In two months, we’ll turn the calendar to October and enter Minister Appreciation Month. Some know it as Pastor Appreciation Month or Clergy Appreciation Month. Either way, it’s a time when churches across the country pause to say thank you to those who serve, preach, counsel, and lead. The second Sunday of October is traditionally designated as Pastor Appreciation Day, but the whole month offers a rich opportunity to do more than just say “thanks.”

Before we get into the “how,” I want to reflect for a moment on why it matters—and why we must never forget that ministry begins at home.

Peter Greer shares a powerful and heartbreaking story in his book The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good. It’s the story of Bob Pierce, a young, passionate follower of Christ who in 1947 was working with Youth for Christ in China. When he saw firsthand the depth of poverty among children there, his heart broke. He brought pictures of those children back to the United States and connected them with people who could help. That simple step eventually grew into what we know today as World Vision—a global relief and development organization that has changed countless lives.

But behind the growing ministry was a man whose personal life was falling apart.

I was just 18 years old when I began serving in ministry at a local Baptist church. Like many young ministers, I was excited—but also a little unsure. I still remember being invited not long after to a gathering of other pastors and ministry leaders. To my surprise, some of them were close to my age. It didn’t take long for friendships to form.

In that small circle, I found encouragement, connection, and a bigger vision for what ministry could be. I was introduced to Kingdom work that extended beyond the walls of my own church. I saw the beauty of cooperation—not just on paper, but in real relationships. Some of the friends I met in those early days are still part of my life thirty years later. We still pray for one another, encourage each other, and spur one another on in ministry. Looking back, that meeting shaped more than just my ministry—it helped shape my calling. It was one of the first steps that eventually led me to serve in the role I have today as Executive Director of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association.

There was a time—not that long ago—when sending a resume meant printing it on fine paper, sliding it into a crisp envelope, and praying over it at the post office before it made its way into the hands of a search committee. In those days, a good resume was accompanied by a handwritten note or a recording of a recent sermon.

Today, things have changed. Most churches review resumes digitally, scroll through mobile devices, and want clickable links to sermons and social media. But while the tools have evolved, the goal remains the same: connecting Spirit-called leaders with biblically faithful churches. At the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association, we count it a joy to serve churches of all shapes and sizes—urban, suburban, rural, and exurban—across central Alabama. Some of our congregations worship in English, others in Spanish or Korean. Some are modern, others traditional. But all have this in common: they desire faithful, godly leadership rooted in Scripture and shaped by the Great Commission.

Some years ago, in a fast-paced season of ministry, I found myself preaching in one location at 8:00 and 9:15 a.m., driving 18 miles to another campus, leading worship again at 11:00 a.m., and then returning to a leadership meeting—all before dinner. On paper, things looked fruitful. The schedule was full. The ministries were expanding. But if I’m honest, I was withering inside. I was leading for Jesus but not living with Him. My calendar was full of people, but my soul was empty of presence.

That season taught me something I’ve never forgotten: leadership that is not rooted in abiding will eventually collapse under the weight of its own activity. We were never meant to bear the yoke of leadership alone! Paul Tripp’s book Dangerous Calling fleshes that reality out better than I can in this article.

I recently had the opportunity to teach a session on grace-filled communication and conflict resolution. As I looked around the room, I could see nods of recognition because everyone—whether a pastor, church leader, or faithful member—has experienced the consequences of poor communication. A careless word spoken in frustration, an email sent too quickly, or a misunderstanding left unresolved can wreak havoc on relationships, churches, and ministries.

We all know the power of words. A single sentence can help to heal a wounded heart, but it can also split a church. A well-timed word of encouragement can change a person’s life, while an ill-timed rebuke can crush their spirit. That’s why we must be diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit, not just in what we say, but in how we say it.

Selecting a pastor search team is a crucial task for any Baptist church following the termination, resignation, or retirement of a pastor. While such transitions are inevitable, they should ideally be infrequent. Regularly assembling a pastor search team may indicate underlying health issues within the church. This process should adhere to the church's governing documents. Here, I offer suggestions for selecting a pastor search team, with a focus on strengthening the church’s biblical foundation and unity during this pivotal time.

Decades ago, church consultant Lyle Schaller coined the term “The Awkward-Sized Church” in his book The Middle-Sized Church. This term refers to congregations ranging in size between 160 and 240 in Sunday morning worship. Statistics and personal experience tell us that churches of this size are now being overshadowed by both smaller and larger congregations, contributing to the phenomenon often referred to as the “vanishing middle.” In fact, many people in churches of this size consider their church to be small. Let’s consider some of the unique challenges facing the awkward-sized church today.

In the narrative of a church's history, the time between pastoral transitions provides a season of profound significance. Pastors, as navigators of strategy, imprint their mark upon the congregation, shaping its identity and trajectory. "I remember Pastor John's pivotal role in igniting our small group ministry," remembers one member. "Pastor Hugh's steadfast presence during crises was what held our church together," reflects another. Each pastor leaves an indelible imprint, influencing how the church perceives itself and its mission.

Jesus' seven letters to the churches in Asia are better than any congregational study or consultant when getting to the heart of the challenges our churches face in the twenty-first century. One of the timeliest among the letters is Jesus' letter to the church at Sardis. Sardis was an archetype of the church that stopped living out her purpose. John was about 95 or 96 when the Emperor Domitian began his assault upon the Christians. Not only did Domitian try to kill off many of the Christians, he exiled some.

While serving the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association and shepherding this partnership of 180 churches with roots tracing back to the year 1833, I have broadened my concept of what is possible in associational ministry. The history and future of the 1,100 Baptist associations in the United States is blessed by God and the future is bright for associations of churches. Considering my experiences as the Executive Director of the BMBA, an associational missionary in a suburban/exurban association, and my 23-year pastoral ministry in churches of various contexts, I want to share a few thoughts on the challenges and opportunities confronting associations.

 Dear Birmingham Metro Baptists,

In the life of any church community, conflicts are inevitable. They can arise from various sources and at different times, causing tension and straining relationships among believers. James wrote, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask” (James 4:1-2, ESV). As followers of Christ, we need to be aware of situations that may create church conflict and proactively work toward resolution and reconciliation.

Several years ago, I read a classic book on living out faith in the workplace called Your Work Matters to God by Doug Sherman. Doug made an important point, and I have never forgotten it: “Only one-third of the membership of a local church can be given a job doing church work. So, if you think that serving the Lord means doing some work in the church, then two-thirds of you are doomed to frustration and disappointment.” On the other hand, your workplace has untold ministry opportunities—no matter how restrictive your company may seem about issues of faith. Have you thought deeply about how your relationship with Jesus Christ can impact your workplace?

A church, like other organizations, relies heavily on its leaders to guide and direct its mission. When a leader leaves, whether due to retirement, resignation, or other reasons, it can create a power vacuum that can be detrimental to the church’s health and well-being. This power vacuum often results in conflicts and agendas among individuals who step into leadership positions, and these issues can lead to a decline in the overall functioning of the church.

Does a local church operate like a business? Most churches have employees, generate revenue (tithes and offerings), offer services to the local community, own property, and do business with other entities. One resource reported that religion in the United States is a $1.2 trillion per year business. Therefore, it is disingenuous to say that churches and Christian ministries do not operate in part in the realm of business. I certainly hope someone in each church has some business skills! 

Those who know me understand that I am a proponent of adoption, foster care, and other ministries to care for mothers and children. When I first held my oldest daughter in my arms at the courthouse, and the judge finalized the adoption, we paused and prayed for our daughter’s birthmother. The courage this young teenage birthmother displayed will be an inspiration to me. Thankfully, each congregation I have served has shared my concern for women and men who experience unplanned pregnancies. This posture of compassion is true of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association as well. The church’s support and compassion radiate from hearts transformed by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Summer is time to get your church beyond the walls and into the community. Your members may respond well to basic projects that show the love of Jesus Christ to neighbors. As we pray for missions and give through the Cooperative Program, we must also live on mission and challenge our churches to serve as missionaries in the communities in which they live. As risks regarding the pandemic continue to diminish, now may be the right time for your church to refocus on reaching out with the Gospel and serving others. Here are three suggestions for summer mission projects.