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.” I am sharing practices I see that are common to healthy, effective associations. Here is the fifth one.
The Associational Leader Is a Servant Leader in His Various Roles
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.” I am sharing practices I see that are common to healthy, effective associations. Here is the fifth one.
The Associational Leader Is a Servant Leader in His Various Roles
You cannot lead an association like you would lead a church as its pastor. You have no authority, only influence – if you love, lead, and serve as a godly leader. Exercise your influence patiently and wisely.
Through thick and thin, be yourself – not someone else. God created you to be you. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Love and lead like Jesus. Be a servant leader like Jesus. Always seek after the best interests of the pastor, church, and the kingdom of God.
Prayerfully use your giftedness and your productive strengths for His glory, for the good of your pastors/churches, and for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Do you know your spiritual gift(s)? If not, ask those who know you well how they see God using you to bear the most fruit for the kingdom?
For example, my gifts are administration, exhortation, and shepherding. So, I try to lean into them and seek to honor the Lord and bear much for the kingdom through using them for God’s glory rather than trying to be someone I am not.
A Word to the Wise: Adoniram Judson didn’t have one convert until his seventh year in Burma.
“If you succeed without suffering, it’s because others suffered before you. If you suffer without succeeding, it’s so others may succeed after you.” Edward Judson, Adoniram Judson’s son, as quoted by Sandy Wisdom-Martin at the WMU Board Meeting, 1.6-8.24, The Baptist Paper, 1.18.24
Here are Four Things to Know this Week:
Churchgoers Are Still Tithing, More Comfortable Doing So Outside of Church (Lifeway Research)
Covenant Eyes CEO warns of porn epidemic, urges churches to stem 'civilizational crisis'
5 Discouraging Trends in Global Christianity (Lifeway Research)
6 Reasons Why Church Mergers Are a Good Idea (Dan Reiland)
May we live to the praise of His glory this week,
Ray
Through thick and thin, be yourself – not someone else. God created you to be you. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Love and lead like Jesus. Be a servant leader like Jesus. Always seek after the best interests of the pastor, church, and the kingdom of God.
Prayerfully use your giftedness and your productive strengths for His glory, for the good of your pastors/churches, and for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Do you know your spiritual gift(s)? If not, ask those who know you well how they see God using you to bear the most fruit for the kingdom?
For example, my gifts are administration, exhortation, and shepherding. So, I try to lean into them and seek to honor the Lord and bear much for the kingdom through using them for God’s glory rather than trying to be someone I am not.
A Word to the Wise: Adoniram Judson didn’t have one convert until his seventh year in Burma.
“If you succeed without suffering, it’s because others suffered before you. If you suffer without succeeding, it’s so others may succeed after you.” Edward Judson, Adoniram Judson’s son, as quoted by Sandy Wisdom-Martin at the WMU Board Meeting, 1.6-8.24, The Baptist Paper, 1.18.24
Here are Four Things to Know this Week:
Churchgoers Are Still Tithing, More Comfortable Doing So Outside of Church (Lifeway Research)
Covenant Eyes CEO warns of porn epidemic, urges churches to stem 'civilizational crisis'
5 Discouraging Trends in Global Christianity (Lifeway Research)
6 Reasons Why Church Mergers Are a Good Idea (Dan Reiland)
May we live to the praise of His glory this week,
Ray