A Trip with Ministry Reminders

Today was a great day of travel. Kelly and I left the Richmond area by car and headed to Canton Ohio for a meeting with other members involved with Church Sports and Recreation Ministers Association. It was an eight hour drive that provided great views and insights. While we could have taken a plane (and it still would have been eight hours), we chose the car ride together. Here are a few positives of the trip that you could not get from the air:

* Fall Foliage everywhere and in every state we went through (VA, MD, WV, PA, and Ohio). It was great to put on my thinking music (Bach style) and weave in and out of the mountains with the bright colors all around. It was a time of silent reflection and detailed conversation.

* The opportunity to see the heart of our country - the small mountain towns, large family farms being worked by fathers and sons, iron built cities, and working rivers. It's amazing to see the creativity of God and how a variety of different people living in one nation use it (or abuse it).

* Tim Horton's !! - great coffee and a variety of donuts and "timbits."

* Seeing the Pro Football Hall Of Fame and the stadium in which the Hall of Fame Game is played in.

We arrived at our final destination tonight on the grounds of a 1923 Ohio classic golf course (Brookside) for dinner and the kick off of our meetings over the next few days. As we gathered around, through conversations and stories being told, I was reminded of these truths about ministry (particularly my life in sports and recreation ministry):

1. We are called to ministry. At one point in my life, I sensed God calling me for a specific purpose and we need not forget that moment in our spiritual timeline.

2. We are challenged in ministry. Yes, serving Christ and others will always provided challenging circumstances and people. But it's those times that we can look back on and see growth.

3. We have been and will be influenced by others in ministry. There are several people in my life that have left lasting impressions throughout various stages. Allowing people to invest in you will stay with you for a lifetime.

4. We need to be encouragers in ministry. Be someone who desires to offer others with the opportunities you have been provided. It's part of discipling and equipping others for the work of the ministry.

What a trip! And I am thankful for the eyes (physically and spiritually) to have seen it.