I have heard it said that your real net worth is your network. If that is true than those of us in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) are wealthy beyond measure – or at least we have the potential to be.
One of the greatest privileges and benefits of a network like the FGBC are the relationships that have existed, do exist, or could exist among those who call this tribe their home. Anyone who is willing to be intentional to reach out, humble to receive help and committed to serving others will find that our spiritual family is a treasure chest of blessing.
I know I have experienced this gift more times than I can even count in my nearly 13 years as a Grace Brethren pastor. Brothers and sisters have prayed and served with me, and taught, counseled, and led me in ministry. I have also had the chance to do the same to many others. What a privilege to be in a spiritual family that is full of rich Biblical content, and where there is access to the people who are trained with that knowledge and have a commitment to fulfill God’s mission. Many of my ministry colleagues who are not part of the FGBC have shared how they would bene t from having such people in their lives.
We will be gathering as a family of churches from July 25-27 in Fremont, Ohio for the national FGBC conference, Access.
Access is an opportunity to capitalize on this incredible network and is designed for our tribe to take advantage of our greatest strength as a spiritual movement — each other. The purpose is to connect ministry leaders with other ministry leaders and practitioners in areas of current focus or future ministry. The FGBC has an abundance of technology talent and practitioners who often have not had space to connect and bless each other. The same goes for many in other local church ministries. Access is an opportunity to grow not just our content file, but our contact files, as well.
I encourage you to participate in Access this summer. Make it possible for your ministry team, whether paid or volunteer, to attend Access with you.
Register for conference at access2017.com.
I believe you and your team will be grateful the type of access to content and contacts that this conference will create.
Editor’s Note: Keith Minier is the coordinator for Access 2017, the national conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. He has served as Lead Pastor at Grace Fellowship, Pickerington, Ohio, since he left a career as a chemist in 2004. In that time, he’s led the church through a tremendous move of God as the church has grown from a weekly attendance of 70 to a movement of more than 3,000.
This story first appeared in the Summer 2017 GraceConnect magazine. If you would like to have your personal copy delivered to you via U.S. Mail, click here for your free subscription.