Phil Cooke Archives - The Baptist Paper

First person: Media isn’t a side ministry anymore — it is the ministry

April 7, 2026

Here’s the reality: Christian media isn’t fading — it’s becoming essential.

First person: The power of the gospel is simplicity

March 23, 2026

The Early Church grew in large part because the gospel message could be understood by everyone. Rich, poor, slave, free, educated, uneducated – the power of its simplicity made it available to every culture, ethnic group and era.

First person: When a ministry leader commits ‘serious sin’

March 19, 2026

“Maybe the most spiritual thing a fallen or disgraced leader could do is step away for a few years and live a normal life. Get a regular job. Work at Home Depot. Sell insurance. Learn humility again. Rebuild a marriage. Restore trust with family.”

First person: Stop saying you’re busy — and 4 other things leaders shouldn’t say

March 17, 2026

I’m busy: Nobody cares. We’re all “busy” these days.

Church livestreams: How many watch ‘live’ versus later?

February 13, 2026

Let me start by saying that one of my great frustrations is the number of churches that discontinued their Sunday livestream broadcast after the pandemic.

Opinion: What good crisis management should teach churches

January 18, 2026

When a Hilton-branded hotel in Minnesota canceled reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, it didn’t stay local — it became national news almost instantly.

First person: Why storytelling is important — and how it needs to be done differently

January 17, 2026

We’re living in a time when people don’t automatically trust institutions — especially churches and ministries. Scandals, political polarization, social media outrage and overpromising have left many audiences skeptical before you ever open your mouth.