A Personal Update (2011)

Retiring from my pastorate in 2004 could never mean I retired from seeking more of the Savior's cross/resurrection journey. I embarked upon what was to be the greatest learning period of my life when it comes to the depth and splendor of what it means to know and yield to the Lord Christ on earth. In addition to speaking opportunities, continuous contact with scores of people I served as a pastor and friend, counseling of those seeking my guidance, weddings and funerals, experiencing the joy of my five grandchildren, the marriage of one of them and the birth of my great granddaughter (Evy Kate), as well as the continual hassle with the usual problems of the world, supporting the Ventures Ministry and struggle with my own battles, etc., I have sought to prioritize my ambitions and desires for more of Christ Jesus! In all of these life issues I quote you what's become one of my life verses in my sunset decade: In 2 Corinthians 7:4. Paul shares his pride, confidence and gratitude for those who love the Lord and love him. He then makes one of his greatest life statements… "In all my troubles, my joy knows no bounds." So it is in my life!

My primary efforts and passions have been directed toward the completion of my first book. It will be a summation of what I think is the most critical and practical principle of Discipleship in order to live out one's life centered in the mind of Christ. I call this key insight "Triune Thinking" and illustrate each of my concepts with diagrams that I call "Graphic Theology." Living the Christ life is essentially a passion for "being a Jesus" to everyone who is in your life. This would include family, close friends, fellow employees, casual acquaintances and brief encounters. After 61 years of knowing the Savior and seeking to be a Discipler, I am convinced this is the one essential habit that every authentic Disciple needs to comprehend, practice and develop. I am hoping to finish the book this year and would deeply appreciate your prayers to that end. My tentative title is Briefings on the Overcoming Journey.

It is my conviction that life for Christians will be shallow, stale, stunted and non-productive unless their "fallen mind" is increasingly exchanged for the "Mind of Christ." Positive, lasting and significant change in our life is impossible without vigorous effort to access the Mind of Christ! Without an intentional process like "Triune Thinking" the Disciple is victimized by the culture rather than becoming a victor for Christ in the midst of the culture. Hence, the message of Ventures ... teaching the Triune faith skill by which we must come to God in order to please Him to the maximum possible! (Heb. 11:6)

Biographical Sketch

After thirty-nine years as Senior Pastor of the University Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas he initiated a new and wider ministry through Ventures For Christ, Inc. The message of the Christ Life that energized his pastorate into a spiritual revolution for students and community in the last decades of the century has been refined and deepened. The message is now offered to hundreds in our churches who are seeking the liberating precision and radical release of "the rich mystery of Christ in you, your confidence of significance" (Colossians 1:28).

His effective pastorate, touching thousands, brought a famed reputation nationwide. Over 300 people impacted by UBC have been involved in full-time vocational ministry. Some of these have or now lead national ministries and some of America's most effective churches. They also include high ranking military chaplains, missionaries, seminary professors and key influencers in local church and para-church ministries. A conservative estimate is that 20,000 University of Arkansas students were positively attracted and touched with the magnificence of Jesus Christ, as well as hundreds of adults and children. UBC became one of America's foremost mission and sending churches. He served as Chaplain of the Razorbacks for thirty years. His patriotism is reflected in a distinguished, thirty-three year career in the United States Air Force/Reserves/Air Guard, serving as both a pilot and chaplain. He retired as a Brigadier General (only the second Chaplain General in the 350 year history of the American Militia/National Guard). He wears fifteen decorations including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, the Combat Crew Readiness Medal and the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal. He holds the degrees of B.A., M.Div., D.Min., as well as the Honorary D.D. and Litt. D. He did further doctoral work in philosophy and Greek and has served as an adjunct lecturer/professor at two seminaries, two universities, and two Bible institutes.

He has spoken in numerous venues throughout the nation and maintained a thirty-year television ministry with an audience of thousands. He wrote a weekly newspaper column, "Live It Up," for over twenty years which appeared in over a dozen newspapers. He has traveled broadly and led seven worship tours to Israel. In 2004, two special honors came as he opened the U.S. Senate in prayer on the National Day of Prayer and spoke at the Normandy Memorial in France commemorating D-Day's sixtieth anniversary. His community involvement included the presidency of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club and serving as a board member of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the board of governors of the Washington Regional Medical Center. He recently finished a ten year term on the board of trustees at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He continues to serve on the board of reference for Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a board member of the Priority Bank, Fayetteville. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently awarded him their "Medal of Honor" for his patriotism and citizenship involvement.

He has been married to his wife, Shirley, for over fifty-three years, and their daughter and son have given them five wonderful grandchildren and one magnificent great granddaughter ... Evy Kate Lancaster! Next to honoring his family, Dr. McCarty's remaining ambition in life is to help as many people as he can to explore and experience the wonder, thrill, significance and contentment of the Christ Life. (Psalm 119:32 and John 8:51) His Ventures Ministry is dedicated to making clear to as many as possible the immediate empowerment of the Presence and Splendor of the Savior! "I Am with you always, even to the end of the age!" (Jesus in Matthew 28:20)