Oct. 13, 2016, 12:00
Welcome
Welcome to the 2015 ABC Staff and Anniversary Recognitions!
I like to read Stan Slade’s articles. When he wrote about Little Hadley learning how to run, we are reminded that running well takes “focused time, faithfulness, and fully committed running.” For IM to continue to send missionaries in the world, it needs dedicated staff to “stretch forward” and with the “new strategic plan,” it will “respond to the call” of God.
In a world torn over many conflicts, there’s so little grace that we can see. We are thrilled when some stranger acknowledges our presence when as human beings this should be a daily regular occurrence. At Space for Grace, it will be a small moment in time to take the time for a little grace. God in Christ is most gracious of all and we would like to imitate a Christ-like grace in the world.
AB Women Ministries is taking time to focus on becoming the “beloved community that can only come about through transformative relationships.” We know that any of our words are only hot air unless we take lots of time to deepen our relationships with one another.
As one who has only been a retiree for only 3½ months, it has taken 40-plus years of ministry of which 20 was spent here to build up my MMBB retirement plans in order for me to be able to retire comfortably. That is 14,600 days of working but also that many days for MMBB to invest wisely on my behalf.
The Office of the General Secretary or ABCUSA brings all parts of the ABC family together to become the “hands and feet of Christ.” We wouldn’t be able to have a Biennial Mission Summit this past June in Overland Park or the upcoming Mission Table in November if we didn’t have the Office of the General Secretary calling us together. These significant events take time to plan and carry out by dedicated and skillful staff members like you.
On behalf of General Secretary Roy Medley who is functioning as a “head of communion” but at this time representing the BWA in Rome, I welcome you to this ABC Office Staff and Anniversary Recognitions. You are very important to the life of our denomination. And your dedication and at times, sacrificial service to the work of ABC does not go unnoticed but is greatly appreciated and valued by your supervisors, fellow colleagues, and the organization in which you serve.
Therefore, if you are ones who have completed 5-year increments of service, we especially recognize and honor you today. I still remember getting my 20-year pin in such a gathering in 1998! Congratulations to all of you and on behalf of my colleagues here: Reid Trulson, Aidsand Wright-Riggins, Louis Barbarin, Virginia Holmstrom and Roy Medley in Rome, thank you!