As this issue of Norm’s Notes goes out, Linda and I are finishing up a 3 1/2 day conference in Orlando, Florida, with other pastor couples of churches similar in size to FMC. This group gets together every year to just sit around and talk about issues that are unique to our sized churches. Linda and I are always greatly encouraged by this group. Sometimes it is good to know that we are just as normal or abnormal as other leaders of churches. Here are some of the things we learned:
1. The FMC transition of leadership is being watched carefully by other churches. There will be at least six other churches our size that do something similar to our transition in the next six years.
2. The Missionary Church is changing very fast. About 25% of our churches are now ethnic.
3. We are again confirmed in our hearts that FMC is truly unique among churches. We love you folks.

Our denominational president was sitting in the pew in one of our Hawaiian churches. The Hawaiian youth pastor of that church was on the platform giving the announcements for the day. The president heard three elderly ladies behind him say to each other, “At least today he has a shirt on.” Yes! sometimes the Hawaiian youth pastor wears only his nice Hawaiian cut offs to church. Maybe he has to go to minister at the beach real fast after church. It is a cultural thing that is accepted in Hawaii – to not wear a shirt or shoes to church. No, it will not be happening in our resort area!

On Sunday we went to church at Real Life Churchpastored by Mark and Dawn Flood. I once interviewed them to be a part of the FMC staff. Instead they felt led to go to Florida and become campus pastor for Real Life. The church is two years old and has 350 in attendance. The message is always on video from the main campus 40 miles away. Mark’s parents, Gary and Diane Flood, attend FMC.

I am praying for the “Give it All Away Sunday”, March 2, 2014. Our goal is $100,000. That Sunday we are giving our entire offering away to others.