Associational Directors of Missions/Church Starter Strategist

A growing number of NAMB-appointed missionaries who serve as Associational Directors of Missions are being designated by the title of Associational Director of Missions--ADOM/Church Starter Strategist (ADOM/CSS), or ADOM/Church Planter Missionary. Most of these missionaries have assignments in predominantly micropolitan and rural regions or have large rural sectors within their geographical areas of responsibilities. This site is for the purpose of providing resources for this missionary model and clarifying its role.

The basic denominational field missionary for Southern Baptists has been, and is presently, the associational director of missions (ADOM). The ADOM is a key apostolic leader in the formulation and implementation of a successful and relevant associational strategy which is enlivened with a priority of church planting. The landscape of North America is covered by geographical associations, and an ADOM is resident and responsible for leadership in each most association. The ADOM/CSS is the focus of this resource site as it relates to SBC church planting strategy in North America. The site will provide resources for those who function in this missionary leadership model. 

The model and function of the ADOM/CSS is not limited to NAMB-appointed new work state convention missionaries, but can be applied in principle to all 900-plus ADOMs in the Southern Baptist Convention. Applying the resources of this site appropriately to all ADOMs, especially in the various micropolitan and rural venues including the older established state conventions, may present new platforms for the ADOM ministry and assist in the revitalization of dominant SBC areas where a new wave of church planting needs to occur.

Definitions:

• Associational Director of Missions (Associational Missionary)—missionary responsible for leading in the development and implementation of a mission strategy for the Baptist Association. Direct the work and personnel of the association.
• Church Starter Strategist—missionary responsible for leading in design and implementation of a comprehensive church planting strategy for an assigned region or a people group.
• ADOM/CSS—missionary responsible for leading in the development and implementation of a mission strategy for the Baptist Association. Coordinate and assist the associational churches in spreading the gospel through starting and growing healthy reproducing, indigenous congregations.
• Core Based Statistical Area—The United States Office of Management and Budget defines metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, which are referred to collectively as “core based statistical areas” (CBSAs). The general concept of a metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area is that of a core area containing a substantial population nucleus, together with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social integration with that core.
• Metropolitan—Statistical areas containing at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more population. If specified criteria are met, a metropolitan statistical area containing a single core with a population of 2.5 million or more may be subdivided into metropolitan divisions, which function as distinct areas within the larger metropolitan statistical area. In the United States and Puerto Rico, as of November 2007 there are 371 metropolitan statistical areas, or which 11 are subdivided into 20 metropolitan divisions.
• Micropolitan—Statistical areas containing at least one urban cluster of at least 10,000 and less than 50,000 population. In the United States and Puerto Rico, as of November 2007 there are 582 micropolitan statistical areas.
• Town and Country—term usually interchanged with rural. Used in terms of distinguishing an association from the 50 major metro associations, it refers to an area of approximately not more than 80,000 with cities or towns no larger than 20,000.
• Rural—the US Census Bureau considers this to designate a region with towns less than 2,500. See posted articles on rural America. Others have preferred the term “non-metropolitan” to refer to town, country, and rural.