top of page
Shepherding Thoughts
by Pastor Ben Francis
Welcome to Shepherding Thoughts: An inside look at a Southern Baptist Pastor's comments on navigating popular topics in Christianity and Religion.
Search
Ben Francis
Feb 55 min read
Do Church Members Have Responsibilities?
What does it mean to be a Church member? What is required of those who join a local Church in covenant church membership? Perhaps you’ve...
60 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Oct 22, 20245 min read
Why American Christians Can No Longer Vote for Democrats.
For much of American political history, American citizens have shared a common worldview, which led to basic agreement on a great many...
497 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Sep 9, 20247 min read
Walking Our Wives through the Valley of Miscarriage: An Encouragement to Husbands
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they...
1,147 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Jul 12, 20246 min read
Give us Preachers, not Shepherds!
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do...
132 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Jul 2, 20246 min read
How God Decorates our Lives
“Sunday morning worship is a Saturday night decision.” Maybe you’ve heard that said, or maybe you’ve said it yourself. And it's right. It...
89 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Mar 27, 20248 min read
Pastor Ben's Reading List: A Guide for Christians, Bible Students, Pastors, Parents, and More.
I’ve put this list of resources together for Christians, Church ministry leaders, Sunday School teachers and small groups leaders,...
571 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Mar 1, 20246 min read
10 Lessons about Church I've learned from the Gym…
I go to the gym 5 days a week (most weeks anyhow). I do it for several reasons, but mostly for my own personal well-being. Caring for the...
168 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Feb 15, 202410 min read
A Pastoral Guide to Preparing for a Funeral.
**Note, this post is written in view of North Carolina Law.** Funeral planning comes during some of the most difficult moments of our...
132 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Feb 10, 20242 min read
Developing a Christian Political Worldview
The 2024 political season will be tumultuous. It already is. That much is a given. Lots will be said and written…and probably thrown. For...
67 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Jan 26, 20248 min read
Our Responsibilities in Baptizing Our Children
In Matthew 19:13-14, we read these words, “Then children were brought to Him that He might lay His hands on them and pray. The disciples...
185 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Dec 26, 202311 min read
Male and Female He Created Them: The Bible and Homosexuality
The issue of homosexuality confronts Christians everywhere we look today. Our twenty-first century culture is inundated with the full...
145 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Nov 20, 202313 min read
How Should Christians Practice Santa Claus?
Christians, Christmas, and Santa Claus. And Elf on the Shelf, the Easter Bunny, and More… SHHHHHHHHH! Don’t tell the kids…but, Santa...
874 views2 comments
Ben Francis
Nov 13, 20237 min read
The Priority of Sunday Christian Worship
Is Sunday morning Church important? With the rising list of activities and committments facing us today, is gathering with our Church...
217 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Sep 21, 20237 min read
How God is Saving Me from Preaching
Thoughts from a growing Pastor-Shepherd… I'm a Pastor-Shepherd, and I preach and teach every week; multiple times each week. And by God’s...
360 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Sep 5, 202310 min read
How do We Actually Experience God’s Sovereignty?
Sovereignty: God’s absolute and unquestioned control over every single detail of creation, including our lives and choices. So, how do we...
108 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Jul 20, 202315 min read
The Unique Grief of Miscarriage and the hope and help of Jesus Christ.
We recently lost our daughter to miscarriage. It happened somewhere in the 10-14 week range of the pregnancy. My dear friend summed up...
652 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Jul 5, 20239 min read
Making Boys Into Men
“It’s easier to bleed than to sweat.” - Flannery O’Connor I was reminded recently that boys don't become men on their own. "Maleness...
173 views0 comments
Ben Francis
Jun 27, 20233 min read
The Virtues of Masculinity
It's not popular to be manly anymore. It's not even popular to be a man. More and more, our culture is coming to reject manliness. And...
194 views0 comments
Ben Francis
May 31, 20235 min read
What I’m Reading: April-May 2023
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of...
58 views0 comments
Ben Francis
May 16, 20237 min read
Parents: Don't Give Your Kids a Smartphone...
We are living in a day and age that revolves around technology, especially smartphones. Our days are filled with them: Tasks, jobs,...
114 views1 comment
bottom of page