If it’s February, it’s time for Clergy Convocation. Officially, it is the time we clergy of the Rio Texas Conference gather to hear from the Bishop and engage in some continuing education. Unofficially, it’s the time we gossip with our friends.
At every break between sessions, we huddle to try to find out who’s retiring, who’s leaving their church, who asked for a move, and who’s begging to stay where they are. We speculate who might be going where and pontificate on who should be going where. I’d like to say we’re better than all that, and clergy circle up to talk about Jesus . . . but we’re human, after all. We all have a question in our heads – Will I get the call that will change my life? – so this “moving around” business matters to us, especially this time of year.
Fortunately, we don’t have to wonder anymore. As you know, we got the good news last week that Wade Powell has been appointed to serve with us at Bethany. And so, during the break, Don and I huddled up with him and talked so long, we missed a couple of sessions. Wade wanted to know about the ministries, the staff, the community around us here.
Wade also wanted to hear from us, his colleagues, how Bethany is really doing, and we could say with confidence that our church is full of hope – that there is great openness to new ideas, that there is spiritual depth here, and people who want to be challenged to grow in their faith – and also that we know you will welcome him warmly as you did us.
During our huddle sessions, people were streaming by, including the Bishop and District Superintendent. People kept patting us on the shoulders, giving us thumbs up, and saying, “You guys are going to be a great team!” We hope so.
Pastor Stella
