Finish Well/Start Strong Checklist, Plus Four Things to Know This Week, December 18, 2025

​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

1. WMU’s Sandy Wisdom-Martin Announces Retirement Plans (Baptist Press)
   
2. Refresh Retreats Let Pastors Rest, Reenter Ministry Fully Charged (Baptist Press)  
   
3. 7 Christmas Stats You Should Know (Lifeway Research)  
   
4. 8 Predictors of Church Growth: Understanding the Rainer Predictive Index (Thom Rainer, Church Answers) 

 
This will be my last blog for 2025.
 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
 
Thank you for reading. Please share it with pastors and other AMSs you believe would benefit.
 
To the praise of His glory,       
  
Ray
 
P. S. I also host the “SBCAL Podcast with Ray Gentry” each Tuesday morning.