We’ve all been there. You’re at a Sunday School fellowship or a party of some sort, and someone hands you an icebreaker activity. Suddenly you’re faced with the task of finding someone who shares your birth month or who has never seen a Star Wars movie, with the goal of finishing your grid before time runs out.
Whether you like party games or not, those icebreakers serve a good purpose. Much like the ships for which they are named – huge vessels charged with breaking up ice to open up navigation channels – an icebreaker in a social setting serves to break up the tension and clear the way for a more comfortable experience.
Twice a year, your State Board of Missions holds an icebreaker activity of sorts. We call it Get Acquainted Day, and the next one is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, at the Baptist Building, 2001 E. South Blvd., Montgomery. It begins at 10 a.m. and will conclude by 3:30 p.m.
The structured part of the day includes time to hear from Executive Director Rick Lance and other state missionaries from the Evangelism & Discipleship, Missions Mobilization, Leadership Development and Missions Support teams, as we explore ways we can partner in Great Commission efforts.
In addition, state missionary and sociologist Jim Swedenburg will lead practical discussions related to the demographics of our state and the different leadership styles found in churches. You’ll receive a sheet of statistics customized for your church and community and learn how to reach the people who are right around you.
If that’s not enough, we’ll even treat you to lunch and a tour of the Baptist Building, if you’d like. Need more incentive? The Alabama Baptist newspaper will be providing Chick-fil-A biscuits starting at 9 a.m. Come early and take advantage of the opportunity to chat with members of your state newspaper staff to learn how they can be your partners in ministry.
But perhaps the most important part of the day will be the opportunities you’ll have to bounce an idea off a state missionary over lunch or discuss with a new friend a challenge you’re facing in ministry.
The entire day is provided at no charge to you, because of the generous gifts from Alabama Baptists through the Cooperative Program. The event is designed with pastors, church staff, secretaries or associational staff who are new to Alabama or new to their position in mind, but if you’re just interested in learning more about your State Board of Missions, please consider attending.
We’d love for you to be our guest at the next Get Acquainted Day. If you’re interested, register online at alsbom.org/gad or drop a line to Sheila Rikerd at [email protected]. Questions? Call Sheila at (334) 613-2249. Let’s break some ice together so we can navigate the choppy waters of ministry more effectively!
State Missionary Doug Rogers is director of communications & technology services at the State Board of Missions. You can reach him at [email protected] or (334) 613-2319.
