Various Church Visits

Sorry it has been so long. Cabinet Season is busy! The following is a recap of various churches that I have visited lately and what all I became ever so more thankful for after my visit...

For passion to reach our urban ceneters...Fairview, Grace, McKinley, and South Park.
For trusting God to raise up annointed leaders...all the churches receiving new pastors this year.
For great preaching and leading...Aley and Community (Dayton).
For working toward new vision...Clayton, Phillipsburg, and Tipp City.
For patience and the faith to work through life's challenges...several.

Church Visit, "The Power of Story," Dixon UMC

Nothing beats celebrating African-American History month in an African-American Church. Unfortunately, some still in our culture do not acknowledge it, and others really do not do it that well. More than commemorating the accomplishments of the past we must step into the story of past, present, and future. Pictured on the bulletin are key leaders from times past and present with the slogan to the effect, "Parks sat, King walked, Obama ran, so that our Children may fly." It all means so much more there. More than just commemorating the accomplishments they remembered, rehearsed, and thereby relived the story. They stepped into the story to carry on the story. What story do we need to step into? Everyone has a story. To reach anyone for Christ, we must first step into that person's individual story in order to know how best to connect their story with a new chapter in God's ultimate narrative of redemption. In the retelling, however, we must leave ample room for God to write something new because we are not meant to relive everything. One day all tribes and tongues will be represented at the throne. Therefore, we must learn the stories of God's people today, because in the weaving of our togetherness we will find our salvation.

Church Visit, "Cross the Line," New Paris UMC

Went to visit one of our ministry candidate’s churches last Sunday and had to go to Indiana to do it! The GPS took me to the first exit off I-70 in Richmond, and then from there, tracked me back into Ohio. I called my wife right away to tell her. Thought it was funny. The Miami Valley District stretches far and wide, even in Indiana. Would their Conference even know if we tried to expand into their territory? Why not? Get to make a fireworks run next time I go. What lines do you need to cross to reach your mission field? Pam Weaver is doing a great job in that location. I thought her sermon ranked higher than someone with her formal level of experience. Her enthusiasm and love for her people above even that. She and her laity have connected to form a partnership for some pretty neat things. Around 90 in attendance, 30 of which are kids from the community that they are reaching. Formal education, age, experience level, geographic location, perceived leadership capability, perceived ministry potential etc., etc….what lines do you need to cross to take it to the next level for God? In your own mind and otherwise?

Appointment Making, Part III

Began our Cabinet Retreat today. After opening worship, devotions, and prayer, the following was the very next thing covered…

Values the Cabinet Seeks to Uphold For Pastors and Churches When Making Appointments:

v Pastors are called and have vowed to serve the missional needs of congregations.

v Consultation and shared or mutual discernment between district superintendents and pastors lead to better appointments.

v Longer tenure is generally good for pastors and congregations because it allows for the possibility of healthy transformation and growth.

v Itinerancy is a key building block of the Methodist movement. it is the mechanism that enables the best available pastor to be quickly and efficiently placed where there is the greatest missional or strategic need.

v Prayer communal discernment within the cabinet is the thread that gives the appointment process integrity, authority and creativity.

v The missional needs of the congregation must drive the appointive process.

v The personal and family concerns/needs of pastors are important because “happy” pastors have longer and more productive pastorates.

Values the Cabinet Seeks to Uphold In Its Own Discussion When Making Appointments:

v Truthfulness

v Collective Responsibility

v Strategic Appointments

v Maximize Effectiveness of Pastors

v Missional Needs of Local Church are Priority

v Prayerful Discerning Process

Why Do We Bless Our Food?

The following was taken from an article printed in the Jerusalem Post by Dr. Dwight Pryor, scheduled to be on the District at Fairview UMC, 2/16 from 1-4pm...

[JPCE APRIL 2008]

Why Do We Bless Our Food?

Dwight A. Pryor

The Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples was a Passover Seder. Though some contemporary New Testament scholars question this, the evidence of Matthew, Mark and Luke is compelling.

As an example, consider that all three synoptic gospels preserve an obscure Hebrew idiom found in ancient Rabbinic literature: “eat the Passover” (Mt 26:17; Mk 14:12; Lk 22:11), a shorthand way of referring to a Seder, including eating the Passover lamb. “And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat the Passover with you before I suffer’” (Lk 22:14).

At that memorable meal, Jesus spoke words that have become institutionalized in Christian settings:

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body’” (Mt 26:26 KJV, itals original).

Three important questions can be asked about this passage: 1] What was the biblical basis for Jesus reciting a blessing before eating? 2] Why is the word it italicized in the original King James translation? 3] How might this influence the Christian custom of “blessing the food”?

First, if we search Jesus’ Bible (the Hebrew scriptures) we find not a single command to give thanks before a meal. The closest parallel is found in Deuteronomy 8:10: “And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” Notice however that the command stipulates a blessing after the meal, not before – a custom still honored today by observant Jews, in the Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals).

In fact, the basis of Jesus’ blessing before the meal is not biblical but extra-biblical. He honors a tradition started by the Sages and preserved by the Pharisees. Their thinking was: If we are commanded to give thanks afterwards, let us go beyond the letter of the Law and in our gratitude also give thanks before a meal.

Second, notice that the blessing commanded is directed toward God and not the meal itself. This God-focus is preserved in the blessing before the meal as well: Blessed art Thou O Lord our God, King of the Universe… who brings forth bread from the earth.

The seventeenth-century English translators were not privy to first-century Jewish traditions. Drawing instead upon the sacramental traditions of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church before it, they assumed that Jesus took the bread and blessed it, and took the cup and blessed it.

The word it is italicized in Matthew 26:26 KJV because “it” is not in the original Greek but is an interpolation of the translators. Literally, “Jesus took bread and he blessed, he broke, and he distributed to the disciples.” The Greek text of this passage preserves the authentic Hebraic custom of our Lord – to bless or give thanks to the Lord for the food He has brought forth from the good earth.

We see this pattern paralleled in a number of NT passages. Acts 27:35 for instance: And when he had said this, [Paul] took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.

Finally, the Jewish perspective that informed the New Testament should guide us as well. When we say grace before a meal we are in fact following a Jewish tradition (even a Pharisaic one!) that was commended to us by Jesus of Nazareth. As in the best of Jewish traditions let us be God-minded and King-centered in all that we do. Indeed the Sages recommend finding at least one hundred occasions daily in which to bless God as Lord and King. This mindset is reflected in the Apostle Paul’s admonition: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17).

In our customary blessings before meals therefore let the focus be not on the provision but upon the Source. Let’s not “bless the food” but “bless the Lord” who supplies all our needs. Thereby we consecrate the meal and bring even mundane actions under the gracious sovereignty of the “King of the Universe.”

Dr. Pryor is Founder and President of the

Center for Judaic-Christian Studies

www.jcstudies.com

Appointment Making, Part II

What do you do if an appointment doesn't work? Be a leader, work with your leaders, don't give up on the process, and refuse to be a victim.

Appointment Making, Part I

It’s that time of year. The Cabinet will be meeting in retreat to begin the major appointment making season, though appointments have been made all throughout the year in my short tenure here in Miami Valley. We have received 27 requests for changes in the Miami Valley District, either initiated by the church or pastor, but in most cases both. How does the process work? Well, as I have experienced thus far with much prayer and discernment, at all levels. Every person and church that I have encountered really does want God’s best. Every church and person really does want to make things better. The governing missional opportunity in every location will be considered. When a request for a move is received, I send the church and pastor a profile template, one specifically designed for each scenario, helping them discern and outline needs, wants, expectations, strengths, and God’s call, etc. Those are then collated for the entire Cabinet and inputted into a database. Then we spin the roulette wheel…just kidding! (Wanted to make sure you were paying attention). I will update you on the process as I learn it more fully my first go around too. Stay tuned.

District News and Ministry Developments...January 6, 2010

To keep you abreast of District Ministry Developments…

1. Three churches merged recently in Springfield to form a “Faith UMC”: Central, LaGonda, and Story Hypes. Pray for them as they begin to live into new.

2. Have a District Revitalization team in development to assist our churches in turn around strategies.

3. Developing some neat partnerships across the district linking up churches for greater effectiveness in mission and ministry.

4. A large number of appointments are in process this year, 27 at last count. Pray that God will raise up just the right leader for each and every context.

5. District Trustees are forming and will be evaluating District Endowment investments.

6. Apportionments came in right at 80%, a strong showing as we climb out of the economy. Looking to pick back up this year as everyone mobilizes to maximize our dollars for true kingdom work.

7. Looking ahead to new District, website launch and opportunities for our local churches to get in on the fun too with platforms uniquely created for any size church.

8. Locking in key dates and first class growth opportunities for the New Year. Stay tuned.

Feel free to comment with a great God-Story from your neck of the woods…

Church Visits, "Contemporary Excellence," Urbana and Sulphur Grove UMCs

In the last couple of week's I've visited two of our more traditional churches that have gotten in the last couple of years new, contemporary services in some form or fashion off the ground.

Observations from Urbana...one of the finest sanctuary remodels I have ever seen. The best of old and new...post modernity at its best. They retained some of the finer, more ancient accessories and decor, e.g. stained glass windows, fine trim, a beautiful paint scheme, etc. at the same time they upgraded with the latest and greatest sound and lights. The best multi-media equipment has never been more affordable. It is worth the look-see.

Observations form Sulphur Grove's service in the Y...you never would have known we were worshipping smack-dab in the middle of a gym. The worship space was transformed. The hospitality outstanding, relationships authentic, preaching and music relevant and on target.

May we all find the heart beat of God for our mission field and passionately give ourselves all out for it. The world knows when we are just going through the motions.

Church Visit, "My Favorite Day Yet," McKinley and Dayton Korean UMCs

It was a long day, but it ended up being my favorite day. Another good 12-14 hours. I’m working hard adjusting to a sustainable pace. But this ended up glorious. Started the day in worship at McKinley UMC in Dayton, one of our District’s African-American congregations, where they rocked the house in worship. Had an amazing worship leader. Involved all ages and especially the children. Pastor Diane hit a home run with the message. Went on to Dayton Korean UMC for a celebration of their 38 years of ministry and recognition of their new class of leaders. I had no idea our District had such wondrous diversity. The bounteous buffet filled with one Korean dish after another was emblematic of the feast of the kingdom I enjoyed all throughout the day. Then I ended it all with a tough but blessed meeting with a leader who is making some hard decisions for an even more success-filled future. Good job Miami Valley.

Church Visit, "Special Event Services/Radical Hospitality," South Charleston UMC

South Charleston UMC, like many, offered special services in view of Veterans Day. They honored servicemen and women, sang great songs, performed a cantata, and told some great stories. They even had a Teddy Roosevelt impersonator. The church was packed. “Special Event” type services can be highly strategic. Quality of worship is launched to a whole new level. Your church gains a bigger vision of what they can do. The community gets introduced to you all over again. Just make sure your hospitality is raring to go. New people will come. Be ready on the welcome and follow up side. Whether or not people come back or not is determined best by things we probably wouldn’t naturally think. It’s not the preaching and music. It’s 1.) The welcome and first impressions that they receive in the first 10” on your campus; and 2.) The number of positive “touches” they feel in your assimilation and follow up process. From the time they park the car till when they first sit down, most have already made up their mind. Doing the expected and polite doesn’t count as “Radical Hospitality.” How can we go over-the-top for Christ? We aren’t ultimately introducing them to us. We are introducing them to the overwhelming love of God. May we never forget who we represent.

THRIVE: A District Office Vision

An emerging for the District Office's vision to serve you and your local church is as follows. Key elements are also listed. Please feel free to comment and let us know what you think.

T...Trust that God is Moving in Every Place.

· Whether large or small, rural, urban, or suburban, encourage every church to develop a ministry growth plan for their church.


H...Help Every Church Find and Fulfill Their Mission for Christ.

· Work with our District’s Revitalization Teams to partner with local congregations in developing new vision for their church and coaching them for success.
· Teach and Train on the most fruitful practices of ministry and encourage collaborations for greater effectiveness.


R...Recruit, Develop and Deploy Christian Leaders of Passion and Excellence.

· Assist and partner with our DCOM, BOM, Cabinet, Lay Leadership Teams, Coaching, and Cluster System to deploy the best possible leaders in the Miami valley District.


I...Invest and Align Our Resources for Maximum Kingdom Impact.

· In coordination with District Leadership teams, maximize our collective resources for the cause of Christ.


V...Vision News Ways to Reach New People.

· Keep alive the culture of innovation within the Miami Valley and assist local churches in the exploration of new ministry models.


E...Engage the World Beyond the Walls.

· Encourage every church develop a size-appropriate missions program to go beyond their walls.

· Work with the District Strategy Team to develop BHAGs for our District (Big, Hairy, and Audacious Goals)

Change the World Conference, Ginghamsburg Church UMC

As usual, it was a world-class event all the way around. Mike Slaughter and his team always help me get out of my box. And they call the Church to the same. GUM has really honed in on the most kingdom impactful trend, turning your church inside out and “going missional,” living for those beyond the walls more so than within them. It can take years of discipleship, mission experiences, preaching, and teaching to get your people there, but there is no more meaningful an expression to living the life of Christ. It becomes so much more than just the mere survival of church your. Folk are brought to the point of being willing to lose themselves, which is at the heartbeat of Jesus’ call. Several exciting initiatives are coming into being that attack poverty like never before. What if all of us in the Miami Valley got behind that? Many are already doing some really great work.

Church Visit, “No Substitute for Passion,” Verona UMC

I got to see Leo Cunningham and the fine folks at Verona UMC last Sunday. It took over an hour for me to get there. Had to try three different routes for all the detours. Worth every bit of effort. While one might say, to a nonresident, “It’s out all by itself, what’s going on there?” The answer is everything. Leo gave a great message, vision-casting for their future. Getting ready to organize themselves accordingly. Mobilizing ministry to meet the needs of those around them. There is no substitute for passion. When you might think you have an excuse, even in the most rural areas, people are waiting to be reached. Laity are ready to get at it for Christ. Everybody is hungry for a pastor to light fire.

Church Visit, “Getting It All Going in the Right Direction,” Bellbrook UMC

Had the privilege of helping dedicate Bellbrook’s new addition last Sunday. Nice in all respects. One of the best looking add-ons I’ve ever seen. Matches their context well. A community room anchors their effort with new nursery and childcare facility. Will be a great resource for community and church alike. Bellbrook has one of the most potent social justice programs for its size. They make it an integral part of their DNA, identity, and culture, not just a program. Have some of the most creative worship and musicians. Size doesn’t have to equal quality. They do several things well that uniquely fit their cultural context. Synergy for growth then really gains momentum for something special. Best wishes as you continue on your journey.

Church Visit, "Spirited Tradition," Yellow Springs UMC

I don’t have time for worship wars. Within our district we have both contemporary and traditional congregations that are thriving. Visited Yellow Springs last weekend which happen to be of the latter. One of the best traditional services was led by Rev. Charles Hill who has been one of our best leaders in his long and storied career. It was fun watching him in action: personable yet strong, on a mission. Had to follow him back to his office to get “miked-up” and talk through the service. I could hardly keep up. His pace was amazing. The worship service itself moved along as well. It was energetic. Prayer requests were shared but didn’t drag or get too personal. The music was thematic and singable. Liturgical elements were written fresh, not out of somebody else’s book, and engaging. Everything was well done, not just covered. A sense of community pervaded. I’d go there if I lived in town. Great job.

Cabinet Reflection: "Things I Wish I Knew Years Ago"

Been serving on the Cabinet for three months now. Have learned a lot already that I wish I had known for years. Figured that there could be some things you might be interested in too. Feel free to comment back with your topic ideas that I could share a little more on.

Building Momentum, "In Life," part 2

A continuation of the series…

Readiness for life-long learning…I hope this is something I’m good at, but I can’t let myself think that. If it was up to me, somewhere along the line I would have probably thought, “OK, this is enough now.” “I’ve learned enough.” I can’t do that. The world is changing ever so rapidly. What was once good enough to get by ten years ago is no longer. What was once good enough two years ago isn’t either. But way more enjoyable and interestingly to me is that there is just so much fun stuff out there to learn.

The older I get the more I give myself permission to read and learn outside of my own professional disciplines. When I was in D.C. two months ago, I was reminded how the early leaders of our country always did that. They were “multi-disciplinary,” renaissance men and women. It seems like that used to be a much more highly valued idea back then. Of course, not as much had been written in any of the disciplines back then. I get some of my best, most creative thoughts when I get out of my field. It keeps me fresh.

Some days I will go to the library and browse, i.e. feast, picking up anything and everything that looks interesting.

I do try to read particularly in the fields of leadership (business, church, political, technology, and others), ministry, spiritual formation, and then for pure fun. And I’m big on experiences too: mission trips, field trips to business where friends or contacts work, interviewing people who are successful and finding out what worked best for them, holy land pilgrimages, etc. The older I get the more I also realize the importance of questions and the power of a good one. Not that good at it yet, but at least am making a better effort.

I have also discovered the ultimate power in doing something brand, spanking new. It feels like I’m on the biggest learning curve of my life right now. I pastored a church for twenty years. Some of the D.S. work is similar, but much is different. I’m learning more about myself and myself as a leader than ever before too. Still, not that good at it yet, but am trying.

Maybe I needed to shake things up in a much bigger way long ago…

H1N1 Implications

I always hated cancelling church. Had a mentor that never believed in it. You should have seen the look in his eye when he told me I better never either. Been too scared ever since to even think about it...until I was on my way home one day (Christmas Eve actually) sliding down a huge hill backwards in the snow with my young family holding on for dear life as I "drove" home. Then I realized there are worse things, especially when people's safety is at stake.

For the first time in my life last week I realized we might face a church closing some Sunday, not because of snow or ice, but because of flu.

It is causing us all to rethink some things...

1. How do we handle the greeting time now? Do we stop altogether? Give people an out? Do we pass the Purell at the same time we pass the plates? Is there a litany we can incorporate that makes people feel just as welcome or even more so? Instead of a hug, we could pass the peace by saying, "God is glad you're here and so am I!" or whatever you like.

2. And then there's communion. Do I dare dip my bread after someone else just dipped their fingers too? Saw it done recently where it was really done well. The servers broke the bread off for me and handed it to me, right after they washed with Purell before they stood at their stations. They explained that as hard as I might try I can't "possess it" for myself, I couldn't. Grace is given.

Got any other ideas that you can share to help us all figure out what very well be our new normal?

Building Momentum, "In My Life," part 1

Someone recently commented, "Waiting for your post now on building momentum for your life." And I immediately thought of a book written by one our region's leading pastors with that exact intent, "Momentum for Life" by Michael Slaughter. In it, he shares his "five life practices for balance and self-leadership" which "together form the acronym D-R-I-V-E:

1. Devotion to God
2. Readiness for Life-Long Learning
3. Investing in Key Relationships
4. Visioning for the Future.
5. Eating and Exercise for Life.

Following the metaphor of the above as it relates to me, under...

Devotion to God...I stay in the word and prayer with both a deliberate, "setting-down-all-else" time as part of my Daily Rule as well as taking advantage of moments of centering all throughout my day. Studying the Contemplative Prayer movement has been a real soul-saver. Merton and Thomas Keating have both been invaluable on that.

I serve and try to lay down my life daily. I don't "go to work." My work I treat as part of my service in addition to other. I pray I am devoted to God in every breath. And there are a myriad of things I do to stay in tune with that.

I recently signed up for just a simple thing, a daily scripture sent to my email in-box which I can get on my cell phone. Each day it feels like I am getting "a special message from heaven sent just for me." They have actually really hit me personally each time. A quick internet search can sign you up too.

Probably the biggest thing thing I do is to keep my daily faith practices fresh. Instead of doing the same thing week in and week out of every year, I live more as a free-bird according to the season. Others might be wired though different. Right now I am reading through the Bible in a year (or so) and journaling what I am learning in the Book of Judges, in addition to a new book here or there. I've also been deliberate recently in retreating where I can in nature, getting away and getting quiet to gain clarity in what can be the flood of my life.

If someone is actually interested, I'll finish what I've been doing with the R-I-V-E in successive posts. Stay tuned...