I believe it is important to stop and examine what has occurred in the past. This discipline has two purposes. First, it reveals where God has intervened in his world. Second, it lets me evaluate if I am making progress in achieving my goals.
Last week I began look back at what has happened to Epiphany over the last seven months. As I looked back, I reflected on Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “faith, hope, love abide but the greatest of these is love.” In this passage, Paul is gives me a perspective on time and how three time periods builds faith, hope, and love. I believe this passage is a good way to reflect on Epiphany’s recent past and to evaluate today and anticipate tomorrow.
Faith is built upon past learnings and experiences. Faith identifies where God has been present. We often miss God’s intervention into our world because we do not stop and examine what has happened. In the case of Epiphany, we can see God’s guiding hand over the recent past. In January, the leaders of Epiphany and especially the Church Council regrouped and worked together to enable a hurting congregation to continue to care for its members and to reach out into the Centerville community. In March, Epiphany’s leaders began to think about the way a congregation functions and how to use Epiphany’s administrative structures to maintain and build ministry. In April, the Council tackled the difficult process of defining Epiphany’s purpose. Then, a vision of God’s future was discerned. In May and June, the call process was implemented, a profile of the congregation was written, and a Call Committee was appointed. Who said it couldn’t be done? Would anyone seven months ago said all of this would happen? But looking backward, we see God’s hand in all of it. That is called faith. The more that we can see God’s intervention in the last seven months the stronger our faith will be.
Hope is the future period in Paul’s famous saying. Without hope there is no reason to continue. Without hope there is only despair. I once read a book of sermons written by a college chaplain. He wrote that students today need hope more than anything else. They need to know that a future exists for them. Well, there is a future for Epiphany, a bright future I might add. If God can accomplish all that has happened in the last seven months, why would we doubt that God can accomplish great things in the next six months, the next year, or the next decade.
Paul then says, “the greatest of these is love.” Psychiatrists tell us that love is impossible without experiencing it in the past. Because of God’s love in the past, and because of the future God gives, we are able to love today. I believe Epiphany’s strength is because its leaders have love for their fellow disciples and for those who do not belong to our congregation. Over and over again, ministry and love are delivered to those who were hurting spiritually, psychologically, and physically.
As I discipline myself to stop and examine what has happened in the last seven months, I see all three of Paul’s time periods. I see where God has touched Epiphany, where God is leading Epiphany, and as a result, Epiphany’s ability to love and serve others.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Chapter 2
For me, ministry is defined by chapters in the life of a congregation and those who serve that congregation. When I think of ministry as chapters it makes it easier to identify where a congregation has been and where it is going in the future. This frame work also explains why my thinking is beginning to change its focus.
Chapter 1, in our ministry together, has been getting to know you and you getting to know me. It was getting to know names, family connections, and what was on your minds and hearts. It is also getting to know who had influence, how decisions were made, and what were the buttons that should not be pushed.
By no means is Chapter 1, what I call the Getting To Know You chapter, complete. It takes at least a year for a new pastor to know a congregation and for the congregation to know the new pastor. I still have to experience how Epiphany begins the fall season, how it celebrates Reformation Sunday, what Thanksgiving is like, and what are the traditions surrounding Christmas.
Now that I am in the middle of the Getting To Know You chapter, my mind is beginning to write the next chapter in our ministry together. For the last two to three weeks my thinking has focused on the administrative structures of Epiphany. I have been thinking about how we communicate with each other and how we can coordinate our efforts so that we live our purpose and achieve our vision. And, I have been thinking about our finances and an annual stewardship campaign. In my mind, the second chapter of our life together is Building An Administrative Structure. This administrative structure has the same importance as any other ministry in Epiphany’s ministry portfolio.
I think the disciples at Epiphany are also beginning to write their second chapter in our shared ministry. Over the last two or three weeks I have been asked about job descriptions concerning staff members or who is really responsible for this ministry. These questions indicate that you and I are moving from getting to know each other to how can we be effective and accountable in delivering ministry to disciples, to Centerville, and beyond.
I suspect that the questions that I have been asking also grows out of a concern for the staff. Since January, staff members have assumed responsibilities that go far beyond their job descriptions. The staff’s attitude has been there is something that needs to be done and I will do it without being asked. You are concerned for those who have served us so well in the past and especially in the last six months.
In the coming chapter, we will be looking at an administrative structure that includes a (re)defining of job descriptions, a coordination of ministries with a common focus, a supervisory element that will encourage evaluation of current ministries, the implementation of new ministries, and oversight for the delivery of ministry.
Let me add that the purpose of this second chapter is to continue the delivery of relevant ministry that has long been part of Epiphany’s DNA. It is also a way to build, plan, and implement new ministries in an ever changing world. I look forward to the writing of this second chapter with you in our shared ministry together.
Pastor Pete
Chapter 1, in our ministry together, has been getting to know you and you getting to know me. It was getting to know names, family connections, and what was on your minds and hearts. It is also getting to know who had influence, how decisions were made, and what were the buttons that should not be pushed.
By no means is Chapter 1, what I call the Getting To Know You chapter, complete. It takes at least a year for a new pastor to know a congregation and for the congregation to know the new pastor. I still have to experience how Epiphany begins the fall season, how it celebrates Reformation Sunday, what Thanksgiving is like, and what are the traditions surrounding Christmas.
Now that I am in the middle of the Getting To Know You chapter, my mind is beginning to write the next chapter in our ministry together. For the last two to three weeks my thinking has focused on the administrative structures of Epiphany. I have been thinking about how we communicate with each other and how we can coordinate our efforts so that we live our purpose and achieve our vision. And, I have been thinking about our finances and an annual stewardship campaign. In my mind, the second chapter of our life together is Building An Administrative Structure. This administrative structure has the same importance as any other ministry in Epiphany’s ministry portfolio.
I think the disciples at Epiphany are also beginning to write their second chapter in our shared ministry. Over the last two or three weeks I have been asked about job descriptions concerning staff members or who is really responsible for this ministry. These questions indicate that you and I are moving from getting to know each other to how can we be effective and accountable in delivering ministry to disciples, to Centerville, and beyond.
I suspect that the questions that I have been asking also grows out of a concern for the staff. Since January, staff members have assumed responsibilities that go far beyond their job descriptions. The staff’s attitude has been there is something that needs to be done and I will do it without being asked. You are concerned for those who have served us so well in the past and especially in the last six months.
In the coming chapter, we will be looking at an administrative structure that includes a (re)defining of job descriptions, a coordination of ministries with a common focus, a supervisory element that will encourage evaluation of current ministries, the implementation of new ministries, and oversight for the delivery of ministry.
Let me add that the purpose of this second chapter is to continue the delivery of relevant ministry that has long been part of Epiphany’s DNA. It is also a way to build, plan, and implement new ministries in an ever changing world. I look forward to the writing of this second chapter with you in our shared ministry together.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Whats Happening
My mind has been racing for the last few days about what needs to be accomplished over the next two months. For me, the following issues are on my list. Some initial meetings have already been set to address the five issues listed below. Over the summer, I will report to you the progress on these issues.
First, we are having a discussion in the office about how to best communicate with you the progress that is being made to call a new senior pastor. Should we establish a new blog with entries only when something concrete can be reported? Should we devise special e-mails reporting the work of the Call Committee? If we use a blog or e-mail, what about the households that do not have or use this technology? Should we have a minute temple talk by a member of the Call Committee during the worship services to report progress being made?
Second, as part of the call process, the Council produced several documents; i.e., a purpose statement, a vision for the next 10 years, a profile of the congregation, and a job description for the new pastor. How do we share these documents with you? What is the best way to communicate the rationale behind the vision concerning worship, education, outreach, fellowship, and a new administrative structure? How can we answer your questions?
Third, what is the best way to communicate, on a regular basis, what is happening at Epiphany through a newsletter. In small churches, the newsletter reports what has already happened and who did what. In medium size churches, the newsletter lists every ministry program so everyone knows what is happening. In large churches, the newsletter is a weekly publication with a maximum length of four pages. It has a devotional message from the pastor, perhaps a testimonial from one or two members, and highlights one or two ways the congregation is making a difference for its members and in the community. Epiphany is a large church. Does that mean we should replace the bimonthly Star with a weekly newsletter supplemented with the Epiphany news that is sent out to the congregation every Friday? What is the best communication media to distribute the newsletter?
Fourth, a financial plan needs to be established for the next five years. What are the financial resources needed to call a new senior pastor, maintain and grow our present and future staff, and to implement new ministries? How should the current Capital Campaign and other designated funds be used and when? Will current giving trends continue to grow?
Fifth, there needs to be a strong and assertive Stewardship Campaign this fall. What should the goals of that campaign be? Should the fall campaign be in addition to a revisiting of the Capital Campaign? This would mean that there will be two request for giving. Can Epiphany accept two campaigns within a one or two month period?
Added to this list are plans for future teaching, sermon writing and preaching, administrative oversight, and just having some fun with a very dedicated staff. It will be a busy summer for me.
Pastor Pete
First, we are having a discussion in the office about how to best communicate with you the progress that is being made to call a new senior pastor. Should we establish a new blog with entries only when something concrete can be reported? Should we devise special e-mails reporting the work of the Call Committee? If we use a blog or e-mail, what about the households that do not have or use this technology? Should we have a minute temple talk by a member of the Call Committee during the worship services to report progress being made?
Second, as part of the call process, the Council produced several documents; i.e., a purpose statement, a vision for the next 10 years, a profile of the congregation, and a job description for the new pastor. How do we share these documents with you? What is the best way to communicate the rationale behind the vision concerning worship, education, outreach, fellowship, and a new administrative structure? How can we answer your questions?
Third, what is the best way to communicate, on a regular basis, what is happening at Epiphany through a newsletter. In small churches, the newsletter reports what has already happened and who did what. In medium size churches, the newsletter lists every ministry program so everyone knows what is happening. In large churches, the newsletter is a weekly publication with a maximum length of four pages. It has a devotional message from the pastor, perhaps a testimonial from one or two members, and highlights one or two ways the congregation is making a difference for its members and in the community. Epiphany is a large church. Does that mean we should replace the bimonthly Star with a weekly newsletter supplemented with the Epiphany news that is sent out to the congregation every Friday? What is the best communication media to distribute the newsletter?
Fourth, a financial plan needs to be established for the next five years. What are the financial resources needed to call a new senior pastor, maintain and grow our present and future staff, and to implement new ministries? How should the current Capital Campaign and other designated funds be used and when? Will current giving trends continue to grow?
Fifth, there needs to be a strong and assertive Stewardship Campaign this fall. What should the goals of that campaign be? Should the fall campaign be in addition to a revisiting of the Capital Campaign? This would mean that there will be two request for giving. Can Epiphany accept two campaigns within a one or two month period?
Added to this list are plans for future teaching, sermon writing and preaching, administrative oversight, and just having some fun with a very dedicated staff. It will be a busy summer for me.
Pastor Pete
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