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. :))

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