I spend most of my workday talking to pastors. It's a great job, and one of the perks is getting to hear which concerns are common to most pastors regardless of their life stage or church size. One concern seems to rise above them all: reaching new people. Regardless of which ministry philosophies a pastor follows, they'll look across the table and ask the question: what can we do to reach more people? In response to this question, I've learned to ask one in return: what are you doing with the people you've already got?

When we walked into the gym at the Wynne Unit, the thirty inmates stood up, applauded, and cheered. They were showing their appreciation to volunteers who had given up a Saturday so they could spend five hours interacting with their children in a world of play. Day With Dads is a program in Texas prisons that allows inmates to interact with their children under seventeen in a casual setting. These activities are taken for granted by most families, but these days create precious memories for families with an incarcerated father.

Pray with us through our advent prayer guide as we wait expectantly for the coming of Jesus.

I am so excited to announce that the long search to fill the position of Associate Director / Chief of Staff is finally complete. Now, a vote from the messengers of the Association is the final step before the hire can commence. Regardless of whether your church is Qualified and Cooperating (the Active status church which may seat messengers), I invite you to attend a Special Called Business Meeting on Tuesday, December 17 at 10:00 am at the UBA offices to meet the candidate, Kevin Abbott. 

Happy Thanksgiving from UBA! When we survey the many ways God is on the move in our association, we have a lot to be thankful for.

Consider whether you agree with the following two statements: “Churches need to innovate in order to reach their God-given potential.” “Conflict in a church is a sign that we’re doing something wrong.” Many church and ministry leaders would affirm both of these statements. Even if they don’t verbally agree, their behavior indicates they do. They will talk about starting new programs in order to be more effective. And they will be surprised and disappointed when they encounter resistance or conflict. 

¿Alguna vez ha sentido el mover del Espíritu a hablar con alguien que usted no conoce? Estos son momentos llenos de posibilidades en el caminar espiritual de esa persona hacia Cristo. Esos momentos donde la persona puede dar pasos para acercarse a una relación personal con Jesús. Algunas de esas conversaciones serán superficiales, otras serán más profundas.

“Adulting” is hard sometimes. The messy work of leading and being responsible for others may have you wanting to run and hide. But God's Word gives us good reason and encouragement to press forward.

There are two spheres of existence: being and doing. "Being" concerns who we are. "Doing" concerns the roles we play and the things we do in them. While the things we do in life can certainly enhance or detract from our sense of self, they should never define it. In other words, if we receive our identity in what we do (roles, titles, positions, jobs, functions) we set ourselves up for great disappointment.

Many people have told me, “I would love to go to Russia with you, but I do not think I can be useful.” My friend and Russian teammate, Erika Brunson, has an answer to that, “Can you show up?” So often, our ministry is a ministry of presence.  Here's what I mean.