Categories
Joy Notes

Treasuring the quiet spots

I’ve been noticing lately how much I treasure the quiet places in my life.   Recently when I visited my daughter and son-in-law, I found a quiet spot on their front porch to enjoy a cup of tea, watch the mockingbirds chase away a crow; to pray, reflect in silence and just enjoy the moment.    At home, I like to awaken earlier than my wife and sit in my recliner near the front window– my reading corner– and have my morning devotions.    I’m writing this in a cabin at Chambers Camp at the annual Family Camp, a get-away, I have enjoyed for many years.  Sometimes a quiet spot is simply an activity that takes significantly less concentration and allows the mind to wander, to catch its breath, to bring to consciousness its subterranean work.   For me, that could be working in the garden, or walking for exercise.   Even just stopping for a few moments to enjoy an exquisite garden blossom can provide a mini-respite from the hubbub of the day.  But some rest times need to be more extended; a prayer retreat overnight at an inexpensive hotel, a half-day of reflection and prayer at a local park, a time at a Christian family camp like Chambers.  These Sabbath moments filled with quiet renew our mind somehow.

There’s a verse of Scripture that says, “In quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (Isa 30:15 ESV).  God knew we would need to stop the hubris in our lives and allow ourselves process time.   I’ve found that such times are also some of my most creative times as well.  When I try to keep working without them, I find myself advancing only by shear persistence and wearing down in the process.  In addition, I notice that I come up with few new ideas and creative solutions during such times.    But in those quiet moments, God can speak to me.    Maybe that’s when I am listening better.   

Jesus found the need for quiet times in his life too.  After the feeding of the crowd, he went up on the mountainside alone to pray (Mark 6:46).   Before choosing his disciples, he prayed alone in the night on the mountainside (Luke 6:12).  Of course, we think of his time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.

In the Old Testament, national feast times may have provided a structure for such breaks.  One, the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) was a week in length (Lev. 23:34). 

I remember reading about this concept in Ron Hutchcraft’s Peaceful Living in Stressful Times, “Regular rest and recovery is not an option in God’s plan.  There is a price to pay for neglecting it (p. 55).

Some quiet times need to be pretty much institutions in our lives; Sabbath, daily devotions, annual vacation to suggest some.    But many of the most effective reflective interludes will be found along the path as we deliberately look for and take advantage of moments of quiet.   Perhaps it is a stop along the highway at a beautiful overlook, a short rest in a garden nook amid late June blossoms;  a cup of tea or coffee in front of a quiet window, a long shower or soak in the tub,  a walk—well, you fill in your own list. 

I am convinced that these quiet moments of life are essential.  During these times we:

•   Have a mini-rest from the drivenness, constant activity, and incessant data input of our culture.  This resets our chemistry from abnormal adrenaline-pumping to a more normal pace.

•   Integrate and process our reality, an essential part of healthy coping.  We really can’t process well on the go.

•   Generate most of our creative ideas and problem solutions.   A great inventive genius like Edison was reported to have kept a couch in his office for the purpose of taking a break.

•    Reflect on our own actions, allowing us to step back and admit when we are wrong or change our relationship strategy to better relate to a friend.

•    Pray most effectively.  We have a time to talk ourselves out and then listen to God.  And during such times we are more willing to listen.    We might even practice being open to hear God’s still small voice.   I’ve found it takes time to get me to be quiet before God.

•   Renew our zest for life and work.   Quiet times are truly re-creative. They restore energy and zeal.

Categories
Church Leadership

Leadership Reflections on Hosting District Conference Successfully

I’ve been asking myself, “From a leadership standpoint, why did it go so well?”   “What were some key ingredients in the mix that made it all come together?”   Here are some of my answers.  I’ve tried to order them so that the ones I consider most important are near the top.

  • It was a request that we accepted together.  I asked several key leaders if they thought it was a good idea before we said we would accept the challenge.  So key leaders were on board from the start.
  • It was a big enough challenge to stretch us.  Everyone knew when I told them the level of people that were coming and the number coming that it would tax our facility and that it was not something that a couple people could get ready for.
  • We started planning many weeks ahead.  We appointed key leaders in charge of various areas so that preparations were not up to me.   One would be in charge of facility repairs; another in charge of the kitchen; another in charge of the worship music; another sound; etc.  I was left simply to keep my mind on the big picture, check up on progress, and to watch for additional details not already attended to.
  • I am more of a big picture, people person, and a directional leader.   Many of the people I appointed to lead right under me in this project were detail people.   This provides a great balance for me.
  • I was willing to use this occasion to challenge the congregation to prepare on a level that we sometimes do not prepare for ourselves—especially as regards facility maintenance updates.   I treated it like we might treat it at our homes when important family company is coming.  We clean house; we finish some minor repairs we’ve been putting off, and we might even upgrade a couple things.   This created a culture of rising to the occasion.
  • I persevered in keeping the congregation on task by keeping the focus on the event that was coming, by gently reminding leaders when necessary, and by doing some personal recruiting to handle leftover details.
  • I was able to realize when I was being overwhelmed with some small details and ask for more help in that area.   For example, my office needed reorganization and cleaning.  I was too busy.   My wife stepped in and helped.

On even cursory reflection, it will quickly become obvious that these all are general guidelines that will be relevant and helpful in handling almost any organizational project.

Categories
Journal

District Conference hosted well

Efficient, flexible in meeting challenges, well staged, and very friendly—such words describe the job done by all the volunteers as they worked together admirably to host the annual district conference CNY district of the Wesleyan Church held here last Saturday.   We were complimented by attending delegates as well as by presiding officer, General Superintendent, Dr. Tom Armiger.    District Superintendent, Rev. Wayne Wager, and his wife, Deb, attended our service this past Sunday and also expressed their appreciation.   

As pastor, I was very impressed by the work accomplished, the good attitudes, and the way folks stepped forward to help.  The kitchen crew under Judy Cremeans did a great job.   Building preparations ahead of time under Dave Schwarz made great strides.  Especially to be commended are Larry and Sharlene Nemitz for the remodeling job on the ground floor bathrooms—Wow!   Also thanks to Eva and JoAnne for extra office and cleaning work.   Our music team led the district in worship with enthusiasm and joy in the Spirit; and our sound and technical folks rose to the challenge too.   These were just representative of many volunteers who pitched in. 

It really is an exhilarating feeling when we all work together to accomplish something.   Beforehand we look with trepidation; and we wonder how we can ever get it all done.   Afterword, we are greatly encouraged at what is really possible when we band together in unity.  “How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity! (Ps 133:1 NIV).

Categories
Journal

Washington visit

Just walking the streets near our nation’s Capitol is exhilarating.  A few weeks ago, my wife and I had the privilege of attending a conference in Washington DC.   Our Family Research Council sponsored event for pastors was at the Hyatt just a few blocks from the capitol.    It was a packed trip with little extra time for sightseeing.  And the convention schedule was tight too.

On the first evening we visited the capitol building for a tour led by David Barton, the leader of Wall Builders (http://www.wallbuilders.com/) and a leading expert on the Christian history of our country.   He and his helper not only told us basic factoids about the Capitol such as–  you could put the Statue of Liberty inside under that dome and have room left over– but they also explained the interrelationship between our country’s history and our Christian faith.   They reminded us of the Christian beliefs of many of the men whose statues are in the National Statuary Hall Collection (http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/nsh/index.cfm) .   We learned about the pictures chosen for the rotunda, four of which are of specifically Christian liturgies or events in our early history. David Barton remarked that there are pictures representing a baptism– that of Pocahontas– a prayer meeting and two Bible studies.

Since I chose the conference, JoAnne chose the activity for the one free afternoon.  Of course it was the art museum, oh well.   Actually, while it probably wouldn’t be my choice of museums, I do enjoy viewing the work of the old impressionist masters and the great landscape artists.

We also checked out the DC aquarium.  It’s theme of national parks was neat and the presentations were high quality.  However, the size and scope of the displays was small, occupying only one floor of one section of the building.   Having been to aquariums in Atlanta and Chicago, we were a little disappointed and another couple we talked to volunteered the same sentiment.

Our roster of speakers was stellar.  Besides FRC president, Tony Perkins, we heard messages or presentations from  Kenyn Cureton,  Jim Garlow, Henry Blackaby,  and Jim Cymbala, as well some present  and previous congresspersons.   It was inspirational.  The most immediate visible result has been the spark for the current sermon series, “God and Country.”

Young Adult Study Group Started

Are you too old for teen classes but too young for existing adult studies at Kirkville Wesleyan?  Now we have an answer for you! This last Sunday at Community Wesleyan at 10:30 AM, Pastor Eric Paashaus started a new class for young adults.   Target age group for this brand new fellowship is post high school to about 30, though age limits are not hard-wired.    It will be meeting in one of the pastor’s offices until attendance outgrows the space, which we anticipate could happen very soon.  You can text Mystical for the scoop.

Kirkville to host District Conference

“Going for the Greater” is the theme of the annual district conference of the Central New York District of the Wesleyan Church to be hosted this Saturday, June 19, by Community Wesleyan Church, Kirkville.  The theme comes from Jesus’ prophecy in John 14:12.    “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (Jn. 14:12 NIV).   The delegates will use the perspective gained from meditation on this verse as they consider long range goals for our district.  Other business will include specific plans for the coming year, election of officers, and reports of ministry accomplished.  Delegates will be introduced to our newest congregation, a Chen ethnic church pastored by a recent graduate of our Burmese Bible School.   It meets at the Midler Ave. Church in the afternoon.   Agendas will be shepherded by General Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Tom Armiger, and District Superintendent, Rev. Wayne Wager who will also bring the keynote addresses.

Preparations here at Kirkville have been underway for several weeks.   To take care of all the last minute sprucing up projects and plan for the big event, the trustees under the leadership of Dave Schwarz have been checking off to-do items at a rapid pace.   A special kitchen crew under the direction of Judy Cremeans has been working hard to prepare for the refreshments for over 150 delegates plus guests.  Many volunteer cleaning crews and some good decorators have pitched in too.    Seeing how much we have accomplished in preparation for this event, one long time attendee commented, “We should host this every three years or so.”      Well, I’m not sure about that, but it is surprising how many good things happen when you know special guests are coming isn’t it.     Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to prepare!

Categories
Journal

Another immigration travesty

I read in the news today about the sad status of many children of illegal immigrants.  They are now practically people without a country.  They have frequently been here since early childhood and never returned to their country of origin.   Yet our country, sadly and unwisely, refuses to grant them legal status.  (See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/us_and_canada/10209099.stm).   How is this in any way Christian when God clearly instructs us to treat the alien among us as a native-born (see my pages commenting on a previous news article).  I urge Congress to join together to immediately pass laws granting paths to legal residency for such people.  It is only just, fair and Christian.   Anything less is a travesty of justice and downright mean.

Categories
Forward Look

Local conference approves agenda items

In a joyful annual conference, Community Wesleyan church members affirmed the LBA’s suggestion that Pastor Eric Paashaus’ title be changed from Assistant Pastor for Youth to Assistant Pastor.   Amid many items of praise from various ministry leaders, they also approved the annual budget and phase one of the plans of the kitchen committee for kitchen renovation.  This renovation will start after the District conference meets here  June 19 and be finished before VBS begins Aug. 16.     Key person in making the changes will be Dave Cremeans.  Kitchen committee chair is Cindy Center.  Money is in hand for this project.

Board recommends title change

I am happy to report that at my suggestion, the LBA recommended to the local church conference that Pastor Eric’s title be changed from Assistant Pastor for Youth to simply Assistant Pastor.   Tomorrow night’s agenda will include this recommendation.  This upgrade would reflect several things;
1. the fact that Eric has been helping in many ways besides youth, including preaching, planning, and even on occasion, hospital calling. 
2. the opportunity we currently have to schedule Eric as teacher of a young adult class.
3. Eric’s increased education and recent ordination.

Categories
Forward Look

Kirkville News and Notes (KNN) transferring to the web

After prayer and deliberation, our church leadership has decided that we can use our time and resources most effectively if Kirkville News and Notes changes from a mailed publication to an online website format.   Several things have contributed to this decision.  First, one of the key purposes of any church publication is outreach.   Recently, our most effective mail outreach has been bulk every house postcard mailings that we send three times a year for Easter, VBS, and Christmas.   These mailings currently reach every house in Kirkville and one RD of Chittenango.  We would like to expand these mailing to include an RD of Bridgeport, part of Minoa and possibly a route from East Syracuse.   

A second reason for the switch is that the developing content on our website is already paralleling and overlapping what was in KNN.  Today, people check out new things on the web first.  We were asking ourselves, “Do we need both?”   My blog already contains devotional articles, joyful reflections, and leadership insights just as KNN frequently did.  For example, my most recent post in my devotional pages is a new article called “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears” based on JoAnne’s and my trip to Ellis Island.  Our main web site has banner ads or feature pages for upcoming ministries such as VBS, Lenten services or small group starts.  

Third, a web KNN will not be limited to reporting the news quarterly.   It can report the news closer to when it happens.  It can also include pictures, groups of slides and eventually even videos.   It will be in color rather than black and white.  This increased flexibility is a huge advantage.     

So, to make a long story short, we are sending out our last planned KNN via the post office this month.   To replace it, our website will soon have a new section, now in its finishing stages which will retain the KNN moniker (http://www.kirkvillewesleyan.org/knn/).  It will become our main way of recording our church news.  Our main web site pages along with the post cards and our outside sign will be our key ways of advertising upcoming events.