Mark Hallock

@drandrewhebert Amen and amen, brother.

I don’t see rampant egalitarianism or liberalism. Just cheerful, Bible believing folks who are (blissfully) unaware of the SBC’s controversy of the week, who cooperate because they love Jesus & missions, providing faithful presence in their communities. This is the SBC I love.

I had a Sunday out of the pulpit yesterday. As is our custom, my wife and I visited another local church, a small First Baptist in a neighboring town. The simplicity of the church was refreshing: a few members who said “hi” before service, some songs, & an encouraging message.

For those wondering, “Where can I find time to write?” Good question. If you’re trying to find time to write…whether for fun, journaling, an article, or maybe even that book the Lord has put on your heart, I want to encourage you: you don’t need huge amounts of extra time. You just need intentional, protected space and the willingness to keep showing up consistently. One of the most helpful things I’ve learned over the years is this: know how God has wired you. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Don’t fight it….I’ve tried. I am definitely NOT a morning person. I’m a night owl, and once I stopped feeling guilty about that, I found myself far more creative and fruitful during those quiet late night hours. Protect that time. Say no to other things during that window. Maybe it means skipping another episode of a show or putting your phone away for awhile. Find a place in your house where you actually enjoy being, where you can focus and not disturb everyone else. Grab a Coke Zero (or whatever fuels you), put on some good music, and enjoy having some space to think, create, pray, and write. What I have found over the years is that writing projects rarely happen through giant bursts of inspiration. Typically they happen slowly through small, consistent, disciplined blocks over time. Even 30 focused minutes a few days a week compounds over weeks and months into writing projects you have always dreamed of doing. So, let me encourage you to write! Keep at it…your words matter far more than you think.

This afternoon I am thankful for all the faithful pastors who spent many hard hours this past week preparing the sermon they preached this morning. We are thankful for you! What a blessing it is to have shepherds who take seriously their calling to preach and teach God’s Word with passion, joy, and clarity.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. - James 4:8 “If He smiles on us, it is enough, though the whole world should be against us.” - Thomas Manton

Over the course of about two years I slowly recorded an audio version of my book "Leading Church Revitalization." You can find it as a podcast on itunes or spotify...just search "The Leading Church Revitalization Podcast." It is 73 episodes long, but I hope it is another tool to help encourage and equip pastors and leaders serving in church renewal, revitalization, and replanting ministry in the local church. If you know someone who might be helped by this content, please pass it on to them. We're in this together...for God's glory! open.spotify.com/show/5EJH27Clr…

The most mature Christian leaders want to absorb an additional share of sufferings so that their flocks may correspondingly be spared some suffering. In this they imitate Christ. - D.A. Carson

A few thoughts on leading change… When leading change of any kind, it is vital to do everything you can to bring other key leaders along with you. And here’s the thing: every leader is different. Some will get on board quickly. Others will need time to process, ask questions, wrestle through concerns, and build trust in the direction you are heading. That takes patience. You can’t rush it. Many leaders fail to lead change well because they move too far, too fast, without making sure the right people are truly with them. They may have a good vision, a good plan, and lots of passion, but if key leaders are not on board, the change will eventually create confusion, resistance, and pain. It just will. And that never ends well for anybody….for the leader, for the team, or for the people they are trying to lead.

@lukedsimmons @AJWTheology Ha! Just trying to be like you, bro! Sincerely, so grateful for your wisdom!

@MarkHallock @AJWTheology That means a lot coming from a disciple-making machine like you!

STOP BELIEVING THESE DISCIPLESHIP MYTHS. ❌ Myth #1: Every individual Christian must be able to make another disciple ✅ Truth: The whole church is involved in disciple-making. It takes a "body." It's not about "disciples who make disciples" (as if it's up to each individual). It's about disciples who play their part in making disciples. ❌ Myth #2: Your church needs a step-by-step pathway for making disciples ✅ Truth: Most people don't grow in a linear way. And many people have worked through the "steps" or "pathway" and are still pretty spiritually immature. It's not about a step-by-step plan. It's about a vision, framework, and ecosystem that allows disciples to grow over time. ❌ Myth #3: If we get people in small groups, they will grow as disciples ✅ Truth: Small groups are an extremely valuable piece of the discipleship ecosystem. But they are not a silver bullet. ❌ Myth #4: Our church needs a Discipleship ministry ✅ Truth: Your church IS a Discipleship ministry. The whole church with the whole gospel making whole disciples. If there's something your church is doing that doesn't contribute to that mission, it's worth revisiting. ❌ Myth #5: Discipleship is overwhelming ✅ Truth: It only feels overwhelming because you've likely not figured out how to explain it in a simple way that people can engage with.

God is too strong to be resisted, too just to be questioned, and too good to be suspected. - Thomas Manton

Do you want to see your church experience fresh hope, life, and joy in the Lord? Let me encourage you with this reminder… All true, Spirit-empowered church revitalization begins with spiritual renewal, not some surface-level fix. A church is not revitalized simply because it changes its name, updates its website, paints the lobby, tweaks the music, or launches a new program. Those things may have their place, but they cannot breathe life into dry bones. Only the Spirit of God can do that. Real revitalization begins when God’s people humble themselves before Him, repent of sin, return to prayer, recover a love for His Word, and ask the Lord to do in them what they cannot manufacture on their own. Before a church needs a new strategy, it needs a renewed heart. Before it needs better systems, it needs deeper surrender. Before it needs fresh activity, it needs fresh dependence on Christ. Because in the end, revitalization is not about making a dying church look alive…it is about God making His people truly alive again! I pray that would be true of YOUR church!

Praising God for 2 full days of ministry with my dear brothers, Mark Clifton, Andy Addis, and Matt MacNaughton as we take the revitalization tour on the road in Alabama. We started in Huntsville, then to Birmingham, then Montgomery and this morning we are in Mobile. What a beautiful state! Grateful for kingdom focused partnership with Alabama Baptist Convention and local Associations. The Lord is moving powerfully here. Every church matters!

In church revitalization, we must love both the people inside the church and the people outside the church. We shepherd the longtime saints with patience, honor, and care. We don’t run over them. We lead them. And we pursue the lost and hurting around us with compassion and urgency. Healthy revitalization is never either/or. It is both/and. Love the flock. Reach the lost. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

@MichaelEnt @johnmarkclifton @SamfordU Such a joy to meet you, brother!

If you’re going to have voices in your head 🙃, it may as well be @MarkHallock & @johnmarkclifton They have been sharing what God is doing among His Churches for years and have been a lifeline to me. Thank you #BhamMetroBaptAssoc & @SamfordU for sharing healthy resources!

Stop two on our four city Alabama Renewal tour. Today @andyaddis @MarkHallock along with me today on campus of Sanford in Birmingham. A room filled with pastors we are seeking to encourage and equip in the work that God has called them

Privileged to be with @MarkHallock @andyaddis as we take the revitalization tour one the road in Alabama. Today Huntsville, tomorrow Birmingham then on to Montgomery and we conclude Wednesday in Mobile. Grateful for kingdom focused partnership with Replant @NAMB_SBC and @alsbom

"I do not wish the ordinary reader to read no modern books. But if he must read only the new or only the old, I would advise him to read the old...A new book is still on its trial." –C.S. Lewis

If the way you show "affection" for your spouse is constantly making fun of them through sarcasm & put downs, its time for a new strategy.

Praise God for music. #commongrace