​A Word to the Wise: 
 
In many ways, church engagement is the thread that holds the Association together in a practical sense. It is the ongoing connection between pastors, congregations, and ministry partners that reminds us we are not laboring alone. The BMBA is not simply an organization with programs—it is a family of churches united in a shared mission and a shared gospel. We get to say things like, “Did you know that another church is going through this same challenge just across town and would love to help you?" 
​
Dr. Chris Crain, Birmingham Metro Baptist Association newsletter, 2.11.26

A Word to the Wise: 
 
Three Time Management Tips from the Life of Christ in Matthew’s Gospel
So let me wrap this up with three takeaways.

1. Prioritize purpose. Get clear on what exactly it is God wants you to do. 

                                 And don’t get distracted.

1. Make time for people. Never be too busy to love people.
2. Don’t neglect prayer. Make it a priority.

Reagan Rose, www.RedeemingProductivity.com, 1.29.26

A Word to the Wise: 
 
At its best, the association is not an institution to be supported – like a college. At its best, the association is a strategy for cooperating at the local level that brings churches together strategically to do together what no one church can do alone. No one church is capable of reaching a city for Christ. 
 
Dr. Tom Billings, SBCAL 2018 Annual Conference, Former Executive Director, Union Association, Houston, TX

​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?

​A Word to the Wise: 5 Ways AI Is Impacting the Next Generation (Lifeway Research)

1. Kids (and parents) are embracing AI
2. AI is shaping their worldview
3. They’re experimenting with virtual companions
4. The way they learn is changing
5. They’re not equipped to navigate the complex ethics of AI

Shelly Melia, Dallas Baptist University, Lifeway Research, 1.8.26 

​A Word to the Wise: How to Lead with Consistency While Adapting to Differences 
 
Consistency in leadership produces the most trust, credibility, and accountability.
People strongly prefer leaders who are highly consistent and predictable. People view consistent leaders as more trustworthy, reliable, and relatable.
How can a leader both adapt to the differences in people and maintain consistency at the same time?
The answer lies in a common misconception about how leaders should adapt and flex. Good leaders adapt their style and tone but not the substance or values they believe in.
In other words, leaders can be both adaptive and consistent at the same time if they choose to stay true to their core beliefs and strategies while adapting how to apply them to fit the people and situations involved.
​
Admired Leadership Field Notes, 12.28.25, How to Lead with Consistency While Adapting to Differences

​A Word to the Wise from Mac Lake: Finish Well / Start Strong Checklist
 
1. Review This Past Year
Take a few minutes this week and ask:

• What were my biggest wins this year?
• What drained me the most?
• What surprised me?
• What did God teach me?

2. Release What Doesn’t Need to Follow You into January
Before the month ends, identify:

• One tension to resolve
• One expectation to reset
• One worry to hand back to God

3. Clarify Your January Goal
Clarity now prevents chaos later.
Begin to write down your goals for the new year.
If you need help, I recorded a short video on how I set leadership development goals for the year ahead, and I also have a free goal-setting Growth Plan to guide you through setting meaningful goals.
4. Choose One Growth Area for January
I often teach growth planning, and December is the perfect time to predetermine the one area you’ll focus on. 
Small, consistent habits create lasting growth.
​
Mac Lake, 12.1.25, Finish December with Intention; Start January with Momentum

A Word to the Wise: What Every Leader Should Know About Inspiring Others by Dan Reiland
 
The ability to inspire others is not a gift reserved for a few, it’s a skill all leaders must learn.
 
Inspiration is not a stand-alone skill. It requires other supporting skills underneath including the ability to:

• Connect at a heart level – showing you care.
• Appreciate others for who they are – expressing respect for each person as a human being.
• Encourage people to build them up – believing in each one so they may reach farther, dig deeper, and hold longer than previously believed possible.

Without these three skills, inspiring others will be difficult for you as a leader.
 
The beauty of inspiration is that that the Holy Spirit first inspires us with calling, passion and vision. We are then able to pass it on to others.
In God’s perfect design, He created each of us to inspire others in different ways.
I discuss this in more depth in my book Amplified Leadership, but for now, let me give you a quick list of the primary ways leaders inspire.

• Relationship – You are so good with people they are inspired because of how you love and care for them.
• Strategy – People hate chaos. Any leader who can organize the church to move forward and make progress is inspirational.
• Passion – Leaders who have personalities that “light up the room” can leverage that in strategic ways for the mission of the church.
• Competence – Think of this one like an Olympic athlete. They are so amazingly good at what they do; when you are around them you just want to get better at what you do! Competence inspires!
• Coaching – These leaders have a special skill to bring out the best in others, and they often see that gifting or talent before the person possessing it does. It is inspiring.

Which one is yours?
 
Dan Reiland, What Every Leader Should Know About Inspiring Others, 
https://danreiland.com/what-every-leader-should-know-about-inspiring/

A Word to the Wise 
 
One easy way to show you care about others is to ask them questions about their life.

• What are they excited about?
• What are they working on?
• What are they hoping for?

Simply asking the question and listening thoughtfully is an act of generosity. You're giving them the gift of attention.
​
James Clear, 11.27.25, 3-2-1 Thursday
​

A Word to the Wise – Karl Vaters
 
The Way People Commit to the Church Is Changing—Here’s How
The way people make commitments is changing. Unhealthy churches whine about it. 
Healthy churches do something about it.
People are as committed as they’ve always been. They just commit in different ways now.
 
1. For blocks of time, not long term
If they want to commit in chunks, let’s give them chunks to commit to. Then leverage that experience into long-term, consistent giving.
2. Through relationships
People don’t give to projects as much as they give to people. People in need. People they know. People they trust. People who lead by example.
3. Because we ask
A lot of pastors are afraid to ask people for help, face-to-face. We feel like we’ll be imposing. But it’s not imposing. Often they’re waiting for us to step up and make the request personal. To let them know we don’t just need someone, we need them.
4. To something worth committing to 
People won’t give just because a church, ministry or denomination is where they’ve always given. The work must be practical, valuable and trustworthy. We have to constantly prove ourselves worthy of that trust

Build a Bridge…This is not an answer. But it’s a start.
It’s not enough to get church members to give a week of their time or a once-only big gift. Churches need weekly helpers and steady givers. But getting people involved in a way that suits their new schedules and answers their trust issues is how we get that snowball rolling.
If we start with an understanding of some of these principles, we can build a bridge from one-time events to long-term commitments. We can inspire people to become strong, steady givers and volunteers.

​Karl Vaters, 11.10.25, The Way People Commit to the Church Is Changing, https://karlvaters.com/people-commit-changing/
​