Jul 18
I was asked to contribute an article for Freed-Hardeman University’s journal Kingdom. Ralph Gilmore is the editor and chose to focus on an article by Alexander Campbell called the “Kingdom of Heaven” written in 1834. I was assigned the “King” of the Kingdom. Alexander Campbell, an early restoration leader, saw the kingdom of heaven as …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/what-i-learned-in-studying-from-alexander-campbell/
Jun 26
Have you heard these statements by Christians: “I am not going to condemn them, because I know I am a sinner too.” “Well, it is not my place to judge, because I know I have my faults.” I understand it is not a Christian’s place to judge the eternal destination or heart of anyone else. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/i-cant-condemn-them-because-i-am-a-sinner-too/
Jun 25
I recently wrote on the blessing of church camp. This year area church youth ministers planned a day camp here at 7 Oaks church of Christ in Mayfield. It is going on this week for ages 7 – 12. For the past several years they have done a local work camp where teens from Graves County …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/day-camp-at-seven-oaks-2013/
Jun 19
In the last post, we put forth the challenge of filling the gap with trust rather than suspicion when a co-worker or family member creates a gap by their actions. In this post, I would like to address the issue of what you do when the person continues to create a gap by their actions. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/filling-the-gap-when-you-have-to-get-an-answer/
Jun 18
Elders, what do you do when you go by the church office on Tuesday morning and the preacher isn’t there? Preachers, what do you do when your youth minister isn’t in the office by 10 in the morning? Husbands, what do you do when you can’t get your wife on her cell phone one evening …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/filling-the-gap-trust-vs-suspicion/
Jun 11
Campfires, swimming, sports, devos, games, Bible classes, songs, talent shows, movie nights, baptisms, and much more. These are all memories that so many have from attending church camp. I attended Crowley’s Ridge Church Camp outside of Paragould, AR. We had a great time. Our faith grew, friendships were made, and our view of the church …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/thank-god-for-church-camp/
May 28
Do your Bible class teachers need the use of a projector in the classroom? Does your small church need an inexpensive way to get a presentation system. Let me share something for you to consider. At Seven Oaks for years one of our teachers used a large projector and large screen. It never worked well …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/a-big-tv-apple-tv-and-bible-classrooms/
May 24
170 bridges of more than 12 feet in length over 47.5 miles was necessary to be built to complete the Panama railroad. The Panama railroad took 5 years to build in the 1850s and it connected ocean-to-ocean. It was only five-foot wide and still cost $8 million to build because of all the bridges.¹ Imagine …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/be-a-bridge-builder/
May 21
There are many methods for evangelism. There are all kinds of skills, techniques, and efforts used by Christians to convert others. But there is one skill or discipline that I have learned over my short 15 years of ministry that I don’t think we emphasize enough in the church. It is the skill of patience …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/an-evangelisms-secret-weapon-patience/
May 17
With a world of mass media, constant busyness, and rampant individualism many wonder why they should spend their time attending worship. What is worship about? What should those who lead worship aim for accomplishing during it? There could be many answers, but I found this quote insightful by Eugene Peterson in Reversed Thunder a book …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/why-go-to-worship/
