American Baptist Churches Of the South

Every Tuesday “Connecting ABCOTS…” A Virtual Conversation 11:00 a.m. (EST)
Meeting ID 929 6541 9729 Passcode 6Qi4WF

May - June One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) (Funds support disaster relief)

July 13 ABCOTS Day in our Churches

August - October Areas Annual Meeting

September - October World Mission Offering (WMO) (Funds Received to Support International Ministries)

November - December Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) - (Thank You Gifts to MMBB Retirees)

December 23 ABCOTS Office Closed for Christmas Holiday

Pastoral Workaholism: The struggle is real

Let me give pastors some advice: Run away as fast as possible from anyone trying to convince you that burning out or upholding unhealthy expectations (your own or from others) is a rite of passage. It is not.

I agree that pastors can be lazy, so we can get that out of the way from the start. Being redeemed by Jesus’ shed blood and called to serve him, and then uniquely care for his people as an undershepherd is cool. Still, as with everybody else, sin remains a thick sludge within those who preach and teach until we return to the ground, “earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”

Some ministers fudge their hours or play video games when they should be visiting the sick and preparing sermons. Some are more excited about displaying academic degrees on the wall, brewing homemade beer in their basement, or thirstily chasing influencer status than they are about corralling, correcting and caring for God’s sheep and leading people to Christ. I get it.

But a bigger issue is the ability to correctly identify pastoral workaholism as an idol, so we can be better equipped to contend against it for the sake of Christ, with the Spirit’s help.

“While I love helping others and do so regularly, it is much harder to lean into it when you are constantly preparing for funerals, sermons, meetings, managing staff and responding to e-mails.”

It is easy to slip into autopilot, disregarding important moments because they feel trivial compared to ministry’s relentless demands. It is debilitating. If pastors are so caught up in internal and external chaos that they neglect the time needed to occasionally lend a stranger a helping hand, be thoughtful, laugh without pretense, sit in silence or passionately tend to their own well-being in other ways, then we have a real problem. And, unfortunately, we do have a problem.

Not taking time off

I know pastors who, after eight, 27 or even 41 years of service — many who have been at the same church all that time — never have taken the Sundays or weeks off associated with Easter, Christmas or Mother’s Day. Privately they speak of feeling like hamsters in a wheel, trapped in a cycle of fealty, to quote the John Wick film franchise: “I have served. I will be of service.”

“I would love to take that time off some years, but my church would freak out,” they say.

Respectfully, we can be a bunch of cowards or hypocrites. Many of us decry personality-driven ministries that elevate the pastor to godlike status, yet we lead and live as if God’s mission and power go ghost when we are not in the pulpit.

“We lead and live as if God’s mission and power go ghost when we are not in the pulpit.”

I know pastors who rarely take vacations, and when they do, they still end up doing church work. Believe me, their loved ones and bodies keep score and are not fans of the neglect. Read more.......

Announcements & Upcoming Events

Join Weekly Zoom calls with ABCOTS Executive Minister Dr. Harrison
Tuesdays at 11 AM EST
Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92965419729?pwd=dnV5TmZQQlhHOHVrT2lJVmtVREJPdz09

Meeting ID: 929 6541 9729 Password: 6Qi4WF

Clergy Conversation, Mentoring Clergy: "How to Mentor, Train, and Grow Ministry from Within" with Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ

The Clergy Ministry Leaders and BGCVA host Clergy Conversation. The Reverend Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ will share with us from the topic: Mentoring Clergy: "How to Mentor, Train, and Grow Ministry from Within." You will hear pertinent, relevant and vital information as we move forward as Pastors, Co-Pastors, Assistant Pastors, Associate Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Licensed, Ordained and Persons wrestling with their Call to Ministry.

Clergy Conversation and Ministry Training Track in June 2025 as previously scheduled. Our Clergy Conversation on June 5, 2025, at 12:00 noon, and our Ministry Training Track on June 16, 2025, at 12:00 noon and 6:00pm. please mark your calendars.

Baptist General Convention of Virginia www.bgcva.org

126th Annual Session and Congress of Christian Faith Formation.

Dear Clergy
Please join us in Roanoke Virginia for the 126th Annual Session and Congress of Christian Faith Formation. June 22 - June 26, 2025, as we walk, "Shoulder to Shoulder," Reimagining, Reassessing and Realigning to Relevance.

Peace and Shoulder to Shoulder Blessings,

Reverend Michael E. Shannon, Sr.

Baptist General Convention of Virginia (BGCVA), Clergy Ministry President

Everyday ABC Conversations
Join us for an Everyday ABC Conversation!

American Baptist Churches USA is happy to create space for the “Everyday ABC Conversations,” a series of dialogues around topics of interest. Each Everyday ABC Conversation begins with a presentation on the topic by two leaders associated with the subject area, followed by a time of of small group conversation in randomly assigned breakout rooms of up to 5-6 persons each.

Join us for a series of Everyday ABC Conversations focusing on the topic of Harmony.

An Everyday ABC Conversation Series: Harmony

Thursday, June 12, 2025 3:00 p.m. EDT / 12:00 p.m. PDT
with presenters Minister Matthew Rivera and Rev. Dr. Steve Van Ostran

Moments from ABCOTS 55th Annual Session

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PASTORAL and Other Position OPENINGS

Area II
Fourth Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA Fourth Baptist Church
Seeking a Senior Pastor
Open Date: May 12, 2025 Closing Date: June 9, 2025

The Pastoral Search Committee, representing the membership of Fourth Baptist Church is seeking a pastor called by God to serve as the spiritual leader of the congregation. General Responsibilities: The pastor’s role in the Body of Christ is to lead worship services, deliver sermons, interpret scripture, provide pastoral care, and oversee church activities, while also encouraging spiritual growth and community outreach. The role of the pastor in Christ’s Church is a servant role.

To apply for this position, click the link below. All application packets should be submitted to 4thbaptistpastorsearch@gmail.com or hand delivered to the church administrator in a sealed envelop in which you will be asked to sign a document noting it was delivered by the due date (closing date). All communication in reference to this position should be submitted to the confidential email noted above.

Area III

Second Calvary Baptist Church, Columbia SC

Seeking Senior Pastor

To express interest in this position, please electronically submit your resume and cover letter to scbcpastorsearchcmte@gmail.com or submit by postal mail to: Second Calvary Baptist Church Pastoral Search Committee P.O. Box 132 Irmo, SC 29063-2867

Area II

Shiloh Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA

Seeking Senior Pastor

The Shiloh Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking God’s choice for the position of Senior Pastor. The Pastor must be God fearing, demonstrate an enthusiastic love for Christ, possess and apply a comprehensive knowledge of the Bible, utilize the Baptist doctrine, and have a clearly defined vision for the Church.

Link to application/document portal (a Google account is required).

The application for the position can be found linked here: Senior Pastor Application. Please upload all required materials below including the application form.

Questions about the position or additional files for the application may be emailed to: sbcpastoralsearch24@gmail.com.

Area VII
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Clarksburg WV
Seeking a Vocational Pastor

Licensed and ordained minister in the Baptist Faith
REQUIRED ➢ Comprehensive knowledge of the Bible ➢ A preacher of the Gospel with five years of pastoral experience
➢ A visionary with sound judgment and discernment ➢ A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited College/University, Master’s Degree of Divinity, and Seminary training (preferred)

For questions or to receive additional information, please contact James Griffin, Chairman of the Pastoral Search Committee. Mr. Griffin can be reached at 304-641-9963. ❖ Correspondence can be sent to: mtzionpastoralsearch@gmail.com OR Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, P. O Box 811, Clarksburg WV 26302, ATTN: Search Committee

Download Info Here

Area III

Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Raleigh NC
Seeking: Minister with Youth and their Families

Committee will begin reviewing applicants on June 13. The position will remain open until filled.

Pullen Memorial Baptist Church is a progressive faith community, deeply rooted in the heart of Raleigh, committed to love, laboring for justice, and grounded in Micah's prophetic vision: "What does God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Pullen is seeking a minister with youth and their families, who will coordinate, supervise and minister to all aspects of church life that involve middle and high school students, and their families. The youth minister will be responsible for fostering Christian and spiritual formation through educational programs, worship experiences, retreats, community outreach, social activities, pastoral care and support services.

Qualified applicants will hold a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, supplemented by theological training; at least three years of experience working with both middle school and high school youth; strong skills in communication, time management, organization, management of programs, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Pullen welcomes and invites applicants of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, nationalities, gender identities, socio-economic backgrounds, and life experiences. For more information regarding the position and to apply, please visit www.pullen.org/careers.