Three Continuing Practices of a Healthy Marriage
One of the great joys of pastoring is officiating weddings for the members of our church. It’s a special blessing to me when two young people who grew up at Lancaster Baptist Church fall in love, desire to serve the Lord together, and ask me to perform their wedding....
Ten Ways to Get the Most out of a Mentoring Relationship
My son—it is a phrase Paul used no less than eight times in his epistles, sometimes with an adjective inserted: “My dearly beloved son” or “Mine own son.” The expression gives us a glimpse into the closeness of relationship Paul shared with Timothy and Titus, in...
Two Truths Christians Should Remember in Their Political Engagement
To listen to many American Christians, you would think the Constitutional rights which we hold dear are life, liberty, and the pursuit of complaining about the government. We are blessed to live in a country in which we as citizens are responsible for electing our...
Three Characteristics of a Christ-Filled Focus
One of the things I love about the apostle Paul is his singular focus. Paul preached the gospel across the Roman empire, personally led many to Christ, planted and then gave continuing care to churches in multiple cities, discipled young converts, mentored future...
Three Keys to Maintaining Passion for Ministry
There’s nothing quite like the clean slate of a new year. On January 1, we’re filled with optimistic passion for our newly-set goals, and we often have a renewed desire to be specifically used of God. But then January 13 rolls around. Or maybe for you it’s March 3....
Three Necessities for Raising Christ-Centered Children
Fulfilling. Consuming. Exciting. Challenging. Parenting is all of this, and more. And it is one of the greatest privileges of my life. The Lord gave Terrie and me four children who are now married and all serving the Lord with their spouses and are raising our eleven...
Three Reasons to Set Ministry Goals for the New Year
I’ve written in the past about setting goals for the new year and about vision casting for your church family. But sometimes people question setting ministry goals in particular out of a concern that they are presuming upon the power of God. Although the concern can...
Christmas Gifts to Asia
Of the 5.11 billion people who live in the 10/40 window, fewer than 5 percent have reason to celebrate Christmas this year, because they do not know Christ. In fact, at least 60 percent have never so much as heard the gospel message.¹ It’s unlikely that any of these...
Why You Must Be Still—Even in December
Isn’t it a bit of an inconsistency that in the season we most emphasize the reality of Emmanuel—God with us—we spend so little time with Him? To be sure, the Christmas season is full. And it is often full of good activities—even special opportunities for outreach. ...
The Resilient Life
Overcome the Crises and Anxieties of Life through Christ
Order Now
Pastor Paul Chappell
Dr. Paul Chappell is the senior pastor of the Lancaster Baptist Church and president of West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California. His biblical vision has led the church to become one of the most dynamic independent Baptist churches in the nation. He has been married to his wife, Terrie, for over forty years and is the father of four married children all serving in Christian ministry.
