Christian Leadership engages a unique discussion in the context of congregations, denominations and ministry organizations. As an emerging academic discipline, it is easy to recognize, yet difficult to define or prescribe. From a biblical and spiritual perspective, leadership centers upon influence – moving people from where they are to where God wants them to be. Currently in the Southern Baptist Convention, the average pastoral tenure is 3.5 to 4 years. Three state conventions (LA, MS, AL) report 20-25% of their churches do not have pastors. The dropout rate of pastors increases annually. Consider this quote from Brian Croft, Executive Director, Practical Shepherding:
“Pastors are leaving the ministry in droves. Recent statistics reveal that 50% of current pastors will not be in ministry in five years and 80% will not be pastors in ten years. But it doesn't stop there. Many pastors admit having battled depression at some point in their ministry and 42% of pastors considered quitting just in the last year.” (The Foreword of Strategic Church Revitalization, p. 13)
We, through the Jim Henry Leadership Institute (JHLI) at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will provide an intentional impact and influence on present and future ministry leaders, with the purpose of increasing pastoral tenure and reducing the pastoral dropout rate. Five Strategic Initiatives will drive this effort.
The JHLI will utilize NOBTS doctoral students to research critical issues of congregational health, such as pastoral tenure, ministerial wellness, burnout prevention, pastoral transition, and strategic leadership proficiencies. Research Fellowships may provide financial aid of tuition and fees for doctoral students majoring in Christian Leadership.
The JHLI will host an annual Leadership Conference at NOBTS featuring prominent keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions for equipping and encouraging current and next generation church leaders.
The JHLI will facilitate Leadership Summits in state conventions, associations, and churches, involving roundtable discussions, peer group interactions, and mentoring sessions.
A customized option is available for additional summit topics. Summits completed in 2024:
The JHLI will maintain a website highlighting current events, resources for pastors, and research projects. The JHLI will sponsor book projects involving NOBTS faculty and alumni. The JHLI is working on the following three publishing projects:
The JHLI will partner with researchers, state conventions, associations, and other ministry organizations to provide consultants upon request. Consultations completed in 2023: (1) Strategic Planning for Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Conway, TX, June 10-11, 2023, and (2) Associational Merger for East Texas Baptist Network, Longview, TX, July 25-26, 2023. One consultation initiated in 2024 with the leadership of the AL Associational Missions Strategist, will continue to emerge in 2025.
3939 Gentilly Blvd., Box 280, New Orleans, LA 70126
504.816.8046
jimhenryinst@nobts.edu
Dr. Reggie Ogea
Director of the Jim Henry Leadership Institute, Professor of Leadership and Pastoral Ministry
rogea@nobts.edu
Kimberly Myers
The institute honors the ministry of Jim Henry, an NOBTS graduate and longtime pastor who served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1994 and 1995. Under Henry's leadership from 1977 until 2006, First Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida, grew to a congregation of 10,000 plus members. The church consistently gave sacrificially to the shared work of Southern Baptist through the Cooperative Program. A few years after his retirement from Orlando First, Henry began pastoring again. According to Henry, he was "redeployed” as pastor of Downtown Baptist Church in Orlando from 2015 until 2019.
During his time at NOBTS, Henry pastored churches in Alabama and Mississippi. After his graduation, Henry pastored Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, before accepting the call to FBC Orlando.
To learn more about Jim Henry, go to his website at Jim Henry Today.
