A New Hire and A Pastoral Challenge?

Someone taped a small article from the Tulsa World to my mailbox outside my office door. It’s about the Senior Pastor of Second Congregational Church in Rockford, Illinois who swam the English Channel to raise money to build a school in Africa. Rev Mike Solberg swam for 21 miles for almost 14 hours. He raised $30,000 towards his goal. My question is why was this left on my door?

Option 1: Someone found this interesting and thought that I would enjoy it.

Option 2: This person thought that I wasn’t living up to my potential as a Senior Pastor and this might motivate me or challenge me. LOL

Option 3: This person thinks we should build a school in Africa also or maybe donate to his fundraiser.

Option 4: This person knows that I need more exercise and thought that this “fundraising” swimming might give me an excuse to spend more time at the pool.

I just don’t know. I do know that this person is over 50 years old because they read an actual newspaper. I do know that I will never swim for 21 miles because I am not a very good swimmer and I don’t like to get my face wet. I do know that I have spent way tooo much time thinking about this small piece of paper taped to my mailbox. So whoever you are out there, thank you. It’s been fun to ponder the possibilities even though it did make me feel a little inadequate as a Pastor. But not enough to motivate me to swim!

Now for something more serious. We have hired an OFFICE MANAGER this week and she is so over qualified that I know that she was sent by God to us. I also want to thank Ellie Kinman because she came as a guest to worship and had prayed that someone besides staff and volunteers would talk to her. Ellie was that answer to prayer. Her name is Patty and she will begin on Monday. Watch the November newsletter for more information about Patty! I have to confess to squealing and doing my happy dance that she said yes. I can’t wait for you to meet her.

Finally, please, please, please take home cookie bags on Sunday and bring back cookies for Kairos. This is a really easy mission project that changes lives. I do not have time to bake them all!

Love,