Brad Bates

Drop the Escapist Mentality and Live

on September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 By Brad Bates

We are where we are because God has ordered all of our steps. Every. Single. Step. Ordered and known by God. We are where we are because He alone put us there. Our job.Our home.Our neighborhood. Our city / town / village.Our school. All of this...and more. God ordered that. He ordered it for a [...]

The Divided States of America: COVID19 and Vaccines

on August 4, 2021August 4, 2021 By Brad Bates

Mark 3:q25, "If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

Teaching The Church Through Musical Worship

on August 3, 2021August 9, 2021 By Brad Bates

Music is a powerful thing. Words are a powerful thing. Words and music put together are a powerful thing. When we think about it, we consume words in all sorts of forms...but primarily in the written form, spoken form, and musical form.

10 Good (Even Great) Things Your Church Has or Does that is NOT an Indicator of the Health of Your Local Church Body

on July 5, 2021July 5, 2021 By Brad Bates

Bible studiesLarge Sunday gathering attendanceA praise team (or a choir)Lots of volunteersLots of well attended eventsLarge budgetsA facilityLots of programs (youth, children, music, etc.)A really cool websiteA quality livestream of your Sunday gatherings When you take a look at this list, you will find that most of these things are good, and some of them [...]

I Pledge Allegiance – But To Who Exactly?

on June 30, 2021July 3, 2021 By Brad Bates

Certainly, everywhere across America Christians and non-Christians alike will be celebrating on that day the freedom we gained from an oppressive king and government - which is certainly something worth celebrating. But, over the last few years I have noticed an unhealthy trend in the Church toward lifting up their political party loyalty and our nation (the United States of America) above and beyond our loyalty to Jesus and the Kingdom which He is building. And so while I'm excited to celebrate on the Fourth on Sunday, I'm a little hesitant and concerned.