The Value of Associations - Two are Better Than One

I was given this assignment, and it was very easy for me to think of a
multitude of words to describe the value our Association has been to me
personally as a Pastor.

I have chosen to focus on five of those words:

1. The first one is a no brainer - Fellowship. I have heard it said that the pastorate can be a lonely place. I don't doubt the possibility of that happening, but I also feel this is a conscious decision. Every second Tuesday of the month I have a choice to make; I can either attend or stay home. Everyone has justifiable excuses - we all are too busy - but I need the friendship of other Pastors.
2. Encouragement is the next word that I chose; no matter how I come, I always leave our morning meetings feeling encouraged. I tell our church family that the time you don't want to come to church is the time you need to make the special effort to be there. Who knows; your presence alone may be an encouragement to someone else.
3. My third word is Edification. This happens not only when I hear a guest speaker lecture to us, but also through simply sitting with another servant of God and hearing them pray or share their experiences of blessing, challenge and even defeat.
4. Courage is another word that comes to mind. When I listen to
   all that God is doing in the lives of His children in other churches, my
   focus is no longer on my pitiful abilities but on Christ who said I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH.
5. The final word that I chose is Effectiveness. As I drive
   home the ministry looks a little more doable and I dream of the team of pastors in our Bluewater Association, working together to impact our whole region knowing that we are better together.

So, why not make plans to attend your next Association Meeting?

Wayne Heikkinen
Rock Mills Fellowship Baptist Church, Flesherton

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