LLC 2020

Leadership Learning Communities (LLC) are small groups of pastors who gather together to cultivate healthy vital relationships, both personally and professionally. This is a crucial part of fulfilling the region's vision to build healthy partnerships with Churches, Pastoral Leaders and the wider ABC Family. Here are a few reports of recent gatherings ---

Mark Mahserjian-Smith reports:

On Tuesday morning I joined my LLC for the first meeting on the New Year. Our LLC Mentor Pastor and Coach, Rev. Rob Rice (ABCOPAD Regional Ministry Associate for LLC Ministries) used some of our LLC grant money to take the team out for lunch. The Christmas/ New Year season has been especially challenging for some of our members as Pastor Tim Schwartz continues to endure chemo treatments, Pastor Scott Andrews’ wife Lisa has been battling breast cancer and Pastor Chris Hamilton’s Dad faces a serious medical issue causing him to be hospitalized and in need of significant care. It was a blessing just being together along with Pastor David Klock and Pastor Pete Wilson to encourage, support and pray for one another. The lunch at T.J. Rockwell’s was delicious but being with this LLC Team was awesome.

Jeffrey Johnson reports:

Monday morning into the afternoon, I got to kick off the year meeting with members of my LLC. All members were there with the exception of Pastor Chris McClaughlin (Indian Creek Baptist Church) who was having a root canal (ouch!). We spent time catching up with one another about what has been happening in our personal and pastoral lives over the recent holidays/holy days, and then wrapped that up with a time of prayer. Pastor David Earnest (Bethlehem Baptist) had asked everyone to come with lists of the books each have read that have blessed them. From this, the group decided between now and our February gathering to read Francis Chan's "Letters to the Church". Pastor David will prepare questions to facilitate discussion. Pastor Darrell Edgar (Mount Moriah) has decided in 2020 to go 'old school' by using a printed calendar/daytimer, handwriting all his appointments and activities. He shared one of the pages on 'stress management', emphasizing what is 'beyond our control'. The other members of my LLC include Pastor Cristy Wise (former pastor of Bates Fork Baptist, now administrator for Pulpit Speaker Course, and providing pulpit speaking herself), Pastor Will Hough (FBC Connellsville), Pastor Ralph Prinkney (former pastor of Penn Hills Baptist, providing pulpit supply to churches in and outside the ABC in three associations in the southwest corner of ABCOPAD), and Pastor Charles Bowser (Oak Hill Baptist). Those who had the time, finished out our time together by having lunch. It is always a great time of laughter and learning.