Blog - Dr Ray Gentry.com

Ministry. Leadership. Mission

Why are most AMSs over 50?

10/5/2020

Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness. Pr. 16:31(CSB)

According to a 2017 AMS Compensation Study, 88% of associational leaders are 50 or older. Well over half are 60+. Participants in the study age 50-59 made up 32% of the total; age 60-69, 45%; age 70+, 11%.

The Future of Associations (Part 2)

6/1/2020

Today I continue a series of excerpts from my chapter with this same title, “The Future of Associations,” in a new book SBCAL has coming out this summer published by Ranier Publishing, The Baptist Association: Assisting Churches. Advancing the Gospel.

Pastors and Churches Should be Committed
Moving associational ministry to the next level takes not only character, collaborative leadership, and commitment from the AMS, but commitment from the pastors. As Pastor Aaron Menikoff wrote on the Baptist 21 site,
“To put it bluntly, many church pastors have lost an interest in local, Baptist associational life. We are enamored of the state and national work while we ignore the unglamorous work of serving churches who minister in our own backyard.
Why does this matter? Because our denominational life is like a tree. The national entities are the branches spreading across the globe. The state conventions are the trunk, holding the branches in place. But the local associations are the roots. It’s at the associational level that every pastor can be involved. Like a church member who leaves it to the paid staff to do the ministry, I wonder if some pastors have left it to paid staff to do the work of the association.” [i]

The Importance and Role of the AMS (Part 2)

2/6/2020

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.

The Importance and Role of the AMS, Part 1

1/6/2020

This month’s blog is the first 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 It May Be Best to Announce Your Retirement Plans Well in Advance

2/5/2018

It is my experience and observation of associational leadership transitions that it is usually best if the Associational Leader announces his retirement plans well in advance (3-6 months or more).

Here are some reasons I believe this is helpful for the association and for the Kingdom:

Guard Your Heart

12/5/2017

“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.

Is Your Association Relevant?

9/5/2017

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.

The Associational Leader is a Leader and a Learner

8/1/2017

Are you a DOM who is a Leader, or a Leader who is a DOM? Some of us are wired by God as leaders who are now serving the Lord as an Associational Leader. Others of us have been called to serve an association and are having to lead other leaders (pastors, church leaders), though we do not consider ourselves gifted leaders.

A DOM is a leader by virtue of the position. What kind of leader are you? Do your pastors consider you a leader? Do you consider yourself a leader? If so, what kind of leader are you? I believe an effective Associational Leader could be described as follows.

How Effective Are You As a Christian Leader?

7/13/2016

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.

Church Staff Positions

6/2/2016

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