Confessions of a Pastor

• Fun at Buck Run

  Number of comments: 4
  We have a blast at Buck Run, as evidenced by the video below. The beauty of this prank is that the real mark of the con thinks he's in on it. You'll see three "victims" of the prank, but #3--Pete Wright--is the guy we are really setting up. He swears' [...]
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  Posted: June 12, 2009, 10:49pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Seeing Christ in My Dad

  Number of comments: 4
  
  
  The photo above was taken at our house on Rua Jonathas Pedrosa in Manaus during my first year of life. I love this picture. Dad is letting me stand on my own two feet, but he's close enough to catch me if I fall' [...]
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  Posted: May 12, 2009, 8:27am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• My Father Is with My Father

  Number of comments: 6
  Sunday evening, May 10, 2009, my father, Wallace York, went to be with his Savior who redeemed him and fitted him for eternity through His atoning work on Calvary and His resurrection from the grave. In my deep grief, I have an unspeakable, indescribable joy. He let the peace of [...]
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  Posted: May 11, 2009, 12:37am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• A Little Less Conversation and a Little More Action Please

  Number of comments: 5
  A lack of perspective brings a distorted view of reality. The swine flu spreading through the world makes my point. The World Health Organization has warned that this strain of flu is blooming into a “pandemic” and has urged nations to begin measures to counter it as best they can. [...]
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  Posted: April 30, 2009, 8:22am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Final Four!!! I Made the Final Four!!!

  Number of comments: 2
  Thanks to all your help, I made it to the Final Four of SBC Blog Madness. Now I need you to vote for me again by clicking here and making the right selection. I don't imagine I can win; iMonk is pretty tough to beat. Plus, he's got my [...]
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  Posted: March 29, 2009, 11:04pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Blog Madness Round 2

  Number of comments: 2
  
  Okay, friends. I need your vote again. Thanks to you, the least prolific blog in the SBC has made it to the Sweet Sixteen! I never thought that not writing could be so popular. But now I'm out to prove a point--that silence might' [...]
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  Posted: March 23, 2009, 8:57am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• I may not write much, but . . .

  Number of comments: 5
  Vote for me in blog madness, South division . . . OR I'LL START WRITING MORE OFTEN, subjecting an unprepared world to my unreserved opinions.
  
  And I might even post a video of the annoying McDonalds filet-o-fish commercial.' [...]
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  Posted: March 13, 2009, 2:15pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• My Year of Jubilee

  Number of comments: 5
  Next week I will turn 49, entering my 50th year of life, my year of Jubilee. Since I will be out of town on my actual birthday, Michael gave me my present a few days early. Each year for the past three years he has prepared me a mix of [...]
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  Posted: February 25, 2009, 7:37am EST
  by Hershael W York

• The Buck Run Podcast

  Number of comments: 0
  Several people have inquired about our weekly podcast. You can now subscribe to either my Sunday morning sermons or my Sunday evening sermons. I am currently preaching "Walking with Jesus" some highlights of Mark's gospel leading up to the resurrection on Easter. Last week, for instance, was "Walking with Jesus'" [...]
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  Posted: February 09, 2009, 9:23am EST
  by Hershael W York

• Penn Gillette Teaches Personal Evangelism

  Number of comments: 3
  

  Penn Jillette, an atheist, understands the necessity of witnessing better than most Christians.
  
  HT: Dan DeWitt

  [...]
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  Posted: January 15, 2009, 8:08pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• What God Can Do in a Bad Economy

  Number of comments: 6
  
  
  
  
  Buck Run Baptist Church, the church I serve, is not a big church. We average just below 600 in worship attendance. Nor are we a wealthy church. The majority of our members work for the state of Kentucky or in some business that [...]
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  Posted: December 28, 2008, 9:30pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• Now that the semester's over . . .

  Number of comments: 8
  This is like one of those pictures they show second graders with the caption, "How many wrong things can you find?"
  
  Now you know how a preaching professor feels grading sermons.
  
  By the way, I saw this on Ben Witherington's blog. I can only infer from the' [...]
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  Posted: December 17, 2008, 4:34pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• You Shall Not Worship Idols

  Number of comments: 6
  I am preaching through the ten commandments at Buck Run, having a marvelous time as we understand that what once condemned us now becomes a pathway of grace in our lives. Terry Dick, a member of Buck Run, just sent me a link to a video and asked me if [...]
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  Posted: September 23, 2008, 5:49pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• In the Eye of the Storm

  Number of comments: 3
  
  
  SERMON ILLUSTRATION ALERT! PREACHERS MAY WANT TO TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING!
  
  This Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR) image of Hurricane Ike approaching Galveston Island reveals more than the obvious. Ike is probably going to be the third most costly storm in history, behind Katrina (2005) [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2008, 7:37am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• York on the IMB and NPR

  Number of comments: 20
  I am just now returning from a historic meeting of the International Mission Board. President Jerry Rankin, Chairman Paul Chitwood, staff, trustees, and a special task force are working closely together, perhaps more than ever before, to chart the course for a bold missiological paradigm shift that will propel us [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2008, 4:19pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Another Confession

  Number of comments: 3
  In keeping with the title of my blog, and since it's good for my soul, I have another confession to make, though a relatively safe one.
  
  I am a weather geek. The day that I get the weather channel in HD I will shed tears of joy and hallelujahs' [...]
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  Posted: August 30, 2008, 1:08pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Why I Won't Be in Indianapolis

  Number of comments: 9
  As much as I would love to sit through six(teen?) presidential nomination speeches, see former students, meet IMB personnel whom I do not know, cast my ballot for Frank Cox, Bill Henard, and John David Newland, spend time with some people I love and rarely get to see, make my [...]
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  Posted: June 05, 2008, 6:24am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Today's Psalm of Ascents

  Number of comments: 0
  "Behold, how good and pleasant it is
  when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1) [...]
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  Posted: May 19, 2008, 5:08pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Grace and Truth to You: Never Take for Granted the Freedom to Dissent

  Number of comments: 1
  Grace and Truth to You: Never Take for Granted the Freedom to Dissent
  
  Thank you, Wade, for the apology. I forgive you, brother. [...]
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  Posted: May 17, 2008, 5:33pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Today's Command of Jesus

  Number of comments: 0
  "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23,24, ESV) [...]
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  Posted: May 17, 2008, 8:53am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Today's Wise Word

  Number of comments: 9
  A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Proverbs 18:2, ESV) [...]
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  Posted: May 16, 2008, 7:52am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• A Devotional Thought for the Day

  Number of comments: 3
  A fool shows his annoyance at once,
  but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverbs 12:16, NIV) [...]
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  Posted: May 15, 2008, 6:20pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Your Favorite Bible Study and Preaching Websites

  Number of comments: 15
  I need your help. Students are constantly asking me the best websites for Bible study and sermon preparation. I also assign them to watch videos of expository sermons, so they also need websites where they can find them. So I thought I would just throw this open and ask for [...]
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  Posted: April 23, 2008, 7:41am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Exploding Myths and Accusations about IMB Missionary Attrition Rates

  Number of comments: 30
  Last week one commenter made the charge that “whole teams of missionaries in western Europe are leaving because of the actions of John Floyd and the [Board of Trustees].” Does this charge of missionaries abandoning their calling and leaving the field due to policy changes and board issues stand up [...]
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  Posted: April 14, 2008, 3:52pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Pictures of Seth's and Candace's Wedding

  Number of comments: 1
  A few pictures of Seth's and Candace's wedding are available on Kari McGrath's blog. I can't wait to see all of them, but I like the one of Tanya and me with our son and his bride.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: April 12, 2008, 6:28pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Congratulations to Southern Baptists

  Number of comments: 5
  
  I congratulate Southern Baptists on the election of Dr. Paul Chitwood as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Mission Board. Not only is Paul my dear friend, but he is a proven and effective leader, capable of listening to various perspectives and making [...]
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  Posted: April 09, 2008, 5:05pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• To Seth, on His Wedding Day

  Number of comments: 4
  
  Dear Seth:
  
  On this day of your wedding, fragments of experiences we’ve shared seem to randomly spring on my consciousness, reminding me of what a special relationship we enjoy. I find myself reliving a moment from our “11-year old trip.” We’re on I-4 and approaching [...]
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  Posted: March 29, 2008, 3:20pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• I Know He's a Jehovah's Witness, but the man can shred your face off

  Number of comments: 4
  In keeping with the title of my blog, I confess that I am in awe of great musicians. Call me a wannabe, a frustrated musician, or whatever you think fits, but I love to hear great guitar, and I really enjoy music from the Beatles. That's why, at Michael's suggestion, [...]
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  Posted: March 22, 2008, 7:44am EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Payday Someday by R. G. Lee

  Number of comments: 3
  Several of my students have asked about this, so here you go.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: March 19, 2008, 5:19pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• My Birthday CD's

  Number of comments: 1
  My son, Michael, now a youth pastor and a PhD student at Southern, has an encyclopedic knowledge of music. His tastes are eclectic, his understanding deep. He knows his stuff.
  
  Last year, he started making me compilation CD's, a la High Fidelity. The first one he made bore the' [...]
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  Posted: March 06, 2008, 10:49pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• My Surreal Moment

  Number of comments: 3
  
  
  Coming through the Cincinnati airport Saturday night, Tanya and I spied Tony Campolo sitting in a shoeshine chair (sans anyone to shine his shoes) talking on his cell phone. I quickly handed Tanya my iPhone and told her to take my picture. Walking over [...]
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  Posted: February 24, 2008, 7:46am EST
  by Hershael W York

• A Biblical Case against Gambling

  Number of comments: 8
  A dear pastor friend of mine who, like me, finds himself of necessity involved in trying to keep casino gambling out of Kentucky asked me to share some biblical reasons why I believe gambling is wrong. I actually wrote most of the following in 2005 and it was published in [...]
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  Posted: February 11, 2008, 9:08pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• I'm Sorry If You Were Offended . . .

  Number of comments: 6
  After a lifetime of offering apologies for my sins, screw-ups, stupidity, and missteps, one would think that I would have mastered the art. Even if I only counted the times I have needed to ask my wife for forgiveness, I would still be one of the most practiced penitents on [...]
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  Posted: January 31, 2008, 6:36pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• Grace and Truth to You: A Decision I Believe Is Best for the Future of All

  Number of comments: 3
  Grace and Truth to You: A Decision I Believe Is Best for the Future of All [...]
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  Posted: January 30, 2008, 7:32am EST
  by Hershael W York

• A Wall-Street Journal Hatchet Job

  Number of comments: 9
  Two weeks ago Alexandra Alter of the Wall Street Journal called me and interviewed me for at least twenty minutes about church discipline. Explaining that she had come across a Baptist Press article about church discipline while researching something else, she listened intently while I presented the biblical rationale [...]
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  Posted: January 18, 2008, 7:35am EST
  by Hershael W York

• And Speaking of Politics . . .

  Number of comments: 1
  As interested as I am in Kentucky politics these days, I am certainly not ignoring the 2008 presidential race. I find this race as fascinating as any I can remember. This thing is wide open. This morning I was on a segment of National Public Radio's "Tell Me [...]
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  Posted: January 16, 2008, 4:39pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• Prayer and Politics

  Number of comments: 1
  I was honored to be asked to lead in prayer in the joint session of the Kentucky legislature last Monday night at which the new Governor gave his first State of the Commonwealth Address. The irony of the situation was not lost on me. Governor Steve Beshear's number [...]
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  Posted: January 16, 2008, 3:42pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• Preaching Today's Book of the Year

  Number of comments: 0
  
  
  Congratulations to Dr. Greg Heisler, graduate of Southern Seminary's Preaching PhD program, my former student, and Preaching Professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His excellent work, Spirit-Led Preaching: The Holy Spirit's Role in Sermon Preparation and Delivery has been named Preaching [...]
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  Posted: January 16, 2008, 7:19am EST
  by Hershael W York

• A Statement from Highview Baptist Church

  Number of comments: 1
  It seems that there has been some misunderstanding about the missions giving of Highview Baptist Church where Dr. Mohler is a member. In response to some misinformation, Kevin Ezell has issued the following clarification:
  
  
  HIGHVIEW’S MISSIONS GIVING
  January 7, 2008
  
  Highview Baptist Church [...]
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  Posted: January 07, 2008, 2:19pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• The Courier-Journal Article about Mohler's Candidacy

  Number of comments: 1
  Peter Smith, religion reporter for the Courier-Journal, has filed this report about Mohler's candidacy.
  
  

  Mohler in line for larger role
  He's urged to lead Baptist convention
  
  By Peter Smith
  psmith@courier-journal.com
  The Courier-Journal
  
  Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler is being nominated for president of the [...]

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  Posted: January 05, 2008, 4:42pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• Mohler Will Be Nominated for SBC President

  Number of comments: 6
  Here it is.
  
  OR
  
  DALLAS—Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. provides “the kind of visionary leader Southern Baptists need to communicate a missional conservatism and biblical clarity to the world,” stated Robert Jeffress, pastor of the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas in announcing [...]
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  Posted: January 02, 2008, 3:49pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• Thanksgiving Fishing

  Number of comments: 9
  
  
  November 20, 2007. At Dale Hollow Lake on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, the temperature was in the 70's, the sun was radiant, and I was in a bass boat (not mine, btw) that cost more than my first house and would do 70. [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2007, 10:35pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• My Brilliant Friend, Jim Scott Orrick

  Number of comments: 3
  My life has been intertwined with my childhood friend, Jim Scott Orrick. Our dads went to college together. We were born months apart, went to Boone's Creek Baptist Camp together, attended the same Bible conferences with our parents, and even stole girlfriends from one another (at least, that's how he [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2007, 10:32pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• The Kentucky Baptist Convention 2007

  Number of comments: 6
  I have never attended any Baptist convention quite like this year's KBC. Not only did we never require a ballot vote, as far as I could tell every vote was unanimous. I nominated Dr. Bill Henard, pastor of the Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington and my colleague on the [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2007, 9:08pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• Millennials and the SBC

  Number of comments: 4
  Last night CBC's 60 Minutes ran a fascinating piece about Millennials, the generation born between 1980 and 1995. Though geared toward their impact on corporate America, I could not help but notice parallels to the current tensions and lines that have been drawn in the SBC. Guys like me, who [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2007, 9:51am EST
  by Hershael W York

• The Most Important Business at the Recent IMB Meeting

  Number of comments: 9
  Contrary to what a few (out of 16 million Southern Baptists) people believe, the most significant item of business conducted by the IMB at the Springfield, Illinois, meeting was a comprehensive set of principles to guide IMB missionaries in their efforts to contextualize the gospel. Though I cannot discuss any [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2007, 6:31pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• The Well-Tempered Cleric

  Number of comments: 3
  When one is elected to the faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, one enters the rotation to address the faculty in a formal setting, cleverly called the faculty address. I came to Southern in 1997, was elected to the faculty in 1999, and finally, in 2007, I had my [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2007, 12:31pm EST
  by Hershael W York

• My Favorite Renditions of the National Anthem

  Number of comments: 5
  No matter how old I get, my eyes always grow moist and I get goose bumps at the Star Spangled Banner. James Taylor, one of my all-time favorites whom I have seen in concert somewhere around thirty times, sang it for game two at Fenway on October 25. This isn't [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2007, 8:44pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• And the Visigoths Just Apologized for Sacking Rome . . .

  Number of comments: 4
  Bill Hybels and the folks at Willow Creek now say they got it wrong. You can read about their "repentance" here.
  
  The money quote from Hybels:
  
  

  We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should [...]

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  Posted: October 18, 2007, 7:57pm EDT
  by Hershael W York

• Hershael York and Hershael Grissom

  
  This was taken Monday night at the NAMB commissioning service for President Geoff Hammond and over 100 missionaries, including Hershael's mom and dad, Steve and Sheena Grissom, who serve in Newfoundland.
  
  Isn't he a great looking kid? [...]
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  Posted: October 10, 2007, 9:28am EDT
  by Hershael W York