This past weekend I was asked to participate in the annual EFCA Pacific Northwest district conference. Pastors, ministry leaders, and missionaries gathered together to network, build relationships, and be encouraged through breakout sessions, plenary sessions, and worship. I had a table set up for Pathways and also led a breakout session, hoping to connect with pastors who are interested in taking training Bible study principles (i.e. Pathways) locally and globally. It was good to renew relationships with guys I had not seen for many years, since I’m usually traveling in early March, and also build new relationships.

The district superintendent, Rob Chadwick, is doing a great job in his role he’s had for about a year and a half. He is very relational, so is networking with many folks and helping the district know what is going on. He is also promoting Pathways, connecting me with some people who hopefully will use our principles in their churches and beyond. Rob shared that the purpose of the district is to offer:

• Relationships toward networking
• Resources toward multiplication
• Accountability toward health.

I thought those three areas are very important, and I’m glad to be part of the district for those reasons.

The main speaker, retired pastor and professor Lee Eclov, primarily focused on challenges there are in ministry, and the need for perseverance to endure. From his years of ministry, he shared many stories and nuggets of wisdom:

• Not every good idea is good NOW.
• Being average is very difficult in ministry. At the same time, weakness is our God-given secret ministry advantage – it never feels good, but it is essential.
• A pastor’s role is to be a “caretaker of a portion of the river,” caring for people as they flow by.
• Pastors are physicians of the soul who must also attend to their own souls. In every conversation, listen for “soul sickness.”
• Work can be a way of hiding from relationships and problems, so take time to rest. It is like tithing – hard to see how it will work, but it does!
• Don’t fake ministry – don’t just go through the motions. Be real/authentic, and lean into your ministry sweet spots, your spiritual gifting.
• Ministry success takes time. May never see the influence you have upon people, but they know, and so does God.
• Efficiency is a poor pastoral master. For example, one on one time with people may seem efficient but it matters.

I’m thankful to be a part of EFCA, and the Pacific Northwest district, and hope to serve pastors and leaders in this region, whether through Pathways, through pulpit supply, or in any other ways I can encourage the good work God is doing.