What is a Baptist Association?What is a Baptist Association?

Prepared by William Lee Gray

Director of Missions

“The Associations”

Judson, Stewart and Truett Baptist Association Linked together for Ministry

Associational Staff Associational Staff

William Gray, DOM (Linda)

Donna PearlAdministrative

Assistant(Scott)

Pat MerrellAdministrative

Assistant(Virgie)

DefinitionDefinition

A Baptist association is a

>family of Southern Baptist churches

>sharing a common faith and

>partnering with one another to

>fulfill the Great Commission

>in their setting.

A family of Southern Baptist A family of Southern Baptist churcheschurches

The churches that comprise the our Association are autonomous, independent, self-governing churches that choose to partner together to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

As an extended family, the churches form a relationship of interdependence to assist each other so that individually and corporately the churches might be more effective in their mission and to promote a sense of oneness and fellowship among the churches.

Sharing a common faithSharing a common faith

The fellowship of an association is based upon a general harmony in faith and practices.

Although there may be some diversity among individual church practices and customs, an association is a doctrinally-based fellowship.

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3)

Partnering with one anotherPartnering with one another

The association was the first form of cooperation among Baptist churches.

The first mission activities of Baptists were through associations.

The association provides a means for churches to do a greater work together in their setting than they can do alone.

Fulfill the Fulfill the Great CommissionGreat Commission

The mission of the local church is to make disciples of all people (Matthew 28:19-20)

The local church has the responsibility to fulfill this mission according to Acts 1:8:– Jerusalem – church field– Judea – association area– Samaria – state/regional area– Ends of the Earth – national/international ministry

In their settingIn their setting

The Judson Baptist Association was organized in 1849. We have 11 churches and missions with five churches located in Dickson Co. (TN), two churches located in Hickman Co. (TN), two churches in Williamson Co. and one church in Humphrey Co. (TN). We are in process of starting a mission in Lyles TN.

The Stewart Co. Baptist Association was organized in 1903. We have 21 churches and missions with sixteen churches located in Stewart Co. (TN), three churches located in Houston Co. (TN), one in Benton Co. and one church in Trigg Co. Kentucky.

The Truett Baptist Association was organized in 1950. We have 14 churches and missions with six churches located in Dickson Co. (TN), and eight churches located in Humphrey Co. (TN).

Mission of the AssociationMission of the Association

The MISSION of “The Associations” is to assist the cooperating churches in their divinely appointed task of fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

““The Associations” has The Associations” has developed ministry developed ministry priorities priorities to to

implement our missionimplement our missionStrengthen Churches: assist churches so they

can be more effective in their ministryPromote Missions: create awareness to mission

opportunities & facilitate starting new churches and ministries

Develop Leadership: train church leaders in administration/supervision skills, pastoral ministry, deacon ministry, crises ministry, conflict resolution, and planning skills

Nurture fellowship: encouraging church leaders and members to develop personal relationships

The Purpose of our The Purpose of our Associations are: Associations are:

1. To foster fellowship among the churches. 2. To assist the churches in strengthening their programs of enlistment, evangelism, teaching, and training. 3. To encourage churches in the establishment of missions and new churches. (Also, to encourage support of local, home and foreign missions through the Cooperative Program.) 4. To promote and work with the Tennessee Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention to carry the gospel to all the world.

The association is self-governingThe association is self-governing

The association is created by the churches and is accountable to those churches through messengers to the annual meetings and representatives on the executive board who are selected and approved by the churches.

The association is one of several Baptist The association is one of several Baptist entities with which the church may partnerentities with which the church may partner

“The Associations”Linked Together

SouthernBaptist

Convention

Judson Baptist AssociationStewart Baptist AssociationTruett Baptist Association

In Baptist life there is nohigher power over thelocal church than God.

TennesseeBaptist

Convention

What are some ways our association What are some ways our association can assist your church?can assist your church?

Partner with your church in church planting/missions ventures Partner with your church in ministry opportunities Provide training opportunities for your church

leaders/committees/teams Assist to help strengthen your church ministries Encourage and assist your pastor/pastoral staff Pray for your church Assist your church with ministry to students at local colleges

and universities Facilitate disaster relief work for your church Coordinate building efforts for your church

What is a Baptist Association?What is a Baptist Association?

It is exactly what the churches make it!

How do churches shape our How do churches shape our association?association?

By their prayers By their expectations By their commitment to Kingdom principles of

church missions/ministry (Acts 1:8) By the significance they give to the role of their

messengers and executive board members By their involvement in associational planning By their financial support By their attitudes and actions in providing

leadership to the association

Churches make our Churches make our association a vital force for association a vital force for advancing God’s Kingdom,advancing God’s Kingdom,

oror they hinder it by their lack of they hinder it by their lack of

support and participation.support and participation.

What Can You Do?What Can You Do? Faithfully serve the Lord Jesus and support your

local church Discover your ministry and commit to “The Great

Commision” ministry in partnership with other churches through the association (Acts 1:8)

Learn how the association can assist and/or support your church

Communicate your own needs to associational leadership

Participate in associational planning and training Design your church budget to support Acts 1:8

missions responsibilities through the association, the state convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention

WHAT IS A WHAT IS A DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS ? DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS ?

PREACHER (OVER 150 SERMONS A YEAR) MISSIONARY CHURCH PLANTER EVANGELIST MINISTER COUNSELOR (46 CHURCHES & MISSIONS) ADMINISTRATOR SECRETARY DISCIPLER / TEACHER PROFESSOR CONFLICT MANAGER CHAPLAIN (resort ministries) MENTOR MEDIATOR ADVISOR FRIEND VOLUNTEER FATHER, HUSBAND

The Baptist AssociationThe Baptist Associationassisting churches. . .assisting churches. . .