Practices of Healthy Associations
I had the privilege of speaking to the Florida Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders (FBCAL) in Jacksonville, FL on January 9, 2024, on “Practices of Healthy Associations,” and “Trends in Associational Missions.” Over the coming weeks, I would like to share with you several practices that I see as common to healthy, effective associations. Here is the second one.
I had the privilege of speaking to the Florida Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders (FBCAL) in Jacksonville, FL on January 9, 2024, on “Practices of Healthy Associations,” and “Trends in Associational Missions.” Over the coming weeks, I would like to share with you several practices that I see as common to healthy, effective associations. Here is the second one.
The Association is Considered Significant and is “Owned” by Its Member Churches
Remind pastors, especially new ones, that the association was created by the churches for the churches to be able to advance the gospel farther and more effectively together than the churches could do so separately. Emphasize examples of ways we are better together in church planting, replanting, equipping leaders, benevolence ministries, etc.
You try to make your website the place for new people to find a good church in your area.
You give visionary leadership to how churches can collaborate together as sister churches on mission together in your local mission field. People give to vision, not need.
You have at least one signature ministry, project, mission trip, etc. For example, Equip was a Saturday morning conference for church key leaders and staff each August that the Southside Baptist Network sponsored. A pastor of a normative-size church told me more than once, "Bro Ray, if the only thing SBN did was Equip, it would be worth the money our church gives to the association.” Another signature ministry I have seen success with are Pastor Cohorts studying a book during the school year such as, The Gospel-Driven Church.
You appreciate whatever participation you can get from larger churches and you leverage it. Example: Help them to see the value in sharing facilities with church plants. Ask them to host a conference for the association and/or your annual meeting.
A Word to the Wise: “We – associations and state conventions - are a luxury, not a necessity. Our mission is partnership. If we do not help and assist when needed, there will come a time when we won’t be needed. Respond when – and when there is not – a problem. Invest in pastors, others. Find your lane, and be good in your lane. We exist for the churches.”
Dr. Tommy Green, Executive Director, Florida Baptist Convention, speaking at the FBCAL Retreat, 1.9.24
Here are Four Things to Know this Week:
Church Growth and the Myth of Inevitability, Karl Vaters
When Scripture Seems Silent, ERLC Staff
5 Tough Truths on Abortion, Lifeway Research
Pray for Stateside Workers, Global Ministers with IMB, NAMB 2024 Prayer Calendars
May we live to the praise of His glory this week,
Ray
Remind pastors, especially new ones, that the association was created by the churches for the churches to be able to advance the gospel farther and more effectively together than the churches could do so separately. Emphasize examples of ways we are better together in church planting, replanting, equipping leaders, benevolence ministries, etc.
You try to make your website the place for new people to find a good church in your area.
You give visionary leadership to how churches can collaborate together as sister churches on mission together in your local mission field. People give to vision, not need.
You have at least one signature ministry, project, mission trip, etc. For example, Equip was a Saturday morning conference for church key leaders and staff each August that the Southside Baptist Network sponsored. A pastor of a normative-size church told me more than once, "Bro Ray, if the only thing SBN did was Equip, it would be worth the money our church gives to the association.” Another signature ministry I have seen success with are Pastor Cohorts studying a book during the school year such as, The Gospel-Driven Church.
You appreciate whatever participation you can get from larger churches and you leverage it. Example: Help them to see the value in sharing facilities with church plants. Ask them to host a conference for the association and/or your annual meeting.
A Word to the Wise: “We – associations and state conventions - are a luxury, not a necessity. Our mission is partnership. If we do not help and assist when needed, there will come a time when we won’t be needed. Respond when – and when there is not – a problem. Invest in pastors, others. Find your lane, and be good in your lane. We exist for the churches.”
Dr. Tommy Green, Executive Director, Florida Baptist Convention, speaking at the FBCAL Retreat, 1.9.24
Here are Four Things to Know this Week:
Church Growth and the Myth of Inevitability, Karl Vaters
When Scripture Seems Silent, ERLC Staff
5 Tough Truths on Abortion, Lifeway Research
Pray for Stateside Workers, Global Ministers with IMB, NAMB 2024 Prayer Calendars
May we live to the praise of His glory this week,
Ray
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