What makes your new Executive Director “tick?” Core values are guiding principles that dictate a person’s behavior. On my best days, these five core values inform my approach to ministry: In Touch, On Missions, On Purpose, About Truth, For the Church and Church Leaders…
Understanding the City
Recent data from the North American Mission Board (NAMB) indicated that 75 percent of Southern Baptist churches that closed in one year were in metropolitan areas with populations of more than 50,000 (namb.net). With the urbanization of the United States and migrations of people away from many rural areas, this revelation seems counterintuitive. One might think that most church closures were out in the far reaches of the county. However, this is not the case. Church revitalization must be on the top of our list for urban Baptist associations like Birmingham Metro Baptist Association.
Jerusalem and Antioch Partnerships
When Jesus gathered with His disciples in the climactic moment at Caesarea Philippi, he asked them about public perceptions of His identity. Jesus’ leading men gave complimentary answers: “Some say John the Baptist . . . Elijah . . . one of the prophets.” Jesus narrowed the focus. “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:15-19).