Category: Church Leadership

Encouragement for leaders

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Church Leadership Forward Look Journal

State of the Church address

At the semi-annual church conference, I changed the format of my usual report and instead presented a “State of the Church” address.   It was meant to summarize the achievements of my pastorate and describe the position of our church today as I view it.   I am attaching it in pdf format.

The State of the Church

Having reflected on it now for a couple weeks since I wrote it, there is one section that I should have added to the innovations section.  But we take it so much for granted today and know that there is no going back so I did not think of it.   The item I should have noted concerns all the technological advances we have made in using the computer since I have been pastor.   I arrived at the end of the typewriter era in Kirkville.  During my tenure, all record-keeping has been computerized; we used the computer to keep records and generate mailing lists.  Our current database expert volunteer is Josh Basile.  Of course, all correspondence and bulletin preparation has been computerized.  Currently we are using Word and Publisher 2010 to accomplish our work.   After Mahlon Moon’s thoughtful memorial gift of the the projector and screen in memory of Tillie, we entered the era of projected song words, PowerPoint slides when needed, mission slide shows without carousel trays, downloaded video clips, movies on the big screen, and most recently now, joining in a national simulcast.   All this has required consistent upgrading through the years as technology advanced and equipment wore out.  Finally, with a great deal of help from Steven Sgroi, we have become a church with a viable web presence.   We now have our own domain name  –  kirkvillewesleyan.org, on which we maintain our church website, publish three or four blogs and  have the capability for a sermon database in printed or video form.  In addition, again with Steven’s help, we are now on Facebook.   Our web presence is of increasing importance today as people check out churches online before visiting and expect some technical savvy when they arrive too. Ben Mackey oversees the team that makes possible our projection and sound ministry on Sundays.   Also, thanks to Ed Maum, we enjoy an in-house network.   Thank you to all the other volunteers too who make all this happen.

Finally, I would recommend an important parallel anecdotal account of the current state of our church.  If you read my wife’s book, God With Us; Fifty True Stories of God’s Faithfulness, you will see that it reflects who we are as a congregation very well.  So many of the stories describe the ministries of our church co-incidentally as she relays the first person testimonies.   Overall, a very powerful picture of our community of faith emerges.

 

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Church Leadership Journal

Sermon coordinated Bible reading for November 4-24

 

Daily Bible reading is a basic discipline of disciples

 Our Big Bible Bonanza reading contest has been very successful in encouraging daily Bible reading.  Though people could choose to read any passage of at least five verses that they wanted to, many chose to follow the sermon coordinated outline series that we prepared for the contest time.   At least one person wondered aloud what he would do when that schedule came to an end.  

I have good news.  I am supplying a sermon coordinated list for the next sermon series as well.   The up-coming series is on Gratitude and Giving.  I also hope to supply a reading schedule for the Christmas series.    At the turn of the year, we can help people choose from the many yearly plans that are available.   Hopefully we will all have greatly strengthened the discipline of daily Bible reading in the process.

 

 

Bible Reading Suggestions for Sermons series on Gratitude and Giving

 

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

# of days you read

Week of Nov 4-10

Psalm 96:1-10

Romans 7:21-8:2

Psalm 85:7-13

Eph. 1:15-23

Psalm 145:8-13

Mark 12:38-44

Col. 3:13-17

 

Week of Nov 11-17

Psalm 98

Romans 14:5-12

Psalm 50:7-15, 23

Col. 1:9-14

Psalm 56:3,4, 10-13

John 6:1-15

Mark 8:1-10

 

Week of Nov 18-24

Psalm 136:1-9

Luke 17:11-19

Psalm 118:1,2, 13-16

1 Thess. 5:16-24

Psalm 95:1-7

Luke 22:14-20

I Cor. 15:51-58

 

 

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Church Leadership Journal Joy Notes

Big Bible Bonanza increases Bible reading

 

Daily Bible reading is a basic discipline of disciples

 

Blue Angels vs. Goldfish

Everyone a winner – that was our goal at the beginning of the Bible reading emphasis.  More specifically, the goal was to increase the number of people reading their Bible every day.  Well, what has happened?  How are we doing?   Our organizers divided the congregation into two alphabetical teams as evenly as they could, based upon the list of those that attend.   Team names chosen were the Blue Angels for the first half of the alphabet and the Goldfish (think of the ancient Christian symbol) for the second half.   The goal was not how much you read, but to read at least 5 verses every day.  People, including children reported their reading through their classes and small groups.  Adults could read to younger children.  (Those who were not attending a small group could report directly to the organizers.)  

Discipline is not easy but accountability helps

Surprisingly, there was a little mumbling among even some seasoned Christians at being asked to participate in something that required one to be accountable for the discipline of Scripture reading. But, as the contest progressed, conviction and the encouragement of friends prevailed.   This illustrated that though we sometimes resist being accountable to one another, it is almost always beneficial to us in the long run.   Discipline is not easy.  I have to confess that during the five weeks, I missed one day myself while traveling.  But I was glad for the added accountability provided by the contest.

Classes and groups influential

The idea of reporting to small groups turned out to be very influential, especially among the adults.  Participation in several adult classes grew as the contest continued.   Last week three adult classes, those led by Larry Nemitz, George Raterman and Claude Walrath, all reported 100% of their members reading every day.   Congratulations to these teachers and their classes.

Families blessed

Hearing of increases in Bible reading across the board is a great win for everyone.   Contest records show that 31 people never missed a day in the first four weeks. (Those who have a perfect record for all five weeks will be recognized at the dinner.)   They set the pace for all of us.  Another inspiration is learning of personal stories like that of a family of four, who read every day from the sermon coordinated suggestions—the father read to his family.   When the father had to spend a few days in the hospital, his young son volunteered to take his place.  (At their suggestion, I’ll be making a list of coordinated reading for the next three weeks too, even though the contest will be ended.)  Another family called in their points while traveling.  (Families were allowed to call in points one Sunday out of the five.)   I’d love to hear more stories of how you have been blessed by the Bible reading contest.

A great example of encouraging one another

The first two weeks of the contest, only one team, the Blue Angels, received the bonus for having more that 60% of those participating reading every day.  The second week, neither team received it.   But by the fourth week, both teams exceeded 70% of readers reading every day.   The highest percentage so far was 76% reading daily achieved by the Goldfish on week three.  At this writing, the Goldfish are looking strong.   Of the people on their team, on the average, they had a larger number who read their Bibles and reported than the Blue Angels did, which added up.   But certainly we all win by confirming the habit of Bible reading.  So we will all celebrate with a dinner on Nov. 10.   A big thank you to key contest organizer JoAnne Jones, John Risley—who helped with stats— team captains Mark Boswell and Rhett Laforte, and Sunday School teachers and group leaders who helped encourage their class.   This was a great example of putting into practice Hebrews 10:23-25.   “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (NIV 1984).

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Church Leadership Journal Joy Notes

Thank you so much for pastor appreciation month

It’s been a great month

This has been a great pastor appreciation month.   My associate, Pastor Eric and I say thank you to all of you—so many kind words, gifts, food donations and people generally going the extra mile to make us feel special.   Just as a sample, today I received a restaurant gift certificate & a great berry pie from adults, a plate of scrumptious chocolate brownies & card from a teen and a handmade appreciation card from a child.  Wow!  Beth Winans has done a great job coordinating it all too.  

United prayers were a highlight

Last week as Eric and I (and our wives too in 1st service) knelt at the altar rails while many in the congregation gathered around us, laid hands on us and prayed, I felt so blessed.    How blessed to be prayed for by the gathered body of Christ.   It is so encouraging and empowering.   JoAnne told me she was doing pretty well at not being emotional through all the thoughtful prayers until one of the teen girls prayed, then she was so touched, she could no longer hold back the tears and needed my handkerchief.     

Seeing other people minister is rewarding

One of the biggest blessings of the month for me was to see so many people step up in this morning’s services and do things I had not seen them do before—like Anthony calling for the ushers and Caleb Wilkinson praying over the offering in second service, Mystical speaking so articulately about Eric’s analogies, Phil Seamans tenderly leading the congregation in prayer time in second service, Shaun Harrington clearly bringing a very Biblical message in second service and so many others who gave testimonies.    As I near retirement, it becomes more and more gratifying to me to see that our church is equipping people to do the work of ministry in so many different forms.   One of the greatest pastor appreciation things that could happen is to see those I have influenced “catching the wave,” “getting on board,”  and actually doing the things I do, sometimes better than I do them, but in the same Christian Spirit.   That is how the body of Christ is to grow and multiply its influence.   

Thank you all for a great month.

 “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.”  2 Th 1:3 NIV 

 

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Church Leadership Journal

October and November Messages Planned

 

Harvest time is for Thanksgiving

I haven’t blogged in a couple weeks because I have been traveling part of each week.   But now that the schedule has returned a little more to normal, I will try to catch up a little.  As you can see, the plan below is already in progress.    Our October series was planned to go with election  season when our country is talking about values and issues.   The church needs to be relevant and enter the conversation.  But my take is a little different ffom some.  Here is a quote from the introduction to the series on Christian Values for Today.

      “I believe that Christians are called to tell the truth about the chaos of values today.  Our task is to call our country back to the values of the Bible.   As we undertake this task, we cannot help but seem political at times. But that is not our first intention.  As one person has put it, ‘God is not a Democrat or Republican.’    God’s values apply equally to Democrats and Republicans.  He calls both parties to forsake their sins and walk in his paths.   It is up to us as followers of Christ to use our discernment and our influence to encourage all parties to take stands on contemporary issues that reflect the teaching of the Word of God.  Using our vote as best we can is part of our responsibility to use our influence.  At times in this series, I expect that the Republicans will feel somewhat smug.  But at other times I expect that the Democrats will feel the same way.  But that is not my issue. My responsibility is to preach the word of God wherever the chips fall.  My responsibility is to pick issues that I feel are of extreme importance in the Bible, our lives, and in our country and preach on them.   And God helping us that is what we will do in this series called Christian Values for Today.”  

The November series  will focus on the close relationship between the Thanksgiving season and the Christian value and practice of generosity and stewardship.   It will also be a great lead-in to the Christmas season with its emphasis upon giving. 

 

October Series:  Christian Values for Today

Date

Topic

Speaker

 Scripture

Suggested Hymn

October 7

Human Life is Precious

Kelvin Jones

Psalm 139:13-16

We Praise Thee, O God

October 14

God has Blessed Traditional Marriage

Kelvin Jones

Gen. 1:26-32 Eph. 5:28-33

A Christian Home (147)

October 21

Pastor Appreciation

Larry Nemitz

1 Tim. 2:1-7

My Faith has Found (277)

October 28

Remembering the Poor

Kelvin Jones

Gal. 2:6-10 Acts 10:1-6

Show a Little Bit of Love (511)

November 4

Righteousness Exalts a Nation

Eric Paashaus

Prov. 14:34

Where Cross the Crowded Ways (490)

Thanksgiving Series:   Thanksgiving and Giving

November 11

Giving is a Good Thing

Kelvin Jones

1 Tim. 6:3-19

Now Thank We All Our God (36)

November 18

Thanksgiving and the Offering of Firstfruits

Kelvin Jones

Deut. 26:1-11

Count Your Blessings (430)

November 25

 Giving to the Work of God

Eric Paashaus

 2 Cor. 9:6-15

Thanks to God (110)

 

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Church Leadership Forward Look Journal

On Celebrating World Communion Sunday

On October 7, we at Community Wesleyan, Kirkville, will join Christians around the world in the celebration of World Communion Sunday.   This year, I did a little research to see what some others were saying about the observance of this special Sunday.   It was a great way to use the spirit of the day to express its meaning.  Here are some of the inspiring thoughts I found expressed by church leaders of other denominations.

It originated when the world was very divided in order to emphasize unity in Christ

 

World Communion Sunday originated in the Presbyterian Church (USA). In 1936, for the first time, the first Sunday in October was celebrated in Presbyterian churches in the United States and overseas. From the beginning, it was planned so that other denominations could make use of it. After a few years, the idea was welcomed by the wider Christian community as an opportunity to move beyond historical and theological differences and worship together. On this first Sunday of October, we celebrate our oneness –our communion – in Christ, in the midst of a world still in need of the reconciling unity of Christ. The Middle English roots of the word “communion” refer to having something in common and to being in a relationship. On this particular Sunday, it is a blessing to be intentionally aware of being “in communion,” that is, sharing Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, whom we have “in common” with other Christians, congregations, and denominations around the world.(quoted from http://resources.mennonitechurch.ca/ResourceView/43/14412)

It reminds us that in order to overcome the divisions of our world we will need to look beyond ourselves and receive from Jesus

World Communion Sunday is an event that bridges denominations and spotlights our commonality in the Body of Christ. This world would be so much better off if we looked for that which we hold in common rather than our differences. Holy Communion, rightly observed, reunites the Church. This is the pastor’s hope when he or she holds up the loaf of bread and says, “Because there is one loaf, we who are many, are one body in Christ.”

Therefore, our focus is in how to get over our differences and find common power to live in Christ. The Eucharist is a time of positive celebration, reunion, prayer for healing, and a sacred time to put others before ourselves

World Communion Sunday was intended as an occasion when persons would be invited to the Lord’s  Table on the same Sunday in many different churches and denominations, regardless of how often those churches and denominations normally observe communion. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) participates in this witness and celebrates the fact that many other denominations are also inviting persons to the Lord’s Table on the first Sunday in October. (from a blog by Rev. Tim McClendon found at  http://www.umcgiving.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=qwL6KkNWLrH&b=7080293&ct=11520565&notoc=1.)

 

We may have different liturgies and customs but we have only one Lord and Savior who unites us

As Disciples, we proclaim the message of unity at Christ’s Table every Sunday of the year, not just on World Communion Sunday. We gather with other Christians every Sunday and declare our oneness in Christ as we take our place at the Table of our Lord. There are many different approaches to the serving and partaking of communion. Different elements are used. Different liturgies exist for communion in different churches. Communion is placed in a variety of positions in different orders of worship. But the message of God’s love for us, made known in Christ, is proclaimed boldly through our worship at the Table. It is this love that we proclaim at the Table that has the power to heal wounds, whether they are the wounds within our own spirits, within our families, within our communities, and between nations. God’s love makes us One. In my view, we are not being truly faithful in our worship unless we are proclaiming that message.

May we find joy in proclaiming that message with passion on World Communion Sunday and on all of the other Sundays of the year. Come to think of it, why be restricted to Sundays? Let us proclaim this good news every day that God gives us breath.

(Taken from Resources for World Communion Sunday: October 7, 2012 Prepared by the Council on Christian Unity, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) accessed at http://www.disciples.org/ccu/PDF/World%20Communion%20Sunday%202012b.pdf)

 

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Church Leadership Journal Joy Notes

FRC Simulcast marks a new first

Hurrah for a landmark event.  

Last Sunday evening our church hosted its first simulcast, the Family Research Council (FRC) I Pledge event.  We met in the sanctuary and viewed nationally known speakers on the big screen.  Over 40 people attended; a number equal to about 30 percent of our recent average Sunday attendance.    Included were guests from other churches, new attenders and those who have attended church infrequently but were very interested in this topic, applying Christian values to political decision-making.    The FRC program was very well received.  In addition, one of our technical whizzes, Josh Basile, made our first simulcast work flawlessly.  

Upgrades made it possible

Over the years since we first caught the vision of using a screen in church for song words, video clips, PowerPoint, etc. we have gradually been upgrading our capabilities.   When this opportunity came along, we realized that we now had the ability to host such an event. 

Simulcasts may become a significant ministry

I believe that hosting simulcasts will now become a significant means of ministry for our church.   National speakers frequently organize such events and ask churches to host them.   The cost is usually modest because the speaker wants to get their ideas out.   But in our celebrity conscious world, famous speakers and hot topics can definitely draw an audience.   The bottom line is, if chosen carefully, I believe such programming can strongly influence people in our area to follow Jesus.    

 

 

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Church Leadership Journal Joy Notes

Our Romania Connection

 

Our next team arrives this week

This week our latest layperson team arrives in Romania.   They will be joining our Associate Pastor, Eric Paashaus, his wife Magda and their three children to work with the Romanian churches headed by Pastor Rudy Costea, Magda’s father.   Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, Eric and Magda have been preaching and coordinating ministry there since June.       They will all return together in another 10 days.   Their report to the church will be September 23rd.   Save that date.

We sent them off with prayer

It was a very special moment in both services as congregation members gathered around Mark and Eva Boswell and Shaun and Lea Harrington to pray for them and send them off in a manner similar to the way Paul and Barnabas were sent off by the church in Acts in Acts 13.   I was especially touched in second service, as children and teens came forward to assist in the prayer.   In fact, two of the teens joined with the adults in praying aloud for the team.   Our intercession is so important, especially since this team has been sent for an emphasis upon outreach and evangelism.   By personalities, gifts and experiences we believe they will be able to witness to Jesus’ life changing power.   We are praying for the Holy Spirit to speak through them. 

Our ministry focuses on towns and villages

The city that is the center of their ministry is Sighisoara which is in the Transylvania area.   Pastor Rudy and his wife Eugenia also supervise ministry in several surrounding villages and towns.   Some have church buildings and some do not.   We have already been helping to support teachers at the school in one such village, Apold.   During this trip, we hope to be a blessing to more outlying villages through VBS ministry and church planting.   Another donor has given a substantial gift to assist in church planting.   Pastor Eric has also been coordinating with the Nazarene missionaries to establish a cooperative venture for the training of new pastors.  This is sorely needed as most of the current pastors under Pastor Rudy are older.   We are praising God for what has already been accomplished and what we believe will yet be accomplished for his kingdom through this team. 

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Church Leadership Journal News Commentary Wisdom

Best pro-life article I have read in some time

People who are pro-life are always asked by pro-choice people,  “What about cases of rape and incest?”   Here is a compelling, factual, insightful and thoroughly convincing pro-life answer.   I highly recommend it.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/how-do-we-respond-to-the-question-what-about-rape-and-incest-80584/

 

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Church Leadership Journal Wisdom

Book recommendations for marriages in troubled times

Last Sunday I finished the series of sermons called Kitchen Table Talks on Relationships.  As I was studying for the series and reviewing various sourcebooks, I was thinking about which ones to recommend to couples who were going through difficult times in their marriages.   My wife and I know from personal experience that marriage is not always easy. But we also know that with God’s help, and determination to see it through, couples can come through rough waters with a better marriage than before.   To help couples who are currently in those tough moments, here are three book recommendations.   

Making Love Last Forever by Gary Smalley (Word Publishing, 1996)  In this easy-to-read book, Dr. Smalley handles some difficult topics such as unresolved anger, deep hurts,  disappointed expectations,  marital communication and personality differences with insight and Christian wisdom.  Taking his advice seriously will help couples get back on track.

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work  (Three Rivers Press, New York, 1999)  This is a different kind of book, an extremely practical and behavior-oriented book in which the author shares his research in predicting divorce and helping couples avoid it. He describes how he predicts whether a marital conflict will resolve the problem 96% of the time after only listening to 3 minutes of it.     I was skeptical until I began to read the signs he looks for, one of which is the presence of the deadly four horsemen:  criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.   I knew from personal experience with couples and from other reading that he was being very insightful and his work would be helpful.   

Fighting for Your Marriage by Howard Markham, Scott Stanley, and Susan L. Blumberg  (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 1994)   This book has become a classic for its description of four negative patterns that are very harmful in a relationship, patterns that must be avoided if marriages are to be healed. The authors describe the patterns well including case study examples, explanations, and practical advice as to how to change the pattern.  The four specific patterns are escalation, invalidation, withdrawal and avoidance, and negative interpretations.  When these patterns are present in the emotional interaction in a marriage they are very destructive and need to be fixed in order for the marriage to recover. This book can be very helpful in eliminating these four patterns.