Taking time to give thanks…

By Dr. Gregory Wiens

The life of a leader is often lived always wanting things to be better or more significant. However, a life lived that way lacks the contentment that Paul talks about in Philippians 4 when he writes: “¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

We often quote the last part of Paul’s thought without understanding the context in which he says it. He knows he can do all things through Christ, because he has learned to be content. That is an interesting juxtaposition of thoughts; he is content and has learned to live on plenty or little, so he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. In other words, because Christ gives him strength to accept and be content with whatever comes his way, he knows he can do whatever Christ wants done. Let’s not take that verse out of context.

Paul learned to be content by going through tough times and giving them to Christ through prayer, as he says a few versus before (Philippians 4.6-7). He learned to give all things to Christ through prayer and to be thankful in all things and to rejoice in all circumstances (Philippians 4.4-5).

I need to tell you how thankful I was Thursday, October 15, 2009 as we had our Annual Fall Ministries Meeting. As I looked around at the pastors in this state and the caliber of leaders we are privileged to serve with, I could not help but to wonder: who wouldn’t be thankful! I want to personally thank the Elders of this state who continue to serve behind the scenes through holding me accountable and yet getting my back. I have never worked with such a group of committed individuals who truly hold my feet to policies and procedures with love and affection for the ministry and me. Bill Ferguson, Johnny Legons, Leona Marshall-Spann, Jack Hilligoss, Alejandro De Francisco, Ken Bish and for this next year, Martha Black continue to serve selflessly, thank you.

Then I looked at our staff, Ed Koch, Mike Brookins, Alex Vega, and Alejandro De Francisco and how they also serve so many hours for the Kingdom of God, through the Church of God Ministries here in Florida. They did a wonderful job of organizing the whole day as well as serving every other day of the year, thank you.

But, it doesn’t end there. I truly am grateful for the pastors of large churches who not only not continue to carve time out of their schedules to be there, but also whose budgets’ continue to support Florida Church of God Ministries. I continue to hear how large church pastors in many states check out of state ministry, which is surely not true in Florida.

But, it doesn’t end there. I am continually amazed at all of the medium-sized church pastors who bring their staff and continue to show support with their time and financial support. It is so easy to only worry about your own church when you are a pastor of a medium-sized church with too many things to do and not enough money or staff to do it. I am grateful you too were there.

But, it doesn’t end there. I watched and was thankful for the many pastors of small congregations and bi-vocational pastors who personally sacrificed to be there Thursday as well as continue to give precious parts of the church budget for state ministries. I know of a number of you who actually took time off of your work (without pay) to be there and support Florida Church of God Ministries. I can’t say enough about you.

As you can tell, I am overwhelmed by the committed and called pastors, leaders and staff of this state. I have never labored in an environment where I have been so free to lead and yet be supported and held accountable, as I have been here in Florida Church of God Ministries. Each of you is a critical part of what God is doing here; I hope you appreciate the valued role you fill. I truly am content with where God has me, and I truly believe we have not even begun to see all that God will do through all of us as each fulfill our roles in expanding the Kingdom of God through the Church of God in Florida.