abortion is still the silent killer. Drugs and alcohol are a scourge upon our society and tearing …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/doctrines-place-in-a-dark-world/
Oct 02
Us preachers are used to the drill. It happens almost every time there is a gospel meeting or seminar at your church. It might even happen during the Summer series on Wednesday’s nights. The visiting preacher comes in and delivers a wonderful lesson that challenges and uplifts the church. Then the comments start, “We haven’t …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/why-the-gospel-meeting-preacher-seems-better-than-your-local-preacher/
