All Coming Together

It starting to all come together!

CATC's Leadership "Dream Team" has been set up! Church Council Chair will be a retired CEO. LayLeader has already proven to be a good leader. PPRC Chair is an awesome people person. And Treasurer just rocks. He can find money from just about anywhere! These folks are such an asset to my ministry and CATC's ministry!

Our Early Church Summer Experiment is now become a permament part of the schedule. In fact, we've grown out of our Sunday School Room into an unused room with dividers. Between the two services, we have a lot of folks in worship! Praise God!

Started a coffee time between early service and Sunday School. Usually carries over after second service.

Pastor's Partners in Prayer have a blooming and blessed prayer ministry with a healing service after second worship the first Sunday of the month and a Service of Evening Prayer and Praise the last Sunday of the month.

Every Member in Ministry starts this month. Women's Bible Study Group starts next week. Giving is up and we're seeing new faces.

Praise be to God!

Busy

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged! What can I say - I've been really busy.

The Committee on Lay Ministry and I are trying to get the church's Leadership Team in place. If folks agree to serve, it should be a strong team. Once it gets in place, we'll be studying Five Faithful Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Schnase. I'm excited!

I'm in the middle of a six wedding stretch. I'll be glad when they're over!

I'm now the District's NCD co-ordinator. Since the Conference has mandated that all churches be involved in NCD or some other self-assessment by 2011, it's getting a bit busy. Not enough coaches.

CATC has started an early, non-traditional worship service. It's been well-received and well-attended. The second service is traditional - and well-received and well-attended. We have a fellowship time between first service and Sunday School and after second Worship. Lots of good comments!

I've also started a new adult Sunday School class. It's going well too!

Vacation in a week! Can't wait!

Incollegiality

Annual Conference starts tomorrow. I've been trying to tie up loose end and for every one I get tied, it seems three more come loose. Asi es la vida.

I had better not see Previous Pastor at AC. Found out last night that he is doing the baptism after all - not in worship, but at a local park outside Small Town.

I've been told over and over again that he's a maverick - anti-Discipline and anti-Conference. But this is just plain rude.

On a practical note - do we record it in our records? He's not acting on behalf of Church Around the Corner.

I hate rewarding bad behavior.

Building a Mystery

(I always liked that song.)

To the one or two readers that may be reading my blog ... sorry. I've been busy.

This is the time of the year that the our United Methodist Conference powers-that-be demand an evaluation of its pastors. I don't mind being evaluated. It is a wonderful tool in opening discussions as to "what it is I exactly do." And really, it's a good thing - it holds me accountable.

However, it is the Clergy's Ministry Goals for the next 12 months second that drives me bonkers. It forces me to become far-sighted and look ahead. I'm a details person.

This mental and spiritual exercise of discernment has taken quite a lot of time. Such things do not happen overnight for me. I'm also a processor. And I try to listen closely to the Spirit.

My goals for the past 12 months have been:

1. Getting to know the CATC family and the area.
2. Starting a Pastor's Partners in Prayer
*Studying the book Pastor's Partners in Prayer by John Maxwell (New York: Thomas
Nelson. 1996)
*Using a weekly list generated by the pastor to pray for her, the church,
church meetings and programs and supportive prayer for concerns
*Meeting once a month for prayer and refocusing.
3. Listening to the comments, opinions, ideas and stories of the church family to
gain perspectives of pastoral leadership and direction of church ministries.
*In-home visitation of active members
*Active listening in meetings
4. Meeting monthly for the first six months with the SPPRC to share and address
ideas, concerns and expectations (church, SPPRC and pastoral expectations)
5. Working with the SPPRC Committee (and the inclusion of the Church Council Chair)
to develop a vision for the church.
*Core Value
*Mission Statement
*Scripture Verse
6. Discerning church leadership and spiritual gifts
7. Working on the church's infrastructure
*Asking board and committee members to commit to serve an additional year to
provide continuity for the church.
*Setting dates for regular meetings of each church board, committee and
ministry area (at least once a quarter)
*Providing training and education for board and committee responsibilities
8. And all the other stuff as per the 2008 Book of Discipline relating to pastoral duties and
responsibilities.

So far, I'm on track with meeting these goals. You can add that I've started a Women's Bible Study and a Wednesday night book study; hostessed various opportunities for fellowship; and revamped worship.

My major goal for the next year is to continue building the church's infrastructure by starting a Leadership Team and selection of the right people to leadership positions. Phew.

Damn

Damn, damn, damn.

So I Didn't Win the Award Today

Sigh.

Mr. Boy Scout Leader called today and wanted to know if I told the "other" Boy Scout troop to drop their plans for a fundraiser breakfast to be held at Church Around the Corner.

Ahem. I told him that after having polled the Church Powers-that-Be, we had no problem with letting the church members who are part of that Boy Scout troop use the church for their breakfast.

Mr. Boy Scout Leader expressed his displeasure and disappointment that "we" weren't going to support our church's own troop. I asked if they had planned on using the church on that particular day. He replied, "No." I asked if they had any plans for using the church other than on their regularly scheduled night. Again no. I asked if the troop had anyone besides him and Mr. Other Leader Who Doesn't Come to Church that were church members or regular attenders. Again, "No."

I told him the church was not getting involved Boy Scout business. He said we'd be hearing from their Powers-That-Be. Sigh. OK. Whatever.

Lord, have mercy. The Boy Scouts.

I Wonder Why?

... people who profess to love "their" church spend a lot of time trying to destroy it?

I'm looking for a new Lay Leader. Anyone want to swap??????

Poll

Does your church have a Little Old Lady who counts the stainless steel silverware to make sure no one inadvertantly takes any home?

Every.single.church.I've.served.

Hey, Hey Goodbye!

I've survived the loss of the first church family to leave the Church Around the Corner. It seems the church isn't changing fast enough for the husband, so he decided to find a church that's more progressive. After threatening to do it since I've been here, he finally did it. He sent me an e-mail. My reply? "So sorry. I understand. Go in peace. It's the desire of my heart that you find what you're heart is searching for and the church you choose recognizes the gift they been given."

I survived!

The Great White North

Hosers take off! (I've always wanted to say that - but I'm not Canadian. I do have good friend who is French Canadian and a Pentecostal pastor. When she starts speaking, I'm never sure if it's in tongues or Quebecquois!) I feel like I live in the Great White North today. We've got a good foot of snow with wind chills below zero. The cats have been camping out by the fireplace.

We had more in worship today than I thought. Brave, brave souls.

A young couple came that I didn't recognize. The church family pulled them into loving and caring embraces, talking animatedly with them. They left before I had the chance to go over and introduce myself.

Turns out, I've already met the young man. He dropped a lot of his mother's stuff off at the church after her death. After he left, both Hubby and I looked at each other and said at the same time, "He has such sad eyes. He must have a story to tell."

He was arrested shortly afterwards for drug possession. I found out by reading the newspaper.

The church family filled me in on his story. He attended Church Around the Corner from the time he was brought in his mother's arms until the time he became an angry, rebellious teenager. The good folks of CATC have watched over him, prayed over him, loved and cared for him all through his life. Today, he came back "home" and they rejoiced and loved him up. Sounds like a parable we've heard, doesn't it?

This church is just so awesome. Not perfect - not by any stretch of the imagination. These are good, good folks.

Quandary

What do you do with a Church Secretary that you really like, is very creative, manages to get all her work done even with lots of visiting and phone calls, but doesn't have a filter between her brain and mouth and doesn't seem to get the concept of "What happens between the Non-Church Daycare Director and Staff stays between the Non-Church Daycare Director and Staff?"

We've had several (no exaggeration!) "Come to Jesus" talks about this very issue. I've not told the SPPRC about it.

Seems Church Secretary has been questioning the NCDC Staff about the relationship between NCDC Director and a let go employee and then going back to said employee and reporting what's been said about her termination. NCDC Staff goes to NCDC Director and says, "What's going on? Church Secretary is asking us all these questions?"

NCDC Director calls me and asks for a meeting. "Can you take care of this?"

Oy! Any suggestions beside bring in the SPPRC?

Mission Statements

Why are Mission Statements so hard to write?

CATC's Visioning Committee (PPRC Committee and key church leaders) have been working on a mission statement for the past three months. They can agree on the bigger picture - it's the finer details they can't seem to agree upon.

We've discovered what our core values are. They're not hard: Love (for God and others), faith and ..... obedience, service, guidance? They've managed to work in the love and faith part, but the ___________________ part, they just can't agree to name it.

This week is the last time to work on it. They have to come to some sort of a consensus because I will be putting it in a larger package (2009 officers, budget, etc) and asking the congregation if they can live with it (if they can't, then it needs tweaked) and then it's on to the next level of planning in the boards and committees.

These folks have been a lot of fun to work with. Even when they can't reach consensus, they're still gracious and friendly. I'm praying it will go through!

Kids Ask the Darnedest Things

I decided to change it up this Sunday since it was a very special Sunday. So, instead of dragging out the hairdryer and curling iron, I decided to go with styling mousse and towel-dried hair. I was pleased with the results!

Children's Time happened. I talked about the CATC celebrating its 100th birthday. I talked about the changes that have happened in the last 100 years.
Five year old Annie raised her hand.

Now Annie's dad is a high school teacher and her mama is a Lutheran pastor (and fellow Duke grad!). Annie and her brother don't miss a trick.

Me: "Annie, do you have something you would like to say?"

Annie: "No. I have a question."

Me: "OK. What is your question?"

Annie: "Pastor Net, why is your hair wet?"

Blink, blink.

Cue raucous laughter from the congregation (They didn't even try to chortle quietly!)

Me: "Um. It's not wet, sweetie. I just put styling mousse in it and let it go this morning. Here, you can feel it."

Annie: "Oh. It feels like my brother's. He uses styling gel."

Everyone took great delight in reminding me after the service that, in spite of what I might think, I am not in control. The kids are.

And that's OK with me. These kids have great teachers!

Tired but Full

Church-Around-the-Corner's 100th Birthday Celebration is officially over. My feet are tired and sore, but my heart is full to running over.

What a wonderful celebration!

The Beginning of the End! Yeah!!!!

Tonight is Church-Around-the-Corner's Charge Conference. Yeah!

Tomorrow starts the weekend celebration of its 100th Anniversary. Yeah!

We have all kinds of wonderful events lined up: Chicken & Biscuit Dinner, addresses from former pastors, programs, a big worship service on Sunday, exhibits .... This has been years in the making.

And in two weeks, Stewardship Sunday and that program will end!

And hopefully, church life will fall back into some kind of a normal routine.

Off to clean the parsonage so's the former pastors and spouse can walk down Memory Lane!

It's Nice to be Wanted

Church-Around-the-Corner threw a "Pastor's Appreciation" fete after worship last Sunday since I will be away at Koininia (Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus) this weekend - at Chautauqua Institute, no less!

I digress.

I'm not comfortable with compliments. I've taught myself to try and listen graciously and then say, "Thank you. That means a lot to me," without sounding insincere or ingracious.

This year, however, I made myself really listen and respond. Just about everyone who stayed (and most of those who didn't) came up and said things like "I'm so glad you're here," or "You're such a blessing!" or "God really blessed us with your ministry here." And so many "Hugs and Kisses" (hershey's that is) from the children and youth.

Wow! After CIUS, I tried not to take these words very lightly (and I try not to take them too seriously either - but that's my issue).

I am very grateful to be here. These folks are not perfect, but they are easy to like.

I am glad to be here!

Ooookay

Elmer and Aggie were in church today. We shook hands and were cautiously cordial.

Whoot!

Our church float took First Place in the CornFest Parade yesterday morning in the Church Division and tied for First Place with the Amway Store's float in the overall judging.

Hubby's church float had a Corn Still promoting ethanol.

Free Methodist had kids "eating" corn and prayers of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

The Catholic church had a bunch of senior citizens playing cooking utensils in a kitchen band.

The Lootherans didn't have a float.

I thought the Presby's would win it on the "cuteness factor." They had six little kids wearing muffin head costumes, sitting in a giant muffin baking tin. Another cutie was the cook, stirring corn meal in a bowl and "pouring" it on top of the muffin heads in the baking tin which he then "pushed" into the cardboard replic of a wood-burning oven. My heart sank when I saw their float; and right then and there, I was willing to give a concession speech.

But we WON! WE WON!

The trophy is sitting on the Worship Center today along with some of D2's academic awards and some of Son's athletic awards. I'm preaching on "Excellence in All We Do for Jesus Christ" based on the Romans lectionary passage and the Olympics.

Whoot!

Let's Get This Party Started

Tonight, Church Around the Corner's S/PPRC meets for the second time. Last month's meeting was a listening post of sorts. They talked, I listened. And if you remember from my previous post, they had a lot to say.

Tonight, I'm going to lead a Bible Study about the C/church's purpose. They are so wanting to do "ministry," but it's a shot-gun (with an open choke) approach. Just aim and fire. The pattern is way, way wide and all spread out. You can't do ministry that way ... the louder voices get heard whether or not the issues/"recommendations" they speak are truly what needs to be done.

The PPR Chair invited folks to "suggest" ways the church can be in ministry. Of course, the main concern is increasing church membership and attendance, i.e. "survival." I'm trying to tell them that if the church is healthy, then growth is inevitable. "Church Growth" should not be the main focus of ministry.

Their last Mission Statement (done about 20 years ago) is a convoluted, rambling, wordy, run-on sentence. Tonight, we're going to get started on a new one. But first, we need to take a look and listen as Jesus spells out what he expects from his disciples.

The UMC's Mission Statement is "Making disciple of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."


Our Conference's Statement is "to provide leadership, connection, and resources to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

Our Conference's Vision is "to ignite and sustain a passionate, spiritual connection with Christ among all people in [our Conference's area]."

Our Core Value Statement: "Our core value is love: We love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength and our neighbors as ourselves. This value is commanded by Jesus, inspired by our Wesleyan heritage including to spread scriptural holiness over the land and witnessed through our integrity, accountability and inclusiveness."

Lofty words to be sure. I'm not looking for anything this profound, but tonight we will attempt to contemplate, understand and verbalize what Jesus expects us to do as CATC. It's a first step. Then we can plan ministry around what Jesus expects us to do.

Mission Statement making is not an immediate proposition. It takes time, discernment and a lot of prayer. I'm starting a "Pastor's Partners in Prayer," made up of committed prayer warriors, to cover this process in prayer. I've gotten four folks so far to commit to pray daily for the church, me and the church's leaders.

I'm really excited about empowering this church!

Church Family

Have I mentioned just how wonderful my new church family is?

The Oldest Attending Member took a header this morning before worship, making a face plant into the hallway carpet. He's lost a lot of weight lately and the combination of ill-fitting clothes and weakness caused his accident. He ended up with a very large wound on the side of his head where his fragile skin tore. The Lay Leader came and got me, alerted the church and we all got to work.

His many friends took turns holding his hands, praying over him, speaking encouraging words of love and support. Others prayed in the Narthex; one called Small Town Ambulance Service and others brought me the first aid box so I could practice my rusty EMT skills.

Ashley, who is a 21-year-old mentally challenged young woman, asked me what had happened to her "friend."

"He has a big ouchie on his head, Ash," I told her.

Ash knelt down and tenderly kissed her friend on his head. "There! That should make you feel better!" she said. Mr. Oldest Attender kissed her hand and thanked her for the gift.

That's OK!" Ashley said. "I love you!"

My heart swelled up and I choked back tears.

After the ambulance crew got Mr. OA assessed and loaded up, his church family lined their way with shouts of love and good wishes.

When it had turned the corner and couldn't be seen any more, we all made our way into the sanctuary for worship. I think God was beaming.