Last week was our pastor’s 20^th anniversary.  As a gift to pastor and his wife we wanted to do something special.  So, I sat down with Matt, Dennis, Randall and a few deacons and we began talking through some options.  We really wanted to send him to an Alabama National Championship game, but we had to get back to reality.  There were only two guidelines (1) we knew Pastor loved Hawaii (2) Mrs. Debby did not enjoy flying.  So, some ideas flew out the window.  However we kept coming back to Hawaii…they went for their 15^th.  It was said to have been the best vacation ever for them. (Mrs. Debby survived the flight)  Therefore, it became a no brainer.  This was not just a week in Hawaii, but also a cruise around the islands.  It truly is your “big daddy vacation.”

What price can you put on a gift like that?  I started thinking about how our pastor has led this church for 20 years.  When I do, I think our gift might have been too small.  Here is what I mean:

 

·        He has preached over 2,500 sermons.  Most of us would have a heart attack leading a bible study.

·        That is over 75,000 minutes of sermon delivery.  I wonder how many times he looked over at Matt as a kid sleeping on a pew…actually it probably was Steven, if you know Matt I’m sure he was taking notes as a 2^nd grader. 

·        I don’t want to even count how many weddings and funerals over the last 20 years.  What many don’t know is most pastors would rather do a funeral instead of a wedding – reason – the mother of the bride.

·        Imagine a 20 year span when anyone who is sick wants you to visit them.

·        Any bad news from any church member or a friend of a church member will always find a way into your office / phone call / email asking you for help.

·        Any moment in the flesh (big or small) can destroy everything you have invested your life into.

·        Every decision you make will directly affect a few thousand people – think about that.

·        Every decision you make will be criticized / discussed by a few thousand people…sounds fun!

·        Imagine loving and feeling spiritually responsible for a few thousand people.

·        Imagine having to put up with you and I on a regular basis J

I could go on and on, but you get the point.  Two weeks in Hawaii might turn into a month, and who would blame him?

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