I am blessed to serve as the Associational Mission Strategist for the Rockcastle Baptist Association. October 22 was the Day of Prayer for Associational Missions. Here are ten reasons I value the local Association.
1. We are a family of churches. There is great value in our partnering together in the work of the ministry! It is an opportunity for us to combine energy, efforts, & spiritual gifts to reach our communities, as well as engage in missions & evangelism beyond our local area! Makes good sense to me!
2. It is an opportunity to plant churches/replant churches in unreached areas and strengthen churches already established!
3. Through the local Association we have an opportunity to pray for sister churches! Prayer is powerful, and perhaps one of the greatest benefits of an Association!
4. We have an opportunity to combine our resources for ministry! Basically, I already stated this but it is worth saying twice!
5. One of the great values of being part of an Association is that together we can contend for the faith, fight for truth and protect churches from doctrinal error! The Bible is full of warnings about false teachers.
6. The Association can be a support to churches during pastoral transitions, and changes in leadership.
7. The Association can assist in providing training, host training events, or promote training opportunities through the state convention, SBC, other associations or churches.
8. The Association seeks to provide encouragement to pastors and leaders. As a DOM/AMS I see myself as a pastor to pastors.
9. The Association is an opportunity for fellowship! We are enriched when we fellowship with other like-minded Christ Followers!
10. The New Testament shows the mutual concern of the churches for one another. Paul emphasized spreading the gospel, planting and strengthening churches, contributing financially to the advancement of the gospel, and doctrinal integrity (Romans 16:17-18). Paul’s Letters indicate that the churches held a deep concern for one another, prayed for one another, celebrated joys and victories with one another, and had a mutual concern for the kingdom of God! They seemed to think of themselves as a family of churches. They were taught to be unselfish (it’s not about us but about the kingdom). They were taught to be loving. They were taught the Scriptures. Their heart for evangelism and missions was driven by their theology. Teaching and preaching the Scripture is vital to the health of churches. That is what we do! That is what our pastors and churches do! That is why we should pray for Associational Missions and value the partnership we share together!
Is there anything you would add to this list?
T.H.E.M. 