Last week, I attended our church’s annual conference for its ministers. It’s one of my favorite events of the year. I always come away inspired and challenged and thankful to be part of the Assemblies of God ministerial family. Conference really is like a family reunion – a family that I’ve chosen and so glad I did.
This year;s conference was especially meaningful. Two things aligned that have made me particularly thankful for the faithfulness of God in my life.
Annual Conference includes inspiring worship services and challenging messages, relevant workshops for church leaders, and a business meeting – elections, by-laws revisions, reports and such. But two of my favorite parts of Conference happen on the last day.
Each year on the last day of Conference there is a memorial service to honor the ministers and their spouses who have passed on during the previous year. There are pictures and brief histories and tributes to the men and women who have given their lives in service to Christ and his church. This year, two of the Pastors from my home church were honored in this service; Pastor Robert Beckman who was my pastor when I was a little girl, and Pastor Don Brown who led our church when I was a young wife and mom and who eventually hired me as worship pastor and encouraged me to work towards ministerial credentials.
Pastor Brown became the pastor of Bethel Church (the church I’ve been a member of my whole life) in the summer of 1976. David and I had been married just two years and were expecting our first child. Pastor Brown and his dear wife Glenda pastored Bethel Church for the next 14 years. Pastor Brown dedicated each of our four children and baptized the two oldest. He was a man of great vision, passion and energy. He became a mentor and friend and had a profound impact in the life of our family during some very formative years.
The other favorite part of Annual Conference for me is the Ordination service. Ordination is the public affirmation of the call of God on the life of a minister. Ministers must be licensed and actively involved in ministry for at least two years prior to ordination. It is a service that is both solemn and celebratory. This year our youngest son was ordained.
I don’t think it was a coincidence that the memory of Pastor Don Brown’s life and ministry was celebrated on the same day that Nathanael was ordained, or that Nathanael is now an associate pastor at the church – the church where he was nurtured in the faith as a child – that Pastor Brown led with such vision and passion.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. I can’t think of a better village to help raise children than a healthy, vibrant, community-minded, gospel-centered church. I’m thankful for my church; for faithful pastors, Sunday School teachers, children and youth pastors, camp counselors and a great big wonderful spiritual family who affirmed, corrected, led and loved my kids alongside their Dad and me. Don Brown was one of those important people who faithfully ran his race and has passed the baton on to the next generation. We should be mindful that one day we will do the same.
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
2 Timothy 4:2
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. the time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
2 Timothy 4:6-7
Autumn Gospel 