The Associational Advisor

  As fall approaches, churches begin to evaluate and prepare their budget for the upcoming church year. Here is a link from  Guidestone ( https://www.guidestone.org/pastorsguide ) that can provide guidance as to what churches may want to include in their budget to properly compensate their pastor and staff. 1. Be sure to take the best possible care of your pastor, other ministers, and staff to the greatest extent possible, with consideration to include benefits. 2. Evaluate which church ministries to fund and elevate, as well as which ones to discontinue. 3. Budget for your pastor to participate in both the Georgia Baptist Convention (Warner Robins) this November, and the Southern Baptist Convention (Indianapolis) in June. Keep in mind that your POBA can assist with lodging expenses for both. 4. Consider which partnerships to include, such as the Piedmont-Okefenokee Baptist Association and the Cooperative Program.

  Pastor's Conference: June 7-8 Annual Meeting: June 9-10 Orlando, FL Register at: https://sbcannualmeeting.net/ The POBA has funds available to help POBA ministers with lodging for up to three nights to attend the SBC Annual Meeting in June. Contact Greg Benfield at (912) 285-8161 for more information. 

  Pastor -  Piedmont Okefenokee Baptist Association would like to invite you to dinner and conversation on December 11 at Hog-N-Bones in Waycross, GA at 6:00 PM. Bring your wife for a time of fellowship and a complimentary meal. No RSVP is needed.  If you have any questions, please contact the POBA Office at (912) 285-8161.

  Ogeechee River Baptist Association and Middle Baptist Association are hosting a Bi-Vocational Pastors & Wives Summit on March 15, 2025 at FBC Statesboro. Agenda includes Worship, speakers, lunch, door prizes, and breakouts...All chosen especially for the bi-vocational pastor and his wife. Opening Speaker: Thomas Hammond Keynote Speaker: Mark Clifton (Executive Director of Replanting and Rural Ministry, NAMB) Breakouts Sessions: *The Bi-vocational Pastor’s Wife *Avoid Burnout in Ministry *How to partner with deacons *Evangelism *Ministry Toolbox Register : https://form.jotform.com/60464014482147  

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. While encouragement, appreciation, and prayer support is appropriate throughout the year, we encourage churches to show appreciation for their pastor this month.  Focus on the Family’s guide to Pastor Appreciation Month is available at:  https://bit.ly/FOTFPastorAppMonth .  As you pray and write notes of encouragement, consider using these scriptures and others: Numbers 6:24-26 1 Chronicles 16:11 Joshua 1:9 John 13:34-35 Galatians 6:9 Isaiah 40:31 Proverbs 3:5-6 Isaiah 52:7 Matthew 6:33 Romans 15:13 James 1:5-6 Ephesians 2:10  

  POBA Pastors: the POBA office has 2 hotel rooms available at the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans in June.  If you are interested in staying in one, contact Greg no later than May 15, 12:00 PM.    

  POBA Minister Wellness invites pastors and their spouses to a dinner on Monday, May 22, 6:30 PM at Olive Garden in Waycross (2497 Memorial Drive, Waycross, GA) Please RSVP by May 18: By phone: (912) 285-8161 Online: https://bit.ly/MinisterMeetupMay2023