The Baptist Boys
I don’t know that the pastors in our Conservative Baptist Association would appreciate being labeled “the Baptist Boys,” but it seemed to be a fun heading for today’s posting. ¬†The group I’m referring to are all those men who pastor churches belonging to the Conservative Baptist Association in southeastern Massachusetts and the northern tip of Rhode Island. ¬†Each regional group is called a “cluster,” so we are by designation “the southeastern Massachusetts cluster.”
Our cluster meets the first Tuesday of every month, except for a two-month break we take over summer. ¬†So yesterday, September 2, was our first cluster meeting of the new year. ¬†I think our cluster has around twenty churches on its roster, but only half of those attend our monthly meetings with any regularity. ¬†Each church takes a turn at hosting the meeting (all of our churches are within an hour’s drive of each other). ¬†One of the pastors serves as a moderator for a one-year term and directs the course of the meeting. ¬†Here is a typical meeting schedule:
9:00 Refreshments and informal fellowship
9:30 The moderator opens with prayer
9:35 The moderator shares any pertinent updates from the CBA
9:45 We share prayer requests and spend time in prayer
10:15 We have a devotional and/or discuss some aspect of pastoral/church ministry
11:30 The meeting closes in prayer (some go out for lunch afterwards)
We as a pastoral staff at FBC tend to make about seven or eight out of ten meetings per year.  Though this takes up an entire morning one day a month, I think that it is a worthy investment of our time as pastors.  Let me share just a few reasons why I believe attending these meetings are important:
- They strengthen the unity of us pastors and that of our congregations. ¬†Ephesians 4:3 tells us that we are to be “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” ¬†This is not a superficial unity but a true spiritual unity. ¬†Paul goes on to say in the above passage that there is “one body and one Spirit … one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” ¬†The pastors in our cluster all preach the same gospel, embrace the same Scripture, and love the same Lord. ¬†Coming together regularly for the sake of fellowship, prayer, and mutual instruction is a conscientious effort on our part to promote and preserve our unity in Christ. ¬†And, as I mentioned, it strengthens not only our unity but that of our congregations. ¬†In fact, our churches get together once or twice a year for an evening of celebration unto the Lord. ¬†Furthermore, it’s inevitable that some folks might leave one of our churches, only to go to another church in our cluster. ¬†It’s good for them to know that we pastors love one another and support one another in the work of the ministry. ¬†
- They strengthen the corporate witness of the church. ¬†Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). ¬†This is true not only of believers in a single church but also of a cluster of churches such as ours. ¬†By loving one another, we are being a greater witness to the world of our oneness in Christ.
- They serve as opportunities to sharpen one another. ¬†Though we are all unified in the fundamental doctrines of the faith, we don’t all cross our t‘s and dot our i‘s the same way. ¬†Sometimes it’s a matter of preference; other times it’s a matter of principle. ¬†When we talk about any given issue in the church (e.g., evangelism, church membership, qualifications for leadership, etc.), there are different perspectives and philosophies of ministry among us. ¬†Gracious interaction helps us to keep one another’s “feet to the fire” in a wholesome and helpful way. ¬†Also, we can offer one another practical tips on how to minister more effectively to our congregations in any given area. ¬†We can recommend helpful resources to each other. ¬†There are many practical benefits that we receive by coming together in this way.
Certainly more reasons could be shared.  But my point in sharing the above reasons, and letting you know about these meetings in general, is to stress the importance of our interdependence on the Lord as believers.  Fellowship with other Christians is a critical means of spiritual growth Рa means that God Himself has provided for our mutual encouragement as believers.  Pastors are no exceptions!  Furthermore, we lead by example!  So I hope that by making you aware of steps we take to promote and preserve Christian fellowship, you yourself will be motivated to do the same Рfirst with your own church family and then with other believers outside our local community, as God gives you opportunity.
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