I can remember when my 11 year-old boy, Joey, finished his first 5k race. He was out of breath. Not only was he out of breath, but he was so out of breath that he wanted nothing to do with me. He ripped the water bottle out of my hand and walked about 100 yards away to simply focus on breathing.
This past Sunday was another such occasion. People were emotionally out of breath. This is the case nearly every year, the Sunday after Christmas. It is more apparent when Christmas Eve lands one or two days before Sunday. The result is that attendance goes down and many of those who do come to worship almost seem to drag themselves into the sanctuary.
How we deal with this annual trend is critical to how the month of January goes for the church. Yes, Joey was tired and needed to recover (wouldn't you?). But what came next was the difference between regression and progression. His first words to me, once he had enough oxygen, were 'That was awesome!'. He immediately wanted to know when the next race would happen.
As a Christian community, we always need to look ahead, even as we are tired from the past. It is the difference between a church that regresses to what use to be and a church that progresses toward what God wants it to be. When we ask, 'what is next', we open the door to a January that is full of hope and dreams instead of a January that is gloomy and gray.
At Emmanuel, you will have plenty encouragement to look ahead. But ultimately it will need to be you to open your mind to the possibilities. I hope you find that your January is even more exciting than your December. May God fill you with hopes and dreams.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Avoiding Burnout
As 2010 comes upon us, one change at Emmanuel is glaring: more intentional ministry! More ministry means more people, more time, more commitments, more resources, more energy. As Emmanuel changes how ministry is dreamed, planned, implemented and evaluated, it will be necessary for some of you to adjust to the changes. I'm specifically speaking to those of you who are use to being active in more than one ministry. Some of you have historically been involved in nearly everything. I'm going to be bold here. Ready? Those days are over.
Burnout is a huge issue in churches that live out God's Call. This is because such churches are super busy and branch out in multiple ways. The danger in this is what we call 'burnout'. Burnout is when you expend so much energy and time for such a long time in multiple ways that you simply run out of steam. A person who experiences burnout throws up their hands and suddenly says, 'I can't do this anymore'. Burned out people become tired, frustrated, cranky and irritated. The church doesn't need those kinds of people. The world has enough of them already.
As your pastor, I have some degree of responsibility to seeing to your spiritual health, especially as it relates to the church. You need to have a balance of being fed and feeding others just as I do. I will be encouraging you to consider the following guidelines to help you meet this balance:
1. Attending worship is necessary as it gives one a sense of community, purpose and inspiration.
2. Clearly Churches have found over the generations that a good, nurturing Small Group does wonders for ministry (just ask John Wesley). It fills your gas tank up and keeps you motivated, supported and encouraged.
3. If you are one more than one of the following ministry teams, then please pick one for 2010. These teams will be the busiest and being on more than one of these teams will test your endurance:
Faith Forming Relationships
Radical Hospitality
Risk-Taking Outreach
Passionate Worship
Trustees
Missions
4. If you are on one of the above teams, you may serve on one of the following teams, but not more than one. If you are not on one of the above teams, you may be able to serve on any 2 of the following:
Staff-Parish Relations
Finance
Compassionate Care
Multi-Media
Lay Ministries (nominations)
5. Emmanuel has a VERY active UMW. If you are heavily involved with UMW, please be aware that any team you are serving on is going to also need your time. Commit accordingly.
6. While some serve on teams, I realize that many of you do not. However, many of you have been willing to help out with the programs associated with the teams. Those who are not on teams can burnout as well if they are helping out with everything under the sun. Find out what God has called you to and go for it. And, no, God hasn't called you to be everything for everybody.
7. While pastors and churches appreciate your willingness to serve, we would prefer to have you as a servant on a long-term basis. Please keep tabs on your spiritual health. We are running a marathon, not a sprint.
I feel that I must add a footnote here. Servanthood is a natural response to God's grace. One serves because they are inspired by God who reaches out to them, embraces them, inspires them and teaches them. Finding a way to serve in the church is a great way to give back to God. If you are not serving in some area, you are encouraged to find a way. Everyone can be a part of expanding God's Kingdom one person at a time.
Burnout is a huge issue in churches that live out God's Call. This is because such churches are super busy and branch out in multiple ways. The danger in this is what we call 'burnout'. Burnout is when you expend so much energy and time for such a long time in multiple ways that you simply run out of steam. A person who experiences burnout throws up their hands and suddenly says, 'I can't do this anymore'. Burned out people become tired, frustrated, cranky and irritated. The church doesn't need those kinds of people. The world has enough of them already.
As your pastor, I have some degree of responsibility to seeing to your spiritual health, especially as it relates to the church. You need to have a balance of being fed and feeding others just as I do. I will be encouraging you to consider the following guidelines to help you meet this balance:
1. Attending worship is necessary as it gives one a sense of community, purpose and inspiration.
2. Clearly Churches have found over the generations that a good, nurturing Small Group does wonders for ministry (just ask John Wesley). It fills your gas tank up and keeps you motivated, supported and encouraged.
3. If you are one more than one of the following ministry teams, then please pick one for 2010. These teams will be the busiest and being on more than one of these teams will test your endurance:
Faith Forming Relationships
Radical Hospitality
Risk-Taking Outreach
Passionate Worship
Trustees
Missions
4. If you are on one of the above teams, you may serve on one of the following teams, but not more than one. If you are not on one of the above teams, you may be able to serve on any 2 of the following:
Staff-Parish Relations
Finance
Compassionate Care
Multi-Media
Lay Ministries (nominations)
5. Emmanuel has a VERY active UMW. If you are heavily involved with UMW, please be aware that any team you are serving on is going to also need your time. Commit accordingly.
6. While some serve on teams, I realize that many of you do not. However, many of you have been willing to help out with the programs associated with the teams. Those who are not on teams can burnout as well if they are helping out with everything under the sun. Find out what God has called you to and go for it. And, no, God hasn't called you to be everything for everybody.
7. While pastors and churches appreciate your willingness to serve, we would prefer to have you as a servant on a long-term basis. Please keep tabs on your spiritual health. We are running a marathon, not a sprint.
I feel that I must add a footnote here. Servanthood is a natural response to God's grace. One serves because they are inspired by God who reaches out to them, embraces them, inspires them and teaches them. Finding a way to serve in the church is a great way to give back to God. If you are not serving in some area, you are encouraged to find a way. Everyone can be a part of expanding God's Kingdom one person at a time.
Monday, December 7, 2009
As we now have a strong Vision in place for 'making disciples of Jesus Christ', let's turn our attention to considering what is the most crucial Vision component for Emmanuel to improve upon. Certainly there may be many different opinions on this matter, but as I have prayed about this much, one component kept coming back to me.....
Radical Hospitality - what steps can we take to encourage others to feel welcomed and prepare them to encounter God?
As we have started a second service, now we can freely invite, invite and invite without the fear of running out of parking or feeling too crowded. The potential to have a warm, friendly environment is enormous. Emmanuel is already filled with friendly people, but the sacred space of the church is waiting to reflect that friendliness. The Hospitality Team will soon be working on ways to decorate the bare walls of the lobby with an Emmanuel-like theme.
Also, informal conversation has started about finding worship banners for the blank walls of the sanctuary. There are worship banner patterns available for anyone wanting to get involved with this. Not only will banners warm up the sacred space, but it will also help with sound acoustics.
Another aspect of Radical Hospitality is being more intentional about welcoming visitors. Within the next couple of weeks we hope to have a program implented so that every visitor knows they were welcomed and feels as though the church is there for them.
Finally, the challenge of cleaning the church building remains a challenge. So far, the volunteerism looks like this:
W.O.W. has volunteered to keep the upstairs cleaned for the entire year...woohooo!
Joe and Wilma Gamel have volunteered to clean the bathrooms....woohooo!
The Sunday morning Small Group (Kim Royer's group) has volunteered for February..woohoo!
Kathy Bolton has volunteered to help fill in when needed (including December)...woohoo!
As you see, we are making progress, but we are still needing help. What we need is the following:
March-December - groups to commit to one month of cleaning sanctuary and basement levels at least twice during the month.
While the other components of the Vision are equally important, it is my honest opinion the deepest untapped potential of Emmanuel is the Hospitality component. If you feel called or gifted to helping Emmanuel be a more welcoming place, please consider being part of the team and contact Pastor Joe. You can make a serious impact on the Vision that Emmanuel has for the future.
Radical Hospitality - what steps can we take to encourage others to feel welcomed and prepare them to encounter God?
As we have started a second service, now we can freely invite, invite and invite without the fear of running out of parking or feeling too crowded. The potential to have a warm, friendly environment is enormous. Emmanuel is already filled with friendly people, but the sacred space of the church is waiting to reflect that friendliness. The Hospitality Team will soon be working on ways to decorate the bare walls of the lobby with an Emmanuel-like theme.
Also, informal conversation has started about finding worship banners for the blank walls of the sanctuary. There are worship banner patterns available for anyone wanting to get involved with this. Not only will banners warm up the sacred space, but it will also help with sound acoustics.
Another aspect of Radical Hospitality is being more intentional about welcoming visitors. Within the next couple of weeks we hope to have a program implented so that every visitor knows they were welcomed and feels as though the church is there for them.
Finally, the challenge of cleaning the church building remains a challenge. So far, the volunteerism looks like this:
W.O.W. has volunteered to keep the upstairs cleaned for the entire year...woohooo!
Joe and Wilma Gamel have volunteered to clean the bathrooms....woohooo!
The Sunday morning Small Group (Kim Royer's group) has volunteered for February..woohoo!
Kathy Bolton has volunteered to help fill in when needed (including December)...woohoo!
As you see, we are making progress, but we are still needing help. What we need is the following:
March-December - groups to commit to one month of cleaning sanctuary and basement levels at least twice during the month.
While the other components of the Vision are equally important, it is my honest opinion the deepest untapped potential of Emmanuel is the Hospitality component. If you feel called or gifted to helping Emmanuel be a more welcoming place, please consider being part of the team and contact Pastor Joe. You can make a serious impact on the Vision that Emmanuel has for the future.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
As we start a new season at Emmanuel we are also engaging a rather large challenge: a second worship service. There are many dynamics that are affected by adding a worship service. There are also myths, attitudes and approaches that can either hinder or help such a new ministry. Let me briefly go through a few dangerous attitudes as well as some helpful attitudes. Let me start with the positive because I'm in an optimistic mood this morning:
Helpful Attitude #1: 'Wow! We have an awesome opportunity here!'
With a second service, there will be more sacred space to be filled. The parking lot will be more empty and the sanctuary will be more empty. Think of all the space we have to fill with new people. And the more people who come, the more who can be connected to Jesus to start the circle of disciple-making.
Helpful Attitude #2: 'Invite, Invite, Invite'
Switch your gears. Think more about invitational opportunities. Think about your trusted friends who have no church home. Find ways to invite them. Don't give up. Pick them up on Sunday morning if need be. Be persistent, but not over-bearing. If you are excited about Emmanuel and it is relevant and authentic and pursuing excellence, then why wouldn't you be inviting others? We've got space to fill. The worst that could happen is that people would tell you 'no'.
Dangerous Attitude #1: 'I want to see everybody and know what is going on all the time and everywhere in my church'.
This attitude has so many theological flaws it makes me nautious just reading it. First, worship isn't about you. Worship is about giving people who want to worship God an opportunity to worship God.
Secondly, this attitude is pervasive in small churches that want to stay small. There are instances in which small churches are a strength and needed in the world. But when you are church in the growing East side of Cincinnati that wants to 'make disciples of Jesus Christ', the attitude of wanting to stay small works against the opportunities and the purpose of the church. If you want more people to connect with Jesus at Emmanuel, the reality is that it might get so big that you can't see and know everyone and everything all the time.
Thirdly, church is by definition a community. It is no one person's church. And the only reason it can be a community is because God allows it to be so. Ownership of a church needs to be approached with humble acknowledgement of God's grace. It can only be 'my church' when God opens the door, lets me in, and gives me the responsibility of expanding His Kingdom. Even then it is ultimately God's church. He's just entrusting it to you.
Dangerous Attitude #2: A second worship service divides the church
When people think of their church, they often picture the worship service. So, naturally, when the worship service is divided, then they think the church has become divided. When church grows (especially when space is limited), it will necessarily need more than one worship service. This should be seen as an expansion of the church, not a division. When Small Groups got started, people didn't see it as a division, it was an expansion. When Children's Sunday School got re-established, people didn't see it as a division, but an expansion. It is the same with a new worship service. It is still one congregation, but now there are two opportunities to worship.
How do you adjust to not seeing everyone every week? See church more wholistically. When you think of church, don't let it be defined only by the worship service you attend. Let your picture of church expand to the Vision it is living out. The church is reaching out, welcoming, inspiring and teaching others to be disciples. Worship service is an important part, but only one part. There are tons of other ministries that happen Monday through Saturday that are doing their part in defining the kind of church that God wants it to be. So get more involved. Join a Small Group. Work on a Team. You'll find that when church becomes more than just worship, God's voice becomes even stronger and your discipleship journey becomes more exciting.
Pastor Joe
Helpful Attitude #1: 'Wow! We have an awesome opportunity here!'
With a second service, there will be more sacred space to be filled. The parking lot will be more empty and the sanctuary will be more empty. Think of all the space we have to fill with new people. And the more people who come, the more who can be connected to Jesus to start the circle of disciple-making.
Helpful Attitude #2: 'Invite, Invite, Invite'
Switch your gears. Think more about invitational opportunities. Think about your trusted friends who have no church home. Find ways to invite them. Don't give up. Pick them up on Sunday morning if need be. Be persistent, but not over-bearing. If you are excited about Emmanuel and it is relevant and authentic and pursuing excellence, then why wouldn't you be inviting others? We've got space to fill. The worst that could happen is that people would tell you 'no'.
Dangerous Attitude #1: 'I want to see everybody and know what is going on all the time and everywhere in my church'.
This attitude has so many theological flaws it makes me nautious just reading it. First, worship isn't about you. Worship is about giving people who want to worship God an opportunity to worship God.
Secondly, this attitude is pervasive in small churches that want to stay small. There are instances in which small churches are a strength and needed in the world. But when you are church in the growing East side of Cincinnati that wants to 'make disciples of Jesus Christ', the attitude of wanting to stay small works against the opportunities and the purpose of the church. If you want more people to connect with Jesus at Emmanuel, the reality is that it might get so big that you can't see and know everyone and everything all the time.
Thirdly, church is by definition a community. It is no one person's church. And the only reason it can be a community is because God allows it to be so. Ownership of a church needs to be approached with humble acknowledgement of God's grace. It can only be 'my church' when God opens the door, lets me in, and gives me the responsibility of expanding His Kingdom. Even then it is ultimately God's church. He's just entrusting it to you.
Dangerous Attitude #2: A second worship service divides the church
When people think of their church, they often picture the worship service. So, naturally, when the worship service is divided, then they think the church has become divided. When church grows (especially when space is limited), it will necessarily need more than one worship service. This should be seen as an expansion of the church, not a division. When Small Groups got started, people didn't see it as a division, it was an expansion. When Children's Sunday School got re-established, people didn't see it as a division, but an expansion. It is the same with a new worship service. It is still one congregation, but now there are two opportunities to worship.
How do you adjust to not seeing everyone every week? See church more wholistically. When you think of church, don't let it be defined only by the worship service you attend. Let your picture of church expand to the Vision it is living out. The church is reaching out, welcoming, inspiring and teaching others to be disciples. Worship service is an important part, but only one part. There are tons of other ministries that happen Monday through Saturday that are doing their part in defining the kind of church that God wants it to be. So get more involved. Join a Small Group. Work on a Team. You'll find that when church becomes more than just worship, God's voice becomes even stronger and your discipleship journey becomes more exciting.
Pastor Joe
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Unleashing a Welcoming and Friendly Monster
We have unleashed a monster at Emmaunel. It is called the Radical Hospitality Team. As I have challenged the church to consider what it means to be welcoming to visitors, the team has gone above and beyond what I ever dreamed and have bowled me over with ideas. It is in these situations that I have learned to stay out of the way and let God work in others. Hospitality has only had two meetings, but let me share what they are dreaming:
1. Visitor Follow-Up - Visitors who make their presence known need to know that we were glad they came to worship with us. A plan is to go beyond just a call from the pastor, but to be sure they are informed about the church and all the ministries that go on here. Most important, a very brief visit to the front door of their home will be made to make sure they know the church is here for them.
2. Seasonal Events - Emmanuel also get visitors to the seasonal events (craft shows, santa claus, Christmas Eve, Easter, etc). There will be much more effort made to welcome those visitors as well.
3. Lobby Management - The lobby space is a very big issue for Hospitality. There is a long list of to-do's. Let's name a few:
- One of the first two focus points for the team will be the Welcome Table. This is already set up in the corner of the lobby ONLY for the purpose of welcoming visitors. It will be a table ONLY for information about the church including the newsletter and the bulletin. The team will be intent to keep things off of the table that include non-hospitality items such as sign-up sheets, books, stuffed animals and empty coffee cups.
- The second major focus point is going to be the empty walls, particularly the empty wall that you see when you come through the front door. Plain walls send a message of newness, but also lack the warmth of welcome. The team will be exploring possibilites of various wall hangings to give the space a more comfortable feel.
- once the welcome table and walls are dealt with, many other issues will be discussed. These include:
The table of sign-up sheets: The first thing that visitors see when they come through the door should NOT be a long line of sign-up sheets. It sends a message that the church needs you to serve instead of the message that the church wants to serve you. The goal will be to equip ministry teams to find other ways to recruit which is already happening in some areas. Once visitors make a commitment to serve, then they can be approached in other ways.
Coffee, coffee, coffee: expanding the beverages by quantity and variety is another dream.
Visitors Parking: The very first thing that can tell a visitor that they are welcome is to have for them their very own parking spot. Hospitality will be working with Trustees on this matter.
Pictoral Directory: Very soon there will be an announcement for households to get their picture taken. This will be done internally with talented photographers we have at Emmanuel. No outside company will be used.
Emmanuel is looking for more people to get involved with these dreams. If you think you would be interested in serving on the team, please email pastor Joe at pastorjoe@emmanuel-umc.com.
1. Visitor Follow-Up - Visitors who make their presence known need to know that we were glad they came to worship with us. A plan is to go beyond just a call from the pastor, but to be sure they are informed about the church and all the ministries that go on here. Most important, a very brief visit to the front door of their home will be made to make sure they know the church is here for them.
2. Seasonal Events - Emmanuel also get visitors to the seasonal events (craft shows, santa claus, Christmas Eve, Easter, etc). There will be much more effort made to welcome those visitors as well.
3. Lobby Management - The lobby space is a very big issue for Hospitality. There is a long list of to-do's. Let's name a few:
- One of the first two focus points for the team will be the Welcome Table. This is already set up in the corner of the lobby ONLY for the purpose of welcoming visitors. It will be a table ONLY for information about the church including the newsletter and the bulletin. The team will be intent to keep things off of the table that include non-hospitality items such as sign-up sheets, books, stuffed animals and empty coffee cups.
- The second major focus point is going to be the empty walls, particularly the empty wall that you see when you come through the front door. Plain walls send a message of newness, but also lack the warmth of welcome. The team will be exploring possibilites of various wall hangings to give the space a more comfortable feel.
- once the welcome table and walls are dealt with, many other issues will be discussed. These include:
The table of sign-up sheets: The first thing that visitors see when they come through the door should NOT be a long line of sign-up sheets. It sends a message that the church needs you to serve instead of the message that the church wants to serve you. The goal will be to equip ministry teams to find other ways to recruit which is already happening in some areas. Once visitors make a commitment to serve, then they can be approached in other ways.
Coffee, coffee, coffee: expanding the beverages by quantity and variety is another dream.
Visitors Parking: The very first thing that can tell a visitor that they are welcome is to have for them their very own parking spot. Hospitality will be working with Trustees on this matter.
Pictoral Directory: Very soon there will be an announcement for households to get their picture taken. This will be done internally with talented photographers we have at Emmanuel. No outside company will be used.
Emmanuel is looking for more people to get involved with these dreams. If you think you would be interested in serving on the team, please email pastor Joe at pastorjoe@emmanuel-umc.com.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
First, let me get this out of the way.........WOOHOOOO!!!!.......Ok...now on to the blog....
I am SO excited about how the Small Groups are going. While there have been expected bumps here and there, the groups have gone well. Each group is a little different--again, expected--but there has been ample opportunity for the groups to congeal and move toward nurturing relationships within the church. Something I have learned was needed more than I had originally thought.
We will soon be stopping to evaluate the experience as a whole and give people the chance to continue or not, as they wish. Some may want to try a different kind of group which will create the need for a re-launch of Small Groups, giving others who have not been in a Small Group the chance to connect.
As we evaluate and prepare for a re-launch in January, there are bumps to be overcome. The largest bump for strong Small Group ministries is the temptation to form cliques. Having strong cliques in a church is detrimental to church growth and over-all church health. It can divide congregations and create power struggles that impede ministry and minimize the influence of a strong vision. To avoid falling into this trap, Small Groups are encouraged to do the following:
1. Be involved in something other than Small Group. Small Group is not your church. It is only a way in which your spirit can be nurtured and supported through study, prayer and conversation. As you are being nurtured, it is important to be involved in other ministries of the church will help you keep focused on the bigger church vision of 'making disciples of Jesus Christ'.
2. Don't herd with your Small Group. When at larger church events, don't gather with your Small Group exclusively. In fact, you may need to be intentional about interacting with others outside your group. One of the points of larger church events is to welcome others, encouraging them to be a part of the church. Small Groups that 'herd' wherever they go send a message of 'us' and 'them' which can be counter-productive to the Radical Hospitality of the Vision.
3. Encourage the Small Group to do projects together that are reminders of the bigger picture. Sometimes as Small Groups meet over time, they develop blinders to what the church is doing as a whole. Getting the group involved in projects at the church--mixing in with other groups and individuals--not only helps the church in ministry, it keeps the group from unintentionally forgetting why it is a group--to be one step in a journey of being a disciple of Jesus.
I hope this helps. And if you are one who is interested in Small Groups, there will be opportunity to get involved. Not only is Women Of Wellness (W.O.W.) continuing to meet as an open group (anyone can come), there will be a re-launch of Small Groups after the holiday season.
I am SO excited about how the Small Groups are going. While there have been expected bumps here and there, the groups have gone well. Each group is a little different--again, expected--but there has been ample opportunity for the groups to congeal and move toward nurturing relationships within the church. Something I have learned was needed more than I had originally thought.
We will soon be stopping to evaluate the experience as a whole and give people the chance to continue or not, as they wish. Some may want to try a different kind of group which will create the need for a re-launch of Small Groups, giving others who have not been in a Small Group the chance to connect.
As we evaluate and prepare for a re-launch in January, there are bumps to be overcome. The largest bump for strong Small Group ministries is the temptation to form cliques. Having strong cliques in a church is detrimental to church growth and over-all church health. It can divide congregations and create power struggles that impede ministry and minimize the influence of a strong vision. To avoid falling into this trap, Small Groups are encouraged to do the following:
1. Be involved in something other than Small Group. Small Group is not your church. It is only a way in which your spirit can be nurtured and supported through study, prayer and conversation. As you are being nurtured, it is important to be involved in other ministries of the church will help you keep focused on the bigger church vision of 'making disciples of Jesus Christ'.
2. Don't herd with your Small Group. When at larger church events, don't gather with your Small Group exclusively. In fact, you may need to be intentional about interacting with others outside your group. One of the points of larger church events is to welcome others, encouraging them to be a part of the church. Small Groups that 'herd' wherever they go send a message of 'us' and 'them' which can be counter-productive to the Radical Hospitality of the Vision.
3. Encourage the Small Group to do projects together that are reminders of the bigger picture. Sometimes as Small Groups meet over time, they develop blinders to what the church is doing as a whole. Getting the group involved in projects at the church--mixing in with other groups and individuals--not only helps the church in ministry, it keeps the group from unintentionally forgetting why it is a group--to be one step in a journey of being a disciple of Jesus.
I hope this helps. And if you are one who is interested in Small Groups, there will be opportunity to get involved. Not only is Women Of Wellness (W.O.W.) continuing to meet as an open group (anyone can come), there will be a re-launch of Small Groups after the holiday season.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Know-It-Alls
I blogged last week about all the changes. Hopefully it gets communicated well through the many avenues that the church has to convey the information. There is a newsletter available every Sunday. An email version gets sent out every week also. There is the bulletin, the website, the marquis and I blog. Plus I try to send out emails every week to fill in gaps that may have been missed throughout the previous week. Communication is important. So hopefully the word gets out.
Amidst all the changes over the last few months, however, is a large increase in activity. One of the pitfalls of these changes include a mind-set that comes from being use to a small church that says, 'I need to know everything about everything'. Don't get me wrong. It is good to be informed. I would suggest, however, that in it's extreme, this attitude can prohibit the church from expanding and improving ministry. One person can be only involved to a certain degree. Eventually, if a church is doing what it is suppose to be doing, then the church's activity will exceed any person's capability of being involved with everything. This includes the pastor. Even if I try to micromanage every area of ministry, I would be tragically holding back Emmanuel's willingness to live out it's potential.
The danger in this is that stagnation can occur because if a small group of people take on this mindset then another attitude can develop that says, 'well...if I don't know what's going on then it doesn't need to happen'. Put simply, this is a power play that keeps small churches small. When any individual or any group of people becomes more important than the churches purpose of 'making disciples of Jesus', then the purpose takes a back seat to personal agenda. Then you have a church not driven by the Spirit of God, but driven by individuals who want to feel important.
The good news is that I don't see much of this at Emmanuel. One of the reasons we've gone 1,000 mph is that so many people are willing to expand the church's ministry in so many directions. This is exciting, but also scary. As your pastor, I'm working very hard to manage the fast expansion of activity so that we stay focused on the purpose of the church. We must keep our focus! And if we can, we will be structured for some very serious growth....numeric growth AND spiritual growth. The Kingdom of God will expand.
Small groups is already showing wonderful signs of growth in relationships. I'm so pumped about this. In my next blog, I'll share another possible pitfall associated with Small Groups. In the weeks ahead I'll also be sharing about the pluses and minuses of trying a 2nd worship service.
Amidst all the changes over the last few months, however, is a large increase in activity. One of the pitfalls of these changes include a mind-set that comes from being use to a small church that says, 'I need to know everything about everything'. Don't get me wrong. It is good to be informed. I would suggest, however, that in it's extreme, this attitude can prohibit the church from expanding and improving ministry. One person can be only involved to a certain degree. Eventually, if a church is doing what it is suppose to be doing, then the church's activity will exceed any person's capability of being involved with everything. This includes the pastor. Even if I try to micromanage every area of ministry, I would be tragically holding back Emmanuel's willingness to live out it's potential.
The danger in this is that stagnation can occur because if a small group of people take on this mindset then another attitude can develop that says, 'well...if I don't know what's going on then it doesn't need to happen'. Put simply, this is a power play that keeps small churches small. When any individual or any group of people becomes more important than the churches purpose of 'making disciples of Jesus', then the purpose takes a back seat to personal agenda. Then you have a church not driven by the Spirit of God, but driven by individuals who want to feel important.
The good news is that I don't see much of this at Emmanuel. One of the reasons we've gone 1,000 mph is that so many people are willing to expand the church's ministry in so many directions. This is exciting, but also scary. As your pastor, I'm working very hard to manage the fast expansion of activity so that we stay focused on the purpose of the church. We must keep our focus! And if we can, we will be structured for some very serious growth....numeric growth AND spiritual growth. The Kingdom of God will expand.
Small groups is already showing wonderful signs of growth in relationships. I'm so pumped about this. In my next blog, I'll share another possible pitfall associated with Small Groups. In the weeks ahead I'll also be sharing about the pluses and minuses of trying a 2nd worship service.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Communicating Changes
Needless to say, changes are abounding at Emmanuel. This blog is about communicating these changes. Not everyone is aware of all the changes. Truth is, when you quadruple your ministry, it is difficult for anyone to know everything that is going on. This isn't a bad thing. It is just a reality of pressing forward. Eventually, if a church is doing what it is suppose to be doing, it's activity will exceed the capability of any one person (including the pastor). Now...on to what has changed.
New Vision Adopted - After the sermon series 'In Pursuit Of Purpose', the Church Council voted to adopt the new vision for Emmanuel. As such, the Council also voted to dissolve itself and put in it's place a Vision Team. This Vision Team will meet once a month to dream and evaluate ministry. The Vision Team will also focus on leadership development. The Vision Team will be made up of representatives from each ministry team in addition to the Lay Leader (12 members total). The Vision Team will meet the 3rd Monday of the month starting in November.
3 New Ministry Teams - There are additional teams that have been created to help support and live out the new vision for Emmanuel. The Radical Hospitality Team will focus on helping people feel welcomed when they come to Emmanuel for worship or other events. The Risk-Taking Outreach Team is designed to do any advertising or promoting of ministry for any other ministry team. The Faith-Forming Relationship Team focuses on Christian education programs such as Sunday Schools, Small Groups, Bibles Studies, etc.
The role of every Ministry Team is to meet as often as needed in order to plan and implement ministry that fits the role of that given team. Each team has a purpose in the context of the larger, overall Vision of 'making disciples of Jesus Christ'.
Experimenting with a second worship service - There are a few big ways that a church's growth can stagnate. One way is to run out of space. A rule of thumb that churches follow is that, any time seating or parking is at 70-80% capacity, attempts at starting a second worship service should be made. This is because studies show that at such a capacity, people tend to be discouraged from attending church because of the 'overcrowding'. Therefore, Emmanuel is experimenting as to whether or not the lack of parking is stagnating possible new growth. So from December 6th through Easter, there will be a 9:00 worship service in addition to the 10:30 worship service. The schedule will look as follows:
9:00 - worship, children's church, nursery
10:30 - worship, Sunday School, nursery
The goal for the Passionate Worship Team is to give the 9:00 service the best possible chance to succeed. This means scheduling Sunday in such a way that encourages people to attend the 9:00 service. Both services will look very similar with a couple of exceptions:
9:00 worship - The choir will sing 3 out of every 4 weeks with the Fools For Christ band playing 1 time a month. There will be a children's message and the kids will then be invited to go to children's church.
10:30 worship - The Fools will play 1 time a month. The choir will sing 1 time a month. There will be no children's sermon as the kids will have the opportunity to attend Sunday School for the full hour.
Finally, the Worship Team encourages everyone to invite, Invite, INVITE. This is a great opportunity to extend the hands of God and create new opportunities for visitors to encounter the living Christ.
Small Groups - A big part of spiritual growth at Emmanuel will be the Small Groups. We currently have about 42 people in closed groups and another 20-30 in open groups. These groups will be the core for people to get to know each other and grow closer to God. There will be another launch of small groups in January, so if you've missed out, fear not. Another opportunity is coming.
Communicating Finances - while numbers do not tell the whole story about a church's health, they can be a sign of such. Each month in the newsletter and email, there will be a general report on how Emmanuel is doing financially. You deserve to know because you trust the church to be responsbible with your tithes and offerings.
Over-burdening Leadership - Emmanuel use to be able to function with 15-20 leaders. Not anymore. Leadership has been extended to about 60 people with room for about 15 more. You are being encouraged to get involved. But be careful! Involving yourself in more than 2 teams could empty your gas tank and cause burnout. I will be encouraging people in 2010 to be a part of no more than 2 ministry teams for two reasons. One is to allow for other people to get involved. The second reason is to allow every person to have time to be fed as well as feeding others.
possible pitfall of change - I will be blogging again soon on the possible pitfalls of these changes. Satan simply doesn't like active churches that want to show the love of God. There are man-made mind-sets that can keep us from pressing forward as a church. I'll write about these mind-sets in the days to come.
New Vision Adopted - After the sermon series 'In Pursuit Of Purpose', the Church Council voted to adopt the new vision for Emmanuel. As such, the Council also voted to dissolve itself and put in it's place a Vision Team. This Vision Team will meet once a month to dream and evaluate ministry. The Vision Team will also focus on leadership development. The Vision Team will be made up of representatives from each ministry team in addition to the Lay Leader (12 members total). The Vision Team will meet the 3rd Monday of the month starting in November.
3 New Ministry Teams - There are additional teams that have been created to help support and live out the new vision for Emmanuel. The Radical Hospitality Team will focus on helping people feel welcomed when they come to Emmanuel for worship or other events. The Risk-Taking Outreach Team is designed to do any advertising or promoting of ministry for any other ministry team. The Faith-Forming Relationship Team focuses on Christian education programs such as Sunday Schools, Small Groups, Bibles Studies, etc.
The role of every Ministry Team is to meet as often as needed in order to plan and implement ministry that fits the role of that given team. Each team has a purpose in the context of the larger, overall Vision of 'making disciples of Jesus Christ'.
Experimenting with a second worship service - There are a few big ways that a church's growth can stagnate. One way is to run out of space. A rule of thumb that churches follow is that, any time seating or parking is at 70-80% capacity, attempts at starting a second worship service should be made. This is because studies show that at such a capacity, people tend to be discouraged from attending church because of the 'overcrowding'. Therefore, Emmanuel is experimenting as to whether or not the lack of parking is stagnating possible new growth. So from December 6th through Easter, there will be a 9:00 worship service in addition to the 10:30 worship service. The schedule will look as follows:
9:00 - worship, children's church, nursery
10:30 - worship, Sunday School, nursery
The goal for the Passionate Worship Team is to give the 9:00 service the best possible chance to succeed. This means scheduling Sunday in such a way that encourages people to attend the 9:00 service. Both services will look very similar with a couple of exceptions:
9:00 worship - The choir will sing 3 out of every 4 weeks with the Fools For Christ band playing 1 time a month. There will be a children's message and the kids will then be invited to go to children's church.
10:30 worship - The Fools will play 1 time a month. The choir will sing 1 time a month. There will be no children's sermon as the kids will have the opportunity to attend Sunday School for the full hour.
Finally, the Worship Team encourages everyone to invite, Invite, INVITE. This is a great opportunity to extend the hands of God and create new opportunities for visitors to encounter the living Christ.
Small Groups - A big part of spiritual growth at Emmanuel will be the Small Groups. We currently have about 42 people in closed groups and another 20-30 in open groups. These groups will be the core for people to get to know each other and grow closer to God. There will be another launch of small groups in January, so if you've missed out, fear not. Another opportunity is coming.
Communicating Finances - while numbers do not tell the whole story about a church's health, they can be a sign of such. Each month in the newsletter and email, there will be a general report on how Emmanuel is doing financially. You deserve to know because you trust the church to be responsbible with your tithes and offerings.
Over-burdening Leadership - Emmanuel use to be able to function with 15-20 leaders. Not anymore. Leadership has been extended to about 60 people with room for about 15 more. You are being encouraged to get involved. But be careful! Involving yourself in more than 2 teams could empty your gas tank and cause burnout. I will be encouraging people in 2010 to be a part of no more than 2 ministry teams for two reasons. One is to allow for other people to get involved. The second reason is to allow every person to have time to be fed as well as feeding others.
possible pitfall of change - I will be blogging again soon on the possible pitfalls of these changes. Satan simply doesn't like active churches that want to show the love of God. There are man-made mind-sets that can keep us from pressing forward as a church. I'll write about these mind-sets in the days to come.
Monday, October 12, 2009
As for the rest of 2009.....
Now that we have wrapped up the Vision Series, 'In Pursuit Of Purpose', now what? The health of any purpose-driven church is almost always centered around the worship experience. Sunday morning is the central hub from which everything happens. It is where God inspires us to go and be His people.
So how is the health of Sunday morning at Emmanuel? There are 4 aspects that I am going to ask us to focus on through the rest of 2009.
1. Children's Ministry: The next 2 Sundays are going to focus on children. We are going to consider what priority should children have in the life of the church and be challenged to answer the call to raise the next generation of Christian leaders in intentional and responsible ways.
2. Music: There can be excellent music. The key is to have excellent music that leads people to worship, not to be entertained. We will be encouraged to continue moving forward in this area.
3. Preaching: not nap time. Be ready to listen, reflect and respond. Poopy sermons are not allowed because the Good News of Jesus is not poopy news.
4. Preparing for Growth: Wanting to grow and being prepared to grow are two different things. Whether growth occurs or not, we should expect to be ready for it through prayers, presence, gifts and service.
As we focus on these 4 areas of Sunday morning, we will also respond in how we dream, plan, implement and evaluate ministry Monday through Saturday. Feedback is always welcomed. But mostly, we want you to be a part of this very cool church that God wants to use to reach out to the community.
So how is the health of Sunday morning at Emmanuel? There are 4 aspects that I am going to ask us to focus on through the rest of 2009.
1. Children's Ministry: The next 2 Sundays are going to focus on children. We are going to consider what priority should children have in the life of the church and be challenged to answer the call to raise the next generation of Christian leaders in intentional and responsible ways.
2. Music: There can be excellent music. The key is to have excellent music that leads people to worship, not to be entertained. We will be encouraged to continue moving forward in this area.
3. Preaching: not nap time. Be ready to listen, reflect and respond. Poopy sermons are not allowed because the Good News of Jesus is not poopy news.
4. Preparing for Growth: Wanting to grow and being prepared to grow are two different things. Whether growth occurs or not, we should expect to be ready for it through prayers, presence, gifts and service.
As we focus on these 4 areas of Sunday morning, we will also respond in how we dream, plan, implement and evaluate ministry Monday through Saturday. Feedback is always welcomed. But mostly, we want you to be a part of this very cool church that God wants to use to reach out to the community.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Long Walk
It isn't every day that I make reference to Stephen King when I blog. But today I feel adventurous. So here it goes:
Before he became 'Stephen King', he wrote a short story called 'The Long Walk'. It is about a VERY long race (lasting days) for teens who must keep moving at least 4 mph or risk being eliminated. One participant in the race had an interesting strategy. He started the race at a very slow pace. So slow, in fact, that he recieved his first warning of a slow pace within the first 100 yards. His strategy? If he started out too fast, then he would tire out before the end and be eliminated. Knowing how slow he could go helped him to pace himself and reach his goal.
I'm not a huge Stephen King fan. Honestly, I've not read any of his other books. But this strategy stayed with me even as I thought about how to equip churches to progress forward in ministry. How would I know what a healthy pace is for a church if I never test the threshold.
So I made the decision years back that I wouldn't make the mistake of going too slow and risk stagnation in the church. Instead, I was going to risk going too fast which might result in negative feedback. Once I taught myself to take constructive criticism well, I was able to get a much better hold on what a healthy pace is for a given congregation. This would play a HUGE part in planning ministry for years to come.
Here at Emmaunel, I've recently discoverd an area where people are pushing back (gently, I might add...my fragile ego thanks you, by the way). To me, this is good news. I now have a better sense of what a healthy pace is for this particular area of the church. I don't have to be worried about moving too slow. Now I can help dream, plan, implement and evaluate ministry with a better sense of how it might be recieved.
Thresholds are important to know. But it can only be made possible when a congregation is willing to give feedback. I'm not referring to those one or two people who will tell you what they think ALL the time whether you want to hear it or not. I'm referring to the congregation as a whole. Getting feedback from several people from different perspectives helps tremendously. And I do encourage positive as well as negative feedback.
So know that I am open to hearing from you and I value your feedback. I also encourage other leaders at Emmanuel to also be open to hearing feedback. It is in this way that we truly function as a community of believers and can move forward in 'making disciples of Jesus Christ' better tomorrow than we did yesterday.
Before he became 'Stephen King', he wrote a short story called 'The Long Walk'. It is about a VERY long race (lasting days) for teens who must keep moving at least 4 mph or risk being eliminated. One participant in the race had an interesting strategy. He started the race at a very slow pace. So slow, in fact, that he recieved his first warning of a slow pace within the first 100 yards. His strategy? If he started out too fast, then he would tire out before the end and be eliminated. Knowing how slow he could go helped him to pace himself and reach his goal.
I'm not a huge Stephen King fan. Honestly, I've not read any of his other books. But this strategy stayed with me even as I thought about how to equip churches to progress forward in ministry. How would I know what a healthy pace is for a church if I never test the threshold.
So I made the decision years back that I wouldn't make the mistake of going too slow and risk stagnation in the church. Instead, I was going to risk going too fast which might result in negative feedback. Once I taught myself to take constructive criticism well, I was able to get a much better hold on what a healthy pace is for a given congregation. This would play a HUGE part in planning ministry for years to come.
Here at Emmaunel, I've recently discoverd an area where people are pushing back (gently, I might add...my fragile ego thanks you, by the way). To me, this is good news. I now have a better sense of what a healthy pace is for this particular area of the church. I don't have to be worried about moving too slow. Now I can help dream, plan, implement and evaluate ministry with a better sense of how it might be recieved.
Thresholds are important to know. But it can only be made possible when a congregation is willing to give feedback. I'm not referring to those one or two people who will tell you what they think ALL the time whether you want to hear it or not. I'm referring to the congregation as a whole. Getting feedback from several people from different perspectives helps tremendously. And I do encourage positive as well as negative feedback.
So know that I am open to hearing from you and I value your feedback. I also encourage other leaders at Emmanuel to also be open to hearing feedback. It is in this way that we truly function as a community of believers and can move forward in 'making disciples of Jesus Christ' better tomorrow than we did yesterday.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
What makes or breaks a worship program? I'm not talking about one service. I'm talking about a program: the long-term impact that a worship service can have on the life of a church. Certainly a good sermon is paramount. Good, energizing, biblical preaching that reaches the heart is THE beginning of quality worship experiences. This should go unsaid, but sadly needs to be said over and over again in worship services and to pastors that settle for mediocrity.
Music is another element that adds to a worship program. Music sets the tone for any worship service. Music that is less than good can become a distraction to the worshipper. Music that is very good can energize the worshipper into passionate worship. I feel blessed at Emmanuel. Glenda, Russ, Fools For Christ, the choir.....all are doing a good job and sometimes and excellent job. They will continue to do more and hopefully I will continue to do less. This will allow me to focus more energy on the sermon and allow better musicians to set a better tone.
The third element to a successful worship program is a strong children's ministry. I know there are opinions out there that parents should teach their children how to worship with the rest of us. I don't necessarily disagree with this. But I also am very well aware of many parents who simply can't worship because they are too busy parenting during the songs, prayer and sermon. Having a strong Children's Church and nursery to give parents an option is a huge plus for a church wanting to fill the gas tanks of young families. This leads me to a rather heart-felt point:
We need to re-energize the Children's Church program.
Now that the Faith-Forming Relationships Team is in place, we have the people and the energy to focus on children. While Vera Edwards and Andrea DeRose have done a tremendous job at organizing this ministry, I am sad that two person are responsible for such a huge task. At the risk of embarrassing her, I hope everyone knows the heart and soul Vera has poured into Children's Church. It is way past time to have a team around her. Now we do.
In the coming weeks we will be making changes to this ministry. There will be guidelines and volunteer meetings (October 11th after church). There will be an emphasis on holding children responsible for disruptive behavior and rewarding children who help with the learning environment. There will also be added help for volunteers who become discouraged and frustrated with their time spent with the children.
In the coming weeks it is my prayer that parents are understanding and accepting of the changes. In the short-term, parents may have a difficult time understanding the changes. But in the long-term I am convinced it will lead to a healthier children's minsitry and, in turn, to a healthier worship program. Pray for the FFR Team and all the volunteers as we move into a time of change.
Music is another element that adds to a worship program. Music sets the tone for any worship service. Music that is less than good can become a distraction to the worshipper. Music that is very good can energize the worshipper into passionate worship. I feel blessed at Emmanuel. Glenda, Russ, Fools For Christ, the choir.....all are doing a good job and sometimes and excellent job. They will continue to do more and hopefully I will continue to do less. This will allow me to focus more energy on the sermon and allow better musicians to set a better tone.
The third element to a successful worship program is a strong children's ministry. I know there are opinions out there that parents should teach their children how to worship with the rest of us. I don't necessarily disagree with this. But I also am very well aware of many parents who simply can't worship because they are too busy parenting during the songs, prayer and sermon. Having a strong Children's Church and nursery to give parents an option is a huge plus for a church wanting to fill the gas tanks of young families. This leads me to a rather heart-felt point:
We need to re-energize the Children's Church program.
Now that the Faith-Forming Relationships Team is in place, we have the people and the energy to focus on children. While Vera Edwards and Andrea DeRose have done a tremendous job at organizing this ministry, I am sad that two person are responsible for such a huge task. At the risk of embarrassing her, I hope everyone knows the heart and soul Vera has poured into Children's Church. It is way past time to have a team around her. Now we do.
In the coming weeks we will be making changes to this ministry. There will be guidelines and volunteer meetings (October 11th after church). There will be an emphasis on holding children responsible for disruptive behavior and rewarding children who help with the learning environment. There will also be added help for volunteers who become discouraged and frustrated with their time spent with the children.
In the coming weeks it is my prayer that parents are understanding and accepting of the changes. In the short-term, parents may have a difficult time understanding the changes. But in the long-term I am convinced it will lead to a healthier children's minsitry and, in turn, to a healthier worship program. Pray for the FFR Team and all the volunteers as we move into a time of change.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
One-On-One
Is the church that you are a part worthy enough to risk your reputation on? Would you dare to invite a trusted friend to go to worship with you? If not, I want to know why. I will do what I can to fix it.
Contrary to popular belief, church growth is not dependent on excellent marketing skills, numerous promotional gadgets or waves of advertisments. Those things are good to be sure and can help. But the number one reason that churches grow is that:
#1 - The church does church well enough for established members to invite a trusted friend;
#2 - The trusted friend is invited and attends one event or worship service
#3 - The church does hospitality well enough to help the trusted friend to feel welcome.
#4 - The church is authentic and relevant enough for the trusted friend to continue attending and become an established member;
#5 - see #1
One-on-one invitation is clearly the largest reason churches grow. How many friends have you invited to come attend? Were you willing to go to great lengths like actually picking them up for church and then sit with them and introduce them to people?
Additionally, is the church equipped to do excellent visitor follow-up that is welcoming but not overbearing? One of the key components to church growth is a strong hospitality program (commercial for September 27th). But the most important is for the church to be authentic and relevant for everyone involved.
I invite you to invite, but only if the church is worthy enough for you to risk your repuation. If it isn't, I want to know why. I'll do what I can to fix it.
Contrary to popular belief, church growth is not dependent on excellent marketing skills, numerous promotional gadgets or waves of advertisments. Those things are good to be sure and can help. But the number one reason that churches grow is that:
#1 - The church does church well enough for established members to invite a trusted friend;
#2 - The trusted friend is invited and attends one event or worship service
#3 - The church does hospitality well enough to help the trusted friend to feel welcome.
#4 - The church is authentic and relevant enough for the trusted friend to continue attending and become an established member;
#5 - see #1
One-on-one invitation is clearly the largest reason churches grow. How many friends have you invited to come attend? Were you willing to go to great lengths like actually picking them up for church and then sit with them and introduce them to people?
Additionally, is the church equipped to do excellent visitor follow-up that is welcoming but not overbearing? One of the key components to church growth is a strong hospitality program (commercial for September 27th). But the most important is for the church to be authentic and relevant for everyone involved.
I invite you to invite, but only if the church is worthy enough for you to risk your repuation. If it isn't, I want to know why. I'll do what I can to fix it.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Falling Like Dominos
I'm not a detailed person. Ask my wife. For that matter, ask the multi-media director. I simply don't feel compelled to spend any significant time on the little things...what to wear, what font to choose, how to fold my clothes (big marital issue, by the way), Coke or Pepsi, McDonalds or Burger King, Meyers or Wal-Mart. I could try to care less, but I'd fail miserably because it isn't possible for me to care less.
On the church front this is also glaring. I won't say it's a weakness because I truly believe that everyone is wired differently. But it is more glaring at Emmanuel because of the vast number of questions that I've been getting on so many details of so many ministry areas. You should've seen the faces the first couple of times I said, 'I don't care. Do whatever works best....as long as it works.' The response looked something like, 'Are you serious?'. It isn't that details are unimportant to me. Indeed, I'm going to need good leaders who are detail-oriented...a lot of them in fact. It's just that I firmly believe that once the big picture gets vastly improved, it will take care of so many of the details. For example......remember dominos?
Remember how long it would take to set up a long snake of dominos. The more you had, the longer it would take. I can remember spending 30 minutes setting up boxes dominos. It was tedious, stressful work--getting each domino in exactly the right place to be as effective as possible. And all of it was to enjoy 8 seconds of perfect cause and effect.
Emmanuel is working hard to set up the dominos. It will take time.....months even. It is tedious at times and stressful to be sure. It also takes patience to set up dominos. But the good news is that we are doing it....slowly but surely. And when all of them are set up----when leaders are in the right place to be as effective as possible---the dominos will fall. And all the details that people are asking about over and over and over again will be taken care of. Ok...maybe not all...but most. And we will be on our way to a more effective and more efficient ministry across the entire church.
When a firm decision-making structure gets in place that can dream, plan, implement and evaluate God's work, the details of ministry don't get taken care of one detail at a time, but by the handfuls....by the boxes full. And then we can stand back and finally look at the big picture and say, 'WOOHOO!! God is truly good!'
So I hope you are patient. I also hope you forgive me when you ask me a question related to details and I respond with a sigh before answering your question. It isn't because your question is unimportant. It's most likely because I'm getting impatient, waiting for the dominos to fall.
On the church front this is also glaring. I won't say it's a weakness because I truly believe that everyone is wired differently. But it is more glaring at Emmanuel because of the vast number of questions that I've been getting on so many details of so many ministry areas. You should've seen the faces the first couple of times I said, 'I don't care. Do whatever works best....as long as it works.' The response looked something like, 'Are you serious?'. It isn't that details are unimportant to me. Indeed, I'm going to need good leaders who are detail-oriented...a lot of them in fact. It's just that I firmly believe that once the big picture gets vastly improved, it will take care of so many of the details. For example......remember dominos?
Remember how long it would take to set up a long snake of dominos. The more you had, the longer it would take. I can remember spending 30 minutes setting up boxes dominos. It was tedious, stressful work--getting each domino in exactly the right place to be as effective as possible. And all of it was to enjoy 8 seconds of perfect cause and effect.
Emmanuel is working hard to set up the dominos. It will take time.....months even. It is tedious at times and stressful to be sure. It also takes patience to set up dominos. But the good news is that we are doing it....slowly but surely. And when all of them are set up----when leaders are in the right place to be as effective as possible---the dominos will fall. And all the details that people are asking about over and over and over again will be taken care of. Ok...maybe not all...but most. And we will be on our way to a more effective and more efficient ministry across the entire church.
When a firm decision-making structure gets in place that can dream, plan, implement and evaluate God's work, the details of ministry don't get taken care of one detail at a time, but by the handfuls....by the boxes full. And then we can stand back and finally look at the big picture and say, 'WOOHOO!! God is truly good!'
So I hope you are patient. I also hope you forgive me when you ask me a question related to details and I respond with a sigh before answering your question. It isn't because your question is unimportant. It's most likely because I'm getting impatient, waiting for the dominos to fall.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I like expanding horizons. I like challenging other people to think and rethink. I like pulling people out of their comfort zone and showing them what else can be possible if they would only be a little courageous. In my 13 years of ministry I have done a lot of this with mixed results. In some cases people become defensive and claim that they are just fine where they are, thank you very much. In other cases they look at me as though I'm entirely a crazy man. And yet in other cases, they cautiously test the waters to see if it's worth the risk. Only a few occasions have people jumped up and ran into the unknown seemingly uncaring as to what might happen.
One sign of a progressive church is when people try to outrun the visionary. My strength is in visioning.....dreaming of a preferred future and structuring the church to pursue it. So what happens when I suddenly find myself in a group of visionaries wanting to dream with me and pursue along side of me. To go a step further, what happens when people in the church ask me to expand my horizons; challenge me to think and rethink; pulling me out of my comfort zone and showing me what else can be possible if I would only be a little courageous?
For the most part, this would be a whole new dynamic for me. But I can't help but think that if I'm up to it, this dynamic can catapault the church further than even I can dream. It's a scary and yet terribly exciting prospect. I suspect it would be even more challenging to keep the church focused on the purpose of making disciples of Jesus. And yet, if the focus can be maintained, the potential for living into being God's people is limitless.
One sign of a progressive church is when people try to outrun the visionary. My strength is in visioning.....dreaming of a preferred future and structuring the church to pursue it. So what happens when I suddenly find myself in a group of visionaries wanting to dream with me and pursue along side of me. To go a step further, what happens when people in the church ask me to expand my horizons; challenge me to think and rethink; pulling me out of my comfort zone and showing me what else can be possible if I would only be a little courageous?
For the most part, this would be a whole new dynamic for me. But I can't help but think that if I'm up to it, this dynamic can catapault the church further than even I can dream. It's a scary and yet terribly exciting prospect. I suspect it would be even more challenging to keep the church focused on the purpose of making disciples of Jesus. And yet, if the focus can be maintained, the potential for living into being God's people is limitless.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Where Is Your Airbag?
Have you crashed yet?
A member of the church was sharing with me about his car crash. He's okay now, but he didn't see the crash coming. He isn't even sure what caused it. One moment he was driving. The next moment he was stopped with the airbag deployed in front of him. In a word: scary.
Crashes can happen in churches too, especially when you are flying high and cruising along and enjoying the company of God and others. You don't expect to crash when things are going good. In so many ways Emmanuel is gaining momentum, flying high, cruising with God.
While it is an opportunity to really excel when so much momentum is going in a positive direction, it isn't a bad idea to wonder where our airbag is. Crashing can hurt so much more when you are going fast. And Emmanuel is going fast. Eventually we will slow down. So where is our airbag?
When we come down off the high boost of momentum, the letdown can be..well...like 'ugh'. The common, healthy, pace of ministry will require padding--a place to be safe when we get bumped, discourged or confused. There are a few different places to find padding in the church. Let me mention two: prayer and faith-forming groups.
Prayer is a place we find solace and peace with God. It is a reminder that our mortality is not alone and hopeless in a world that doesn't always mind if we crash. We must hang on to prayer in all cases. This should go unsaid. Sadly, it is tempting to lighten up on prayer when things are going good. Let's not do that. Let's pray.
Secondly, faith-forming groups are another airbag. Being able to lean on each other is what community is about. It's highly unlikely that everyone will crash all at the same time. Leaders can depend on one another to lift each other up when one has a crash. However, everyone in the church will be encouraged to be in such a group: youth group, bible study, sunday school, small groups and other groups that will emerge this Fall can function as an airbag. I hope you have one. And if you don't, I encourage you to get one. The blessings can't always be put into words.
So as we enjoy the awesome inspiration of God in this time of refreshing energy, in the back of our minds let's not forget where our airbags are located. It will allow us to carry on to the next day when the goodness of God can continue to be experienced.
Pastor Joe
A member of the church was sharing with me about his car crash. He's okay now, but he didn't see the crash coming. He isn't even sure what caused it. One moment he was driving. The next moment he was stopped with the airbag deployed in front of him. In a word: scary.
Crashes can happen in churches too, especially when you are flying high and cruising along and enjoying the company of God and others. You don't expect to crash when things are going good. In so many ways Emmanuel is gaining momentum, flying high, cruising with God.
While it is an opportunity to really excel when so much momentum is going in a positive direction, it isn't a bad idea to wonder where our airbag is. Crashing can hurt so much more when you are going fast. And Emmanuel is going fast. Eventually we will slow down. So where is our airbag?
When we come down off the high boost of momentum, the letdown can be..well...like 'ugh'. The common, healthy, pace of ministry will require padding--a place to be safe when we get bumped, discourged or confused. There are a few different places to find padding in the church. Let me mention two: prayer and faith-forming groups.
Prayer is a place we find solace and peace with God. It is a reminder that our mortality is not alone and hopeless in a world that doesn't always mind if we crash. We must hang on to prayer in all cases. This should go unsaid. Sadly, it is tempting to lighten up on prayer when things are going good. Let's not do that. Let's pray.
Secondly, faith-forming groups are another airbag. Being able to lean on each other is what community is about. It's highly unlikely that everyone will crash all at the same time. Leaders can depend on one another to lift each other up when one has a crash. However, everyone in the church will be encouraged to be in such a group: youth group, bible study, sunday school, small groups and other groups that will emerge this Fall can function as an airbag. I hope you have one. And if you don't, I encourage you to get one. The blessings can't always be put into words.
So as we enjoy the awesome inspiration of God in this time of refreshing energy, in the back of our minds let's not forget where our airbags are located. It will allow us to carry on to the next day when the goodness of God can continue to be experienced.
Pastor Joe
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Rhythm Of Ministry
I love it when a plan comes together. I've had awesome meetings over the course of the past month. The reasons for this are numerous. People have been very willing to look at ministry with an open mind. I have been trying hard to listen and learn about Emmanuel. But mostly, God is so evident in the words and actions and attitudes of everyone involved.
I feel like we, as a church, are traveling at 1,000 mph. In terms of United Methodists, we are. But it isn't a reckless progress. I will continue to try very hard to keep our eyes on the purpose that God places before us: making disciples of Jesus. If we can stay focused, we will continue to have awesome meetings and things will get done that will be a product of God's presence with us.
Eventually things will slow down. And that won't be bad either. We are currently searching for that rhythm of ministry that gives us a good pace for years to come. When we find that rhythm, ministry will come easier for Emmanuel. Stress will reduce. Blessings will continue to flow. And then I can take a vacation...hehe.
Until then, hold on to your hats. God is running with us and it is good.
I feel like we, as a church, are traveling at 1,000 mph. In terms of United Methodists, we are. But it isn't a reckless progress. I will continue to try very hard to keep our eyes on the purpose that God places before us: making disciples of Jesus. If we can stay focused, we will continue to have awesome meetings and things will get done that will be a product of God's presence with us.
Eventually things will slow down. And that won't be bad either. We are currently searching for that rhythm of ministry that gives us a good pace for years to come. When we find that rhythm, ministry will come easier for Emmanuel. Stress will reduce. Blessings will continue to flow. And then I can take a vacation...hehe.
Until then, hold on to your hats. God is running with us and it is good.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Filling Your Gas Tank
Many questions are floating around about the prospect of the Small Group launch this Fall. There are so many concepts of ‘Small Groups’ that it is difficult to get a handle on what Pastor Joe means when he talks about Small Groups. So many questions will be answered in my sermon on September 13th, but let me throw out some thoughts on the subject.
Every person has a gas tank. When the tank is full, there is motivation and desire and drive to do God’s work. There is an understanding of God’s Call for their lives; a sense of fulfillment as that Call is lived out. Inner joy is revealed when woohoo moments happen. Comfort is easily found when there is fear and uncertainty. Barriers to progress are more easily knocked down and goals are achieved with a sense of support from others. Church becomes a privilege and one looks forward to it. Close friendships are celebrated and new friends are found.
When the tank is empty there can be weariness, frustration and discouragement. A person running on empty doesn’t easily understand God’s Call for them. They spiritually struggle to survive day to day. Church becomes a duty and obligation. Serving is only done because it is seen as necessary. Worship is dry, prayer is lacking and one feels like they are on an island with no help in sight.
As one gives of themselves, the tank empties a little. As one receives, the tank fills a little. Small Group is about keeping your tank filled so that you can fill the tank of others. Small group is about having a place to share about your week and having discussions that are relevant to your gas tank. Small Groups usually start out being light-hearted as people test the water to see what it will be like. But as the people become more familiar with each other, God-things start happening. Friendships strengthen; God gets heard more clearly; and the tank begins to fill. You learn to be with others who care about your walk with God.
At Emmanuel there are lots of places to empty your gas tank on. I’m learning that while there are a few places to fill your tank, there are far too few. It is not fair for you to be expected to invest yourself in a church when a church isn’t investing itself in you. The time for that is over. It is time to have your tank filled. And you will be glad.
Small Groups are not for everybody, but I encourage you to find some way to fill your tank. There will be other opportunities for such and I will also talk about them on September 13th as we worship the God who has invested Himself in you. I hope you come and join us.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Planning To Be Blessed
I had another great Sunday morning with Emmanuel. It’s wonderful to see great energy in a church that seems so hungry for God. And yet in the midst of such a refreshing place, I am reminded to be very careful about how we journey forward together.
As we get ramped up for a new Vision and new programs coming in September, I am beginning to feel the pull from so many directions (in 90 minutes this morning I was in discussions regarding: youth, music, media, worship, small groups, weddings, counseling, new members, church council, visitation and prayer concerns). While so many pulls can be a sign for exciting times to come, it can also be a warning for implosion if this renewed energy isn’t handled appropriately. Energy that isn’t handled well can end up fizzling out, leaving demoralized, burned-out people of faith.
So while I pray that the new Vision will bring even more spiritual fervor, I am also prayerful that Emmanuel will understand the need to create a strong administrative structure to support the energy that comes. We will plan to be blessed. As I preach a new Vision beginning September 13th, I will also be working with Church Council and other leaders in the church about what it means to stop thinking and planning like a small church and start thinking and planning like the medium-sized church that you are becoming.
This is an incredibly awesome time in the life of Emmanuel. I hope you recognize it. I also hope that, working together with God, we will intentionally plan to be blessed beyond our expectations.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Bulldozer Ministry
There are those times when the church starts to get momentum in a right direction. Then there are those times when the church gets headed in an awesome, God-inspiring direction. The result is an increase in energy and more of a desire to express faithfulness.
However, I have found that there is another interesting dynamic when churches are what God wants them to be. There seems to be an increase in barriers. Now it is possible that this is just my imagination as I become more focused and more intent on leading the congregation. And yet my peers have seemed to notice similar dynamics as well. When things are moving forward for the betterment of God’s Kingdom, issues creep up that try to get in the way of ministry. Barriers are erected to slow down the process, seemingly from no one specific and mostly flukey kinds of things like websites going down. And the more churches progress forward, the more annoying and irritating these barriers become.
When I experienced this before, I was very frustrated and became discouraged. Then my mentor introduced me to the ministry of bulldozing. He showed me how to stay focused on the big picture and not let little pictures get me off track. He told me to plow ahead and keep my eyes on the purpose of disciple-making. It is in this way that, while I become frustrated about barriers to ministry, it does not distract me from tasks and goals that should be reached to dream, plan, implement and evaluate ministry that is focused on the purpose of disciple-making.
To share an example: If the website goes down, use emails. If the emails go down, use typewriters. If the typewriters go down, use a pen. If the pen goes down, use the phone. If the phone goes down, drive to people’s houses. If the car breaks down, bike, or run or walk…or crawl….or roll your way there. Whatever it takes to move forward in ministry with one another.
Bulldozer ministry: Satan hates it.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Letting Leaders Lead
It is not in the make-up of leaders to be kept from leading. I know because I am one. When a leader wants to take off and run, a leader will take off and run. So what does this mean for Emmanuel?
I feel blessed to see the leaders that are in place at Emmanuel. One of my jobs as pastor, however, is to make sure the leaders are equipped to lead in their area of ministry. Do you have passion? Have you developed the needed skills? Do you understand and relate well with who you are leading? Are you walking with God? And is your ministry area focused on the purpose of doing it’s part to make disciples?
These are a lot of questions. If the answers are ‘yes’, then may you take off and run like the wind. Don’t let me get in your way. I know that, as a leader, I get a sense of freedom when someone gives me responsibility AND authority to go and do. Responsibility isn’t much fun when you don’t have the authority to make decisions. But when you have authority? Assuming you are well equipped, strong leadership can reap so many good things. I get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.
So know that I am looking for leaders. And when I find you, I will do whatever I can to equip you if you aren’t already. Then you can take off and run like the wind….with God right along side us.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Identify the Blessings
We had a great SPRC/Leadership meeting Monday night. I continue to learn more about you as a church and you are learning more about me. As we continue to try and find some common ground in order to provide a stronger structure for ministry, I was reminded of something regarding our journey together: identify the blessings.
Lots of good ministry is happening at Emmanuel. The rich history in combination with faithful servants provides great starting points for catapulting into the future. Thank goodness we are not starting from scratch, but have integral ministries to build upon.
We should not dwell on the past, but we must learn from the past. This includes looking at what has worked and worked well. I’m not one that fixes something that is not broken, though I have been known to try and tweak here and there.
In the midst of our transition together, let us not forget to identify the blessings and celebrate the goodness of God. It is in such blessings that goodness flows.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Another Learning
Ok…so I’ve learned something else. Another recurring theme with the parsonage visits has been a hunger for something more than just worship. Are you one that would like to have an opportunity to be part of a group of trustworthy friends that:
Support you in times of struggle
Celebrate with you in times of joy
Discuss ‘God moments’ that each other has during the week
Help one another discern God’s call on your lives
Empowers one another to pursue God’s call
Help each other work through challenges and fears
It is amazing to me how often these desires have been voiced. I am already brainstorming about how to begin to help the church meet this obvious need. I have seen Small Group ministry meet these needs in powerful, transforming ways.
Let this be the first official advertisement for a sermon series I will be starting on September 13th. In the midst of this series Emmanuel will be launching Small Group Ministries for those who relate with this very article. I realize not everyone hungers for this. But for those who desire to go a step further than just the comforts of worship--for those who want to establish, strengthen and/or nurture friendships in a Christian context--this will be an opportunity for you.
More details will be forthcoming. I ask that you will be in prayer about this because it is laying heavy on my heart and it seems also to be on the hearts of many in the church.
What I have learned so far
It has been exciting learning about Emmanuel--the history, the strengths, the weaknesses, the needs, the gifts and the graces. It is certainly a unique church. I have learned 2 realities so far. Here they are:
You have come a long way. Even the recent history could write a book itself. The amazing amount of patience and courage it took to get to this point undoubtedly shows a strong faith and a determined spirit and effective leadership. It is not easy for two long-established churches to decide to change their course and start a new journey together. But recent growth has shown the benefits.
I’ve also learned you have a long way to go. I look forward to utilizing that strong faith and determined spirit. The potential for disciple-making is enormous. I can honestly say I feel the weight of the potential. Fortunately, God is on our side and as long as we stay on God’s side, I will work with you with confidence and great expectations. I suspect that many of you have no idea how far we can be taken in ministry. I suspect this because I have no idea. I believe in a limitless God.
Scary, huh?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
In The Royer Home
We welcomed the first of several parsonage visits tonight and it went very well. It’s so nice to get a chance to talk with people in a smaller group setting. We got to share more about each other, including fears and dreams around church life.
If you haven’t signed up yet, there is plenty of time and space. It is your chance to ask us any question you want. We want you to know us just as much as we want to know you. It is also a chance for you to hear each other. It is sometimes surprising how little the congregation talks to each other about dreams and goals for the church. Sadly, fears tend to be the subject in a lot of churches. The result is a paralyzed church.
We are looking forward to the meetings yet to come. And if you have children, bring them along. Our kids would like to make new friends and get to know people as well.
Joe and Kim Royer
Monday, July 20, 2009
And Off We Go!!!
As I get to know people, I also get to know the church. How does it function? What systems are in place that encourage ministry to run efficiently? Where is God seen in the midst of all the work? How is the Good News communicated and to whom? There are lots of questions and I’ll be getting answers as time goes by.
Sunday was awesome for me. I know I have a different preaching style. Some have called it a ‘conversation’ rather than a sermon. It makes me no difference as long as I’m…what?…. Relevant, authentic and excellent (or at least pursue excellence) to the people I‘m trying to reach for Jesus. The grace of God is evident in the church as I met so many people who seemed to be having a genuinely good day. I’m also 10 pounds heavier now too. But the 10 pounds will help me last until the next potluck (pastors only eat free food because it tastes the best).
I thank you for the welcome. And if you weren’t there for my first Sunday, you can be there for my second because I’ve been told I get to preach again. I’m looking forward to working with all of you to continue making Emmanuel the relevant, authentic and excellent church that God wants it to be.
Please take the time to sign up and visit us at the parsonage. If you do, you will play a key part in the future months. God always has plans for us and we get to be on the great journey of finding out what those plans are.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Result of Faithful Work
If you get a moment, I invite you to read :
http://miamivalleyds.blogspot.com/2009/07/church-visit-power-of-laos-ansonia-umc.html .
I'm so excited at the feedback Ansonia is getting. It is also great affirmation. But most of all, I hope you let it be a catalyst for your dreams and hopes at Emmanuel. We have the opportunity to go on a great ride with God.
We're Heeeeeeeeere!!
I am now sitting at my old computer desk, in front of my old computer, in my brand new house (new to me, anyhow). WOOHOO! I’ve also discovered the joy of sitting in my computer chair and rolling across the hard-wood floors as fast as I can without smashing my face up against the wall (just kidding).
But on to more serious matters. Kim and I want to thank all of you who have worked so hard on the house. It is incredible! There are few minor things to be done (like getting window coverings…need to be careful when you walk in front of an open win…..uh…never mind). The house is awesome and the kids love it too. I’m still waiting to hear the cat fall down the laundry shoot.
It’s still kind of surreal to know that we are starting at a new place. But you have made us so welcome that we are glad we are doing so. Please keep praying for us as we continue to unpack boxes and make the house a home. I also hope each of you take the time to sign up for the parsonage visits. We want to meet you . Thanks again for everything and see you Sunday.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Box Thinking
Have you ever sat in a box to think? It isn’t all that exciting. If you keep the lid open, all you see are brown walls all around you. No matter where you look you see dullness. If you think that isn’t bad enough, close the lid. Then it gets all dark. Brown turns to black and it gets even more dull. And if you stay in the box and continue to think, it may even get depressing. There is nothing as tragic as a thinker in a dark box. Hopefully it is a big box. Smaller boxes are awful to think in. Then you have to scrunch up your knees to your chest and maybe duck your head. It gets stuffy and hot and very little gets accomplished. Oh...and it can get lonely too.
But do you know what it is like to think outside the box? Do share. :)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Preparing For Change
As I preached my second-to-last sermon at Ansonia, I found myself on a curious bridge. On one side I prepare a church for transition to a new pastor who has yet to be announced. I am confident and also sad. I am confident that Ansonia can continue the process of disciple-making that we have established together on a long term basis. I am also sad that I won't be able to work with them on the cutting-edge ministries that we began together.
But the bridge is one of anticipation. I'm about ready to cross over to Emmanuel who is also wondering about their transition. I wonder how you are preparing for positive change. Lots has to happen before change, of course. Trust needs to be developed between congregation and pastor. Passion needs to be inspired. Relationships need to form in healthy ways. Positive change can take weeks, months and even years. But in my experience, it is so , sooooo worth it.
I also recognize that I need to be ready to change for the better. Ansonia and Emmanuel are such different churches with different needs, dreams, resources and opportunities. I'm trying to prepare myself to be as flexible as possible to adapt to these differences--to be patient when it is warranted and to be bold when it is needed. It will not be easy for me as it likely won't be easy for Emmanuel. But it is in answering Calls such as this that give me Godbumps because I have seen and experienced awesome, transformed lives, when churches and leaders work together to create positive, soul-inspiring change.
So how do we prepare when change also brings fear to our days? How do we work through the reality that change brings the unknown and the unknown doesn't always work out to be good news? This is easy for me. I remind myself that that same God who led me through Ansonia is the same God moving with me to Emmanuel. And the same God that worked with you and Randy is the same God who will work with you and me. And the same Jesus that told Ansonia to 'make disciples' is the same Jesus that tells Emmanuel to 'make disciples'. All we have to do is let God work. Don't get in God's way because we are afraid of the unknown.
So I invite you, Emmanuel, to journey with me. I don't know where we will go, but since the same God is with us, it must be a soul-inspiring place. Indeed, we might get Godbumps together.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Home is where the heart is....
....so what happens when home changes? Some have asked me how I can do it. How can I just pick up and move in a matter of weeks? Especially in a rural area where people are less inclined to be mobile, it is inconceivable to some that a family can just pack up and move. In some ways I understand because Iwas raised in a small town/rural community where everyone knew everyone and change was treated as some kind of cancer. On the other hand, I can also feel a bit sorry that there are people who will never experience the excitement of a brand new start.
When there is a drastic change in one's life, one tends to consider what the constants are on which one can lean. For some it is the home life--the land they own and the family that surround them. For UM pastors, not so much. And for me particularly, home looks much different. Don't ge me wrong, I have a wonderful wife and awesome kids. Blessings overflow. But ever since I can remember, there are two places that have always given me sanctuary: Church and the baseball diamond. I know. It's a strange combination. But those are the two places that never let me down. Church gave me the peace of God and love. Baseball gave me opportunity to practice confidence and self-worth and success.
So it is with excitement that I am surrounded by boxes. I am going to Church where people have already welcomed me through the www. My new facebook page is already a happenin' place, filled with people I haven't even met yet (feel free to introduce yourself). And now I'm blogging. My brother warned me that, if I'm not careful, I may do ministry in the 21st century.
Oh....and I also hear that there is a big ball park nearby. :))
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Am I There Yet?
Patiencepatiencepatiencepatience.......not one of my strengths. I admit I'm all itchy about getting to Emmanuel. I'm super excited about it even though I am also sad about leaving a church where miracles have happened. From what I've seen and heard so far, Ansonia and Emmanuel have gone through similar experiences of late--two churches who unexpectedly had their pastor re-appointed after a relatively long stay. If what Emmanuel is feeling is anything like what Ansonia is feeling, then there is a LOT of anxiety about who is coming next. It probably doesn't help that I might possibly be driving Keith and Nancy crazy with so many emails and questions. But they have been a HUGE help.
It has also helped hearing the podcasts. I appreciate Randy very much and all that he has done to help Emmanuel move forward over the years. I plan on helping the church build on his successful stay. Yet there are challenges also. What Randy said in his last sermon is true. Pastors that follow a pastor who had been there for an extended time tend to have unique challenges. This makes me a little nervous because, quite honestly, my 2 successful appointments followed pastors who were not there very long.
But I'm confident because God is confident. God is full of blessings and I can't wait to get more of them along side Emmanuel. So here is to my first blog! I hope in the midst of all the anxiety, Emmanuel can look forward to a new pastor, expecting God to continue to bless as He has done over the many years!
Pastor Joe
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
