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More Bass, Less Grass Virtual Field Day Slated for Feb. 7

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Aquacultural Research & Teaching Facility on July 28, 2021. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host “More Bass, Less Grass,” a virtual aquatic management field day on Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The cost is $75, and preregistration is required.

The event offers five continuing education units, CEUs, for current Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders who attend the program live — three general, one integrated pest management, and one laws and regulations.

The event also offers recertification credit for Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry pesticide applicators and four CEUs for category five aquatic pest control with the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Chesser said anyone seeking CEUs through the program should have their license information available on the day of the event.

Key aquatic management strategies covered

Educational presentations will be delivered by Todd Sink, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist and professor, Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, and Brittany Chesser, AgriLife Extension aquatic vegetation program specialist and lead diagnostic scientist at AgriLife Extension’s Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory. Both Sink and Chesser are located in Bryan-College Station.

Chesser said the materials covered during the workshop are applicable for both new and experienced pond owners.

Specific topics include:

  • Identifying aquatic vegetation.
  • Strategies and regulations related to aquatic vegetation management.
  • Using herbivorous fish as an integrated pest management strategy.
  • Pond stocking strategies for new and refurbished ponds.
  • Developing the aquatic food chain.
  • Fish management strategies for your fishery goals.  

Participants will receive a PDF file of all event presentations.

Virtual demonstrations of electrofishing and aquatic herbicide application by pond and lake management companies will also be featured.  

“We would also like to thank our event sponsors, Pond Boss Magazine and Pristine Pond Solutions, for supporting this event,” Chesser said.  

For more information, contact Chesser at Brittany.chesser@ag.tamu.edu.

Vision Without Discipline Is Just a Dream

By
Lee Allen Miller
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Vision is exciting.

It energizes teams, fuels conversations, and fills notebooks in January. Vision gives leaders language for where they want to go – and hope that tomorrow can be better than today.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth most leaders learn the hard way:

Vision without discipline doesn’t move anything forward.

It just feels good.

Vision Is Common. Discipline Is Rare.

Every leader I know has vision.

  • Vision for growth
  • Vision for impact
  • Vision for better systems, stronger culture, healthier margins

What separates effective leaders from frustrated ones isn’t vision – it’s discipline.

Discipline is what turns what could be into what actually is.

Scripture puts it plainly:

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”
– Habakkuk 2:2

Notice what comes first.
Not excitement.
Not passion.
Clarity and structure.

God didn’t say, “Feel the vision.”
He said, write it – make it actionable.

Why Leaders Stall After January

January is full of declarations.
February exposes habits.

Most leadership visions die quietly because leaders underestimate what discipline costs.

Discipline costs:

  • Comfort
  • Convenience
  • Flexibility

Vision loves inspiration.
Discipline demands obedience.

And obedience isn’t glamorous.

It looks like:

  • Saying no when saying yes would be easier
  • Doing the boring work when no one is clapping
  • Showing up consistently when motivation fades

That’s why so many leaders stall – not because the vision was wrong, but because discipline was optional.

Discipline Is a Leadership Multiplier

Discipline does three things vision alone never can:

1. It Protects Focus

Discipline keeps leaders from chasing every opportunity that looks good but pulls them off mission.

2. It Builds Credibility

Teams don’t trust what you say – they trust what you repeat.

3. It Sustains Momentum

Motivation fades. Discipline carries you when enthusiasm runs out.

Paul understood this better than most:

“I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
– 1 Corinthians 9:27

Leadership isn’t about intensity.
It’s about consistency.

Where Vision Goes to Die: Undisciplined Calendars

If you want to know what you truly value as a leader, don’t read your vision statement.

Look at your calendar.

Vision leaks when:

  • The calendar is reactive
  • Priorities shift daily
  • Important work is always postponed

Discipline shows up when leaders decide in advance:

  • What gets first attention
  • What gets protected time
  • What gets eliminated altogether

A disciplined calendar is a leadership statement.

Faith-Driven Discipline Looks Different

This isn’t about hustle culture or grinding harder.

Biblical discipline isn’t about exhaustion – it’s about alignment.

Faith-driven discipline asks:

  • What has God actually assigned me to do?
  • What am I doing out of fear, ego, or comparison?
  • What must be done daily to honor this calling?

Discipline doesn’t add pressure – it removes distraction.

A Simple Discipline Framework for Leaders

If your vision matters, your discipline must match it.

Ask yourself:

1. What must I do daily?

Not occasionally. Not when convenient. Daily.

2. What must I stop tolerating?

Undisciplined leadership often survives on tolerated dysfunction.

3. What must be protected at all costs?

Time, margin, integrity, relationships – something always needs guarding.

Discipline isn’t harsh.
It’s clarifying.

Your Action Step This Week

Don’t try to overhaul everything.

Choose one discipline that directly supports your vision this year.

  • One habit
  • One boundary
  • One commitment

Then lock it into your calendar.

Vision sets direction.
Discipline ensures arrival.

That’s a Wrap

God gives vision freely.
But discipline is what proves we’re serious about stewarding it.

Leaders who win long-term aren’t the most gifted or charismatic.
They’re the most faithful in the small, repeatable things.

Next week, we’ll tackle a principle many leaders avoid – but Jesus taught clearly: counting the cost before you build.

Lead with purpose. Lead with discipline.

Tax Updates for Military Community Topic of Feb. 3 Webinar

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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0

Event offers financial experts knowledge, resources to better aid service members

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and OneOp will host a free webinar, “2026 Tax Updates: What Service Providers Need to Know,” on Feb. 3 from 10-11:30 a.m.

This webinar is designed to equip service providers and financial counselors with the knowledge needed to better support the military community in tax preparation. 

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Once registered, an email will be sent with connection information.

The presenter is Susan Mitchell, executive director of the Armed Forces Tax Council and tax counsel in the Department of Defense Office of the General Counsel.

Webinar learning objectives

Participants will learn when military pay and benefits are taxable or non-taxable, explore key tax advantages available to service members and their families, and review important tax law updates taking effect in 2026.

Following the webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the tax benefits available to eligible service members and their families.
  • Explain key 2026 tax law updates that apply to most taxpayers, including military service members and families.
  • Recognize how MilTax and Military OneSource tax professionals can support service members.

Continuing education credits available

OneOp certificates of attendance are available for those interested in additional documentation of professional development activities.

One-and-a-half continuing education credits are available in the following areas:

  • Accredited financial counselors, Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.
  • Certified personal finance counselors, The Center for Financial Certifications.
  • Certified in family and consumer sciences, American Association for Family and Consumer Sciences.
  • Certified personal and family finance educator, American Association for Family and Consumer Sciences.
  • Certified family life educators, National Council on Family Relations.

For more information about the webinar, contact Rachel Brauner, AgriLife Extension program specialist for Family and Community Health, Bryan-College Station, at rachel.brauner@ag.tamu.edu or 979-321-5021.

AgriLife Extension to Host Virtual Texas Fruit Conference Jan. 23-24

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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The annual virtual Texas Fruit Conference, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, will be Jan. 23-24. (Hannah Harrison/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Peaches grown at the Texas A&M University Farm on Friday, May 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Hannah Harrison/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Program will address fruit production challenges in Texas and southeast U.S.

The annual virtual Texas Fruit Conference, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, will be Jan. 23-24.

The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. both days. Registration is $60 for both days.

The format will be completely online to accommodate as many participants as possible, said event coordinator Tim Hartmann, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension statewide fruit specialist and assistant professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Bryan-College Station.

This year’s theme is entitled “Combating Climate Challenges in Texas Fruit Production,” with a focus on maximizing fruit yield and quality while optimizing plant health and longevity. This year’s online event topics are intended mainly for commercial growers and hobbyists, Hartmann said, but anyone interested in fruit production is welcome to attend.

Primary conference presentations will include research-based topics such as protected culture production, novel frost protection strategies, plant growth regulator use, and other best management practices, covering a wide range of tree and small fruit crops.

Four Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator continuing education units are available. 

Participants will also have access to documents and video recordings from the presentations.

On the program

Topics and speakers for this year’s program will represent Texas as well as the southeast U.S., including:

  • Performance of biopesticides for year-round management of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in peach orchards – Junaed Ahmed, graduate research assistant and doctoral student, Clemson University.
  • Bacterial canker management in stone fruit – Hartmann.
  • Kaolin clay and other materials for protection against heat and sunscald – Alden Hotz, AgriLife Extension associate, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Bryan-College Station.
  • Winter cold protection of fruit crops and cultural practices to reduce damage – Stephen Janak, AgriLife Extension program specialist, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Hallettsville.
  • Shaded fruit production – potentials for increased yields, quality and plant health – Jacy Lewis, doctoral candidate and manager of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Viticulture and Fruit Lab in Fredericksburg, in the Department of Horticultural Sciences.
  • Evaluating select plant growth regulators on improving fruit set in apricot – Allison Love, graduate student, Department of Horticultural Sciences.
  • Influence of shade on blackberry cultivar performance in central Alabama – Libby Neal, graduate research assistant, horticulture, Auburn University.
  • High tunnel citrus production – Monte Nesbitt, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension fruit and statewide pecan specialist and assistant professor, Department of Horticultural Science, Bryan-College Station.
  • Frost protection strategies for fruit crops – Nesbitt.
  • Arthropod pest management in protected culture systems – Kyle Slusher, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension entomologist and assistant professor, Texas A&M Department of Entomology, Stephenville.
  • Evaluating high tunnel production of southern highbush blueberries in central Alabama: insights from the first two years of production – Lucas Speer, graduate student, horticulture, Auburn University.
  • Maximizing irrigation effectiveness during drought – Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticultural specialist and professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Uvalde.
  • High tunnel stone fruit production – live video, and a grower interview – Russ Studebaker, Studebaker Farm, Fredericksburg.
  • Recognizing stress-related abiotic disorders from biotic diseases – Pedro Uribe, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension program specialist, Texas A&M Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Bryan-College Station.
  • Hydrogen cyanamide use, Budpro, in fruit crops – Edgar Vinson, Ph.D., assistant professor and Alabama Extension horticulturalist, Auburn University.
  • Sprayable materials for frost protection of fruit crops – Matthew Whiting, Ph.D., professor, tree fruit horticulture, Washington State University.

For more information, contact Hartmann at t-hartmann@tamu.edu

Kids Talk About God by Carey Kinsolving and Friends

By
Carey Kinsolving
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Why Did Jesus Say Christians Would Do Greater Things Than He Did?
 
Jesus said that those who believe in him would do greater works than he did (John 14:12). How is this possible?

“We can tell them that Jesus died on the cross for all the people and loves them a lot,” says Josiah, 5.

Jesus did a lot of miracles and so did his Apostles, but the greatest miracle is when people accept God’s gift of eternal life by believing in Jesus as their savior. They pass from spiritual death into a life that is depicted as the party of all parties called the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9 & Matthew 22:1-14).

Jesus fed 5,000 men with a few small fish and loaves of bread, but look what happened on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus rose from the dead! Devout Jews from all over the known world gathered in Jerusalem for the Pentecost feast. God performed a miracle. He temporarily unscrambled the language barrier. When the Apostles spoke, everyone understood in his own native language (Acts 2:5-7).

After the Apostle Peter spoke about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, about 3,000 people became believers (Acts 2:41). In one message, probably more people entered into God’s kingdom than during the entire ministry of Jesus. The entire Book of Acts is devoted to the spread of the gospel and the establishment of the church, first in Israel among the Jews as they gathered for worship, food and fellowship from house-to-house (Acts 2:42), and then among Gentile cities throughout the Roman Empire.

Certainly in this sense, the Apostles and those who believed in Jesus through their preaching did greater things. Greater can also be applied to all the countries in which churches were established. Jesus purposely confined his ministry almost exclusively to Judea to train 12 disciples.

“We can do greater things because the Bible says that if you ask something in Jesus’ name, it will happen,” says Gabriella, 8.

When Jesus said Christians would do greater things, he gave a reason for his amazing statement: “because I go to my Father” (John 14:12b).

Some Christians talk about Jesus reigning from his throne in his kingdom as though it’s a future event. In the Apostle Peter’s famous Pentecost sermon, he stated that God promised in an oath to King David that “He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ,” (Acts 2:30b-31a).

Sitting on David’s throne is all about the resurrection of Christ. Is Jesus resurrected? Is he seated on David’s throne in heaven? The answer to both these questions is a big YES! God’s kingdom is here now, but it will be greater or more fully realized in the future.

A resurrected Jesus on his throne is the major reason why Jesus said Christians would do greater works. Immediately after Jesus predicted greater works, he said, “And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son,” (John 14:13).

Think about this: Jesus is reigning and ruling as king and priest in a resurrected body seated on David’s throne in heaven. His kingdom is growing every day as people place their trust in him as their only hope for eternal life in his kingdom, which will be fully realized on Earth one day.

Memorize this truth: John 14:13 previously quoted.

Ask these questions: Have you discovered your role in the growth of God’s glorious kingdom? Are you asking Jesus in prayer to advance his kingdom through you?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost. To receive Kids Talk About God three times a week in a free, email subscription, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/email. 

Why Moths Show Up in East Texas Homes — and What to Do About Them

By
Cary Sims
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Emperor Moth butterfly on plant
An Emperor Moth butterfly on plant

Few things irritate homeowners faster than opening a pantry or closet and watching moths flutter out. It was a call from a longtime resident of Angelina County and longtime friend that got me pondering about moths in the house.

Too many times, the immediate reaction is to grab a spray can. But let me urge you to try a different reaction: identify the moth first, because not all moths are the same — and most don’t belong indoors to begin with.

In East Texas homes, moth issues are typically one of three kinds: pantry pests, clothes moths, or nuisance moths that wandered in from outside. These three categories account for the vast majority of homeowner complaints and require very different responses.

Pantry moths, most commonly known as the Indianmeal moth, are frequent offenders. These moths infest stored food products such as flour, cereal, rice, pasta, cornmeal, bird seed, and pet food. Homeowners may notice moths flying near the pantry, kitchen cabinets, or worse, may see the moth’s larvae inside these food packages.

Truthfully, by the time you see that moth, the damage has already been done by the larvae feeding on your dry, stored food. Pantry moths are most noticeable in late summer and fall, when warm conditions speed up their life cycle. 

In East Texas, they often show up in grain-type foods that have sat undisturbed for months. That partly used bag of flour may not spoil but is the perfect target for infestation. 

Control starts with sanitation. Any infested food should be discarded. Remaining dry goods should be stored in airtight glass or plastic containers — not cardboard boxes or thin bags. Pantry shelves should be vacuumed and wiped down to remove food dust and larvae. Pet food and bird seed should always be stored in sealed bins. Insecticides are rarely needed and should only be used in empty cabinets as a last resort.

Clothes moths are less common but more destructive. In fact, in more than 30 years of Extension work, I have yet to confirm a true clothes moth infestation in a local home. These moths feed on natural fibers such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, and some blends. Interestingly, they do not damage cotton or synthetic fabrics. Damage usually appears as irregular holes in clothing, blankets, or rugs stored in dark, undisturbed areas.

Clothes moth problems often surface in fall and winter when seasonal clothing and blankets come out of storage. AgriLife Extension recommends washing or dry-cleaning garments before long-term storage, thoroughly vacuuming closets, and storing susceptible items in sealed containers or garment bags. Clean fabrics are far less attractive to these moths.

The third group is nuisance moths, often called miller moths. These are outdoor moths that are attracted to lights and accidentally enter homes. This is the moth that I’ve been seeing over the past few weeks at my own house. 

I’ll see them first outside the glass window of our home’s back door. They sit there because they are attracted to our indoor lights. Then when I let our dog out, they fly right in. I miss them half the time — but our German Shorthaired Pointer dog never does. She’ll “point” at them and whine till I get the flyswatter and go on a brief hunt with her.

Nuisance moths may be most common in East Texas during spring, fall, and these mild winter days we are experiencing. These moth types emerge from nearby fields, woodlands, or landscapes.

These nuisance moths typically do not feed, reproduce, or cause damage indoors. They are simply in the wrong place. Entomology experts with AgriLife recommend sealing gaps around doors, windows, vents, and attic openings to prevent entry. Reducing exterior lighting near entry points can also help. Once inside, these moths can be vacuumed or gently removed — spraying is unnecessary.

The key takeaway is that moth control depends on why they’re there. Food pests require sanitation and proper storage. Fabric pests require cleaning and sealed storage. Nuisance moths require exclusion, not extermination.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension consistently emphasizes that most moth problems are solved without heavy pesticide use. Correct identification and a targeted response save time, money, and frustration — and keep chemicals out of places they don’t belong.

Why Two Neighbors Can Pay Very Different Electricity Rates in Texas

By
Lee Allen Miller
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It’s not unusual for two neighboring businesses—or homes—to pay very different electricity rates in Texas.

And it’s rarely because one customer negotiated harder.

The Myth of Loyalty Pricing

Unlike some services, electricity pricing in Texas isn’t driven by loyalty. Long-term customers aren’t automatically rewarded with lower rates. In many cases, they end up paying more simply because their contract hasn’t been reviewed in years.

What Actually Drives Electricity Pricing

Rates are influenced by several factors, including:

  • The timing of a contract lock
  • Overall market demand at that moment
  • How energy is used, not just how much

That means two similar properties can end up with very different bills based on when decisions were made.

Why Awareness Matters

Understanding that pricing changes over time empowers customers to ask better questions. It also helps explain why “set it and forget it” rarely works in a deregulated electricity market.

A periodic review—even without changing providers—can bring clarity.

A Community-Oriented Approach

Many Texas families and businesses are choosing to educate themselves rather than react after the fact. Knowing where you stand before renewal helps avoid surprises.

This article is part of an ongoing energy education series provided by Amerigy Energy.

Angelina College Athletics Weekly Update

By
Gary Stallard
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Hey, sports fans,

Our AC basketball teams made it a doubleheader sweep in conference competition at home on Saturday, our softball team is offering another “Prospect Camp” this month and both the softball and baseball teams are within mere days of opening their new seasons. 

If you think things are busy now, just wait. 

We are AC, and we’re ready to Run ‘Em.  

Here’s a quick rundown of the past week’s events, along with what’s coming up next: 

Roadrunner Basketball Splits Conference Games This Week

The Roadrunners snapped a three-game losing streak with a big win over conference foe Tyler Junior College on Saturday, with AC making key plays late to hold off the Apaches 56-54 at Shands Gymnasium.

AC’s Clarence Payia hit a three pointer to give the ‘Runners a 53-47 lead with 1:08 to play, and after a short Tyler run, followed up with a pair of game-clinching free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.

Payia finished with a team-high 13 points, followed by Daemon Ely with 11 points. 

The win followed Wednesday’s road loss at Panola College, where the Ponies held off the Roadrunners by a 55-42 final. Payia scored 12 and Julius Crosby 10 in the loss. 

The ‘Runners (9-6, 3-4) play on the road this week: Wednesday, AC travels to Brenham to take on Blinn College at 7 p.m., and on Saturday AC will play at Kilgore College in a game set for 4 p.m. in Kilgore. 

Lady Roadrunner Basketball Earns Win in Conference Opener

The Lady Roadrunners’ first game back from the holiday break showed the team’s resilience while earning a big win in the team’s Region XIV conference opener.

With just seven players suited up and healthy, AC’s ladies broke away late for a 65-51 win over Coastal Bend Community College Saturday at Shands Gymnasium.

Trailing 44-40 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, the Lady ‘Runners put together a strong defensive effort, holding the Lady Cougars scoreless for more than five full minutes while building an insurmountable double-digit lead.

Three Lady Roadrunners put together double-doubles: Da’Zya Johnson scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Timberlyn Washington finished with 17 points and 17 boards and Iduzaye Igiehon added 13 points and 13 rebounds. Evalynn Rodriguez drilled a trio of three pointers to finish with nine points in the win. 

The Lady ‘Runners (5-7, 1-0) will be at Blinn College on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. game and end the week Saturday at Tyler Junior College for a 2 p.m. game. 

Lady Roadrunner Softball Hosting Prospect Camp

AC’s Softball program will host a “Prospect Camp” for future Lady Roadrunners on Sunday, Jan. 18 at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus.

The camp is open for all players in grades 9-12. 

Check-in is schedule for 9:30 a.m.; pitchers and catchers will show off their skills from 10-11:30 a.m., while focus on defense and hitting will take place from 1-4:30 p.m. 

For further information, contact coaches Kassie James (kjames@angelina.edu) or Bailey Frenzel (bfrenzel@angelina.edu). 

Here’s the link for registration and other information:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/softball-prospect-camp-jan-18th-2026-registration-1979866312437?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawPOeeZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4S1YxRnY2bmFIVHFQQWFJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHi5XwsD_4cTcMWjuxKij2810wMpx_07nSsGjUtLFcqST-ZgQ1HADs_ysudlT_aem_pCZ2off8Pclm0n4tHel17g

AC Baseball, Softball Schedules Are Available for Viewing

  Both the Roadrunner baseball and Lady Roadrunner softball teams are just a few weeks away from opening their Spring 2026 seasons. Both programs feature first-year head coaches (Jon Phillips with baseball and Kassie James with softball), and there’s excitement brewing for what is sure to be some exciting times on the diamonds.

The Roadrunner baseball team opens with a scrimmage at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall on Thursday, Jan. 22 (3 p.m.) before hosting the regular-season opener against Temple College in a doubleheader scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at Poland Stadium on the AC campus.

The Lady ‘Runner softball team will see its first action on Friday, Jan. 23 at Tyler Junior College in Tyler. The doubleheader is set for a 1 p.m. start. AC’s ladies won’t host their home opener until Wednesday, Feb. 4 when the Lady Roadrunners host Northeast Texas Community College in a doubleheader set for a 1 p.m. start at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus. 

Here are the links to the teams’ schedules: 

Roadrunner Baseball schedule: 

https://angelinaathletics.com/sports/bsb/2025-26/schedule

Lady Roadrunner Softball schedule:

https://angelinaathletics.com/sports/sball/2025-26/schedule

Potential Schedule Changes:

As always in East Texas, the potential exists for schedule changes because of inclement weather. We try to put out the word as soon as we get it, but the quickest way to confirm game days and times is to visit the AC Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com) to view the most updated schedules. We’ll also send out word on social media (AC Athletics Facebook and Instagram, etc.), but the on-line schedule will always serve up the most recent updates. 

The Table as a Reset: Leading Through the Sacred

By
Lee Allen Miller
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Based on the teaching of Pastor Todd Core Harmony Hill Baptist Church | January 11, 2026

In leadership, we talk constantly about “alignment.” We spend hours in boardrooms defining culture, clarifying vision, and trying to get everyone rowing in the same direction. But as Pastor Todd Core reminded us this morning, the most powerful tool for alignment in the church isn’t a strategic plan or a mission statement on a wall – it is a table.

As we continue our series on loving God’s church, Pastor Core brought us to the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17–32). For the spiritual leader, this isn’t just a ritual; it is a critical “Selah” moment – a pause that recalibrates our hearts and our organization.

Here are four leadership imperatives drawn from today’s message on the importance of the Lord’s Supper.

1. The Ultimate Act of Cultural Alignment (Unity)

Paul’s words to the Corinthians were sharp because their culture was toxic. “I hear that there are divisions among you,” he wrote. When a church – or any organization – is fractured, productivity ceases and mission drifts.

Pastor Core identified the Table as “a table that unites us.” It is the moment we level the playing field. At the foot of the cross, and at the Table, there are no CEOs, no major donors, and no celebrities. There are only redeemed sinners.

  • The Leadership Truth: When we take the Supper, we aren’t just eating; we are declaring our unity as Christ’s redeemed. It is the ultimate check against the silos and factions that destroy teams.

2. Anchoring to the “Why” (Remembrance)

In the noise of 2026 – with the speed of technology and the pressure of schedules – it is easy for a leader to lose their “why.” We get so busy with the work of the Lord that we forget the Lord of the work.

Jesus gave us a tangible, physical anchor: “Do this in remembrance of me.” Pastor Core highlighted two specific remembrances:

  • We remember the sacrifice (the cost of our sin).
  • We remember the new covenant (the promise that sustains us).
  • The Leadership Truth: The Supper forces us to look back at the Cross. It reminds us that our leadership is not about our platform, but about His purchase of our souls.

3. Vision Casting for Eternity (Looking Forward)

Great leadership is always future-oriented. It anticipates what is coming next. Pastor Core pointed out that every time we eat this bread and drink this cup, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

This is a prophetic act. We are looking forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

  • The Leadership Truth: When we take the Supper, we proclaim salvation. We lift our eyes from the temporary problems of this week’s budget or next week’s event and fix them on the eternal horizon. It gives our leadership proper perspective.

4. The Self-Audit (Reverence)

Every effective leader knows the value of a performance review. But who reviews the soul of the leader?

Pastor Core emphasized the text’s warning against taking the cup in an “unworthy manner,” urging us to “examine himself.” This is a call for a spiritual self-audit. It is dangerous to lead others when your own heart is drifting.

  • The Leadership Truth: When we take the Supper, we engage in reverent worship. We invite the Holy Spirit to highlight the blind spots, the pride, and the hidden sins that limit our effectiveness. We seek purity so we can avoid necessary discipline.

The Takeaway

Don’t rush past the Table. Use it. Let it unite you with your brothers and sisters. Let it remind you of the Gospel. Let it orient you toward eternity. And most importantly, as Pastor Core urged us today, let it search your heart.

Professional Headshots (Nacogdoches County)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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0
Headshots_02

January 14 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Every businessperson needs a professional headshot!

Polished Professional Package
Two high-resolution image downloads with retouching*

*Retouching minimizes lines, evens skin tone, corrects blemishes and fly-away hairs, plus whitens teeth and brightens eyes

$50 CHAMBER MEMBERS ONLY
Use the registration link below. After you have registered you will be redirected to the pre-order page where you will be able to pay the $50 and receive a gift certificate via email.

Registration is requested to save your spot: 

Register for January 14 HERE:
https://orders.tssphotography.com/QPPlus/SearchNames.aspx?EventID=2384765&_AccountNumber=91189&EventName=&EventDate=

Click to register.

$50 Chamber members only

Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce

(936) 560-5533

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Nacogdcohes County Extension Office

203 West Main Street
Nacogdoches, TX United States + Google Map
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