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10 Former SBC Presidents Sign Letter in Support of ERLC – One of Four Things to Know This Week, May 29, 2025

5/28/2025

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A Word to the Wise: How to Handle Tough Conversations (Dan Reiland)
 
3 guidelines to help you prepare for the tough conversation:
1) Learn the power of one sentence.
When we’re anxious during a challenging conversation, we tend to over-talk. We talk all around the core of the real issue, and we end up not being direct enough to accomplish the purpose of the moment. 
In the vast majority of those tough moments, the heart of the entire situation is best delivered in one sentence.
2) Understand the secret behind the moment.
It’s not really a secret, but we don’t talk about this very often. When you try to power up to get through the tough moments on your own, you will typically overdo it and therefore not realize the outcome you hoped for.  
The “secret” is in the preparation and involves how you engage God.
When you invite God into the process of a difficult conversation, you gain a quiet confidence that translates to spiritual strength in the moment.
3) Measure your outcome by inner peace, not outer perfection.
As I mentioned, the outcomes are never guaranteed. The other person or group can choose their response. But when you enter into the tough moment with inner peace, the potential for great results increases exponentially.
When you enter in unsure, you will not likely gain the results you pray for.
When you are clear, and at peace with God, you have done your best and need to leave the outcomes to Him.
Experience may be gained slowly because you don’t practice this on a daily basis. But the companion to tough conversations are honest conversations, and they can happen often and will help you become better at the tough ones.  
Dan Reiland, 5.26.25, How to Handle Tough Conversations, https://danreiland.com/how-to-handle-tough-conversations/
Here are Four Things to Know this Week:

  1. ‘A Unity of Purpose’ Celebrating Southern Baptists’ Great Commission Cooperation (Lifeway; The Christian Index)
  2. 10 Former SBC Presidents Sign Letter in Support of ERLC (Baptist Press)
  3. Associational Missionary Joins Harvard Panel to Discuss Faith, Human Flourishing (Baptist Press)
  4. How the Decline of Denominations Is Reshaping American Christianity: Lessons from the Southern Baptist Convention (Sam Rainer, Church Answers)
 
 
Thank you for reading. Please share it with pastors and other AMSs you believe would benefit.
 
To the praise of His glory,
 
Ray
 
P. S. I also host the “SBCAL Podcast with Ray Gentry” where ever you get your podcasts.
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    I’m Ray Gentry, the President/CEO of the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders (SBCAL). I’ve served Southern Baptist churches & associations in various roles for over 35 years. I have served as an associational leader for five associations, starting in 1993. The most recent one being the Southside Baptist Network, McDonough, GA.

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