Archive for the 'Pastors' Category
Pray for Arkansas Prayer Gathering, Monday–Tuesday, April 21-22
Approximately 300 pastors and ministers associated with the churches of the Arkansas Baptist Convention are gathering in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Monday, April 21, from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. and Tuesday Morning, April 22, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Please pray for this gathering. Our focus is gathering to pray in an extraordinary way for spiritual revival personally, revival in the church, and spiritual awakening in America; so that we will see the Great Commission escalated to its rightful priority and accelerated to its completion in our generation. Spiritual revival is the manifested presence of God in our lives and churches. For far too long, the world has seen what we can do; it is time for the world to see what God can do!
Partnership With Our State Convention
God has raised up previous prayer gatherings in Dallas and Atlanta. Through these gatherings, He has moved upon our Executive Director, Dr. Sonny Tucker, in a powerful way. He, along with our Spiritual Awakening Task Force of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, requested I lead one of these efforts in our state capital.
Therefore, with the input of others and under God’s direction, I have planned this major prayer gathering. The state convention has worked diligently taking care of all logistics, for which I am very grateful. The gathering will be held in the Student Building of Geyer Springs Baptist Church in Little Rock. We have approximately 300 registered participants and are still growing.
Julio Arriola, our Global Worship Pastor, and our Worship Staff Team will join me in leading, along with some Arkansas pastors, who will be sharing the Word and setting up our prayer moments. It will be fabulous.
It has been a joy to work with Dr. Sonny Tucker and our state convention in this sacred effort. They are coming alongside of what God is doing, assisting and encouraging. I am most grateful for our partnership with them.
How Can You Pray?
1. Our focus is gathering to pray in an extraordinary way for spiritual revival personally, revival in the church, and spiritual awakening in America; so that we will see the Great Commission escalated to its rightful priority and accelerated to its completion in our generation. Therefore, pray for this to be the place we see the fire fall in our nation. Why not here?
2. Pray for me and other pastors who will be leading with me. Pray for a powerful anointing of God to occur upon us as we lead, share, and pray.
3. Pray for the pastors and ministers who will join us at this gathering. I believe God wants to do something very special. Over 300 people united in prayer can be used powerfully by God.
4. Pray for our Worship Staff Team. They have exhausted themselves over this past weekend, helping us conduct 15 Easter services on five campuses. We all need prayer for strength, focus, energy, and most of all, anointing.
5. Pray for God to come down powerfully in this historic gathering. It is imperative for the attenders, our churches, our state, our nation, and our world.
“If only You would tear the heavens open and come down!” (Isaiah 64:1)
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
5 Ways a Pastor’s Wife can add Value to her Husband and his Ministry
A pastor’s wife can add priceless value to her husband and his God-called ministry. I want to share, from my perspective as a Pastor, the value of a pastor’s wife.
A brief personal story
Marrying Jeana was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made in my life and ministry. Anyone that knows me and knows Jeana would agree. She was raised in the home of a pastor and already understood local church ministry. Her ability as an accomplished pianist probably landed me my first church! To say the least, it helped persuade them to call me.
Through the years, Jeana has added value to my personal life, personal ministry, and each church I have served. She adds value to my life and calling that extends from and beyond Cross Church. You see, I never have to worry. She is faithful. She prays. She walks with Christ. She leads. She ministers. She worships. She loves the church. She loves the Great Commission. Her value is priceless!
How can a pastor’s wife add value to her husband’s ministry?
The thoughts I share today are not only from watching my own wife, but observing hundreds of pastor’s wives for years. I also have the personal privilege to observe the wives of our own ministers who serve on my Pastoral Staff Team. From all of that and more, I want to list five ways I believe a pastor’s wife can add value to her husband’s ministry:
1. Mature in your personal walk with Jesus Christ.
There is nothing you can do for your husband, his ministry, and the church you serve together that is any more important than your walk with Christ. Have a time with God in His Word and in prayer each day. Always grow in your own personal walk, humbling yourself before others, learning from their walk with Christ.
2. Grow in your marriage.
In the early years of marriage, we all act in ways we do not look back upon fondly. Mistakes are endless and often. Yet, it is not about our past, or even the present, but where we are going in the future. As the wife of a pastor, do all you can to keep growing in your marriage. Your husband’s mistakes will probably be more plentiful than your own, so love him unconditionally. Give him a break. Most of all, extend to him the privilege to grow also.
3. Love the church.
The church you serve is Jesus’ church. While there may be people that disappoint you, hurt you, and at times come close to destroying you and your husband’s ministry, love the church. Refuse bitterness. Refuse skepticism. Refuse cynicism. None of it is of God. Always love the church. This is why we remember it is His, not ours. We serve Him above all, not just others.
4. Always be honest with your husband.
At times, a pastor needs to unload on someone he can trust. Besides Jesus, I do not know of anyone that needs to be that person more than the wife of a pastor. Listen to him. Do not judge him. However, when he asks your opinion, and he will, always be honest with him. He may not always want to hear you, but in love, share honestly with him. Understand that when you approach him with an issue, your timing is also of utmost importance. Through the years, he will learn the value of your input. This does not mean that your perspective is always right any more than his. Yet, together, process and pray. Grow together in how to walk through difficult times.
5. Encourage him in his future.
God has called your husband to ministry. Ultimately, he belongs to Jesus Christ. Therefore, encourage him in his future. When he wants to dream about it, do not rain on his parade. Let him dream. When God opens ministry doors in his future, encourage his calling and the development of what God is doing with and through him. Yes, there will be a point where both of you work through it together in an honest and transparent way. This is never easy. Once children enter your lives, it becomes even more complicated. Again, always remember: He belongs to Jesus Christ and is called to reach the world for Christ with the gifts he has been given by God. God will make a way when you do not see a way. He will uphold you to make the needed transitions towards the future. Trust Him.
I pray this has encouraged you today. Unquestionably, a pastor’s wife is priceless!
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.