Join other Baptists in praying for associations during the Week of Prayer for Baptist Associations on October 17–24, 2020. Associations are Baptist churches working together in geographic regions. Associational missionaries depend upon the prayers and support of people like you to do effective Kingdom ministry.

Knowing is half the battle. Simple awareness may help to prevent church conflicts in the early stages. It is best to stop the dispute quickly. “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out” (Pr. 17:14). Below, I have listed seven critical causes of church conflict. Becoming aware may help your church leaders adjust expectations and make strides to prevent or resolve conflict. If you don’t believe that church conflicts are common, I will let you carry my cellphone for a day!

We have two extremes in conflict situations. Some desire to fight to prove themselves right. Others give in to the temptation to hide. Conflict resolved quickly prevents repercussions down the road. Jesus said, “Come to terms quickly with your accuser” (Matthew 5:25). Resolving conflict provides believers the opportunity to demonstrate the redemptive love of Jesus Christ to those watching. According to Dr. Porath, co-author of “The Cost of Bad Behavior,” only 20% of customers who observe rude behavior by a company’s employees will continue to do business with that company. Thus, solving conflict can add to the bottom line. One study indicated that conflict is a decisive factor in at least 90% of involuntary terminations, excluding cases of staff reduction due to downsizing, mergers, and restructuring.

Dear Birmingham and Bessemer Baptists,

Over 187 years ago, the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association was founded as the Canaan Baptist Association in what is now Bessemer, Alabama. The name “Canaan” was adopted in honor of the Canaan Baptist Church, the Association’s mother church. In 1890, the name of the Association was changed to the Birmingham Baptist Association. The Birmingham Baptist Association is comprised of a diverse group of churches across the metropolitan area. Although the legal name has not changed, the Association was rebranded as the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association (BMBA) in February 2019 to acknowledge that the Association’s mission extends beyond the City of Birmingham.

Paul wrote to Timothy, “For such a time is coming when people no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desire and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3, ESV). Without hesitation, I can say that we live in an age where churchgoers pursue their own desires. Unfortunately, some of those who serve in lay-leadership positions in their local church lean into personal preferences. Pastors experience the brunt of the selfish culture, which is pervasive in many congregations.

Memorial services, vigils, marches, and protests have spread across the world to remember George “Big” Floyd. Floyd, aged 46, was an African-American man who was killed when a police officer kneeled on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and forty-six during an arrest outside of Cup Foods in Minneapolis on May 25. Earthly possessions can be replaced, but George Floyd will never be able to sit across the table from his family again in this life. Our God is our refuge and strength. We pray for the Floyd family and our mourning nation that we may find comfort.

Since the time I served my first pastorate, I have held Southern Baptist Disaster Relief in the highest esteem. Several years ago, an EF5 tornado moved through several communities surrounding my church. Dozens of people lost their lives. I had no idea how to respond or lead my congregation in a recovery effort. The “yellow shirt army” moved into our area to clean up debris, feed hungry people, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After one day of seeing the largest volunteer disaster relief organization in America at work, I was sold!

Dear Birmingham Baptists,

Your leadership has responded appropriately to the COVID-19 crisis by appointing a BMBA Crisis Leadership Team for this unprecedented time. This team will monitor our ministry and progress weekly to ensure that we meet the needs of our churches by continuing to encourage, equip, and engage in the Great Commission ministry.

These are unprecedented and uncertain times we are living in. As you are aware, new information about COVID-19 becomes available daily. The BMBA and BBA are continuously monitoring the situation and are in contact with the EMA, local governing officials, and other local experts to assist our churches and disaster relief efforts.

“Who’s Your One” is now a one-year-old emphasis in the Southern Baptist Convention—calling on individual believers to reach out to a person without a relationship with Jesus Christ. All over Birmingham and across the Convention, individual believers are focusing on a single person with their prayers, acts of service, love, and verbal witness of the Gospel. This invest and invite strategy works. We see the results in the BMBA. People are being transformed by the Gospel! Baptismal waters are stirring. Personal evangelism is being reborn for a new generation.

Dear Birmingham Baptists,

God gave us a dream to revitalize, replant, and plant churches in the Birmingham Metro area. In preparation for realizing this vision, the BMBA Personnel Committee created a new staff position to lead the way in church revitalization. Immediately, the team began to pray for God to provide leadership for this vital role. The BMBA is excited to announce Mark Clifton as Interim Director of Church Revitalization for the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association beginning March 16th. During his time with us, Mark will also serve as Transitional Pastor of McElwain Baptist Church in their revitalization efforts.