Soaring Baptist associations are exceptional in their understanding of their mission as a family of congregations. They understand that congregations are the association rather than the association organization being their primary identity.
They have vision clarity about how congregations achieve their full Kingdom potential. They engage in missions both locally and globally. Their focus is on how congregations in association add value to the missional engagement of one another.
Clearly present are associational leaders who catalyze vitality, competency and trust. Continual innovation is a hallmark as these associations help congregations soar with faith.
How many associations are soaring?
Not nearly as many associations are soaring as those that claim they are. Soaring associations are probably between 5% and 10% of all associations, which is no more than 55 to 110 of the more than 1100 in North America.
Soaring involves not only statistical, programmatic and missional success. It is about doing things that are significant in an exceptional manner. It is about creating and sustaining a movement that shows full surrender to God’s leadership.
It is also fleeting. An association can be soaring for five to seven years and then lose momentum or be disrupted by something internal or external to their context.
Characteristics
First, soaring associations have an exceptional understanding of their spiritual and strategic journey as a family of congregations on mission together. They care about the vitality and vibrancy of the full family of congregations. Congregations support and help one another in any way they can.
Second, they have vision clarity about how to help their family of congregations reach their full Kingdom potential. They do not emulate other associations. They seek to understand and respond to the Great Commission and Great Commandment opportunities in their unique context.
Third, they craft a future story of missional ministry that spiritually and strategically focuses the association on God’s leadership seven years into the future. It is a guide for all they decide and do. Their ministry is steered by this forward-focused navigational tool. They willingly move beyond yesterday’s nonessential ministry patterns.
Fourth, congregations are not in competition with one another. Collaboration among congregations is their theme. They recognize the gifts, strengths and skills present in each congregation. They strive to help one another effectively express these.
Fifth, soaring associations focus more on Kingdom growth than on church growth. They want all churches to grow in numbers and quality in keeping with the community context or people groups God has called them to serve. They pursue both the numerical and qualitative growth goals God has for them, all while blessing other congregations to connect with their context and people.
Show the way forward
Peter Drucker was the father of modern management. He was also a dedicated Christian churchman. He declared it is the leading-edge churches and networks — such as associations — that will provide 80% of Kingdom progress.
Soaring associations show the way forward to others. They are part of the leading edge.
Strategies for serving
First, soaring associations have the character and nature of a learning community, always seeking innovation of strategy, style and structure while holding fast to their core doctrines and practices.
Second, a key strategy for soaring associations is regular, peer-led convening of ministers and lay leaders evaluating what is working, passionate about what is sacred and leaping forward to new avenues of ministry.
Third, they champion continual innovation, always seeking actions that will take their collective ministry deeper and further in fulfilling God’s call upon their family of churches.
Fourth, God is pulling them forward to new dimensions of ministry. They never reject the past. They build on it to the glory of God.
Fifth, as a family with the character and nature of a learning community, their approach is always one of collaboration, not one of competition.
Let’s talk
I am hosting several free videoconferences throughout the summer. We will discuss the associational typology of soaring, strong, stumbling, struggling and spiritless Baptist associations.
I only ask you to complete brief feedback forms I send you so I can improve the typology and make it helpful to all associations. I invite associational leaders to collaborate with me.
To get the link to these videoconferences, send your request to BullardJournal@gmail.com.
