I’m excited to be kicking off a new podcast this week called “Ask Anything w/ Pastor Ryan.” You can find this podcast on any major podcasting app, or by clicking HERE. Each Sunday after I preach, I have a Q&A where congregants can text in questions anonymously. This has proven to be enormously helpful in…
Author: Ryan Gilbert
Christ-follower, husband, father, TCU/SWBTS Alum, Doctoral student at Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, and Lead Pastor at Raintree Community Church in Lee's Summit, MO.
George Floyd & Protests
We are going through a hard time as a country. There is no doubt about that. The death of George Floyd was horrifying. What has happened since his death all around the country, including right here in Dallas-Fort Worth, is unsettling. Protests in dozens of major cities all over the country, including riots and looting…
John MacArthur vs. Beth Moore: the Only 2 Options?
I just read the Christian Post article on John MacArthur’s recent comments & clarifications about his views of women in the church. To be honest, his clarifications have confused me even more on what he actually thinks about women in the church. In the past, I’ve listened to John MacArthur’s sermons regularly. I’ve been deeply…
Justice and Mercy: Brandt Jean & Judge Tammy Kemp
I’m assuming I don’t have to run over the details of what has been happening with the trial of Amber Guyger for shooting and killing Botham Jean. I’m sure you’ve seen this news everywhere. Yesterday Guyger was convicted of the murder of Botham Jean. Today she was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Living in…
The Power and Limitations of Time Management
Sometimes I get stressed. I’m sure you do also. Getting into the Word recently helped to remind me of some great truths about what it means to live urgently and faithfully for Christ. I was reminded of six things, in particular. 1.This life is not mine; it’s God’s. This time is not mine; it’s God’s. …
Sneak Peak 3: 1 Church, 3 Languages
This is when we get into bigger changes coming this fall at Lamar. We’ve been praying and strategizing perhaps most fervently for our three language groups that meet on campus for worship each week. I’ve been meeting with Pastor Luis and Pastor Mung, regularly, to determine how best to move forward with what we’re calling…
Sneak Peek 2: Welcoming Guests
Changes are coming at Lamar, so we’re wanting to give a few sneak peeks so people can ask questions and start wrapping their minds around these changes. These first few sneak peeks are a bit more “cosmetic.” We’ll get to a bit more important sneak peeks in the near future! One of these more “cosmetic”…
Sneak Peek 1: Sunday & Wednesday Nights
As I’ve been praying for the last two months, and getting to know the people of Lamar better and better, I cannot get over the potential I see in Lamar Baptist Church making an impact on north Arlington and beyond. My family and I have been so welcomed into the Lamar family, and so many…
Why Preach Like That?
This Sunday is my first official Sunday at Lamar, and we’ll be starting our first whole book of the Bible to go through together. Because of that, I want to share why it’s my conviction that we spend most of our time as a church going verse-by-verse through books of the Bible or portions of…
Gillette and the Marketplace of Ideas
So, I was a little late in actually seeing the Gillette commercial on “toxic masculinity.” But when I did see it, and after thinking about it for a day, I decided I’d briefly share my thoughts. I have my problems with the apparent broad-stroke painting of all men (or the majority of men, or even…
Six Things To Do This Christmas
At Raintree’s Christmas Eve Candlelight, I wanted to give some really practical, brief suggestions about what to do this Christmas. Really, these are great things to consider year-round. Here they are, some really simple reminders, for myself included. Six Things to do This Christmas (and Every Day). Put the phone down (or turn…
The Privilege of Pastoring
I was relaxing on my back porch this evening, praying for my family and just reflecting. I couldn’t help but feel grateful for my calling in life. I love being a pastor, especially of this particular flock. Pastoring is often described as a difficult calling, but I wouldn’t primarily characterize pastoring as a difficult calling. Yes, it’s…
