Today was a great Lord's Day at Selmore, as it usually is... This morning we observed the Lord's Supper together. Then the church treated the staff and me to lunch at Golden Corral for pastor/staff appreciation, with several dozen people coming out. Finally, we wrapped up the day with a family hayride and hotdog roast. There were four long trailers full of kids and adults on the hayride! Sometimes it is hard for me to believe how many little ones are in our church... We are truly blessed.
I am very fortunate to be the pastor at Selmore. I wish every pastor had the privilege of leading such a loving and generous church. In addition to being treated to lunch, the church gave me a fishing decoration for my office (always good) and a very nice love offering. Perhaps the best gifts of all have been the cards given to me by church members this month.
While we're on the subject of pastor/staff appreciation, let me also say there are many large churches who wish they had the quality of staff we have at Selmore... Jeff Updegraff, Marc Baker, and Adam Horton are immensely talented ministers in their respective areas. I would put that trio up against anyone!... Cheryl Gray, our church secretary, has a sweet spirit and a servant's heart. I wouldn't trade her for the world... Sometimes we do not consider our volunteer children directors as "staff," but I certainly do. It's a good thing we don't pay Karen Heatherly and Meleta Getman, because we could never afford them for all the work they do with our kids!
I hope that your church regularly shows appreciation to your pastor and staff. An appreciated pastor, is a happy pastor. A happy pastor, is an effective pastor. An effective pastor, makes for a healthy church.
Lord-willing, I will blog tomorrow night with thoughts from the Missouri Baptist Convention.