Pastors spend most of their time ministering to people and pouring their lives into other people. [This] is their day to come and be ministered to,” said Kevin Blackwell, 2014 Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference president.
Broadly focusing on the message of 2 Corinthians 11:28, the one-day conference will be held Nov. 10 at Lakeside Baptist Church, Birmingham, beginning with a morning session at 8:30 a.m. An afternoon and an evening session will begin at 1:20 and 6:30, respectively.
Themed “The Life of a Pastor,” the event is designed to inspire, encourage and challenge pastors with practical advice for day-to-day issues.
“The whole conference is intentionally developed to spiritually refresh those attending,” Blackwell said.
Teman Knight, conference vice president and pastor of Heritage Baptist Church, Montgomery, echoed Blackwell’s need for being refreshed. “As pastors we are always pouring ourselves into other people. The pastors conference is a great opportunity to be on the receiving side and allow God to use others to refill and recharge your life.”
Knight said past conferences have always encouraged and challenged him to be more effective in ministry — and he is anticipating the same effect this year.
Guest speakers
Speakers will include Buddy Champion, pastor of First Baptist Church, Trussville; John Croyle, motivational speaker and founder of Big Oak Ranch children’s home; Danny Lanier, pastor of Northcrest Baptist Church, Meridian, Miss.; James Merritt, pastor of Cross Pointe Church, Duluth, Ga.; Herb Reavis Jr., pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla.; Willy Rice, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Fla.; Danny Wood, pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills; and Ed Young, pastor of Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas.
Blackwell said, “The speakers will expound the Scriptures on subjects such as prayer, character, family, our calling and discouragement.”
Pastors should come “with a heart that has sought the heart of God,” expecting God to transform lives and refocus ministries, said Blackwell, who also is the assistant to the president for church relations at Samford University in Birmingham.
Keeping in line with the goal of refreshing pastors, the conference also will feature “The Refuge” where pastors can go at any point during the conference and have someone pray with them.
Worship for the day will feature the Vaughn Forest Church, Montgomery, worship team and Samford’s A Capella Choir, with Lakeside Baptist’s minister of music and worship Chris Diffey leading the evening worship.
Blackwell was recently shaken by a statistic by Pastoral Care, Inc. that said more than 1,700 pastors are leaving the ministry every month and only 1 in 10 pastors remain long enough to retire from ministry.
“There are a growing number of pastors who are simply walking away from their calling. It’s more than a trend — it’s a reality. I know that a one-day conference is not the cure, but if it can make a difference in a few lives then the conference will be counted a victory.
“I believe the presence of God will be strong among His servants. … It will be a great time of encouraging each other, finding resources for ministry in the exhibit area and worshipping with hundreds of other [participants].”
Both pastors and their wives are encouraged to attend.
For more information, visit alpastorsconference.com.
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