SBC local associations - DOM

Office Manager or Regional Representative. That's what they are anyways.

 

Which of the offices in Eph 4 do you think best fits that ministry position?

 

I had a thunk. Do all DOM's do the same thing?

 

Office manager?

 

Our state actually restructured and we don't have DOM's anymore...we have "Regional Strategists" (and fewer of them covering larger regions.

 

That is what we did and they are called "Church Planting Catalysts". Some associations are keeping their DOM's but they are funding them themselves with no funds coming from NAMB. The other associations are having to restructure to meet the needs the DOM provided.

 

I know track is to call them "Executive Directors."

FWIW, a really good DOM can contribute to a growing and vibrant group of churches in their area. I've seen great DOMs who help foster new church starts, revitalize old declining churches, and bolster existing churches. On the flipside, a mediocre or bad DOM doesn't hurt churches...they just don't matter.

 

That's been the format adopted here as well. Although I don't recall what they call them. The positions are filled by a pastor in the region. He keeps contact with the other pastors in his assigned region for prayer, accountability, and other needs. These men are tasked with, to put it simply, shepherding the shepherds.

 

Certainly a more scriptural method than the current role of the DOM's that I have known.

 

Interesting, what part of scripture do you find the role of DOM?

 

I don't find it anywhere in scripture. That was my point. There is scriptural precedence for an older pastor mentoring and encouraging younger pastors but none for a position such as DOM.

I'm not trying to start anything here. Salty asked a legitimate question and I'm just trying to answer honestly.

 

Thy used to be called "Associational Missionaries". I've been involved in SBC life for over 20 years and still haven't met one who was worth the salary. So I'm probably not the one to suggest a title because the ones i'd suggest wouldn't be complimentary.

I don't see lots of other titles we use such as "Youth Pastor" or Associate Pastor or even Senior Pastor in scripture, so just because the title isn't mentioned doesn't mean it is anti-Scripture. I think as it could work, it could be an older pastor who can help local pastors and churches. Just have never seen that before.

 

For those that say office manager or administrator, there may be some truth there - but only "some."

In the association where I am - and I think this is the aim in a lot of places - this office exists to bring churches together in an effort to spread the gospel, but also the DOM is like an "elder brother" to the associational pastor.

I am most grateful for those less tangible functions of the DOM that are so valuable to me personally as a pastor. And although there are administrative functions, I would never be so insulting as to call that office "office manager."

 

When Paul wrote to, encouraged, and instructed Timothy as well as many others - perhaps? When he encouraged churches to be generous to other churches and missions?