September 4, 2025
Good morning,
As I mentioned yesterday I have benefitted from many opportunities in my life.
When I was pastor of the three churches in my career, I was given instant community. I knew we had people who carried for me and my family immediately.
I grew up in the small town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was safe and I had a public library that I could walk to.
I went to university/seminary in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. When I left seminary after 6 years of higher education, I had only $1600 in student debt.
We raised our family in Ontario where we had universal health care, a church pension, Family allowance, our kids could play hockey , and we always had food on the table.
I was gifted three sabbaticals from the Floradale Mennonite Church.
For my skill that took 10,000 hours would be preparing and delivering over 1500 sermons/presentations. I did a lot of visitation that added up to 10,000 hours at least.
The subtitle of Gladwell’s book is A Story of Success. I am not sure I have been successful because of what metrics I would look at. The churches where I was the pastor did not grow. Did I invite people to a deeper walk with God ? Did my 10,000 hours of sermons change the world ? How do you rate success ?
I am happy. I have enough money to retire. I have a great family. I had three great churches. If I am a success, I didn’t do it on my own. Thank you everyone for all the help and opportunities you have given me.’
Fred
black and white shadows
crush humanity’s freedom
am I complicit ? MPL 2025
Ponder Anew 