by Eddie Lyons
Yesterday I had lunch at a newly opened Mexican restaurant. It was great. I went there because a lady in our church who used to own a Mexican restaurant said this was a good place and that she now worked there. She came out to greet our table. In the conversation she mentioned it was two years ago at Easter when she first attended church. Since that time she has accepted Christ and now her family attends High Street. Many in our church worked to get her to visit. Many were involved in her discipleship. Her kids are learning the Bible in our kids’ ministry and her teenage son is involved in the youth ministry. I was reminded of the fact that pulling off a special Easter service, reaching, discipling, and ministering to a family takes a team. As pastor, I am blessed to be a part of that team. I am most grateful for the leaders and staff, paid and unpaid, who make church work. When they are growing and learning and inspired we all more effectively accomplish the mission.
The Baptist Bible Fellowship is much more than a Fellowship of pastors. It is our goal to validate and support the people who form this Fellowship. We are a group of pastors, missionaries, youth directors, children’s directors, college administrators and professors, Mission Office and Tribune leaders and staff. Each person is vital. The Apostle Paul used the illustration of the body to describe the church. Each member of the body is different but vital. It is our desire to provide an environment where relationships can be developed between our teams. This community of leaders can resource, inspire, and support one another. That is why when we have our Fellowship meetings, we provide breakout sessions for leaders who serve with youth, children, music, media, ladies, small groups, and more. Investing in our teams is very important.
I know some churches have paid staff while others rely on volunteer leadership. Both need to grow. One of the best things we can do to strengthen our teams is to bring them to a Fellowship meeting. When connections are made between leaders in similar roles, good things can happen. The sharing that comes from this kind of fellowship is so important. I’d like to encourage you to think beyond just the pastor and bring your teams to our meetings.
Men, our wives need the support and encouragement that can only come from spending time together with other ladies in ministry. The ladies’ breakouts are designed to provide a safe place to get to know others who understand and can encourage. That is why my wife Cindy is hosting a “Friends in Ministry Retreat” for ministry wives and women in ministry this May. I’d like to encourage the ladies to attend. For more information and to register go to www.myfriendsinministry.com.