Called to Ministry & Keys to Finish Well - Bryant Wright & Chris Trent

GA Baptist Discipleship

Dr. Wright is an author, national speaker and one of the most respected leaders in Southern Baptist life. He served as senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia for 38 years. He served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from June 2010 to June 2012. Bryant founded Right From the Heart Ministries, radio program reaching thousands of people world-wide. And currently serves as President of Send Relief for IMB. Chris Trent, served as student pastor in churches in Texas and Georgia, most recently as student pastor at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church for the past 14 years. Chris is an author, Consider This: A Youth Minister’s Guide to Longevity. Chris is the NEXT GEN Catalyst on our Church Strengthening team, an illusionist and master of all things Disney. Bryant shares • the keys to success over his four decades of ministry and rhythms that can help all leaders • wisdom from his new book Succession for all leaders looking to retire or leave a ministry well • the importance of a sabbath and guidance on asking your church for a sabbatical • gives specific details on guardrails he had/has in his life to help him stay morally faithful • why it is imperative for a pastor to build relationships with unbelievers in the community • why we are not seeing more young people surrender to ministry and what leaders can do Chris shares • keys to success from the second chair leader • there was never any confusion about what mattered most at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church • mission clarity precedes mission success • new initiative “called to ministry” initiative at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board in the Next Gen ministry to raise awareness and call out the called • what he hopes to know for when his ministry is completed Scott shares • people don’t walk in straight lines unless they are focused on a target. If a person is dropped off in the desert and they have to walk their way out, they will almost certainly walk in circles (leg length discrepancy). • people remember a little of what you say and a lot of how you make them feel • challenges leaders to consider: when the tide rises, all the boats in the bay rise with it, so lead well and don’t give up