I am going to do something different this month. If it is well received, I may make it a regular practice. I am going to share several “Things To Know.” I am basing it on how I have been sharing “Three Things To Know This Week” with my pastors for some time. I curate content as I read from many different sources each week, and then I share with them what I consider to be some of the best content. Beginning this month, I want to start doing something similar for you, my fellow AMSs.
I am a big believer that Associational Mission Strategists (AMSs) should seek to operate out of their spiritual gifts and known strengths God has given them – as should each Christian. For someone like me, curating content comes easily. I recognize that that is not true of every AMS. But even if it does not, I hope you will benefit from at least one thing each month - a help, a resource - or receive encouragement.
John Stonestreet, Breakpoint: Losing Our Religion - Blue Laws Decline While Deaths of Despair Do Not
Dan Reiland: Top 10 Reasons Leaders Stop Leading – And How to Get Going Again
(This is excellent!)
Trevin Wax - The Distressing State of Evangelicals: Theology
Dr. Jeff Iorg, First Person: How Much Should a Pastor Be Paid?
Jim Tomberlin: The Church Merger Roadmap – Signs for the Merger Journey
AMS Tip: How do you raise the bar of expectation about an associational event? Consider asking a larger church with a reputation of hosting quality events to host an associational event. There is often a “halo effect” where your event will be perceived to have as good a quality as the events that that church does. (Of course, if you do this, be sure your quality rises to that level or is even better.) Another benefit: It connects the larger church to the association and often offers you the opportunity to utilize one or more of their staff to enable your event to be better prepared and delivered than it would be otherwise.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Quotable Quotes:
I need to fully lean into whatever opportunities God has given me and then trust him for the outcomes.
If you want the outcome more than you want to be obedient, you’ll always be disappointed. And insecure.
Nobody’s turning the clock back, and your job and my job is to figure out how to thrive in a constantly changing world.
One of many things I’ve loved about the last decade is the unprecedented opportunity we have to connect with each other and support each other.
Carey Nieuwhof, 9.30.22, Pastor Porn: 5 Ways the Internet Is Reshaping A Church Leader’s Soul
John Stonestreet, Breakpoint: Losing Our Religion - Blue Laws Decline While Deaths of Despair Do Not
Dan Reiland: Top 10 Reasons Leaders Stop Leading – And How to Get Going Again
(This is excellent!)
Trevin Wax - The Distressing State of Evangelicals: Theology
Dr. Jeff Iorg, First Person: How Much Should a Pastor Be Paid?
Jim Tomberlin: The Church Merger Roadmap – Signs for the Merger Journey
AMS Tip: How do you raise the bar of expectation about an associational event? Consider asking a larger church with a reputation of hosting quality events to host an associational event. There is often a “halo effect” where your event will be perceived to have as good a quality as the events that that church does. (Of course, if you do this, be sure your quality rises to that level or is even better.) Another benefit: It connects the larger church to the association and often offers you the opportunity to utilize one or more of their staff to enable your event to be better prepared and delivered than it would be otherwise.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Quotable Quotes:
I need to fully lean into whatever opportunities God has given me and then trust him for the outcomes.
If you want the outcome more than you want to be obedient, you’ll always be disappointed. And insecure.
Nobody’s turning the clock back, and your job and my job is to figure out how to thrive in a constantly changing world.
One of many things I’ve loved about the last decade is the unprecedented opportunity we have to connect with each other and support each other.
Carey Nieuwhof, 9.30.22, Pastor Porn: 5 Ways the Internet Is Reshaping A Church Leader’s Soul