God often has different plans than man. Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary and future president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, knows that all too well.
Iorg had planned to retire this year, but instead he will be assuming leadership of the convention.
Iorg led a ministry leadership training event on April 23 hosted by First Baptist Church of Sylacauga, where Rick Patrick is pastor. Stan Albright, director of missions of Coosa River Baptist Association, planned the event for his association as well as others who were interested.
‘Whac-A-Mole mentality’
During the training, Iorg said that too many in ministry have a Whac-A-Mole mentality when chaos comes.
“You have to simplify your life down to what really matters,” instead of trying to fix every problem that pops up, Iorg taught.
Bible reading, prayer, worship, rest and fellowship are the basics every leader should prioritize.
“These … core disciplines will keep you going in chaotic times,” Iorg said. “Many of us struggle to read the Bible and pray on a consistent basis.”
Iorg said he carries a notebook with his Bible reading plan on the front so he can keep track.
“Sit down with tea; read the Bible slowly,” he said. “What else is going to sustain us?”
Simple prayer
Sometimes a simple prayer of “God help me” is all you need, he said — a prayer where you are talking to God about your life, your needs, your growth, your spiritual transformation.
“You have a responsibility to find a time when you can hear the Word of God preached,” Iorg said, encouraging the leaders present to take advantage of events like the one they attended, as well as state or SBC annual meetings.
Ask, “God, what are you saying to me?” Iorg said.
Calling himself a driven, legalistic man early in his ministry, Iorg said he too often sacrificed his family for his church. But his wife, Ann, confronted him about devoting a day of rest to her and their family.
“I did not receive that well,” Iorg said. But soon he realized rest was a priority for Jesus so it should be for him too.
“As the chaos erupts around you, you’ve got to simplify to the things that will sustain you,” Iorg said. Now, he turns off electronics for the day as well as refuses to check emails. He and his wife aim for a day a week. While they fall short of 52 straight weeks, they do average more than 40 a year depending on his travel schedule.
‘Seasons of sacrifice’
When he first heard of self-care, Iorg equated it with self-indulgence, but when he read Scripture, he realized Jesus ate and slept as well as retreated for prayer — and the Savior also enjoyed social gatherings with friends.
“Self-care includes essential seasons of sacrifice,” Iorg said. “Sacrifice is personal. It costs you something.”
Iorg encouraged developing relationships — mentors, colleagues, peers and friends.
“I want you to connect with people who energize you,” he said.
If leaders continue to insist on being lone rangers, “you’ll ride off into the desert alone and die there,” Iorg said. “Ministry is a team sport.”
Focus on organization
For Iorg, his organization is the seminary, at least for now. As its president, he has to enhance mission discipline by narrowing the focus to the core mission.
“When COVID happened, we had to ask, ‘What is the core reason we’re here?’” Iorg said. “Most leaders think as chaos rises, we have to solve all the problems. When COVID happened, my life got really simple. I went from speaking at 50 events to one.”
Years earlier, when the seminary (then known as Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary) found itself facing land development challenges on its original campus in Mill Valley looking out over San Francisco, the leaders had to focus on its mission: to train leaders. Moving the campus to Ontario, California, became the answer. While there were many changes and adjustments needed, Iorg said the leaders and the students focused on the mission.
Back to basics
Going back to the core is the foundation for crisis decision making, he said.
“We are not going to solve all these problems,” he said. “We are not going to fix all the messes.
“We know our mission, and we believe this decision is because of the mission.”
Iorg’s final day at Gateway will be May 12. He begins his new role with the SBC Executive Committee on May 13.
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