Ten Characteristics of a Healthy Church
When Terrie and I came to Lancaster in the summer of 1986, our goal was not to build a large church but to reach people for Christ. Over the past thirty-two years, the Lord has done more than we ever could have dreamed, and we praise Him for that. But our goal has not...
Trends and Truths: Evaluating Current Congregational Trends with Biblical Truth
Every Christ-centered pastor desires to make a difference for eternity and to build a Christ-honoring, Spirit-led, and gospel-centered church family. Yet, there are several trends in our culture today that bring some unique challenges to church life and church...
Trends and Truths: Evaluating Current Contextualization and Interpretation Trends with Biblical Truth
As we move through this information age, it can be a challenge just to keep up with the trends and terms of our culture and of ministry. It seems that the trends are many, the terms are changing, and the conversations can be daunting…even confusing. Ironically, in the...
Spiritual Leadership Conference Preview
As we enter Spiritual Leadership Conference, our overwhelming prayer and heart’s cry is for God’s reviving work in every one of our hearts and, by extension, in every church represented at the conference. Last week, I posted a schedule for the conference...
New Resources for Personal Growth and Ministry
One of the aspects of Spiritual Leadership Conference that I look forward to each year is making new resources from Striving Together Publications available at the conference. Each year, we set up a physical store just for this conference to give delegates the chance...
#SLC18 Live Stream and Conference App
The 2018 Spiritual Leadership Conference begins this Sunday. I’m praying for the Lord to bless and use every moment of this conference for His glory and for the encouragement of His servants. Our conference theme is one word, taken from Isaiah 57:15—Revive. For thus...
Six Elements to Effective Staff Transitions
As a pastor, when God begins to stir the heart of a staff member to another place of ministry, my heart is always to help them clearly discern God’s will, support them in following it, and guide our church family through any transition that may be involved....
The Gospel Commandments of Leadership
Fifty years ago, a man I’ve never met, Kent Keith, wrote a little booklet in which he included ten “Paradoxical Commandments.” They’ve made their way around the world and have often been separated from their author’s name. I can’t remember where I first read and...
10 Ways to Be More Effective as an Adult Bible Class Teacher
At the beginning of this week, I had the privilege of meeting with our Connection Group leaders here at Lancaster Baptist Church. Over the years, we’ve called our Connection Groups by various names—Sunday school and Adult Bible Fellowships are two—but whatever they...
The Resilient Life
Overcome the Crises and Anxieties of Life through Christ
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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.
