NoelHeikkinen.com

3 Experiences

Feb 1, 2004 Print This Post

FIRST EXPERIENCE
I met with a couple dozen pastors from around the country. I was the youngest in the room (the next was at least 10 years my senior). As the meeting progressed, one thing stuck out in my brain. Here are men who have years of experience in family life, ministry, faith, and the like. I wonder how many young men and women have guys like this in their lives to help them as they journey through the years?

SECOND EXPERIENCE
Steve (one of my co-pastors) and I met with a pastor from one of our sister churches. We were shooting pool and talking about our local ministries and the national ministry we are involved in. His church is probably the closest to ours in structure and style that I know of. I remember being struck with a thought during this time, as well. Here is a guy who has learned how to contextualize the message of the Gospel to his local community. He is a great resource for helping us do ministry in our setting.

THIRD EXPERIENCE
I met with a pastor my age that is considering doing a church plant. He was asking a lot of questions about church structure and reaching this emerging culture. I remember thinking I wish I could connect this guy with the men I met with in the first meeting and the guy I met with in the second. He could benefit from their years of experience and their current struggle.

Looking back on this time, I realized how lucky I am. I am on a team of pastors that is full of gifted leaders I can learn from and wrestle through issues with. I am associated with this great association filled with leaders with years and years of experience I can draw on. And I get the chance to hang out with young, emerging leaders and help to work on how the church will make waves in this culture we live in now.