BI-VOCATIONAL PASTORS AND FAMILY PICNIC

Do you know what the term bi-vocational pastor means? It means the pastor basically has two full-time jobs! He works for the Lord at the church and then at his secular employment to take care of the family. It is not easy. It is so demanding! They deserve our prayers, encouragement, and cooperation. I know what it’s like to run a fifty pound jackhammer all night and then get up with little sleep and do church work. I have driven a three hour roundtrip to work at a sales counter five days a week and do sermon prep and other ministry in the evenings and Saturday, while trying to wedge in some time for my wife and kids.

We treat the guys who pastor megachurches with multiple staff members (and receiving more than adequate salaries and benefits) as Baptist heroes—and we do thank God for their faithfulness and fruitfulness! Yet, I would suggest that another kind of Gospel champion are those who labor long hours in small churches that cannot compensate them adequately, and so must work to care for their family. They are successful too, even if the stats don’t show it. Christ will sort all of that out when He passes out rewards at His Judgment Seat.

Our Association is grateful for all our pastors—of the large, small, and in between—who are making a difference for eternity in this community. For some, there is an opportunity most Monday mornings to come to Pastors’ Conference and be encouraged by the Word of God, prayer for one another, and enriching fellowship. Yet, for a significant number of pastors, it is not physically possible to be here, except on occasion.

For this reason, we want to have a bi-vocational pastors and family picnic on August 15. We will meet at the Rotary Shed (the first one nearest the road) at 10 AM at the Canton Recreation Park. There will be a brief time to gather and fellowship and then by 10:30 we will serve brunch (biscuits, pastries, coffee, other drinks). Following that we will have a time of devotion and discussion with my wife, Marilyn, and me. She is looking forward to meeting the ladies! There is a fenced in playground where the kids can have fun while we talk—close enough for mom to keep an eye on them. We will wind up by noon, if not before. Of course, you are welcome to stay and chat and let the young ones play as long as you wish. Cornhole before or after the meeting will be available! The shed is reserved until 2PM.

Please text or call me at 828-243-2540 to let me know if you can come or if you have questions. Should you have any special dietary needs, let me know as well. I need to know the number coming, so as to have the right amount of food and necessities.

With Appreciation,

Dennis Thurman, Mission Strategist