Gathering Like Family

October 2008

As we approach this year’s annual meeting in Lenexa, Kansas, I was thinking back about my participation in the annual meetings of the past. I really don’t remember where or in what year I attended my first annual meeting. My first real memory of going to an annual meeting was a meeting in Omaha in the 1980’s.

It was the first time that I had ever gone to Nebraska. I was excited to see that part of our convention. I was also excited to see Omaha. I had heard a lot about that city and looked forward to it a great deal.

In those days the annual meeting was held later in the fall. I remember that there was a threat of snow while we were in the meeting. I also remember having lunch with Yvonne Keefer and some other folks. She was one of the first KNCSB staffers with whom I became acquainted.

I have been to many annual meetings over the years as a pastor and now as a staff member with the convention. I hear some talk about their reluctance to go to these meeting because it has too much business and not enough inspiration. I have had a different perspective through the years.

I have always thought of those meetings as a family gathering. I know that there is a certain amount of business that we have to conduct to carry on the affairs of our convention. But, I have always focused on the people who come and the sense of kinship that draws us together.

From the very first, even when I didn’t know many people, I felt that we have something special here in KNCSB that is not found in other state conventions. We are focused on missions and evangelism. We have a common affection for each other even when we are not well acquainted.

We are working hard to put more inspiration into our meetings, but I hope that you, like I, could come to see this meeting as a family gathering. The family will gather in the sanctuary of Westside Family Church. It will gather in the display areas and break areas for fellowship. It will scatter around the area for meals with friends. We will plan for the future and celebrate the past.

I hope that you are planning to join all of us in Lenexa. I will see you there.

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