Arkansas Pastor's Conference Reflections

Yesterday was the Pastor's Conference here in Arkansas. It always takes place the day before our Southern Baptists churches gather from across our state to report, encourage, and focus on God's work through us. This past year, I've served as the president of the Pastor's Conference. That fancy title basically means that I'm responsible for planning and pulling off the conference. Here I sit on Tuesday, the morning after, reflecting back on a great conference yesterday. I'm also finding myself reflecting on some lessons I learned over the course of this last year...thought I would ramble about a few.

I've made some new friends. David Hastings from Bentonville and Matt Pryor from Conway served as officers with me this past year. Getting to forge a new friendship with these guys has been great. Their passion and attention to this conference has been so helpful. I'm thankful that God put us together for this work.

I've had my faith stretched a bit. About this time last year, I had just been elected to serve as president. I had no clue what the conference would be about or who would come speak. I remember me, David, and Matt gathering to pray...asking God to come through. God led us to a theme (Bridging the Gap-Reaching Coming Generations) and to the exact speakers that were needed to drive that home in AR pastors, staff, and church leaders. The big question that every guy in my shoes deals with is, "How am I going to pay for all this?" The ABSC gives some start-up money for the conf, but the major funding is the responsibility of the president. God led us to some incredible speakers who we believed fit the theme. Now how were we going to get them to AR? How would I pay for flights, hotels, expenses, and all the other stuff that comes with a conference? I did not have to pay for it...God did! In what I believe was a miracle, God supernaturally provided for every need through the faithful and generous gift of a person in Texarkana committed to loving pastors and building God's kingdom. The details are not important...just that God is faithful and stretched me to get that lesson a little more. Wow!

I've been challenged to be more passionate and targeted on reaching out to the coming generation. Each speaker we had was unique, but there was a common thread of how we can "bridge the gap". Scott Maze from Van Buren, AR preached that the gap will be bridged when they see real intensity and passion in us. Al Meredith from Fort Worth (my former pastor from Wedgwood days) preached that the gap would be bridged by grasping the differences in the ages and engaging the lonely and isolated like Jesus did. John Avant from West Monroe, LA preached that the gap would be bridged by getting a new vision for the work and pursuing this generation that the enemy is so after. Ted Traylor from Pensacola, FL preached that the bridge will involve encouragement and getting hands dirty in doing good works. David Uth from Orlando, FL preached that to bridge the gap we don't need to lower the bar, but instead raise it...that's what this coming generation wants.

As I left last night, my cup was full. The worship and adoration of God that Jon and Suzanne Rushing led in was amazing...along with the good and timely words preached. But God's Spirit nudged me...reminding me that he filled me up so that I could be poured out. How I long to be a pastor and church leader that God uses to bridge the gap with the coming generations! Thank you God for an amazing day and year!