June 4, 2024
The Journey meetings we held across the country from February to May of 2024 involved an array of EMC pastors from around the country sharing with attendees about the pressures and challenges of ministry. Serving others in the name of Christ is a wonderful and holy privilege, but it is exhausting at times. This fact is why the great Apostle Paul spent so much time in his letters encouraging Pastor Timothy to keep his head up and stay the course. In his 2nd pastoral letter, we find these thoughts:
“Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me.” 2 Timothy 1:13
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:24-25
“You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true …” 2 Timothy 3:11-14a
“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5
As a theme, we followed the flow of that fifth verse of chapter 4 in our meetings together, recognizing Paul’s advice and encouragement to be watchful; to remain steady in hardship; to continue to try to win people’s hearts with the gospel, and to be ready to serve in all the opportunities God brings us.
We remembered these truths this way: Be Watchful, Be Steady, Be Winsome, Be
Ready.
We are sincerely grateful to the pastors who helped inspire us in the four Journey meetings by speaking to these things: Debra Miller, John Phillips III, Brian Gordon, Tad Stinson, Anna McGarrah, Sean Scribner, C.D. White, Aaron Meservey, Lynn Malone, Tiffany Barber, and Jon Tellifero. And we appreciate the Superintendents and their spouses who shared. Additionally, we owe a debt of thanks to our four host churches in Arizona City, AZ; Eugene, OR; Elizabeth City, NC; and Copperas Cove, TX.
THANKS to everyone who attended our Journey meetings. Our cumulative registered attendance in our four locations was 289 pastors, church leaders, and servants. That doesn’t include evening worship attenders. Those numbers were not tracked, but would have been around 400 or more.