On behalf of my fellow pastors, I want to thank all of you for the many ways you support the pastors in our EFC-MAYM local churches throughout the year. I know that many of you are members of small churches that have limited resources, and that you can only provide a fraction of the amount of financial support you would like to offer, if you could. I also know from nearly four decades of personal experience in pastoral ministry that your pastors and their families deeply appreciate every effort you make and every desire you express to be as supportive as possible. So once again, let me say on behalf of all of my fellow pastors: THANK YOU!
As we enter into another Pastor Appreciation Month this October, I also wanted to encourage you to take a few minutes and read a great article that was recently written by a former pastor who attempts to frame the significance of this special observance in light of his own experience in local church leadership. The article was published not long ago in Christianity Today. You may want to share it with others in your congregation as well.
If you are looking for recommendations on some practical ways to honor your pastor this month, you will find some great suggestions here:
Finally, please urge your pastor to make every effort to participate in each of the following events that are prayerfully and strategically designed to provide a high level of both personal support and professional development for local church leaders here in EFC-MAYM:
- Church Leadership Retreat (featuring Tony Wheeler; see website for specific dates and locations in your area)
- Pastor’s Sabbath Retreat (featuring David & Theresa Mabry; April 20-23, 2020 at Quaker Ridge Camp in Woodland Park, CO)
- Ministry Conference (featuring Dan Kimball; July 23-26, 2020 at Friends University in Wichita, KS)
Thanks again, dear friends, for your faithful partnership in the ministry of the gospel among our extended family of Friends here in Mid America. I have no doubt that we are truly “better together” and I look forward to continuing to maximize our corporate commitment to our God-given mission in the days ahead as we seek to Equip the WHOLE Church to Take the WHOLE Gospel to the WHOLE World in Jesus’ name.
– David O. Williams, Lead Superintendent
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