Paul Barnes

While I was a student at the Cincinnati Christian University, I was offered the opportunity to preach at a small church in Kentucky. (This still amazes me. I was 18, beginning my sophomore year, and very inexperienced.) I would go on Friday night, spend the weekend there visiting people and … [Read more...] about We Need Fellowship

This Sunday we will address the critically important subject of church leadership as we continue through I Timothy.  Our message will be, "Truth About Leadership," from I Timothy 3:1-11.  To whet your appetite, here is an interesting column by Thom Ranier, retired president of Lifeway.  His insights … [Read more...] about 8 Traits of Effective Church Leaders

I had a lengthy discussion last week with a gentleman about online worship vs. in person worship.  Our conversation was about the importance of being together – and I urge people to participate in worship in person as soon as they are comfortable doing so.  He said to me, “This is not really the way … [Read more...] about The Beauty of Fellowship

On Monday, we conducted the funeral service for a wonderful gentleman in our church, Jack Frasure.  After a service at the funeral home on the far east side, we drove in procession with our motorcycle escort to Greenlawn Cemetery for Jack's internment beside his wife of 60 years and 8 days, Ruth … [Read more...] about The Importance of Respect

David Butts is a national leader in Prayer Ministry.  He and his wife, Kim, lead Harvest Prayer Ministries.  I have read his books and heard him speak on many occasions - and have never failed to come away with pages of notes.  This past week he shared the following message.  It is pertinent to our … [Read more...] about The Devil and the Church

This year Jonathon Barnes and I co-wrote the Holy Week Devotional.  It was a privilege to work with him, he has good writing skills, and he had his completed long before mine were. Without a doubt, this year we have received more feedback than any other year we have undertaken this project.  (Maybe … [Read more...] about It Was Our Pleasure

Let's concentrate for just a moment on the basic facts of our redemption in Christ.  Dr. David Jeremiah shared this summary in a recent, "Turning Point": “It was God’s plan to enjoy fellowship with His creation for eternity, and He ultimately will. But when man sinned—a ghastly offense in the … [Read more...] about Just the Basics

We were so pleased to get to make the following decision: On Sunday, April 4, Easter Sunday, we will have two worship services (identical) at 9:00 and 10:30. This past Sunday we experienced the wonderful blessing of a large crowd. Although it felt really good to be crowded, given the past year … [Read more...] about Gearing Up for Easter

Our family has had the opportunity to experience some of what makes Madison Christian Church so special.  I would say that is the genuine expression of love from this body of believers to members of the body that are hurting. I officiated at my mom's funeral service on Saturday. March 13.  It was … [Read more...] about The Madison Way