This month’s blog is the second of a series based on a chapter by the same title that I wrote in a new book SBCAL has coming out this spring: The Baptist Association: Assisting Churches. Advancing the Gospel. Be on the lookout for it!
 
 Why the Descriptor: Associational Mission Strategist
     How did the blue-ribbon Study Team, after months of prayer, research, and study, come up with this new descriptor, Associational Mission Strategist (AMS)?[i] The title came out of the 17 Proficiencies that were agreed upon as most helpful for an associational leader to be successful, regardless of context.

​“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (CSB)
 
In my Quiet Time this month I am reading and praying through Proverbs.  Each year I take one month with 31 days and read a chapter in Proverbs each day that month.  I have waited until the last month this year because while going through other books of the Bible earlier this year, they always seemed to carry over from one month to the next.
 
Today being the fourth, I read Proverbs chapter 4.  The verse that stood out to me was v. 23.  I am reading from the new Christian Standard Study Bible, and I highly recommend it.
 
In the study notes, it says to guard something is to make sure that it does not get away and that it is safe from attack.  I was reminded that I need to guard what I allow my eyes to watch, see, and read, and what my ears listen to each day.  By doing so, I will not let my heart stray from God’s Word, and I will protect myself from the fiery darts of the evil one.

​Jason Lowe’s recent survey of associations confirmed what many of us have thought – a number of pastors, staff, and lay leaders of churches do not consider their association to be relevant.  This should be a great concern to associational leaders.

​Pastors, Directors of Missions, Church Staff, Deacons, Denominational Leaders, and many others consider ourselves Christian Leaders.  But are we leading effectively and for God’s glory?  Or are we merely responding and going along with the flow of those around us. 

Pastors face many challenges.  One of the most critical is working with the church to call the right staff for the right need at the right time, and for the staff to serve as a team. Someone has wisely said that churches should consider the Three C’s before calling any staff: Character, Competence, and Chemistry.
 
I hope the articles today will be helpful to you and to those you serve.
 
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
 
Quotable Quote: “The most common church staffing mistake happens when an organization simply doesn’t know who they are or where they are going.” Jay Mitchell: The 7 Most Common Church Staffing Mistakes

This week we consider the topic of Church Leadership from various angles: burnout prevention, God-sized dreams, questions to ask if your church is not growing, the rapid changes in worship services leadership must address, and leadership challenges faced by churches with less than 500 in attendance.