April 2016

What do I love most about serving as your Regional Pastor? That's easy... caring for your pastor! I know how great the demands are on the time and energy of our pastors. They love their calling, but it is demanding. I also know how much it means to know as a pastor how much you are loved, prayed over, and encouraged. I hope I am providing that kind of care to our pastors of the Pacific Region, but I certainly can't do it alone! We are called to bring comfort to one another with the comfort we ourselves have received in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

A recent LifeWay Research survey of over 1,500 pastors across denominational lines discovered the following about the health of our pastors:

- 48% of pastors agree they often feel the demands of ministry are greater than they can handle

- Over 5 out of 10 pastors agree they are often concerned about the financial security of their family

- 54% of pastors agreed that the role of pastoring is frequently overwhelming

- More than 1 in 3 pastors agree they feel isolated as a pastor

What can you do to care for your pastor?

- Give your pastor a sabbatical every 5-7 years, lasting 3-6 months. Only 29% of churches reported in the LifeWay survey that a plan is in place for their pastor to periodically receive a sabbatical.

- Gift the time and registration for your pastor and his wife to attend major regional events like Bible Camp, the LEAD retreat in Cannon Beach and the national and regional conventions. Also consider sending your pastor's wife to the women's retreats and pastor's wives retreat.

- Ask them what ongoing training, classes and/or certification would be helpful in their ministry…. (sometimes this is paired well with a sabbatical).

- Provide ongoing care, encouragement, and welcomed gifts… such as filling their pantry with groceries… sharing a love offering… offer free babysitting of their children...or give the use of a timeshare…

- Consider establishing a pastoral care team that works under the director of the elders. Only 34% of churches reported they have a pastoral support group in place care for the health of the pastor’s family.

Healthy pastors contribute to healthier churches! I would welcome to visit with leadership teams within our churches to explore how to implement some of these or other ideas. It's a joy to serve our pastors, leaders and congregations of the Pacific Region. May His will be done and His Kingdom come.

With a grateful heart,

Regional Pastor Phil Heiser

April 2016

Upcoming Regional & National Events…- Warm Beach Family Bible Camp, June 28-July 3. Registration is NOW open! Register before May

1 for a $20 discount per camper! Pray for evening speaker, Rev. Brandon Pangman, speaking on the theme: ”Graciously & Generously Forgiven!" Next Bible Camp Board meeting will be Saturday, May 14.

- God, Guys, Grub, and Guns @ SoreAcres, June 3-4. Don & Jan Sorsenson host this men's event on their property in Amboy, WA. Contact Don at djsorenson@q.com to sign-up or for any questions.

- CLB Bi-Annual National Convention, July 16-19 in Fergus Falls, MN. For all members of churches, please consider serving as a delegate! You will enjoy the fellowship of the CLB family, become more informed of our shared mission and plans for the upcoming year, and be a blessing to your local church!

Prayer Requests...- Prayer for our CLB Council of Directors as they meet next Thursday, April 7. Our synodical ministries

are experiencing a significant financial shortfall necessary to fund our budgeted ministry. Please prayerfully consider how you or your church could make a special offering to the CLB before April 30.

- Pr. Bob Hosmer as he travels and visits our missionaries in Japan. Pray for Seminarian Russ Krause as he fills the pulpit for Pr. Bob at Anchor of Hope the next several Sundays, continues his seminary coursework and works his full-time job!

- Praise that Grace Lutheran (Edmonds) is able to remain in it's current rented church facility. The potential buyer of the property is looking elsewhere. Pray for the church as seek pastoral care and preaching for their church as their primary pulpit supply pastor, Rt. Pr. Randy (& Linda) Paulson, moves to Colorado.

- Praise for a wonderful L.E.A.D. Retreat this past month in Cannon Beach. Over 90 from throughout the PNW heard inspiring messages from CLB President Rev. Paul Larson on "The Gospel in Leadership." A generous offering was given, along with registration credits from Cannon Beach, which will make it possible for more first-timers to attend next year! We would love to have folks from the Pacific South join us as well! Mark your calendars for March 3-4, 2017.

Regional Pastor Phil’s planned congregational visits this April…• April 3 - Maple Park Church (Lynnwood, WA)

• April 10 - Rock of Ages (Seattle, WA)

• April 17 - Solid Rock Community Church (Salem, OR)

• April 24 - Calvary Community Church (Fullerton, CA)

Staying In Touch with Regional Pastor Phil… 425-318-2528 (phone or text) - pheiser@clba.org (email) - lbpacific.org (website & Facebook, twitter)

April 2016March 2016 Pacific Regional Highlights in Pictures…

Borderless Mexico Mission Team 2016

Loyal Clarke (Desert Rose - Tempe, AZ) & RP Phil

RP Phil, Pr. David Abel, & President Paul @ Living Word, Easter SundayRP Phil & Wendy’s visit with Good Shepherd

Ministries in Buda, TX

Generation Church, Chandler, AZ

President Paul & Bee

Larson with G.T.

& Ann Gunhus, Easter

Sunday @ Living

Word CC in Phoenix,

AZ

LEAD 2016 Retreat - Cannon Beach, OR