From the Pastor

This is a weekly devotional space where our pastor, as well as staff members on occasion, offer reflections, spiritual insights, and words of encouragement rooted in Scripture and everyday life. These writings are intended to challenge, inspire, and draw us closer to God and to one another as we strive to live out our faith with boldness and compassion. Whether offering comfort, conviction, or a call to action, each column invites us into deeper discipleship and shared community. When The Columns does not run, there is no new entry for From the Pastor.

Sept. 13, 2026

Have I mentioned how much I look forward to the Pastor’s Bible Study on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM? Well, I do. I’m having a blast.


On Monday or Tuesday, I sit down and spend some time getting [re] acquainted with the Scripture Lesson that will focus our worship service on the coming Sunday. I get out my Bible, of course. I get out my Bible dictionary—I have both a one-volume Eerdmans and the legendary six-volume Anchor in my office. I get out my Bible commentaries—I have both a one-volume Eerdmans and shelves and shelves of volumes of these. I love this part. Every Monday or Tuesday, it grounds me in the Scripture for the week. Biblical studies was my first love in college and seminary, and it keeps me connected to that, too.


On Wednesday, I put together a “lesson plan.” It’s loose, but keeps me on task. I show up in the Fellowship Hall ready to share…and listen. The great preaching professor Fred Craddock used to say to his students, “Preaching begins in the ear.” I believe that. My pastoral experience tells me that I am a better preacher, and that the people in the pews are better hearers, when we have spent time

together in Bible study.


If you haven’t yet joined me and us for this weekly practice of faith, I’m inviting you to consider doing so. I have two objectives for Wednesday evenings: Teach you something about the Bible and have as much fun as humanly possible doing it.


Speaking of teaching and fun, I have news. Last week, I called a friend in North Carolina. I’ve known him for years and have been a follower and a fan of him and his ministry. I called him to invite him to come and spend time with me and you this fall as a reboot of FAB’s Moore Series. He’s my friend, and he’s also a friend of yours. I believe that makes him the pitch perfect choice “for such a time as

this.”


“I would love for you to come and do the Moore Series here at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church this fall,” I said on the phone call. “The church knows you. I know you. And frankly, I think it sounds like a heck of a lot of fun to be here in my first year with you and them together. Win-win-win!” He replied, “Well yeah! That does sound like fun!”


Rev. Dr. Guy Sayles, retired pastor of First Baptist Church of Asheville, NC, will be coming to Huntington Friday-Sunday, November 6-8. I shared with him an idea that I’ve been working on with Church Council, and I could almost see him light up through the telephone speaker. Yay me! Yay us! Save the dates. What fun we’ll have, you, me, and Guy Sayles all together!


~ Rev. Zach Bay