Here are a few shots of the Heartland North District Pastors' Advent Day Apart, led by the smiling Brian Roots (pastor at North Star) and Kevin Shelton (one of the pastors at Good Shepherd). There was a really good spirit and a nice size group (30!); yes, I have told them they are required to come, but either they are hiding their growsing well or there simply isn't too much of it. We really appreciated the hospitatliy of Dennis Hisek and staff at Wilderness Camp.
Why do this? Couldn't these folks just take a day on their own? Maybe, maybe not. We had time of sharing together and then time apart ending with communion. This picture with Mark Turnbough, the lead pastor of our district's largest church (Liberty) seated with Renae Watt, first year pastor at Camden (she said today, "I just LOVE those people!" which I must say says as much about Ranae's pastoral heart as it does about the easiness of loving her folks; and Ted Hepner, retired army chaplain and adminstrator) says a lot. I would guess there aren't many places where these three get together, and it is a good and joyful thing for their ds to see.
As we wait again for the coming of the Lord, we need not do it alone, and we need not think we are the only ones who struggle with isolation and the demands of ministry no matter the size of the church or the years of service. I was blessed simply to be in the presence of so many of my pastors today and I give God thanks for every one of them.
1 comment:
Sound like a great time. YOu do have many good pastors... and they are working hard. Thank God for all of them.
Michael
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