So, I went to the AG Pastor’s Retreat…

Monday and Tuesday I went to Waupaca WI where our leadership put on a special time together for all the AG pastors of Wisconsin. The number 2 man of the Assemblies of God was there to give us a report on the state of discipleship within our fellowship. Then they also brought in another speaker who shared about the Relevance of Spirit filled Ministry. It was all very powerful, challenging, and insightful. Rest assured much of what I heard will be finding its way into upcoming sermons!

The other great thing about this time is just the fellowship of other pastors in like situation. It is a chance to compare notes, get some outside perspective, and to get a sense of how things are going for other pastors and their churches. Or to put it another way: a pastor gets the chance to find out if their church and ministry experience is normal!

So, I am sure you are wondering…what did Pastor Will discover? Is our church normal? Is HE normal? Well you already know the answer to that last question but as for the first one, I would really have to say that we are an extraordinary church. Our growth rate for a church plant is exceptional, the talent and resources that we have are exceptional, and just the match up of personality between church and pastor is really yet one more blessing from God as well. There are many churches and pastors that are struggling, especially in rural areas. A number of my good friends are really having a hard go of things. Their biggest problem is having an older established congregation that is resistant to change. I am so deeply grateful that we have a church with “Change” built right into our DNA. I am so blessed to have a church that is not afraid to try new things and to take some risks–Spiritual, Relational, and Financial. When I read about the life and times of the disciples, I am always reminded that risk taking is all part of the package deal of being a christian. It blesses me to know that we are a church of people who are willing to step out of the boat, to be in pursuit of Christ.