by Dr. Paul Chappell | May 12, 2017 | Christian Life, Family
Motherhood doesn’t get much encouragement from our society. The media belittles family values, and the culture at large sees children as a burden and motherhood, in particular, as undesirable. Yet, to children, mothers are perhaps the greatest difference-makers in...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | May 8, 2017 | Ministry Leadership
I am grateful for the tremendous team the Lord has assembled here at Lancaster Baptist Church and West Coast Baptist College, and it is my joy to co-labor with them in the work of the Lord. I pray for our staff and their families daily and thank the Lord for how they...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | May 3, 2017 | Ministry News
When Lancaster Baptist Church voted unanimously to open West Coast Baptist College in the fall of 1995, we knew that sacrifice would come with opportunity. We knew that to invest in students we would need to give of ourselves—not just as administration and faculty,...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | May 1, 2017 | Ministry Leadership, Ministry News
One of the great tragedies in America over the past few years has been the mischaracterization of the entire law enforcement community based on the actions of a few. Every profession has those who do not represent it well. But I am thankful that when we call 911,...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Apr 28, 2017 | Christian Life, Ministry Leadership
Have you ever noticed how a lack of joy negatively impacts your ability to serve the Lord? And to collaborate with those you serve with? Sometimes in the busy seasons of our lives and ministries—the times when we should most be rejoicing in God’s goodness and the...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Apr 20, 2017 | Ministry Leadership
When you host a special day or event as a church—such as for Resurrection Sunday or a graduation or conference—it is tempting to finish the event and then kick into low gear. Or, if you are Type A like me, finish the event and quickly move on to the next! We have...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Apr 17, 2017 | Christian Life, Family, Ministry Leadership
No doubt about it, Resurrection Sunday is a highlight of the year. I thank God for the opportunity it provides many churches for extended outreach and gospel preaching, and I praise Him for every soul saved around the world this weekend. It is always a blessing to me...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Apr 12, 2017 | Christian Life, Ministry Leadership
At Lancaster Baptist Church, we typically observe the Lord’s Table several times throughout the year. One of those times is the Sunday before we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. I am thankful for how this focuses our hearts on Jesus’ sacrifice and the events leading...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Apr 6, 2017 | Ministry Leadership
The longer I serve in ministry, the more I recognize the value of working with young people. In fact, the longer I serve, the more I believe we should pour more of ourselves into serving our youth. Some of the most significant decisions of my life I made as a...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Mar 29, 2017 | Ministry Leadership
I’ll be upfront: as an independent Baptist pastor, I am concerned. Statistics bear that various groups are sliding, and every indication is that established independent Baptist churches are seeing fewer people added to the church by baptism. This means that even as...