What is the 'love them, learn them, lead them' model?

It is a framework for associational leaders to prioritize relationship building and understanding a pastor's specific context before attempting to lead or offer strategic guidance.

Why is the pastoral pipeline important for smaller churches?

A robust pipeline ensures that smaller and bivocational churches have access to trained, supported leaders, helping to mitigate the effects of the nationwide pastoral shortage.

What role do associations play in church health?

Associations serve as support networks that provide resources, collaborative evangelism opportunities, and pastoral care to help local churches remain healthy and mission-focused.

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Church Communications Beginner

What Churches Need - Craig Carlisle | Association Pulse Podcast, Episode 1

September 6, 2026 0:00 1 min read

Summary

In this debut episode of the Association Pulse Podcast, host Jeremy G. Woods sits down with Craig Carlisle, Director of Missions for the Etowah Baptist Association and First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention, to discuss the current state of pastoral leadership. Addressing the growing concern of a national pastoral shortage, Carlisle offers insights gleaned from nearly four decades of ministry experience. The conversation pivots away from traditional metrics of church growth, focusing instead on the essential pillars of church health, intentional discipleship, and the vital role of the associational leader in fostering a supportive environment for pastors.

Key Takeaways

1The ministry focus is shifting from raw church growth numbers to qualitative church health and deep discipleship.
2Bivocational pastors require a dedicated pastoral pipeline and intentional resource support from associations.
3Associational leaders should follow the 'love them, learn them, lead them' model to effectively serve local churches.
4The importance of practical support, such as providing theological resources and commentaries, for under-resourced pastors.
5Collaborative evangelism initiatives like 'Gospel to My Neighborhood' can strengthen communal impact.
6The future of the church may involve an increase in strategic church closures and mergers to ensure long-term health.
7Baptist cooperation must remain rooted in the autonomy and health of the local church.