Easily the most difficult question asked each individual interviewed was “how do you define success in your ministry context?” The general consensus was that success is not about numbers; it is about transformation. Each used a different word: restoration, life-change, and making disciples. Richard Kennedy said that success is defined by “the [...]

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There are two ministry disciplines that were emphasized by the interviewed: the decentralization of the church and pastoral roles.  The decentralization of the church can be seen in two forms.  One way is in small group ministry.  Jason Dukes, Todd McGehee, and Richard Kennedy all acknowledged their church’s use of small groups, indicating that they [...]

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Just as theological issues must be addressed within the church, certain ministry issues must also be addressed. Three such issues were mentioned by those on the field, ranging from leadership, missional living, and the effect of denominational disunity on the local church. The first is the issue of raising up leaders within the [...]

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Those interviewed identified three major theological issues they are facing in their ministry contexts. All of them fall under the broad category of the authority of the Scriptures, but for the purposes of this paper, only two will be directly linked to that category. Page Brooks, a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological [...]

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