My 15 for ’15

by Mark Milioni

I want to begin this New Year by saying thank you to the faithful and very helpful editor and staff at the Tribune. Each month they produce a quality product that is so very helpful to all of us in the Baptist Bible Fellowship — Thanks for your efforts!

I have learned after two years as president that I still have a lot of pastor in me (I hope that will never leave), and as I do this job the old one is still on my mind. So if I could share 15 important things for 2015, some are for the pastor, some are for ministry, and some are for BBC.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO HELP ME BECOME A BETTER LEADER:

1. Am I healthier physically than I was last year? What am I going to do about this? Being in shape physically greatly affects how well I can carry out God’s calling.
2. Am I healthy spiritually? Do I have a dedicated time of prayer, fasting, and scripture? What is my plan for this year?
3. What am I doing to grow personally? How can I become a better preacher and leader? Is there a class, a conference, or books I can attend or read?
4. What am I doing to lead my staff? Are we reading books, attending conferences, or praying and planning together?
5. Have I laid out the preaching calendar for the year? It could always change in the coming months but having a plan for the year helps you direct the spiritual focus of the church.

FIVE WAYS TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO CONSIDER MINISTRY AS A CAREER:

1. Expose them to encouraging missionaries and pastors and spouses.
2. Identify those with potential and intentionally mentor them.
3. Invite them to join you in ministry — visits, lunch, conferences.
4. Invest in them. Make a personal investment of time and training to those with ministry gifts.
5. Involve them by teaching them how and having them get started early — give announcements, teach, and attend meetings.

FIVE WAYS TO PRAY FOR BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE:

1. For God’s blessing and presence to convict and stir the hearts of our students and staff.
2. For much-needed facility work to be completed and for more to begin this year.
3. For our students to learn wisdom from God’s Word and not just knowledge and facts.
4. For our enrollment to increase, that more can be trained to reach the world.
5. For God to bless our finances. For wisdom in handling our finances, for hearts to be sensitive to our financial needs, and for faithful gifts to continue to help us.