Grace’s Website – Present (and Future)

October 20, 2008

Grace is getting a new website (a post coming soon), but before the new let’s talk about the current site.  

Mark Olson has been the web guru for something like a decade now, giving of his time and expertise to bring the ministries of Grace UMC to the Internet.  It has been amazing how many people have connected with Grace first through our website – all because of Mark’s dedication and commitment.  I even had a person sign up for a Lay Academy class because they were exploring our website and found the registration.  This person had not been in worship with us, but having interest in our Center of Grace she went to the website and found a class that connected with her mission interests.  It is amazing how God works in so many different ways!

Therefore: Thank you Mark (and those who helped initiate this ministry so long ago) for your powerful ministry with and for Grace and the larger community.  Thank you for leading us and offer the goodnews of God’s grace to the world via technology.  We have truly been blessed!

Posted in Church Leadership, Ministry | 1 Comment »

“Go West young man”

October 1, 2008

It was officially posted to the Kansas West Conference website this past Monday, September 29th, that I am receiving a new appointment.  As of December 1, 2008 I will be serving as the pastor of Goodland United Methodist Church of Goodland, KS.  Here is a google map of where it is located.  Shelly will be on family leave until July 1, at which time she will plan to receive a part-time appointment. 

Shelly, Shaylin, and I will be selling our home in Olathe and moving west in late November.  We have been blessed in our time of ministry and leadership at Grace and will miss the people and connections we have nurtured.  Yet we are also excited about this new path on the journey of pastoral ministry. 

Transitions are hard – holding the spectrum of emotions (which ebb and flow) of excitement, frustration, grief, possibility, and just plain stress.  May God’s mercy and peace be with all of us as we move into the newness of each day.  We appreciate your prayers in this transition.

There are three things that we are called to do: 

  1. say good-bye and end well, 
  2. say hello and begin well, and
  3. tend to self-care and groundedness with God along the way. 


Reflection Questions (for your comment): What suggestions do you have for us as we transition?  How might a pastoral change invite us to think of other changes and losses that we experience in life?  Who do you find that helps you get through change and transition?

Posted in Church Leadership, Clergy Couples, Family, Goodland United Methodist Church, Grace United Methodist Church, Kansas, Kansas Area, Ministry | 2 Comments »

River of Life Community Event

October 1, 2008

The River of Life worship gathering went outside this past Sunday!  Grace invited people from the community and the congregation to join us for a family night of food, fun, fellowship, and great worship!  We shared a potluck dinner together out on the grass just west of our facility, then worship began.  We used a screen for the lyrics and cool worship scenes, while the band played from a platform – with great lights! 

The whole space was sacred, from the gorgeous night and beautiful sunset, to the families playing and children enjoying life.  God was indeed present with us, filling up our souls at the River.  My favorite time was when I was setting in my lawn chair and just taking a moment to looked around at the the people eating and playing – being re-created that very day.  I again knew that God does mighty things of great wonder in our lives, if we will connect with one another and open ourselves up to God’s presence! 

Enjoy these pics!

Posted in Family, Kansas, Ministry | 1 Comment »

Shaylin Grace is 3 months old today

September 17, 2008

Shaylin was born on June 17th, so today she is three months old!  It has been a great journey thus far.  Shelly and I are learning so much.  Shaylin continues to have a stronger neck for holding her head up, and our favorite things are that she is becoming more and more responsive – with smiles and vocal sounds!  Here is a little taste of her at 3 months!

Posted in Family, Kansas, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

The Parables of Jesus class begins today

September 17, 2008

Check out this trailer for my new online Lay Academy class:

I am excited that the Parables of Jesus (online version) begins today!  This is really a new and different way of connecting people and doing adult education.  Those participating already have offered so many great voices to the group! 

If you would like to learn more or join this class, email me and I can work to get you registered.

Posted in Ministry, Theology | Leave a Comment »

My ministry at Saint Paul

September 16, 2008

Last Tuesday, the 9th, I began a new role at Saint Paul School of Theology in the contextual education program.  I am a Supervisory Group Leader for the Engaging Local Ministries (ELM) class throughout the fall into the spring.  Each week I will facilitate a small group of seminary students as they reflect upon their ministries in the local church and find ways to strengthen their self understanding and skills. 

I am very excited to be a part of this program, allowing me to stay connected with the seminary, and to strengthen relationships with the new pastoral leaders coming into the local church – United Methodist and other.  I look forward to the practical theology that we will engage as we reflect upon the ministries to which God has called us.  I hope to foster an environment where they can recognize and reflect upon God’s work in their lives and future.

Posted in Church Leadership, Ministry, Theology | Leave a Comment »

Dr. Shelly in the house!

September 16, 2008

My wife, Shelly, completed her orals for her Doctor of Ministry through Drew University this past Friday.  I am so proud of her and all of her work towards this degree!  The focus of the program was Worship, Preaching, and Spirituality.  Her project was in conjunction with Grace’s 150th anniversary, where she led a team to erect a spiritual labyrinth – connecting the story and journey of our past with our future.  Then she provided many educational opportunities to teach about labyrinths and spiritual disciplines.  (See this cool link about the labyrinth.)  …She has only to send in her final draft of her thesis for the degree.  We will travel to Madison, NJ in October for the graduation.  Congrats!

Posted in Church Leadership, Family, Kansas, Ministry, Young Clergy | Leave a Comment »

Lay Academy at Grace is Here!

September 9, 2008

The Lay Academy brochure is now available for the Fall 2008.  There are offerings of classes in Bible, theology, mission and justice, stewardship, and discipleship living. 

The ones that I would like to highlight are Disciple I Bible study (an great way to engage the whole of the Bible), an online class that I am teaching about the parables of Jesus, and even a one-day retreat to strengthen couples’ relationship.  I hope you will check out the brochure in pdf and sign up: Lay Academy Brochure – Fall 2008. 

Email me if you have questions, comments, or if you want to sign up for a class!

Posted in Bible, Family, Ministry, Theology | Leave a Comment »

Parables of Jesus Blog

August 25, 2008

I am going to be teaching a Lay Academy class online this fall; it is called The Parables of Jesus.  Through the blog we will be using a video curriculum that I have been able to make available online, but only to those who sign up for the course (for copyright protection).  The video curriculum comes from www.modernparables.com, providing six parables in modern form.

If you have interest in this class, send me an email and I will add you to the roster.  The cost of the course is $15, which is for the curriculum and a study book you will recieve.  This will be a new adventure in connecting people, I hope you will consider joining us!

Posted in Bible, Ministry, Theology | Leave a Comment »

Baltimore Session of Lewis Fellows

July 31, 2008

 

I am officially on “family leave” until August 15th, but this week I was blessed to be with 25 other younger clergy from across the nation.  We gathered together just outside of Baltimore as our first (of four) session for the Lewis Fellows program through the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.  The focus of this first leadership training session was that of Visioning and the importance of Emotional Intelligence for pastoral leadership.

Each session we will have the combination of a main leadership theme, with the addtion of three foci: theological, skills, and personal.  The larger hope is to find ways to equip younger leaders to bring together challenge, support, and accountability, as we strengthen our churches for ministry in the world. 

My two favorite aspects of this session were

  1. The opportunity to network with other younger clergy from a diversity of contexts and backgrounds – being able to find support and encouragement.
  2. To learn the vital content and best practices of helping churches and ministries vision for the future, discerning what next steps God is calling us to take. 

The texts we read in preparation for this session included: Take the Next Step, and Primal Leadership.  Both texts were very helpful and informative.  The leadership of clergy would be more effective at equipping people and helping churches move into God’s preferred future if they would read and engaged these texts. 

I will reflect and blog further about the insights of visioning and emotional intelligence in the coming weeks.

Posted in Church Leadership, Ministry, Young Clergy | 1 Comment »

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