When my husband first became a pastor, I entered the ministry with high hopes. I truly believed that because we were stepping into a life of serving God’s people, we would find ourselves surrounded by kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and love. After all, these were God’s people.

Imagine my surprise when I encountered something quite different.

Don’t get me wrong—there were many who absolutely fit that description. But I wasn’t prepared for how much church life, at times, mirrored the brokenness I had already experienced in the secular workplace. My expectations were so high that when they weren’t met, I began to spiral into frustration, anxiety, and even bitterness.

And it was my own bitterness that shocked me the most.

I saw myself pulling away from people, avoiding them, not praying for them, and—even worse—wishing they would just go away. That was the moment I knew something was wrong. God’s Word warns us clearly: “See to it… that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15). Bitterness doesn’t just poison our relationships—it poisons our own hearts. And I had let it take root.

But the real problem wasn’t them. It was me.

I hadn’t yet learned how to love God’s people the way God commands us to love--unconditionally. I had expected love, but I wasn’t extending it. I had expected grace, but I wasn’t offering it. I had hoped for understanding, but I wasn’t giving any in return.

Scripture doesn’t leave much room for negotiation on this:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
And again in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul reminds us that we can do everything right externally—even serve in ministry—but if we do not have love, “we are nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

So how do we love people who sometimes act in unloving ways?

We pray.

Yes, I know that sounds like the go-to Christian answer—but it’s true. We simply cannot love others, especially when they hurt us, without the power of the Holy Spirit. “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). Loving difficult people isn’t just hard—it’s impossible without God’s help.

And we forgive.

Jesus didn’t suggest forgiveness—He commanded it: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending the hurt never happened. It means choosing to let go of the offense and entrusting it to God. Forgiveness is not always a feeling; sometimes it’s an act of obedience we carry out in faith.

As a pastor’s wife, I’ve also learned that people sometimes have unrealistic expectations of me. They forget that I’m human too. I struggle. I sin. I get tired. And when I fail, I’ve had to learn not to cover it up in shame, but to humbly ask for forgiveness. “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Grace must flow both ways.

Here’s the key that has changed everything for me:
God’s people are a work in progress—just like I am. None of us have arrived. We all desperately need the grace of Jesus. And when I remember that, I begin to see them not through the lens of their failures, but through the eyes of Christ.

They are made in the image of God. Jesus loved them so much He died for them (Romans 5:8). They are worth the love, effort, and forgiveness. The moments when they fall short are just that--moments. It is not who they are.

So when you find yourself hurt by God’s people, stop and pray. Ask the Lord to help you love them the way He does. And as you pray and love and forgive, something beautiful happens: you begin to see them differently. You begin to love them genuinely. And through that love, God brings healing to your heart, to your relationships, and to your church.

One of the greatest ministries a church can have is to disciple the fathers in its congregation. Strong, godly fathers are not only a blessing to their families, but they strengthen the entire church and community. When fathers grow as disciples of Christ, they become spiritual leaders at home, serve faithfully in the church, and reflect the love of our Heavenly Father to a watching world.

God’s Design for Fathers

Throughout Scripture, God calls fathers to lead with love, humility, and wisdom. In Ephesians 6:4, Paul instructs, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” This charge highlights the father’s role as a spiritual guide in the home, pointing his children toward Christ.

In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, God commands His people: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” The father’s role is not limited to providing materially but includes daily, intentional spiritual teaching.

The Church’s Role in Discipling Fathers

Many fathers in our churches want to be spiritual leaders but may feel unequipped or unsure of where to begin. That is where the church can step in:
1. Teach Biblical Leadership: Offer classes or small groups that focus on biblical manhood and leadership, always grounding the teaching in Scripture.
2. Provide Mentoring Relationships: Pair younger fathers with older, more experienced men who can encourage, pray with, and offer godly counsel as they walk through the challenges of fatherhood.
3. Encourage Fathers to Lead in the Home: Equip fathers with practical tools for family devotions, prayer, and spiritual conversations. Help them see that spiritual leadership is not about perfection but about consistent faithfulness.
4. Pray for Fathers: Regularly lift up the fathers in your congregation. Pray that they would be men of integrity, compassion, courage, and wisdom.
5. Create Opportunities for Fellowship: Fathers need connection too. Men’s breakfasts, service projects, or retreats can give them space to build friendships and encourage one another in the faith.

When Fathers Lead, Families Flourish

The health of the church is often directly tied to the health of the families within it. When fathers are discipled, marriages are strengthened, children are nurtured in faith, and the church stands as a testimony to God’s transforming power. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” A discipled father can confidently say this to his children and to others.

A Call to Action for Our Churches

As part of the Tar River Baptist Association, we encourage every church to be intentional about discipling fathers. This is kingdom work. It strengthens not only individual families but the entire Body of Christ. Together, let us invest in the men God has entrusted to lead their homes, so that future generations may know and follow Christ.

What if worship isn’t just something we do on Sunday—but something that shapes our daily walk with Christ? In this post, we explore how worship, when practiced as a discipline, draws us closer to God and prepares us to disciple others well.

We often think of worship as something we do on Sunday—something we attend, lead, or sing through. But what if worship isn’t just a weekly event? What if worship is meant to be a discipline—a rhythm of life that shapes us day by day?


Spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and Scripture reading are tools God uses to transform us. Worship belongs in that category too. When we treat worship as a discipline, it becomes more than a response to how we feel or what’s happening around us. It becomes a steady practice of turning our hearts toward God—whether we’re in a sanctuary full of voices or alone doing chores.


For those of us who lead worship through music in churches, this shift in perspective is vital. It reminds us that our role is not just about preparing a setlist or hitting the right notes. It’s about cultivating hearts (our own and others’) that are trained to honor God in every circumstance.

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Worship Begins with Humility

Worship, at its heart, is an act of humility. It’s recognizing that God is holy, glorious, and worthy—and that we are not. Psalm 95:6 invites us, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” To worship is to bow the heart before God, to surrender control, and to honor Him as King. Whether we lift our hands or fall to our knees, true worship always involves a posture of reverence and surrender.

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Worship as a Discipline Means:

1. We worship even when we don’t feel like it. Feelings matter—but they’re not the foundation.
   
   Like David in the Psalms, we sometimes have to speak to our own souls and say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” (Psalm 103:1).
   
   Worship as a discipline means choosing to magnify God even when our emotions don’t match—because His worth never changes.
   
   
2. We prepare our hearts before we worship. Jesus said, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8).
   
   Worship isn’t about songs—it’s about sincerity. The most powerful worship flows from a heart that is in tune with God long before joining with a congregation.
   
   
3. We disciple one another in worship by modeling consistency. Paul exhorts believers to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).
   
   Worship isn’t confined to a stage or a service. As disciples, our everyday lives model what it looks like to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23–24). And when our people see worship as a lifestyle, they learn to carry it beyond the sanctuary.
   
   
4. We grow in intimacy with God Worship draws us near to the heart of God. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
   
   As we practice worship regularly, we grow in awareness of God’s presence, His holiness, and His love. It forms us, shapes us, and anchors us in truth.

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What would change if we treated worship not just as a church service, but as part of our daily discipleship?


Let’s not wait for Sunday to worship. Let’s sing, reflect, bow our hearts, and give God glory throughout the week. Not because it’s convenient or easy, but because He is always worthy—and because worship, practiced faithfully, shapes us into people who are ready to see Him face to face.

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Reflection

How might your personal worship life change this week if you treated it like a spiritual discipline rather than just a Sunday expression?

What would our worship look like if we modeled it after worship in heaven?

Revelation 4 paints a breathtaking scene—thunder and lightning, the sea of glass, living creatures crying out, “Holy, holy, holy,” and twenty-four elders casting their crowns before the throne. It is reverent. It is joyful. It is completely centered on God’s majesty and glory.

Paige Patterson, in his New American Commentary, makes a powerful observation: “When the saints assemble, the worship of every church ought always to be nothing less than a rehearsal for the day when we enter the heavenly worship described here.”

When we gather as the body of Christ, we are not simply filling a time slot in the week. We are invited to join together here on earth with those in heaven in praise of the One who sits on the throne.

Patterson continues: “While nothing ever attempted on earth can challenge, whether in grandeur or purpose, the worship of heaven, the best approximation of that worship ought always to be the goal. The standard of maximum participation in the worship experience, together with the centrality of Christ and a theological comprehension of him, must be the theme of genuine worship.”

So what does that look like for us in local churches?

1. Christ-Centered Worship. Revelation shows us that worship is not about what we want, but about who God is. True worship is saturated with the glory of Jesus. Every song, prayer, and moment should point our hearts to Him.
2. Participation of the Saints. Worship in heaven is not passive. Everyone is involved. In our churches, we must guard against performance and instead encourage participation. The congregation is not the audience—God is.
3. Theological Depth. The songs of heaven are theologically rich: “You are worthy… for you created all things.” Our worship should reflect that same depth. We need words and songs that help us know God more and respond rightly to Him.
4. A Spirit of Reverence and Joy. The heavenly scene is filled with awe, but not dread. It is joyful reverence. Worship is our response to the beauty, holiness, and majesty of God—and that should stir deep emotion and reverence.

Our churches—small and large, rural and urban—can be places of authentic, God-pleasing worship, a foretaste of what is to come. Let us plan and lead worship with heaven in mind.

It may not look grand on the outside. But if Christ is at the center, if hearts are engaged, and if the Word is treasured, then it will be a holy echo of the scene described in Revelation 4.

Because when we worship like heaven, we align our hearts with the eternal reality: Jesus is on the throne, and He is worthy.

We would love to hear your comments and encouragement of one another on how we can worship the way that Jesus would want.

“Discipleship” is a word that we use a lot in church — sometimes so much that it begins to lose its meaning. Is it a class? A program? A book study? Is it just for new believers? Or something deeper?

If we want to grow in spiritual maturity and faithfulness, we have to go back to the basics and ask: What does the Bible actually say about discipleship?


The Biblical Foundation

Jesus gave a clear mission to His Church:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20)

Biblical discipleship is the process of following Jesus, becoming like Him, and helping others do the same. It’s not limited to one stage of life or a one-size-fits-all method. It is relational, intentional, and lifelong.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Discipleship is not just about learning what Jesus said — it’s about learning to live like Jesus lived, empowered by His Spirit and rooted in His Word.


Common Misconceptions

Churches often struggle with discipleship because of a few common misunderstandings:

1. Misunderstanding: Discipleship is only for new believers. 
   Truth: Every Christian is called to grow — and to help others grow — no matter how long they’ve followed Jesus.
2. Misunderstanding: Discipleship is just a curriculum or program. 
   Truth: While resources are helpful, discipleship is first and foremost about relationships — just like Jesus discipled the twelve by walking closely with them. 
3. Misunderstanding: Discipleship is the pastor’s job. 
   Truth: Ephesians 4:12 tells us that leaders equip the saints for ministry — including the ministry of making disciples. Every believer plays a role.
4. Misunderstanding: Discipleship happens automatically. 
   Truth: Simply attending church won’t produce maturity. Spiritual growth requires intention, obedience, and community.

What Does Discipleship Look Like?

True discipleship involves both being a disciple and making disciples.

It’s marked by:

• A growing relationship with Jesus
• Transformation in character, not just information
• Walking alongside others in everyday life
• Being accountable and vulnerable
• ​Helping others do what you’re learning to do

Jesus didn’t run programs for His disciples. He shared meals, asked questions, challenged hearts, and showed His disciples how to live for the Kingdom. That model still works today.

Why It Matters

Discipleship isn’t just one of many things the church does — it is the mission. When we disciple others, we help them grow in faith, resist temptation, love their neighbor, and serve the world. Discipleship strengthens the Church and brings glory to Christ.

Without relational and intentional discipleship, churches may grow in attendance but shrink in spiritual depth. But with it, even small churches can become mighty forces for the Kingdom.


Where Do We Begin?

Start small. Start relationally.

• Invite someone to read Scripture with you and talk about it over coffee.
• Look at your church’s ministries and ask: Are we helping people grow?
• Train a few leaders who can invest in others.
• Talk about spiritual growth as a normal, expected part of church life.

And above all, trust Jesus’ promise: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)


Final Thoughts

Discipleship doesn’t require perfection — just obedience. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing to follow Jesus, and bring someone along with you.

Let's rediscover the joy, the simplicity, and the power of Biblical discipleship — one relationship at a time.

If you or your church would like help with discipleship, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]. 

One of the clearest ways the world sees Jesus is through the love His followers have for one another. In John 13:35, Jesus says, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” While this certainly applies to individuals within a local church, it also speaks to the relationships between churches. When congregations across communities choose to partner together—sharing resources, encouraging one another, and working side by side for the gospel—we are giving a living testimony of Christ’s love and unity.

In a time when division seems to dominate headlines, church cooperation shines as a beautiful countercultural witness. It reminds us that we are not in competition with one another, but co-laborers in the same harvest field. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase… For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” We each have a role to play, but the growth comes from God—and He often chooses to work through partnerships among His people.

Cooperating churches multiply ministry impact. Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.” When churches work together, whether through shared missions, community outreach, or leadership support, the result is often more effective than what any single congregation could do alone. Needs are met more fully, encouragement is spread more broadly, and the gospel travels farther.

The early church modeled this spirit of cooperation. In Acts 2:44-47, we see believers “together and [having] all things in common,” worshiping, eating, and praying in unity—and as a result, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Their togetherness did not just meet needs—it was a compelling witness that drew people to Christ.

Here at TRBA, we believe God has placed our churches in this region not just to reach their own communities, but to partner with one another in reaching the world. Cooperation is not a strategy—it’s obedience. It’s love. It’s the body of Christ being the body of Christ.

Let us never forget the prayer of Jesus in John 17:21: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” When we come together in unity and purpose, we reflect the heart of Christ—and we open the door for the world to believe.

May we be churches marked by love, joined in mission, and committed to working together for the glory of God.

If you have a story of how your church has worked with a sister church in the area, please let us know so we can encourage everyone with your ministry.