Mary & Dave Pence – 2009 Faithful Servant Award Recipients

Most of us do not enjoy being publicly recognized.  It makes us squirm.  It makes us feel uncomfortable.  We do not like everyone staring at us.  While we all appreciate a thoughtful card or even a gift; public honor in front of an audience?  That’s a different story.

This is magnified at church. For many Christians the awkwardness of being honored is only intensified when the honor comes from their church.  Christians often feel guilty when they are honored for serving the Lord.  We feel like we are just doing what we are supposed to do.

Yet, the practice of honoring individuals for their service is highly beneficial.  Our Annual Worker Appreciation Breakfast will be held on Saturday, January 10th, 2015 at 9am.  This annual tradition is where we show our appreciation to the many volunteers at FBC.  Additionally, we honor two individuals with our Faithful Servant Awards.  Each year, there is an awkwardness for those that we honor.  However, it is right for us to do this.  Let me share some reasons why I believe it is right for FBC to present these awards each year.

1. It motivates others to overcome adversity and continue serving the Lord.  One theme that often emerges from these awards is that God’s servants do not let adversity stop them.  Often those that we have honored have continued to faithfully serve God in spite of severe physical limitations.  In 2009, we honored David Pence.  David continued to serve in Awana even after a stroke severely limited him.  He continued to ride the bus.  He continued to help with the Awana games.  He did not let his stroke stop him from serving the Lord.  Honoring David motivated all of us to keep serving the Lord – even when life gets difficult.
2. It promotes long-term faithfulness.  It is good for others to see that people do serve the Lord for many years.  In 2010, we honored Dorothy Malcolm.  Dorothy has taught Sunday School for over 35 years.  Honoring Dorothy helps others to say, “Maybe I can serve the Lord for 35 years.”
3. It expresses our gratitude.   Bob Jones Sr. once said, “When gratitude dies on the altar of a man’s heart, that man is well-nigh hopeless.”  It is right for FBC to publicly express our gratitude.  “We give thanks to God always for all of you.”  1 Thess. 1:2

Nominate Someone for Our Faithful Servant Awards

Here is where I need your help.  We need nominations for these awards.  Each year we recognize one adult and one teenager.  Your nominations help us determine who we should honor.  Will you help us by submitting your nominations?  You can do so easily through the link below.

Who will you Nominate? 

Stephen

PS – Today is National Fountain Pen Day!  I will be writing with a fountain pen all day long.  If you need a fountain pen, here is a good one to start with.