The Pastoral shortage is not just a future concern, it is already shaping Churches, associations, and ministry leadership across the country.

In this episode of the Association Pulse Podcast, Jeremy G. Woods talks with Craig Carlisle, Director of Missions for Etowah Baptist Association, about what nearly four decades of ministry have taught him about pastors, bivocational ministry, Church health, associational leadership, evangelism, and the future of the local Church. Craig has served as Etowah Baptist Association's Director of Missions since 2017 and was elected first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention in June 2026.

Craig discusses why the conversation has moved from Church growth numbers toward Church health and discipleship, why smaller and bivocational Churches need a stronger Pastoral pipeline, what bivocational pastors actually say they need from associations, and why associational leaders must “love them, learn them, lead them.”

Craig also tells the story of providing full commentary sets to bivocational pastors, reflects on collaborative evangelism through Gospel to My Neighborhood, discusses the possibility of more Church closures and mergers, and explains why Baptist cooperation must continue to begin with the local Church.

Join the conversation: What do you believe associations and established Churches can do now to develop the next generation of Pastors?

Subscribe to Association Pulse for conversations about stronger associations, healthier Churches, pastoral leadership, cooperation and Gospel impact.

Share this episode with a pastor, Director of Missions, Associational Mission Strategist or Church leader who is thinking about the future of ministry.

Episode resources

Full episode notes & transcript: https://baptistassociationleaders.com/podcast/episode/what-churches-need

Association Pulse Podcast: https://baptistassociationleaders.com/podcast

Etowah Baptist Association / Craig Carlisle: https://etowahbaptist.com

Connect with Association Pulse

Website: https://baptistassociationleaders.com/podcast

Subscribe to Association Pulse Podcast on Soundwise