Dr. Bobby Atkins

Bobby Atkins and I have been friends for almost 28 years. We both experienced dramatic conversions to Christ about one month apart. We both went to the same Bible College in Dallas, Texas; we have preached in each others churches throughout our ministry. We have traveled around the world together on mission assignments. We have been in Israel, India, Africa and Brazil together. The above picture was taken before we went on our first oversea mission trip to Brazil in May of 1983. A lot less hair later and for me a lot more weight later we still are the best of friends.

This past Sunday, on the invitation of his wife Marie, I surprised Bobby by showing up at his church in Atlanta for a surprise 25th anniversary celebration of his ministry. Marie and their children and the congregation of Truth Tabernacle of Praise outdid their selves in presenting Bobby with an almost three hour long service of songs, banners, testimonies, a love offering and a special tribute by his children. I was instructed not to preach but tell as many embarrassing stories as I could on their beloved pastor. It was hard to narrow them down to fit my time slot. I told of Bobby using his negotiating skills in Brazil to secure us a deal, his upgrading skills to get a “special” room in Israel and our unique swimming experience in Jerusalem (I cannot believe I told that one!). I told of the time we were almost martyred in India (that one was not funny) and of the many times I witnessed God use Bobby Atkins around the world.

The Bible says a friend is born for adversity. The longer we live the more we realize how few and precious true friends we have on this earth. Bobby has been my friend in the good times and the difficult times. His wisdom and godly advice have saved me many times. I am thankful to be his friend. Congratulations Bobby on 25 years of ministry. I pray that the next season will be even more blessed so that your latter days are more productive and fruitful than your former.

Neil Cameron Graham 1952-2008

On Saturday January 12, I was in the hospital room with Neil when his courageous battle with cancer ended with total victory as he entered the presence of his Lord. Neil Graham was one of my best friends. He and his wife Karla were the first couple to join the church in Trophy Club on my first Sunday. When I finally decided to pursue one of my personal dreams of beginning Destiny International, Neil Graham was one of my biggest encouragers. He was a Dream Mate in every sense of the word. He and I spent countless hours at Starbucks, in my office or driving around in his truck talking, laughing and dreaming about ways to change the world.

A Strong and Courageous Man

I told the people gathered for a memorial service on Sunday night in Trophy Club that Neil Graham was the strongest and most courageous man I have ever met. He was strong physically. Looking at his picture as a young Marine serving our country in Vietnam, I certainly would not want to be the enemy facing him on the battlefield. He fought very bravely for his country serving in countless dangerous situations in special operations. What is most amazing is that about two years ago with chemotherapy drugs in his body he bench pressed 538 pounds three times at a local gym! That is not a misprint. 538 pounds! He was working for the State record for men over fifty when the cancer forced him to stop. He was a man’s man. He was my friend.

Neal’s testimony that he shared at our Date with Destiny conferences was how Jesus moved from his head to his heart. He had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I have wept and grieved all weekend over how much I will miss my friend but I do not sorrow as one with no hope (1Thessalonians 4:13). I believe in the Gospel as Neil did and expectantly look forward to a reunion one day.

Please pray for Karla and his daughter Cameron, stepdaughters Dawn and Chrissy, his Father and his beloved sisters Vivian, Nell and Paula. I will travel with the family this weekend for funeral services in Lumberton, North Carolina.

Merry Christmas from the Clingans

It was good to have all of my children present for Christmas. Jacob joined us from Knoxville where he is a Sophomore at THE University of Tennessee. Jordan is Junior in High School and has a new job as a lifeguard for an indoor water park in the frigid cold winter in Dallas. Jessie Kate is a beautiful and smart seventh grader. Joy is the happiest and most fun first grader to be around in the whole world. Of course Eli is our little pet rat with legs.

They all join Amy and I in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year!

I Am Alive and Well

Following the Date with Destiny Conference in Jackson, Mississippi in August of 2007 I intended to take a few weeks off from the BarryClingan.org website and Bishop's Blog. Those few weeks turned into several months!

Although I have been away from the computer, I have not been away from life. These past few months have been very eventful to say the least. As always in the midst of a very frantic pace to life (chronos) there are many special moments (kairos) that make the journey so exciting.

For all of you who have written me emails and cards wondering when I will be posting again or if I am even still alive I say with the not so original words, "The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!"

Lots to come, stay tuned and stay in touch.

A Date with Destiny Jackson 2007 – Recap

I am sitting at home on Sunday afternoon and thanking God for the blessing that was A Date with Destiny Jackson 2007. One day the temperature soared to an all time record high 106 degrees! When the breaker kicked off in one our meetings and the air conditioning stopped flowing, I thought I was preaching in an old fashioned outdoor tent revival rather than the comfort of a Marriott convention hall. What a great time we experienced together.

I am thankful for the fellowship. Fellowship is a word we throw around too loosely as believers. But the times we spent renewing relationships, encouraging one another and simply catching up with what has been going on in each others lives always makes for one of the highlights of these meetings. My only regret is that we have so little time to genuinely spend talking one on one with each other. I hope we have more opportunities soon.

I am thankful for the worship. Jon Bunn did an excellent job of leading us each session with exuberant praise and meaningful worship of our Lord. I am thankful for the worship team of volunteers who sacrificially invested their time and played their instruments and sang from the hearts.

I am thankful for the preaching from God’s Word – It truly is only God’s unchanging Word that changes our lives. Pastor Scott Camp spoke to us from his heart and demonstrated his gifting as an Evangelist to speak clearly, simply and boldly to us to know what the will of the Lord is for our life. I remember most his simple statement about how so many believers today refuse to come under any pastoral leadership and yet wonder why God does not bless them. Two great messages were delivered from this gifted servant of God.

Dr. Jack Taylor blessed us by allowing his beautiful wife Frieda to bless us in her native German tongue as well as encourage us with some insightful words. Dr. Taylor preached twice. Every time he speaks God opens another window of heaven and gives me more light on the kingdom of God. His classic statement made with a countenance of exasperation was, “He is the creator of it all and the modern church is obsessed with making Him RELEVANT to His own universe, what is wrong with us?” I am thankful to have such a spiritual father in my life.

I spoke three times. I spoke on how God can give you a personal date with destiny from Moses’ experience with God at the burning bush. I taught Friday morning on the evidences of experiencing the fullness of the Spirit. Friday night I spoke about how to make your God-given dream a reality from Habakkuk 2.

All of the conference messages are available on CD in a conference package. They will be available through the store on my web site in the next few days.

To all of those who made this event possible by providing sound equipment, organizing the details, managing the book table and every thing else, I am thankful for you today. Look for an announcement coming soon about a new conference scheduled in Texas.

A Date with Destiny Jackson 2007 – Dr. Jack Taylor

I am thrilled that Dr. Jack Taylor will be with us for our Date with Destiny Conference in Jackson, Mississippi on August 16-17. There are only a few people who have had as much influence on my ministry as Jack Taylor. For years he mentored me through his teaching and his books. We became friends when he came to the church I pastored in Jackson, MS for a Bible Conference. We called it a Bible Conference but it actually became a revival. In that meeting we experienced the beginning of a spiritual awakening that would touch us for over five years. During that time thousands were added to the kingdom as we ministered under an open heaven. It all began with the ministry of Dr. Jack Taylor.

I find myself quoting him often in my messages. He was the one who taught me to allow God to perform an “offendectomy” on me. He was the one who prayed sincerely for me to “be protected from my own anointing!” He was the man who prayed for me and I was healed of a heart related health problem. Jack Taylor has a large influence on me and many others. I am looking forward to hearing him again this week.

All of the conference information can be found at www.BarryClingan.org

Date with Destiny Jackson 2007 – Pastor Scott Camp

We are privileged to have as a special guest at our Date with Destiny Conference this week, August 16-17, Pastor Scott Camp. Scott currently serves as the Senior Pastor of the Fellowship of Joy in Arlington, Texas. This is a church he founded several years ago and now is quickly approaching over a thousand each week in attendance. This is the third church that he has led that has grown rapidly. Scott is pastor with very strong evangelistic gifts. He is much in demand around the country as a revival and evangelistic crusade leader. God blesses him with many conversions at each of his meetings.

The greatest thing about Scott Camp to me personally, is simply the fact, that he is my friend. Scott and I regularly meet on Fridays for lunch and share a relationship of accountability. He speaks into my life and on more than one occasion God has used his counsel to help me make important decisions. I must also say that Scott Camp is one of the best preachers of the Gospel I know. I listen to all of his messages and I heard him preach one of the greatest sermons I have ever heard on the Blood of Jesus Christ. I promise you will be blessed to hear and get to know this great man of God.

All of the details of the Date with Destiny conference are available at http://www.barryclingan.org/

Tomorrow: An introduction to the incomparable evangelist, Jack Taylor.

A Date with Destiny Jackson 07

We are one week away from A Date with Destiny in Jackson, Mississippi. We will be meeting at the Marriott Harvey Hotel and Conference Center in downtown Jackson. The proposed schedule is:

Thursday Night August 16
7:00 p.m. Scott Camp and Barry Clingan

Friday Morning August 17
9:00 a.m. Scott Camp, Barry Clingan and Jack Taylor

Friday Night August 17
7:00 p.m. Jack Taylor and Barry Clingan

Of course, except for the starting times, we will be sensitive to the Spirit’s direction about everything else. In the next few days I will write an entry about our special guests and other information as we lead up to the conference.

I have learned through the years that there is a direct correlation between the enemy’s attacks leading up to a ministry event and the level of spiritual power and breakthrough the meeting will experience. I am confident and full of expectation that this will truly be a date with destiny for everyone that attends. Get ready for real spiritual renewal!

Go to www.BarryClingan.org for all the information. You can view a copy of the brochure and you can register as well.

More soon!.

The Best Show on Television

When the television is on at our house it is usually sports and news with an occasional cooking show. While watching my favorite sport program (PTI with Wilbon and Kornheiser), I heard mention of a new reality show with NBA mega star Shaquille O’Neal and a group of overweight kids. Shaq selected six overweight middle school students for a special challenge of achieving better physical fitness by losing weight. The show is called Shaq’s Big Challenge and is on ABC Tuesday nights 8/7c.

This is why I think it is the best show on television:

1. Shaquille O’Neal – This guy has proven that his heart is as big as his impressive seven foot plus stature. Shaq takes a semi trailer full of toys into the projects every year at Christmas and plays Shaq O’Claus. If every athlete would use his time and resources like Shaq then the world would be a better place. I live in Dallas and I am a huge Dallas Mavericks fan. Unless He is playing the Mavericks I am pulling for Shaq. I do not know about Shaq’s faith. His mother is a Baptist and his step-father is a Muslim, but there is something about this guy that makes you like him even if you only know him from television.

2. The Positive Message of Encouragement – My favorite kid on this program is Walter. When Shaq visited Walter’s house to sign him up for the program, Walter was playing video games and would not even get out of his seat to answer the door. One of the first tests was to get the gang of obese kids to take the presidential fitness test. None of them passed. When they were asked to run a mile, Walter was still on the track after all the others had finished. Shaq told all of the other kids to go out and get behind Walter and cheer him on to the finish line. When Walter finished he was exhausted but had a huge grin on his face and said, “No one has ever cheered for me for anything in my entire life, it felt good.” Shaq has consistently encouraged Walter and it is so exciting to see his entire personality transforming in front of your eyes.

3. America’s Obesity Problem – Shaq has a passion for the overweight kids in America. The facts are staggering. One out of every six young people is obese, many of them morbidly obese. This is the first generation of young people who because of obesity related problems will not be expected to live as long as their parents. Shaq exposes and offers solutions to the all too often unhealthy school lunches and what is usually a joke of a physical education class at school, if it even exists.

America has an obesity problem. Just this week a John Hopkins study was released that reported that 75% of all Americans will be overweight and 41% will be classified as obese by the year 2015 if we do not change. Shaquille O’Neal is doing something about this problem.

My Favorite View in the Whole World

I have traveled around the world but I have yet to find a spot I like more than the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin. Amy and I have enjoyed some genuine relaxation the few times we have been able to come to this island.

It is the smallest landmass in the world that is shared by two nations. The Dutch and the French bring something unusual to this small Caribbean island. The food is great, the sunset over Grand Case spectacular and the beach is the best in the world as far as I am concerned.

I am thankful for a few days of rest and renewal in my favorite place with my favorite view and of course with my favorite person.

The American Revolution and my Family

The above picture is of my ancestor, William Clingan (1721-1790). He was one of the founding fathers of our country. He was a member of the Continental Congress and was a signer of The Articles of Confederation for the United States as a representative from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He served alongside Benjamin Franklin, also from Pennsylvania.

I am a seventh generation American. My roots are Scotch-Irish. My great (x7) grandfather, George Clingan immigrated to this country from Ireland. He was one of three brothers who came to this country with their Presbyterian pastor, The Rev. John Roan.

A Memorable Fourth of July
In the summer of 2000 I took my family to Washington D.C. for the Fourth of July. It was one of our most memorable family trips. We traveled up into Lancaster, Pennsylvania and found the grave site of the above William Clingan. We also discovered the Donegal Presbyterian Church which was founded in the early 1700’s and was home to many of my early ancestors. We were surprised to find the church is still very much alive today. The current pastor of the church gave us an extended tour and a history lesson we would never forget. He showed us an early drawing of the layout of the sanctuary and I was glad to see the Clingans paid their tithes and thus owned a pew.

The Witness Tree
It seems that in September of 1777 Lord Howe invaded Pennsylvania and the word was traveling quickly by horseback through each township to muster the militia. The Revolution had come to Pennsylvania. The story goes that when the messengers arrived at the Donegal Presbyterian Church, services were in progress. The congregation quickly assembled outside and gathered around an oak tree at the front of the church. The current pastor had offered prayers each Sunday for the King and the people knew his inclinations were toward the British. The assembled church told their pastor it was decision time. He quickly and wholeheartedly joined them. The church gathered around the tree, held hands and vowed allegiance to the Patriot cause. Thus the tree would be known as the “Witness Tree.”

The huge oak tree stood in front of this church for 260 years until it succumbed to drought and old age and was taken down in 1991. All that was left was this giant stump and several seedlings that the current pastor hoped would survive. I set my camcorder on a nearby fence and made my family stand around the tree holding hands just like our ancestors and together we confessed we would be spiritual patriots for the cause of Christ and our country on that very hot afternoon in July of 2000.

A Proverb for our Day

When I attended the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, my favorite professor was Dr. Joe Cothen. He was the vice-president of the school as well as a professor in pastoral studies. The first week of chapel I heard him preach on the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. I was so impressed that I took every class he taught over the next two years. I learned so much from this great man of God.

There is one proverb that Dr. Cothen taught us that I have never forgotten. It has so stuck with me that I have labored to teach it to my children as well.

“Increased resources are a detriment to a flawed character”

This proverb teaches us that flaws in our character are magnified when more resources flow into our life. Our modern day news is filled with living illustrations of the truth of this proverb. We witness the young athlete who receives a multi-million dollar contract but implodes over character issues. Some say the boxer Mike Tyson earned over 300 million dollars and today he is bankrupt and by his own admission miserable.

O.K., so I know if Ed McMahon suddenly appeared at my front door with the Prize Patrol and a big check the flaws in my character would only be magnified, but what about the spiritual issues in my life? Would the “walls” of character in my life be able to handle the increased blessing of God?

I hunger for an increase of God’s manifest presence in my life. I desire an increase of anointing in my ministry. At the same time, I also pray for strength of genuine character in order to be able to express God’s power for God’s glory in an earthen vessel.

Beware: Southern Baptists are Here!

I am in San Antonio, Texas for a few days this week, attending the Southern Baptist Convention. The above picture represents my thoughts exactly when it comes to religious conventions: KEEP BACK at least 500 feet! I have told my people many times,

“Preachers are like manure. Pile us all together in one place and we stink. However, if you spread us out we will do a good job.”

The truth is I have been a Southern Baptist my entire Christian life. As the old saying goes, “I was Baptist bred, I was Baptist fed and I will be a Baptist when I am dead!” I hold a Master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I served as a trustee to the North American Mission Board and my wife was elected as a trustee to the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.

I remember attending the SBC in Dallas, Texas in 1985 and suffering blisters on my feet the size of quarters in order to show up and elect Charles Stanley as President. From New Orleans to Las Vegas, there have been many memorable moments with friends at the Southern Baptist Conventions through the years as we enjoyed a conservative resurgence against the drift toward liberalism.

However, in the current environment the pendulum is swinging to the other extreme, which is legalism. There is an increasing drift towards conformity in doctrines that in the past were individual matters of conscience. Such is the way of human organizations.

When it comes to my personal confession of affiliation, I borrow a quote from one of my spiritual heroes, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. I liked this quote so much that I had my wife write it in calligraphy and frame it for me. It has hung in every office of every church I have pastored.

I am not ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist;
I do not hesitate to take the name Baptist;
But, if I am asked what is my creed,
I simply reply, Jesus Christ!

What I learned from Einstein and it is not E=mc²

When I was a young boy, I loved to read biographies of people who changed the world. I remember reading about great men like the Wright Brothers, Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman and Winston Churchill. The desire to read biographies continues into my adult life. I have always looked for common characteristics among people who have achieved great things. (I do not believe there are as many as people think)

But, there is one characteristic that is obvious: Men and women who change their world are people who see things differently and are not afraid to challenge the status-quo of the majority’s mindset.

Thomas Kuhn, in his very influential book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, made popular the idea of a “paradigm shift.” His basic premise is that every great scientific discovery was predicated by someone who looked at the problem in a radical new way. In his words,

“. . . the successive transition from one paradigm to another via revolution is the usual developmental pattern of mature
science.” (emphasis mine)

I am currently reading Walter Isaacson’s new biography, Einstein: His Life and Universe. It is remarkable that many of Einstein’s contemporary scientists were as brilliant as he, and some of them were very close to the discovery of relativity. But the question remains, what is the difference that enabled Einstein to make this discovery, that some called the greatest scientific discovery of all time, while his contemporaries were not? Henri Poincaré, the French mathematician, was one of his contemporaries who was the closest to making the discovery. Isaackson gives us the answer as he quotes Freeman Dyson,

The essential difference between Poncaré and Einstein was that Poincaré was by temperament conservative and Einstein was by temperament revolutionary. When Poincaré looked for a new theory . . . he tried to preserve as much as he could of the old. Einstein, on the other hand, saw the old framework as cumbersome and unnecessary and was delighted to be rid of it. (emphasis mine)

Christians do not exactly have the best record when it comes to receiving new scientific discoveries. Does this sound familiar; “What? The Earth is round! Hogwash! After all the Bible says, “He will gather the elect from the four corners of the earth.” We also do not have a very good record of experiencing new movements of God. Does this sound familiar; “We have never done it like that before.”

So what is the moral for spiritual revolutionaries in all of this? First, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Second, don’t be afraid of a leader who challenges your traditional mindset of how we can do ministry. And finally, number three, always remember E=mc².

Bowling Alleys, Karaoke and a Spiritual Revolution

The Revolution is here! Gorge Barna wrote REVOLUTION, Finding Vibrant Faith Beyond the Walls of the Sanctuary in 2005. This book is an honest look at the millions of Christ followers who are experiencing and expressing their faith outside of the walls of a local church. If his statistics are right (and he has an excellent track record) then by the year 2025, only eighteen years away, 70% of all followers of Christ will experience and express their faith outside of the local church.

Many pastors and church leaders have responded to this book by attacking the author and the research. But, this is one Bishop who says,

Viva La Revolucion!

I join the

"Millions of devout followers of Jesus Christ
(who) are repudiating tepid systems and

practices of the Christian faith and introducing

a wholesale shift in how faith is understood,

integrated and influencing the world."

Don't get me wrong, I love the local church. I have shepherded local churches for twenty-five years. I have been privileged to pastor a small church and a mega church, a country church and a city church and a small town church and a church in a metroplex of millions of people. I love the church. However, If the church is going to remain chained to an inflexible tradition of a past culture and imprisoned in the walls of an us against them mentality and full of professional clergy who are only interested in a paycheck then I say, Bring the Revolution on!

Recently, through a very unusual set of circumstances, my wife and I ended up in a bowling alley one Friday night where they were performing karaoke. I know you are saying bowling alley and karaoke? Don't even ask. However, I witnessed something that profoundly touched me. Every singer no matter how good or bad received shouts of encouragement from the people. I learned that there was a close knit group of people who formed the nucleus of this group and they were constantly reaching out to invite others to participate with them. They passed a hat around and everyone was giving money to help one of their friends who was going through some serious financial problems. I learned that they always sent flowers to any one who suffered a loss in their families. Watching this group have such a good time, I leaned over to my wife and said, if they offer an invitation I may join this church!

When there is more life and encouragement in a bowling alley on Friday night than most churches on Sunday morning we need a revolution!