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12 Ministry Trends for 2026, One of Four Things to Know This Week, January 22, 2026

1/21/2026

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​A Word to the Wise: 
 
Over time, stress wears people down.
For leaders, a high need for control increases stress. The need for control shifts the way leaders focus on potential risks and obstacles.
Because controlling leaders want everything to go perfectly, they overthink every choice and action that can produce a less favorable outcome. This magnifies any threat to high performance and makes normal challenges feel overwhelming.
So, what makes some leaders so much better at handling and feeling less stress?
Optimism is the magic bullet.
The disciplined belief that progress is always possible and opportunity exists in any challenge regulates feelings of stress.
And here’s the good news: Research has proven that optimism is a learned skill. How stress is experienced and managed can be changed with an optimistic mindset.
In the struggle between reality and stress, optimism prevails.
​
Admired Leadership Field Notes, 1.17.26, Why Do Some Leaders Feel More Stress?
Four Things to Know This Week

  1. 12 Ministry Trends for 2026 (Lifeway Research)
  2. Federal Investigation Underway Into Church Protest (Baptist Press)
  3. Americans Trust in Pastors Hits Historic Low (Lifeway Research)
  4. The FAQs: What Should Churches Do When Protest Enters the Sanctuary? (The Gospel Coalition)
 
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” each Tuesday morning.
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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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