By Larry Barker, Vice President for Church Strategy and Training • BMA Global
Our church health initiative, Healthy Church Solutions, has developed tools and resources that help to comprise our BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). The goal is to provide you with the necessary resources when you need them, which are customizable to your context. We produce a weekly podcast, healthychurchpodcast.com, and we host pastor Zoom calls for more personal care, which take place every other Thursday at 1:30 p.m. (Central Time). We can even schedule special consultations to help you evaluate your current situation and determine the next steps.
While many churches understand their mission (the why) and vision (the what), they often struggle with the strategy (the how) and its implementation. Check out healthychurchsolutions.com, where we have uploaded several video trainings such as Mission, Values, Strategy and Discipleship. We have many more of these available through our partnership with Right Now Media. If you contact Heidi Sorrells at heidi@bmaglobal.org, she would be happy to show you how to obtain free access. Remember, our goal is to minister to you and the local church.
One of the ways we have chosen to prioritize our commitment to you is with soul-targeting investments that recognize the importance of the leader’s health over performance. Everyone needs an occasional break from the norm. We believe that a change of pace and a change of place create the opportunity for a change of perspective. When you believe that you cannot afford to break away, it is probably the time you need to break away, for the sake of your soul. We have worked diligently to prioritize soul care in our focus and all of our programs.
Being with Jesus is far more crucial than doing for Jesus. Who you are is of far greater importance to God than what you do because you cannot give what you do not possess. We believe in coming alongside leaders in developing and building healthy rhythms where you Abandon Annually(vacation and conferences), Quarantine Quarterly(prayer retreat), Measure Monthly (coaching and mentoring), Withdraw Weekly(sabbath rest) and Divert Daily(spiritual disciplines). This focus reminds us constantly— you cannot give what you do not possess.
This is why we host the Re:Charge Conference every year (to Abandon Annually). On Sept. 29-Oct. 1, we will be hosting our fifth conference in the Memphis, Tenn. and Southaven, Miss. area at three of our churches, within a 20–30-minute radius of each other. We’re inviting all pastors, ministry leaders and spouses to join us as we “Journey Together” to each location, where we’ll refuel, recharge and be refreshed.
Come hear Dr. Sam Rainer, lead pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church (westb.org) in Florida, president of Church Answers (churchanswers.com) and the co-founder and co-owner of Rainer Publishing (rainerpublishing.com). We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Sam and have utilized many Church Answers resources with the churches we help. Recently, we’ve taught content from Sam’s newest book, The Church Revitalization Checklist, at our Refresh Trainings and during our bi-monthly pastor zooms. Sam will bring leaders an encouraging and convicting Word as he unpacks what it looks like to experience personal revitalization, so our churches can, in turn, see revitalization. We will hear from Sam three different times.
The first evening of Re:Charge, we’ll enjoy a catered BBQ dinner and a performance by worship artist Michael O’Brien. Michael comes highly recommended as a faithful Christ follower and a good friend of Pastor Drew Cline. Michael will play and sing a variety of Christian tunes from oldies to today, share his powerful testimony and do it all with a mix of humility and quick humor. Michael O’Brien has remained committed to spreading the gospel through his music. He has performed at over 2,300 events, touching the hearts of individuals with his powerful message of God’s mercy and grace.
There will be separate breakout sessions for ladies and men on Tuesday morning, Sept. 30. Lori Cline will lead the women, and it will be a special moment as she shares about a faithful God and her journey walking with Him through her stage-four ovarian cancer diagnosis. It will be worth it, ladies, to attend Re:Charge for this part alone. These breakout sessions for women have become incredibly valuable as you learn from others about their journeys over the years of ministry and service to Christ.
Men will participate in a men’s ministry panel with a line-up of BMA pastors who lead churches in different communities, with the mission, vision and unique strategies God has given them to reach their communities. There will be authentic sharing about difficult seasons and great celebrations, as these churches have walked in obedience to God’s plan. There will be a Q&A time at the end of the ministry panel for questions and other feedback. Approaching ministry differently does not necessarily mean it is wrong. God’s message never changes, but methods can and do.
Reader, we hope you’ll come to Re:Charge or consider sending your pastor, deacons, student pastor, worship leader, children’s ministry leader or any church leaders you’d like to recognize and appreciate. Don’t forget that October is Pastor Appreciation Month. You can find out more and register today at bmaamerica.org/recharge.
For more info on our other tools and resources, including trainings such as the Multiplication Workshop, Good Soil, C.O.A.C.H. Model (coaching), ReFresh Trainings, Revitalization Initiative, Leadership Trainings, Prayer Retreat Training, BTCP (Bible Training Center for Pastors) and so much more, check out our website healthychurchsolutions.org or email info@healthychurchsolutions.org. Remember, you are not alone. We’re in this together, and we want to invest in you and your church!
