Discover the inspiring journey of Pastor Jimmy Flanagan and his wife Belinda as they guide Duval Station Baptist Church through 17 years of gradual, thoughtful transformation in worship. Through intentional, incremental changes, they’ve crafted a worship experience that bridges generations, honors tradition, and reflects their congregation’s heart. Explore how this process offers a roadmap for any church seeking to blend tradition with fresh expression.

For decades, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was woven into the fabric of American life. But today, the SBC faces urgent challenges that call for a return to its mission roots. In this article, we explore how the SBC’s journey from rapid growth to centralization and fragmentation mirrors historical shifts seen in other denominations and what it means for its future.

As local congregations reconsider their role in disciple-making and collaboration, the SBC’s pathway forward hinges on transformative discipleship—moving from a mindset of “what we do” to “who we are in Christ.” With a renewed focus on local, regional, and national collaboration, the SBC has the potential to adapt, thrive, and inspire generations to come.

Read on to learn more about the key insights, challenges, and actionable steps for a revitalized SBC community.

As Northeast Florida continues to grow, the need for gospel-centered churches that can engage with the unchurched and foster spiritual health in our communities becomes more pressing. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Pastors Ryan Britt and Trey Brunson of The Church of Eleven22 about their upcoming campus in Yulee. Our conversation touched on their vision for this new location, potential concerns from local churches, and the importance of collaboration in kingdom work. We also discussed The Church of Eleven22’s exciting decision to partner with the Send Network to plant churches across the U.S. and beyond.

🌟 Exciting Updates & Opportunities Await! 🌟

Don't miss out on the latest news from Northeast Florida Baptist Association. Highlights include:

Pre-register for our upcoming Forum with Pastor Dean's book insights

Launch of the Found Faithful Framework pilot program for church leaders

Details on the 2024 Annual Meeting

Staff needs and partnership opportunities

Click to read the full newsletter and stay connected! 👉

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our Found Faithful Framework pilot program this September! This groundbreaking initiative is tailored for 12 handpicked pastors and church leaders, including both full-time and bi-vocational leaders. Forget cookie-cutter programs — this is about real, personalized growth

Delve into the advantages of regional collaboration over national models, emphasizing immediate response, deep contextual understanding, resource pooling, agility, and empowerment through collaboration. This article not only illustrates the necessary shifts local church associations must make to function effectively within their regional roles but also highlights the strategic collaboration, continuous learning, and leadership required to thrive as a family of churches. A must-read for anyone involved in church leadership or interested in the dynamics of organizational recovery and growth.

Explore the green-lighted initiatives aimed at deepening church partnerships and providing critical congregational assistance, marking a new era of collaboration and support within our Family of Churches. From the successful launch of Mobile Dental Unit initiatives to strategic worship leader gatherings, this article unveils the strategic steps and innovative approaches being embraced by our Association to foster church vitality, support mission work, and enhance worship experiences across our region. Join us in this grace-filled journey towards congregational clarity and denominational unity, as we prepare for the future with courage, vision, and faith.

We must embrace a model of ministry that emphasizes engagement over outsourcing, collaboration over isolation, and active participation over spectatorship. This comprehensive engagement involves a shift from viewing financial support as the solution to fostering hands-on involvement and collaborative efforts across congregational lines.

In the groundbreaking work Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation, Jessie Cruickshank lays down a simple yet profound truth: Anyone Can Make Disciples. This insight forms the backbone of the Ordinary Discipleship Conference, challenging the complex systems that have made many feel unqualified in the realm of discipleship. Jessie's approach is straightforward—disciple-making is about understanding who God says you are according to His divine design (Ephesians 2:10) and living into that identity, a journey meant to be shared in a relationship rather than learned in isolation.

Exciting developments are unfolding in the Northeast Florida Baptist Association (NEFBA)! Held on January 17th at Great Harvest Missionary Baptist Church, the Associational Visionary Team meeting marked a significant stride towards fostering greater collaboration and mutual strengthening among our churches.

Gone are the days when church health was judged by membership size or service frequency. Instead, learn about the dynamic concept of Missional Vitality – a comprehensive measurement tool that captures the essence of a church's missional effectiveness.

Facing food deserts and educational hurdles, see how one church’s mission is changing lives. Explore Great Harvest’s transformative story.

💪 Strength in Numbers: Explore how collaboration and partnership are key to successful church planting and congregational revisioning in our latest article. Join the movement that’s reshaping faith communities! #TogetherWeGrow #ChurchPlanting

Are we investing as much in our enduring congregations as we are in planting new ones or rejuvenating those in decline?

Our latest article "Awakening the Vision: The Call to Redream for Mature Churches" sheds light on a critical conversation that's often left in the shadows. While the church landscape is dotted with stories of new beginnings and last-minute saves, there's a story that remains untold: the journey of strong churches that strive to continue making positive strides forward.

🌊⛵️ Are you ready to turn the tides? As leaders and congregants, it's time to shift from merely managing churches to embracing God’s greater vision. Journey through the storms and into the light.

🌍 Want to take your disciple-making efforts beyond the church walls? What strategies can you employ to integrate discipleship into daily life and community interactions?

🔍 Are you a church leader or member struggling with the intricacies of change? 🤔 Discover the pivotal role of readiness in successful congregational transformation. Learn how to gauge intellectual, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and resource readiness 🌟. Don't miss this crucial guide that every forward-thinking believer needs to read. 📖