Blog - Dr Ray Gentry.com

Ministry. Leadership. Mission

2021 SBCAL President’s Address: You Reap What You Sow

7/14/2021

Photo credit: Baptist Press

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our 2021 SBCAL Nashville Annual Conference. We had total attendance of 440, which is the largest attendance in probably 14+ years. Over 50 participated in our Prospective and New AMS Pre-Conference.

Thank you, also, for the privilege of serving as your President & CEO. I consider it a joy, an honor, and a great stewardship responsibility to serve you in this role since July 1, 2015, in addition to serving my own association in metro Atlanta.

The SBCAL is the oldest and largest associational network in the SBC, founded in 1960. We had planned to celebrate our 60th anniversary last year in Orlando. Even though we were unable to do so, we included an historical chart in the Program that we will put on our website. It is the best data we have been able to find, but If you know of any corrections, please email them to me.

Why I Prefer the Title AMS to DOM

6/8/2021

In Dallas in 2018, the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders (SBCAL), the oldest and largest associational network in the SBC, adopted a major report issued by a blue-ribbon Study Team. That Report is one of the appendices in the new book, “The Baptist Association,” that I edited for SBCAL. The 17 Proficiencies of an Effective Associational Leader were introduced, and a new descriptor based on those proficiencies was also introduced and unanimously adopted by associational leaders from across the USA: Associational Mission Strategist, or AMS for short.

The Potential of the Association Is Great…

5/11/2021

How Do You Measure Success as an AMS?

4/5/2021

For some time now, I have noticed that many of my pastors are discouraged and sometimes depressed because the usual metrics of ministry “success” – increasing numbers of bodies, budgets, and baptisms – are not happening. In fact, those numbers – with the possible exception of budgets – are not only not increasing, but they are generally decreasing.

In “The Gospel-Driven Church,” Jared Wilson, Author in Residence, Midwestern Seminary and Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry, Spurgeon College, Kansas City, MO, challenges churches to measure more than “bodies and budgets” because there is nothing uniquely Christian about these types of increases. He says businesses grow in these ways. Heretical ministries grow in these ways. I think he makes a valid point.

The Importance of Pastor Peer Learning Groups

3/8/2021

Many of you already know the importance of pastors gathering with pastors in small groups for peer learning. I learned the importance of it from some of you several years ago. But I believe there are a number of Associational Mission Strategists (AMSs) who do not have such groups in their associations yet. I encourage you to prayerfully consider implementing such a ministry. It has been very well received in my association.

Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another. Pr. 27:17 (CSB)

Peer learning groups – usually of 3-5, though that number can vary – are wonderful ways to experience and apply Pr. 27:17 if the focus is on sharpening one another spiritually, emotionally, and missionally.

Why Associations Should Consider Merging

2/15/2021

Have you ever considered the possibility of your association merging with a neighboring association? There are usually good reasons to do so. This month I seek to answer these questions: “Why should associations consider merging?” “When should associations consider merging?” and “What are some obstacles to associations merging?”

Leaders Are Readers – Ten Books for AMSs to Consider Reading in 2021

1/4/2021

I hope you had a refreshing time with family and friends during the Christmas and New Year’s break. I did.

One of the things I have learned and applied from reading James Clear’s blog a couple of years ago is how to become a steady reader instead of just an occasional one. For many years I have wanted to read more books than I have actually been able to do. I would start and stop - perhaps read one book, but then go months before picking up another one. James had the same problem. He found that if he read just 20 pages a day that he would be able to read well over 30 books a year.

Engaging Larger Churches in Associational Ministry

12/8/2020

I often hear Associational Mission Strategists (AMSs) say they have difficulty connecting and engaging the pastors of larger churches in their associations. It can be difficult – especially if the larger churches feel that they do not “need” the association, or that the association is not “adding value” to them. Sometimes these pastors do not perceive much value being given even to their normative size church peers. What are some ways an AMS can effectively engage his larger churches?

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 State of Associations in a COVID-19 World

8/5/2020

As the President of SBCAL, I am concerned about, connecting with, and resourcing associational leaders across the country. I believe associationalism in the SBC is experiencing something of a renaissance. Dr. Ronnie Floyd, President/CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, gave a ringing endorsement of associations in our new book, The Baptist Association: Assisting Churches, Advancing the Gospel. Dr. Paul Chitwood and Dr. Kevin Ezell wrote chapters in the book on the value of associations from their perspectives, and Kevin authorized NAMB to pay for the first printing of our book and the mailing of a copy to all 1100+ associations. The 17 Proficiencies of an Effective Associational Leader in the book are resonating with state convention and SBC leaders and some seminaries. Please pray with us that each of our seminaries will have professors who will include our book as a required or supplemental textbook in Baptist history, or other courses.

Overall, I believe associations led by effective leaders are gaining influence and proving their effectiveness to their pastors and churches as well as to state convention and SBC leaders.

But many people are understandably frustrated with the present and profoundly worried about the future. This includes our pastors and even ourselves, at times. David Franklin, a fellow Georgia AMS says, “Our pastors are stressed.”