Fanning the Flame

In about an hour I'll be leaving for a pastor's conference called Fanning the Flame.  It is sponsored by my denomination and promises to be a good event.  Our first Fanning the Flame conference was held two years ago, and I've often said it was the best event our denomination has ever offered.  My prayer is that this one will compare quite favorably to the first one.

The good news about this one is I'm not leading any workshops.  I can simply "sit and soak" throughout the entire event.  Everyone in ministry needs such times in their lives.  Think about the title of this conference: Fanning the Flame.  Each of us in ministry carries a flame within us, but over time that flame can begin to dwindle.  The various pressures of ministry can cause the flame to almost go out resulting in less passion within us for what we do and less light to those who observe what we do.  All of us need to take time to fan the flame to help it grow brighter and produce more heat and more light.

I know I write often about the importance of bivocational ministers attending workshops and conferences, but it's because I know how important it is for us to keep the flame within us burning brightly.  I also know from experience how easy it is for the flame to almost go out and the results of that happening.  I don't want you to experience that.  Find at least one event this summer that you can attend that will help fan the flame within you.