The Importance of a Guilt-Free Zone

by Shannon Rains “No-guilt zone, dear friend.” These words began an email that Grady King sent to me in December. I couldn’t make a HOPE Network connection call, so I sent a note apologizing. He saw past the short note of explanation and spoke to my heart. I hadn’t considered that I felt guilty for […]

Reflections on 46 Years with the Same Church: Part 3

by Jimmy Adcox Longevity in ministry is the result of a healthy partnership between the minister, the church, and the elder group.  As cited in a previous blog, ministers help make longevity possible through building trust – trust that is demonstrated through a healthy measure of character, competence, and chemistry with the church.  But members […]

Leaders Influence Hope

by Evertt Huffard The reasons I have been invited to consult with church leaders could be anything from feeling overwhelmed by a crisis to being puzzled by an inability to move forward. The motivation to bring in someone to assist the leaders proves to be even more varied and complex depending on personality, experience, culture, […]

Reflections on 40 Years with the Same Church: Part 2

by Jimmy Adcox Is there a secret to long term ministry?  To be honest, I’m not sure.  When people tell me I must have done a great job to be in one place for 40 years, I often smile and say, “They are just a patient group of people.”  And they are!  I certainly couldn’t […]

How To Have Healthy Conversations About Hard Topics in Your Church

by Steven Carrizal  Conversations are a cornerstone for social interaction and communication. In the context of a church family on a Sunday morning, conversations are how we learn about and share the events of our lives as we greet one another. We talk about the weather, the game, the weekend, and our children. We make […]

Lavish HOPE: An Opportunity for Ministers’ Wives to Connect

by Kaley Ihfe “These weekends are truly a gift and rejuvenate my heart, mind, and body in so many ways. When I come home, I feel like I have a better capacity to be a fully, loving minister’s wife since I was loved in a space where I was fully known,” wrote one Lavish HOPE […]

Remembering Tim

by Mark Frost One month ago, HOPE Network lost a beloved partner, Tim Woodroof, who passed away after a courageous battle with lupus. The Kingdom of God lost a brilliant strategist, a tireless worker, a fearless leader, and a passionate advocate. We want to take a moment in this newsletter to reflect on Tim’s impact […]

Reflections on 46 Years with the Same Church: Part 1

by Jimmy Adcox In early 2022, I completed over 44 years as the preaching minister of the Southwest Church in Jonesboro, AR.  People often seem amazed, if not shocked, that someone could preach at one place for so long.  Because people often ask what such longevity is like and what makes it possible, here are […]

Some Keys to Developing a Discipleship Culture

by Scott Laird I heard the phrase “cut flower culture” years ago and its image still resonates. Cut flowers are beautiful, they smell good, provide color to our homes, and sometimes get a husband out of trouble. The problem is cut flowers are separated off from their roots and life itself. Many of the roots […]

Israel-Hamas War: Resisting an Impulse 

by Evertt W. Huffard  10/18/23 When our preacher began his sermon Sunday morning, he wanted to say something about the Israel-Hamas war but was not sure what to say. With some hesitation he acknowledged the tragic loss of lives on both sides and the need to pray for peace. Then he added, “I wonder what […]

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