Richard Ray: Snapshot visit can evaluate church’s strengths and weaknesses

The Bivocational/Small Church Association has the privilege to serve our churches in many unique ways. One of the ways we serve is to make a snapshot visit to a church to see and hear the needs within that congregation. This visit helps us understand the heart of the congregation and the community it serves. 

Richard RayWithin this snapshot visit, we can help the congregation implement several useful resources that may benefit the church. For example, we can assist a church in:

• Restructuring their constitution and bylaws to reflect their mission. 

• Developing job descriptions for each staff position, whether they be paid or volunteer.

• Providing background checks along with student and children’s safety policies.

• Developing a database for both personnel and finances.

• Deacon/elder training.

• Sunday school development, evangelism and outreach.

• Minister search.

These are just a few of the resources your Bivocational/Small Church Association can provide. It is a joy to visit a church that has the heart of God at its center. 

Moses tells the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 4:4, “but all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today.” I believe a church cannot die if that church holds fast to the Lord our God. However, just as the children of Israel needed assistance in living and serving our Lord, we, too, as the church need assistance in living and serving our Lord. 

We as your Bivocational/Small Church Association want to assist you, the church, in holding fast to the Lord and the mission he has given you. 

We want to be an encouragement as well as a resource to your church. Please contact us if you are in need of someone to come and share a word of encouragement to your congregation by sharing with them that they are not dead, they are not alone and they are not forgotten, but rather they have been empowered to do the work of the Lord and to do it well. 

To schedule a snapshot visit or to have someone come to share a word of encouragement, please contact me by clicking here.  

Remember, God has called you to serve him, but God has not called you to serve alone. Let us be your advocate, your resource and your prayer partner as you fulfill your calling. Until next time, please visit our website. 

Richard Ray is executive director of the Bivocational/Small Church Association and director of missions for the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area. You can reach him at brother_ray@juno.com.