Young Leaders' Encounter

It's been a good day at the "Young Leaders' Encounter." First Baptist Church of Arnold paid expenses for 40 of us young, Missouri Baptist pastors to meet together for a time of fellowship and encouragement. While the pastors attended speaking sessions, FBC loaded up all the pastors' wives on a charter bus, gave them $100 each, and took them to the mall. Unfortunately, Rachel was not able to make the trip, as she was scheduled to do fieldwork at Highlandville Elementary today. I wish she could have gotten in on the shopping spree. She deserves it. I have no doubt that Selmore has the best pastor's wife in Missouri.

Here's some of the best quotes from today's speakers . . .

FBC-Arnold Senior Pastor, Kenny Qualls:

(On pastors' need to be spiritually fed, and not always be the feeder)
"Gas trucks can run out of gas."

"Working for the Lord must never take
the place of loving the Lord."

"Martha was bitter because she put work
before worship."

(On emphasizing church health over church growth)
"If we take care of the depth, Jesus will take care of the width."

Missouri Baptist Convention President, Gerald Davidson:

(On the key to a long, successful pastorate) "Love your people. But
also let your people love you. If they want to do things for you,
accept
it. Many pastors fail at this latter part."

(On the
sometimes
cumbersome nature of committees) "A camel is a horse that's
been put
together by a committee."

FBC-Arnold Pastor to Senior Adults, Menk Ferguson:

(When asked for advice on how young pastors can relate to senior adults)
"Don't treat them like senior adults. Treat them like you'd treat
anyone
else."

Have to throw this in too . . . I was just watching TBN in my hotel, and a guy says on there in a weepy voice, "What did God do when He needed something? He gave. God needed sons and daughters, so He gave Jesus." This was his appeal to get financially strapped people to give money to keep his television show on the air. First of all, God doesn't need us or anything else. To suggest otherwise is blasphemy. Secondly, to use the cross as a fundraising tool is despicable. That's all I've got to say about that.

That's all for tonight. I'll be attending more sessions in the morning. It's been a good day, but this pastor is grumpy without his wife. Sleep tight everybody.