Our vision for each pastor in our region is to be: Centered in Christ! Competent in Ministry and Colleagues in Community!

We fulfill this vision best when we partner and support one another by each of us becoming a member of our Regional ABCOPAD and National ABCUSA Ministers Council. Last year, your colleagues, who serve on the ABCOPAD Ministers Council Executive Committee, provided value to you, our fellow pastors, through: 

In 2015 we will continue to provide value to you through similar ministries. We are in the initial planning phases of offering spiritual retreats for pastors this fall. In conjunction with the Biennial Mission Summit in Kansas City, the National Ministers Council is offering a spiritual renewal retreat for pastors as well. These ministries I mentioned above are only sustainable when there is a healthy level of membership in The Ministers Council, which is the only organization in our shared life which is solely dedicated to supporting and advocating for ministerial leaders.

Within the next week, you will be receiving a letter from us addressed to your treasurer. In that letter we explain to your treasurer the value of your church providing a Ministers Council Membership for you. When you receive the letter, please take it and share it with your treasurer and ask him or her to pay your Ministers Council Membership for 2015. On behalf of my colleagues who serve on the Executive Committee, we thank you in advance for responding to this partnership request.

In Christ,

David Braneky

President ABCOPAD Ministers Council

P.S. Here is a link to the ABCOPAD web-page where you can pay for your membership on-line:

Ministry can often eat away at family time or time with your spouse. Because it is "God's Work," a spouse can sometimes feel like it is wrong to feel cheated of time with their ministry spouse. Make sure that your spouse and family know that they have a higher priority than the work of ministry (if God is first, family second, then the work of ministry must be third!). Give them permission to let you know (permission to whine!) when they don't feel like they have enough of your time. Protect your family time (shut off the phone or take it off the hook during dinner). Let your congregation know that there are times when you are not available, except for emergencies. Give them people to contact in case of an emergency, then allow yourself to not be available unless those emergency contacts call you. Put family events on your calendar in ink. And every now and then, cancel your involvement in a church event in order to attend a family event. Our priorities should be reflected in our actions and our calendars.