Be An ‘Andy Antonson’
March 2008
On page eight in the Digest this month, you will see an obituary of Andy Antonson. Andy was a long-time pastor and leader in the Kansas-Nebraska Convention. In the past he served as president of the convention. He was also a good friend and a mentor to me. His passing is a personal loss.
During the years that I served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Mulvane, Kansas, I depended upon a few other pastors to give advice and direction along the way. Andy was one of that few. Whenever I was facing a big decision, I knew that I could count on him. He was always an encourager and gave wise advice.
In a similar vein, Andy would sometimes seek my advice on some matter that he was facing. Even though he was an older and more experienced minister, I had the impression that he always took my advice seriously.
I will miss his friendship and his wisdom. It is not easy to replace that kind of relationship. As a matter of fact, I don’t think it can be replaced. Thankfully, there are others who can step into the gap and give me similar counsel. Even though I am now an older and more experienced minister, I still need that wisdom.
Anyone in ministry needs people like Andy Antonson in their lives to help them meet the challenges of ministry. If you’re in ministry and you don’t have a mentor, let me encourage you to get one. None of us can last very long in the pressures of today’s ministry without a mentor.
We have all seen ministers, even those in the largest churches, stagger and fall under the pressures of the ministry. No one is exempt from these pressures and the need for help. Don’t become one of the statistics. Don’t implode or explode with the pressures of ministry. There are those around you who want to and will help you survive.
If you are a more experienced pastor, consider helping those in ministry around you. If you are a layman in a church, encourage your pastor and staff members to seek out a mentor. Be an encourager to them yourself. The pressure of ministry is greater today than ever before. They need your help.
Find an “Andy Antonson.” Be an “Andy Antonson.” Let’s pull together to finish the race of ministry that God has called us to follow.
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Past Columns
- Gathering Like Family October 2008
- Giving to Viola Webb Missions Offering August 2008
- A Plea For Cooperative Program - Part 2 July 2008
- A Plea For Cooperative Program Support - Part 1 June 2008
- Church Refocus May 2008
- Becoming More Outward Focused April 2008
- What Would We Do Without WCC? February 2008
- Live By The Truth Of The Scriptures January 2008
- Let’s Re-dream The Dream September 2007
- Viola Webb State Missions Offering Helps Meet The Need August 2007
- More Columns from Along the Journey
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