From the archive

Bart’s earlier writing

96 posts from Bart’s blog before True Bearing Press: church revitalization, Bible studies, sermons, sea stories and more.

These posts are kept as they were first published. For news from the press and Bart’s newer writing, see the blog.

2026 · 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020

2026

  • REASSIGNED is now available.August 17

    After a lot of writing, rewriting, cutting, adding, checking sources, arguing with sentences, and wondering more than once whether this thing would ever actually be finished, I’m happy to say that my new book is now available on…

  • God’s Image, My Irritation: Learning to Love the People Who Frustrate MeJuly 25

    I believe every human being is created in the image of God—the imago Dei . Genesis tells us, “God created mankind in his own image” (Genesis 1:27). That declaration comes before differences in nationality, politics, occupation, social standing,…

  • Everything Belongs to God: Stewarding Life as a Sacred TrustJuly 5

    Picture this: a friend hands you the keys to their vehicle and says, “I’m trusting you with this.” Not just any vehicle. Their vehicle. Maybe it’s newer than yours. Maybe it’s nicer than yours. Maybe it’s the one…

  • Built to Serve: God’s Design for the HomeJune 17

  • Built to Nurture: The Quiet Power of a Faithful InfluenceJune 16

    Mother’s Day can land differently for each of us. For some, it brings warmth and gratitude. For others, it brings grief, regret, longing, or pain. So before we say anything else, we should say this clearly: we don’t…

  • Every Piece Matters: Placed by God. Needed in the Body.June 8

    A reflection on 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 (adapted from a sermon preached at Pathway Church in Saranac, Michigan on May 3 and available here ). Here's something I've never quite admitted out loud. There have been moments in my…

  • Built Together: You Were Made to Belong, Not Stand AloneJune 4

    Just like LEGO bricks are designed to connect, God created us to be connected—to Him and to one another. A LEGO brick sitting by itself may be colorful, useful, and well-designed, but it was made for connection .…

  • Behind ScheduleJune 4

    Every now and then, I find myself wondering about the roads not taken . What if I had finished college sooner? What if I had become a naval officer earlier? What if I had entered ministry at a…

  • Reconnected by GraceApril 20

    Part 2 of the “Created to Connect” Series Ephesians 2:1–10 When Life Won’t Click Together Have you ever stepped on a LEGO in the dark? You don’t forget it. But here’s something else about LEGO bricks—they’re not meant…

  • Stay Connected: Why Life Only Works When You’re Connected to JesusApril 14

    Central text: John 15:1-11 If you’ve ever stepped on a LEGO in the middle of the night, you already know—they’re small, but they matter. But here’s something else about LEGO bricks that’s just as important: A LEGO brick…

  • When Leadership Feels Heavy: Faithfulness in the Middle of ItMarch 30

    There are moments in ministry that feel full. Full of joy. Full of momentum. Full of visible fruit. And then there are moments that feel heavy. Not dramatic. Not headline-worthy. Just heavy. The kind of weight that comes…

  • Following Jesus in a World That Hates HimMarch 23

    Central Text: John 15:18-25 We've come to part five of our series, The Upper Room Way , where we've been listening in on Jesus' parting words to His original disciples, and seeking to understand how they call us…

  • Loving Christ When Obedience CostsMarch 16

    Most of us don’t struggle to admire Jesus. Who wouldn’t admire His courage, His wisdom, and the way He held truth and love together? Who wouldn’t admire His compassion, His purity, and His strength? That’s not usually where…

  • Follow the Way: From Troubled Hearts to Steady FaithMarch 9

    Central text: John 14:1–7 (NIV) There are moments when life feels steady, and there are moments when it doesn’t. In John 14, we’re listening in on Jesus’ words to His disciples in the Upper Room on the night…

  • The Way of the Towel: Greatness, Redefined by JesusMarch 2

    Central text: John 13:12–17 (NIV) Over the years, in church settings, I’ve done a lot of dishes. I’ve raked a lot of leaves. I’ve painted plenty of church walls. I’ve plunged more than a few clogged toilets. I…

  • Fully known, fully lovedFebruary 22

    Central text: John 13:1-11 Most of us know what it feels like to live under evaluation. We get measured at work. Compared at school. Judged online. And yes, sometimes even in church. Over time, that constant scrutiny does…

  • An All-Too Familiar StoryFebruary 12

    How Churches Drift Toward Death—and How to Turn Towards Life I heard a story today that reminded me of too many I have heard before. It saddens me. It bothers me. The church I heard about seems to…

  • Meeting God in the Whirlwind: Trusting Him When Answers Never ComeFebruary 9

    There are moments in life when what we want most from God isn’t relief—it’s clarity. Many of us can endure pain more easily than we can endure not knowing why. When life goes dark, we instinctively reach for…

  • Joy Comes in the MorningFebruary 2

    Psalm 30 and the Dark Night of the Soul by Bart Denny, Ph.D. Some of the hardest seasons in life don’t arrive with drama. They don’t come with a phone call in the middle of the night, a…

  • Faith in the FogJanuary 25

    by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D. Text: Mark 9:14-29 Faith That Believes, but Can’t See Clearly Have you ever tried to drive through thick fog at night? You know the road is still there. You know you’re headed in…

  • Under the Weight of It AllJanuary 19

    Read: Philippians 4:4–9 Most of us know what it feels like when life doesn’t suddenly explode—but slowly gets heavier. Not dramatic. Not loud. Just… weighty. You’re still functioning. Still showing up. Still doing what needs to be done.…

  • At the End of Strength (1 Kings 19:1-18)January 12

    There are moments in life when failure isn’t the hardest thing. Sometimes, the hardest thing is the exhaustion that comes after doing the right thing. After you showed up. After you prayed. After you stayed faithful longer than…

  • When God Seems SilentJanuary 5

    In Psalm 13 (NIV), we read: 1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have…

2025

  • He Came Down...to DeliverNovember 30

    What follows is the sermon I intended to preach at Pathway - A Wesleyan Church on November 30, 2025, the first Sunday of Advent, when we would have lit the "Hope" candle on the Advent wreath if heavy…

  • Did God Really Say? Unmasking the Serpent’s LiesNovember 17

    Have you ever gotten one of those emails that look legitimate—same logo, same colors, same tone—but something feels off? Then you check the sender’s address and realize the name is misspelled by one letter. Instant relief: Whew… glad…

  • Legion vs. the Lord: Christ’s Authority Over Unseen EvilNovember 13

    Whether you are a professional mechanic or a shade-tree tinkerer, you have probably met that bolt. You know the one. You start with a regular wrench. No movement. You grab a longer handle. Your knuckles get scraped, your…

  • Face to Face with the Angel of the LordNovember 11

    Based on Judges 13 Have you ever looked back on a difficult season of your life and realized— God was at work the whole time ? You didn’t see it in real time, but later, you could trace…

  • What Angels Long to DoNovember 10

    Hebrews 1:1–14 When you picture an angel, what comes to mind? A glowing figure with wings? A chubby cherub from a Christmas card? Maybe a tall blond in a white robe with a halo? The Bible’s version is…

  • Do You See What’s Really There?November 10

    2 Kings 6:8–23 What if the greatest battles you’re facing aren’t the ones you can see? Most of us picture the obvious struggles—the bills piling up, the bad news from the doctor, the stress at work, the tension…

  • When Civility Fails: A Pastor’s Response to Violence, Rage, and the Hard Work of TruthSeptember 17

    by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D. Introduction — Why I must speak I have been reflecting on recent events in our nation and wrestling with how best to speak into them. As a follower of Jesus Christ and as…

  • How Much More? Praying with PersistenceAugust 25

    Have you ever noticed how persistence changes outcomes? Parents know this all too well. A child wants a cookie before dinner, or a toy at the store, and the answer is “no.” But the request doesn’t stop there.…

  • Give Us This Day — Trusting God with Our NeedsAugust 10

    Have you ever noticed how the Lord’s Prayer shifts gears? It begins with God — Our Father… hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. It’s all about His holiness, His priorities, His will. But then, without skipping a…

  • A Dangerous PrayerAugust 4

    Praying, "Your kingdom come" realigns everything! When was the last time you had a moment that silenced the noise and clarified what really matters? Maybe it came during a health scare, a late-night heart-to-heart, or a snowy Michigan…

  • How Does Your Community View Your Church?July 29

    By Bart L. Denny, Ph.D., Th.M. How does your community view your church? Do you even know? Here’s how to find out: go to the nearest grocery store and ask the cashier. Visit a local coffee shop, gas…

  • When Words Won’t Do: The Ministry of Presence in Unspeakable GriefJuly 28

    by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D., Th.M. One of the most difficult things I’ve ever done in ministry happened during my time as a hospital chaplain resident, learning the ropes of clinical pastoral care. It was a weekend shift…

  • Restore the Balance: Why We Should Repeal the 17th AmendmentJuly 27

    By Bart L. Denny, Ph.D. The genius of the U.S. Constitution lies not only in its checks and balances but also in its brilliant design of federalism—a system intended to distribute power between the national and state governments.…

  • From Ritual to Revival: Learning to Pray Like JesusJuly 22

    Let’s be honest—prayer can sometimes feel like following bad GPS directions. You start with good intentions, maybe even a few familiar phrases. But somewhere along the way, it gets repetitive, dry, or just awkward. Like winding up in…

  • The Quiet Strength of the Small ChurchJuly 22

    “I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” — Revelation 3:8 (NIV) I have wrestled with a quiet burden that many pastors know all too well—even if…

  • The Missing Link in Church Revitalization: Leadership DevelopmentJuly 18

    If you’ve spent any time in church leadership, you’ve likely felt the heartbreak of decline. Empty pews. Aging buildings. Once-thriving ministries now little more than calendar placeholders. Churches across America—especially in small towns and aging neighborhoods—are closing their…

  • When Good Things Get in the Way of the Right ThingsJuly 18

    Not long ago, I heard someone describe their life as being like a hummingbird—constantly in motion, wings beating a hundred miles an hour, darting from one flower to the next. “I’m busy doing so much good stuff ,”…

  • Revitalizing America’s Shipyards: A National ImperativeJuly 16

    by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D. America’s shipyards are in crisis. The U.S. Navy can't build or repair ships fast enough to meet today’s threats—thanks in part to the shortsighted closure of major public shipyards in the 1990s. Submarines…

  • How Can a Church Grow? (Part 2)July 15

    Five Spiritual Practices That Fuel a Thriving Church In a previous post , we asked a critical question: How can a church grow? It’s a timely question—because while many churches are in decline, growth is still possible. Not…

  • The Day Evil Was OverthrownJuly 14

    What Esther 9 Reveals About God’s Justice, Our Calling, and the Rest Found in Christ There’s a moment in every great story where it looks like evil is going to win. The enemy is closing in. The hero…

  • Hope Remembered, Hope Lived: A Legacy of Deliverance from the Book of EstherJuly 14

    In the town of Enterprise, Alabama, there stands a monument not to a war hero or a statesman—but to a bug. That’s right, the town built a statue to the boll weevil. Why? Because in 1915, this little…

  • The Power of a PleaJuly 9

    When death was decreed, intercession made a way. Esther 8:1–17 In a Texas courtroom in 2019, a young man named Brandt Jean made headlines—not for anger, but for grace. Standing face-to-face with the woman who had killed his…

  • Embracing the Seasons of LifeJuly 8

    Trusting God’s Timing in a Changing World Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 Life comes at us in seasons—spring, summer, fall, and winter—not only in weather, but in our experiences. Some seasons are full of joy and new beginnings. Others bring loss,…

  • Don’t Despair Over Evil Agendas—Trust in God’s Hidden PlanJuly 5

    Have you ever watched someone cheat the system—and win? Maybe it was a board game where the deck was stacked. Or a sports game where the ref clearly played favorites. It’s frustrating when people manipulate the rules for…

  • How Can a Church Grow? Part One: Start with the SoilJuly 4

    Acts 2:37–47 A few years ago, a friend moved to a new house and tried to plant tomatoes in his backyard garden. He had all the right tools—good seed, fencing, fertilizer—but nothing grew. Not even a decent sprout.…

  • How Prayer and Encouragement Can Transform RelationshipsJuly 3

    Have you ever had someone in your life who just knows how to push your buttons? (Tell me I'm not the only one!) Maybe it’s a coworker who’s always one-upping you. Or a family member who corrects everything…

  • Here's why to strive for last place!July 2

    What Jesus Taught About True Greatness We live in a world obsessed with greatness. Turn on your TV or scroll through your feed, and you’ll find no shortage of “top 10” lists, success stories, and headlines about who’s…

  • When Church Feels Like Family…Until It Doesn’tJuly 1

    Finding Peace and Unity in a World of Conflict (Philemon 1-7) Imagine walking into church for the first time. You’re new to faith. A friend kept talking about Jesus, and eventually, the message pierced your heart. You realized…

  • The World’s Choice, God’s ChoiceJune 30

    Read: Esther 2 When Image Shines, but Providence Reigns Ever been picked last? Maybe it was dodgeball in school. Or being passed over for a promotion. Or just scrolling through social media and feeling like everyone else has…

  • When Power Fails and God Feels Silent: Trusting the Unseen KingJune 27

    by Bart L. Denny, PhD We live in a world that idolizes power. We see it in governments, corporations, pulpits, and headlines. The bigger the platform, the louder the voice, the flashier the success—the more we’re told it…

  • When the Church Goes to Burger KingJune 27

    When the Church Goes to Burger King by Bart L. Denny, PhD "Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce. Special orders don’t upset us. All we ask is that you let us serve it your way..." If you’re of…

2024

  • But some doubted...August 16

    “The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted.” —Matthew 28:16–17 (CSB) I try to be faithful to Scripture when I write or preach.…

  • Stop Searching for a Silver Bullet Pastor: What Declining Churches Really NeedMarch 1

    by Bart Denny When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, the crisis of declining churches in America wasn’t new—it just accelerated the inevitable. Honestly, I tend to disregard 2020 – 2022 when measuring decline because of how…

2023

2022

  • Successful Revitalization of Small Evangelical Churches Hinges on Leadership DevelopmentDecember 30

    My doctoral dissertation, focused on how successful church revitalization pastors act to develop and empower next-generation leaders. A Phenomenological Study of Pastoral Leadership Development Behaviors in the Revitalization of Small Evangelical Churche s Available at https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/4002 Abstract Church…

  • Did the Early Church Fathers Believe in a Pretribulational Rapture?November 18

    by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D., Th.M. I wrote this article years ago, and while I still see value in some of the arguments presented, my view has become more settled with time. Let me say it plainly: No,…

  • “Because of the Angels”: What’s Really Behind the Head Covering Debate?October 21

    by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D., Th.M. If you’ve ever read 1 Corinthians 11 and found yourself puzzled by Paul’s instruction that women should cover their heads in worship “because of the angels” (v. 10), you’re not alone. This…

  • The Ultimate Answer: "He is Risen"October 21

    I don’t watch much television, but when I do, I enjoy Jeopardy! It’s a quiz show with a twist: contestants are given the answer, and they have to come up with the right question. A friend of mine…

  • Leaders WantedOctober 20

    Have you ever been job hunting? Sure you have unless you’re lucky enough to be independently wealthy or were born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth. After theIt’s great when you find that dream job. Well,…

  • Preaching in a Postmodern World: Holding Out Truth in an Age of DoubtOctober 19

    What does it mean to preach the gospel in a world where truth feels optional and everyone seems to have their own version of it? That’s the world we live in. And for pastors and preachers today, it…

  • Faith, Hope, and Redemption in the Book of RuthOctober 15

    When life leaves us bitter, where do we turn for hope? That’s the question the Book of Ruth gently answers—not with booming declarations, but with quiet acts of kindness, faith, and God’s hidden hand at work. At first…

  • A Baptist Bride? An Analysis of “Old Landmarkism”October 15

    This paper will show that “Old Landmarkism," or "Baptist Bride" theology, is an extreme variant of Baptist ecclesiology that is historically untenable and far out of line with traditional Baptist ecclesiology. Further, Landmarkism is also far removed from…

  • Cultural Diversity in Leading Church RevitalizationOctober 15

    This paper will demonstrate the crucial importance to church revitalization of cultural diversity—race, ethnicity, and age—that reflects that of its neighborhood. By almost any metric, church decline in the United States is at epidemic levels. In the Southern…

  • A Priest Forever: Christ and Melchizedek ComparedOctober 14

    This paper examines what the author of Hebrews means when he says, referring to Psalm 110, that Jesus is a priest, “forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 5:6; 6:20; 7:17).[1] After surveying the scriptural evidence and attempting…

  • Created to Reflect: How the Image of God Transforms Christian LeadershipOctober 14

    Have you ever wondered what it really means to be created in the “image of God”? It’s a truth we affirm often, but what if it’s not just a theological concept—what if it’s the foundation of every Christian…

  • The Imago Dei in Christian Education Briefly ConsideredOctober 14

    The Bible declares that God created all human beings in His image (Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1; 9:6). This paper will make a two-fold argument based on this fundamental truth. First, that the imago Dei informs Christian education in several…

  • Is the Reformed Doctrine of Reprobation a Necessary Corollary to the Doctrine of Election?October 14

    This paper will critique the Reformed doctrine of reprobation, as held by the Reformed confessions of faith, particularly the Canons of Dort . This paper will examine historical, logical, philosophical, and (especially) biblical arguments both in favor of…

  • Are you becoming a "consumer" church member?July 25

    Today (July 25, 2022) Noted church consultant, Dr. Thom Rainer, writes today on Eleven Signs You Are Becoming a Church Consumer Instead of a Committed Church Member . When you look in the mirror, do any of the…

  • A Fervent Plea for Church RevitalizationJuly 13

    In my previous post, I spoke of ugly baby churches and the statistical likelihood that your church is an ugly baby. Sadly, most churches in America are ugly babies—plateaued at best or, more likely, in a death spiral…

  • The Ugly Babies of Church RevitalizationJuly 2

    Your baby is ugly. I know—that’s harsh. You don’t want to hear it, and I get it. We’re talking about your baby, after all. She’s not stunning. But you love her. You’d defend her with everything you’ve got.…

  • When Jesus Shuts Down a ChurchJanuary 23

    I like to think of myself as a student of the root causes behind the death of local churches—and what it takes to breathe life back into a congregation on the brink of closure. Over the years, I’ve…

2021

  • "People just don't want to come to church anymore!" The Last Words of a Dying ChurchMay 10

    Lately, I've had the opportunity to observe some dying churches, and to talk to people about the increasing problem of church decline and death. I know many dying organizations subscribe to the mantra, "We've never done it that…

  • Church Revitalization Is Spiritual WarfareFebruary 15

    Is your church is inward-focused, squabbling over petty things, straining at doctrinal gnats, and otherwise just generally ineffective in reaching your community with the Gospel? There’s at least one person happy about that. Who? The Devil. Yes, you…

  • Tactical Patience: A Church Replanter's Greatest AssetFebruary 13

    I spend a great deal of time studying church replanting, and, for me, it’s more than academic interest. No, I haven’t replanted multiple churches (just one), but I am hooked. It’s exciting to see God bring renewal and…

  • Why I Love Church ReplantingFebruary 10

    Church revitalization and replanting—the effort to bring struggling or even dying churches to new health and vitality—positively excites me. Why? Because church revitalization and replanting showcase the miraculous work of a God who turns crucifixions into resurrections. When…

  • Why you should join the church replanting movement.February 6

    Churches in America are dying at an alarming rate. That’s the stark reality, and Christ-follower, you need to do something about it. Yes, I’m talking to you! Christians in America should be sitting up, taking notice, and urgently…

  • Pastoral Leadership and an Ethic of Artificial Human Intelligence EnhancementJanuary 5

    A paper from a class: Ethics in Christian Ministry Leadership and Education (CLED 815), Liberty University, Rawlings School of Divinity by Bart L. Denny, Th.M. December 14, 2020 You might find this a strange article, but I believe…

2020