Christmas and the New Year are fast approaching. It’s that time of the year which gives
us the opportunity to pause, take a deep breath, enjoy family, and watch some ball
games. I pray you have a Merry Christmas! I am excited about beginning a new year as
your Director of Missions and the many ways the Lord is going to bless our partnership
in the gospel.

I remember when I pastored, this time of year afforded me the opportunity to do some
healthy self-evaluation, yet not in a critical way but a hopeful way. The hope of personal
betterment and spiritual transformation should be a foregone conclusion for pastors and
spiritual leaders, in fact, for all believers. Paul reminded young Timothy, “Take pains
with these things; be absorbed in them so that your progress will be evident to all.” (I
Tim. 4:15) Where do you need to see progress? Where do you want to see
progress in your life and ministry?

Pastors need also to be reminded that they owe to themselves some of the grace they so
generously lavish on those they serve. Pastor, believer, please give yourself some grace.
Yet, never capitulate to the hard battles you face within or without. “For God hath not
given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (IITim1:7)
As you consider how you can make “progress” as a spiritual leader and how you can
experience greater power, love, and soundness of mind in the coming year, I am excited to
share some events and opportunities that have those objectives in mind.

*Discipleship/Evangelism Training – On January 16, one of our IMB Missionaries from
South Asia will be sharing their transferable strategy for how to make disciples, do
evangelism, and multiply leaders to penetrate the soil of their mission field with gospel
seed. This will be excellent, essential training that is applicable in any ministry context.

*Midwest Leadership Conference – Springfield, IL, January 23-25. There are still
openings but move fast as they are filling up fast. I could help with some expenses for a
few guys. The MBC also helps with expenses for this. This is an excellent training event
with multiple break-out seminars to select from.

*Resound Summit – March 7th in Jefferson City. The Resound Churches Network was
developed to help revive and revitalize declining churches. Much of this is geared
towards helping the pastor know how to lead in such challenging situations. Again, I can
help with some of your expenses with this. The Resound Churches Network will be
expanding to add Resound Leaders and Resound Disciples in 2024 and these resources
will be available to your church, soon.

*The Calvary Family of Churches Non-Ignorable Conference – June 28-30 in
Littleton, CO. Pastor Mark Hallok and the Calvary Family host this encouraging conference
annually which tells the story of how they have started or revitalized over 30 churches in
the last ten years as a median-sized church. https://nonignorablecon.org/about2

*Feed My Sheep Conference – November 4th at Wornall Road Baptist Church.
This conference hosted by Wornall Road Baptist Church is a one-day event centered
around faithful teaching related to relevant pastoral subjects. They desire to promote a
vision for pastoral ministry that has, at its heart, a commitment to biblical shepherding.

Other Ongoing Training, Events, and Cohorts Sponsored by BR-KC and BR-KC
Churches/Pastors:

Pastor’s Collective Luncheons – Hosted by Fellowship Greenwood occurring every
other month on the last Tuesday. Guest speakers and topics are discussed that are
relevant to the challenges of pastoring over a catered lunch.

Pastor’s Huddle – Usually the third Tuesday and Wednesday of every month. Led by
John Mark Clifton from NAMB who discusses a helpful book for helping pastors develop
the spiritual and professional qualities necessary for leading your church biblically,
joyfully, and faithfully.

Theological Cohort – Led by pastor Jason Allen of Life Connection Church on the last
Thursday of every month with lunch served. There is discussion of a book that
challenges the pastor to think deeply and intentionally to rightly divide the Word of truth.
The goal is to help pastors develop as pastor-theologians.

Emotionally Healthy Leadership – This new offering will be led by former pastor and
President of Diakonos Christian Counseling, Dr. Steve Pringle. The dates are to be
announced but we plan to hold five meetings throughout the year to discuss a wide array
of subjects related to helping pastors develop a “sound mind” for leading himself, the
church, and his family.

As you come to the end of a year, meditate, and reflect on “whatever things are true, whatever
things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever
things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there
is anything praiseworthy.” Learn from your negative experiences and personal failures,
then, let them go. Dwell on the good. The Lord declares you good and righteous with an
imputed righteousness. However unrighteous or unworthy you feel is inconsequential.
You are what He declares you to be! You are His Child! You are loved by Him! You
are called by Him to this ministry and He is able to make you stand. “But as many as
received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” Thanks be to God
for His indescribable gift!

Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years,
Gregg