Young Leaders Encounter

Jenny and I just got back from Arnold, MO and a retreat for young pastors and their wives.? The pastor at FBC-Arnold, Kenny Qualls and the Pastor of Outreach, Bob Caldwell really have a heart for young leaders.? Boy, did they show that heart over the last two days!!

First off, they fed us wonderful food the entire time.? Their volunteers were awesome to go above and beyond to serve everyone.? Second, they spent a TON of cash on us over the two days!!? They gave each of the wives a $100 gift card to the mall that they could use on one condition–that they HAD to spend the entire amount on THEMSELVES!? That was a HUGE blessing for Jenny as we have been working on our budget–or better yet, it is working on us!? Then they gave away gift bags to the ladies as well as the guys.? I personally think that the ladies got the better end of that bargain.? Ladies got Bath & Body Works bags and guys got a bunch of books–I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love books, but seriously, how about the gift card to Bass Pro??? I mean, the girls got to go to the mall and we got stuck back at the church getting beat up about what sorry husbands pastor are to their wives!? Just kidding . . . about the gift card, not how sorry we are–’cause we can sometimes (a lot of times) get our priorities out of whack.? They just kept giving and giving and giving.? I hope we can “grow up” to be that kind of place that cares for people like that!

It was really great to get away if even for just over 24 hours away.? We got to meet some new friends and fellow pastors.? It is one of those things that you don’t notice how tired, frustrated, worn out, unrealistic your view of the world, stressed out . . . you are until you go away for even just a brief time of R & R.? Isn’t it funny that we seem to take out the stress of life out on the people we love because we think they can handle it?? They can, for a while, but then it begins to break them down bit by bit.

Again, I am really thankful to the folks at FBC-Arnold who really care about pastors and especially their wives.? Bob Caldwell says that he thinks the pastor’s wife is the toughest, loneliest job on the planet–even much worse than the pastor.? I would have to agree!? I love you Jenny!? I hope you had a wonderful time away!

Have you hugged your pastor’s wife lately?? Make sure you do.? We have pastor appreciate month in October, but there isn’t a month set aside to honor the pastor’s wife.? Maybe that is because we should be doing it the whole year long?