"Seven Questions with Dr. Ronnie Floyd"

1. In a day where there seems to be little vision and leadership in the local church, what has been the key to your success as a leader?


My personal relationship and devotion to Jesus in the early mornings has been my secret to success and leadership. Both are blessings of God and He is the One we must stay connected to in life and ministry.

2. Current statistics show that pastors have a hard time managing their time and therefore their devotional time suffers. Please share your method or habit of daily devotional time.

On Sunday through Thursdays, I begin each day with God beginning either at 3:30 or 4:00 a.m. In this time, I pray, read God's Word, and write in my spiritual journal. I spend at least the first hour of each day doing this. On Fridays and Saturdays, I do not rise as early, but the first hour is always with Jesus devotionally. It is all about love for Christ, dependence upon Him, and priorities. For a Christian and especially for a minister, there should be no higher priority.

3. In your opinion, what is the key to developing relationships with your membership?

You must enter into the lives of people, where they are and where they live. A statement I am writing about in my new book coming out this fall is the answer to this question. I have a chapter committed to the theme: Relationships That Move Ministry.

4. Southern Baptists are involved in the “Everyone Can, I’m It” evangelism campaign. What does your church do to emphasis outreach and baptism?

We believe in giving people an opportunity to respond to Jesus in most of our venues for ministry. Evangelism drives who we are and what we do as a church. Upon salvation, we call upon people to make an appointment for baptism. If we believe it is important theologically, then we need to treat it as such. Our church has averaged baptizing 922 people annually over the past three years. In my almost 20 years here, we have baptized an average of 600 per year. Yes, evangelism is very important to us, as well as the maturing of these new believers and others in the faith. Our commitment is to make disciples of all the people groups of the world.

5. What is your greatest passion?

My greatest passion is to use my gifts, influence, leadership, and resources to take the Good News of Jesus to the entire world. With this passion, I desire to invest in the next generation of leaders in both Christianity and Business.

6. If you could tell a person beginning a new pastorate one key to a successful ministry, what would that be?

Connect to God daily and connect to your people continually. If you are going to rally them to a better future, you had better know where God wants you to go and know the people who you want to take to that divine destination.

7. Many churches struggle because there is unresolved conflict in the church. What has been your method of maintaining peace or dealing with conflict?

As a leader, owe no man anything. You belong to Jesus above all. You must learn to stand alone. Preach the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. Do not let issues remain in the hearts of people, but deal with them in a timely and godly manner. Conflict is inevitable in the life of the leader. Always be biblical, honest, and transparent with people. Your integrity is not for sale; therefore, do not minimize the power of staying consistent with the truth you preach, live, and communicate in all relationships.

Dr. Ronnie Floyd is Pastor of First Baptist Church of Springdale, AR. He is the author of "Finding the Favor of God" and "Life On Fire".