| Passionate Leadership Conference |
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| Written by Alayne Croto |
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Dates: January 24-25, 20010 These thoughts were created on the back seat of Linda Frano's SUV, I was sitting on the hump, to be exact. Pastor David, Linda, Leslie, Mark and I were returning from the Passionate Leadership Conference in Orlando on Monday. We hugged and talked with Brent Byerman and Kip Younger. The speakers were awesome; we didn't want them to stop talking. Also, everyone smiled, no matter where I looked; I saw upturned lips and lots of teeth! Conversations were started with total strangers over the snack buffet, people I never expected to meet were popping strawberries and grapes, and slurping yogurt and talking to me! A picture was taken of our group, as we were told we had the largest contingent attending. On Sunday night before closing, there was an intimate time, the lights were lowered, the music softened, and an invitation was offered to confess aloud anything we needed to confess. Not asking God for blessings, but telling fellow ministers and lay people our fears, anger.....things we keep hidden in ourselves, lids on the pots that keep us boiling inside, and prevent our spirit from going forth. The words came slow at first, and then became constant as the vessels tipped forward, and the contents gently flowed, confessions joining confessions, things never uttered out loud before, in the holy safety of God's house. There were tears dripping, and some sobs heard. Mighty men of the pulpit, who we dump our troubles and petty complaints on, stood and yielded forth feelings that had been stuffed away where preachers and hard working lay folks keep stuff hidden. Hands were clutched, friend to friend, and stranger to stranger. I figured it is rude to wipe your tears and dripping nose with the back of someone else's hand, so let the waters run, and felt the cleaner for it. Getting back to sitting on the hump in Linda's car......maybe this is how preachers feel? Perching on a narrow seat, straddling issues, trying not to loose their grip, and slip, hanging upside down for dear life, still trying to help all of us. We parishioners need to support our pastors, understand they are human just like us. But God blesses ALL of us. |
