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A New Direction for this Blog: Associational Leaders

6/1/2017

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​I have been praying about how to best restart this blog so that it would be most effective and helpful.  I have decided to stop the Top 5 and write about something I know a little bit about: being an Associational Leader in Southern Baptist life.
 
As the Executive Director of the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders (SBCAL), and as the DOM of five associations since 1993, I care deeply about the effectiveness and relevance of our associations. Therefore, I am going to be writing primarily to Associational Leaders and for Associational Leaders – as well as to other readers who are interested in helping associations be more effective and relevant.
 
I hope this blog will be a resource and an ongoing discussion of how to make a difference as Associational Leaders.

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Today’s Topic: Engaging Large Churches/Mega-Churches in Your Association

​Here are some ways:
  1. Do things with excellence – as much as possible, make your meetings on a par with the quality of the large or mega church in your association.
  2. Ask these churches to host a meeting periodically – an Annual Meeting, Workshop, Conference, etc., so they feel a part of the association.
  3. Get their input/buy-in ahead of time to make the conference as appealing as possible to the host church pastor, staff, and laity.
  4. Ask the host church to provide the music and refreshments/meal, and the pastor to bring greetings, say a prayer, or teach/preach, as appropriate.
  5. The pastor/staff want what time they do give to the association to make a difference helping smaller churches and impacting the community.
  6. Schedule team meetings in conjunction with a Pastor’s Conference or other appealing event so pastors/staff can kill two birds with one trip on one day.
  7. Appreciate whatever funds they send and whatever time they give.
 
What other ways would you suggest?
 
To the praise of His glory,
 
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6

Quotable Quote: In all your relationships, it is not about you being right, it’s about God being glorified.
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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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