‘MCNO’ provides laughter, relaxation, discussions, connections
JACKSON — Joe Sorah said he recently felt the Lord was calling him to play the role of matchmaker.
No, not in the traditional sense of helping individuals find suitable dating partners, but rather by helping married couples — specifically ministry couples — find new friendships among their peers.
“When talking to pastors and their wives, one of the recurring problems that we kept hearing about was loneliness,” said Sorah, strengthening gospel leaders team leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “That seemed especially true with ministers’ wives, but also with pastors themselves. So, we really started thinking about ways to help couples get connected.”
Sorah spent several months working together with Matt Tullos, stewardship specialist for the TBMB, to develop the concept for an event that would allow church leaders — including pastors, directors of missions, staff and others — to join with their spouses for an extended time of fellowship with other couples.
The idea developed into “Ministry Couples Night Out” (MCNO) — an event designed to give ministry leaders and their spouses a night off while also helping them build connections with other couples.
The event, funded by giving through the Cooperative Program, was held at six different churches across the state during the month of May.
“Our goal was to invest in ministry couples — giving them a meal and a time of reprieve,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “We wanted to take this opportunity to do something that was going to bless them, help them and encourage them.
“This is our way of saying thank you for all you do for the cause of Christ, for giving through the Cooperative Program and the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions,” Davis said. “Most importantly, we wanted them to know — we love you, we’re for you, and we’re with you.”
At each of the six host sites, the MCNO included:
• Dinner. A free meal — catered by a local restaurant — that included a salad, an entree and a dessert.
• Videos. Attendees watched two short videos, both created and produced by Tullos. One was an inspirational video about the impact of pastors (narrated by Davis) and the other was a humorous video about the day-to-day challenges of ministry work.
• Game show. With Sorah and Tullos serving as emcees, contestants were picked from the crowd to participate in a game of “The Greatest Average Pastor” — a modified version of the popular TV game show, “The Greatest Average American” hosted by Nashville comedian Nate Bargatze.
• Entertainment. Tullos and his wife, Darlene, performed a three-minute skit, depicting a pastor and his wife after a particularly tough day that involved a series of calamities, but ended with gratitude and resolve.
• Discussion. Choosing from a list of provided topics — which included “craziest question you’ve ever heard from a church member” and “toughest ministry challenges” — attendees engaged in conversations around the tables.
• Prayer. Each event ended with a time of prayer, with Sorah and Tullos taking prayer requests from each table. These were often intensely personal, as attendees shared stories about family members who have turned away from the Lord.
Danny Sinquefield, Harvest Field One team leader for the TBMB, attended the West Jackson event. He said the evening was a great way to express gratitude for ministry leaders.
“We’re so appreciative of this group for what you do, for serving the Lord, for loving your churches, and for partnering together with us in the ministry of the Great Commission,” Sinquefield said.
Joel Pigg, senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Trenton, attended the West Jackson event with his wife, Suzanne. Pigg said he felt the MCNO was a unique opportunity to form new relationships and an opportunity to “talk shop” with other couples.
“We knew that we wanted to participate because we always enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie of being with others who are walking where we walk,” said Pigg.
“After the banquet, Suzanne and I talked about how beneficial it was to hang out with other pastors and pastors’ wives,” he said. “The reason being that only pastors and their wives truly understand the real — good and bad — of being in our position. Other folks may say they understand, but only those who’ve experienced it in real life truly understand.”
Sinquefield encouraged all of the attendees to “keep fighting the good fight.”
“We have one master, one mission and one message,” said Sinquefield. “And let me just say to every pastor, church leader and association leader in the room tonight — in case no one has told you this in a while — you are a part of the greatest work in the world.
“As much as we are thankful for doctors and other professions, the work of the gospel, the work of the local church, is the most significant work in the world. What you do matters — and we appreciate you,” Sinquefield added.
Pigg said the MCNO was a perfect break from the routine and said that he and Suzanne enjoyed everything from the meal to the fellowship to the entertainment.
“For starters, the food was pretty doggone good — and the desserts!” he said with a laugh.
“Plus, we really loved the light-heartedness of the evening. We really enjoyed how casual, fun, and funny it was. We also loved hearing the stories of others. When someone shared, the rest of us were like “Yep! We know what you’re talkin’ ‘bout!’ ”
Pigg joked that the evening was better than a trip to the spa — or the psychiatrist’s couch.
“Just hanging, relaxing, laughing, sharing with other comrades and soldiers — the whole thing was extremely therapeutic,” he said. B&R