In writing my report for the Annual Report and in attending the annual meeting, my mind wandered over the past year. It was a year of change, radical change. To put an exclamation point on the year, I want to talk about change in this blog.
The biggest downside to change is loss. As a congregation and as individuals, we experienced some painful losses. Some of the loss was in relationships. We miss some of our former members and we talk about them kindly. They were good friends and we wish they would return. Some of the loss was in the way that we do things. You had to get used to the way that I do things in worship, in meetings, and in our encounters as I walk throughout Epiphany’s building. Sometimes that caused grumbling which was justified. Some of the loss occurred in the decision making process. Before last year, decision making was somewhat haphazard while today there is much more structure. For those who were used to total freedom, the loss of that freedom has hurt. The list of losses can go on and on but I think the point is made. Change always brings the downside of loss in its wake.
I began this blog with a discussion of loss because I want to acknowledge its existence. I want to acknowledge the pain that it brings. And, I want to acknowledge that some are still struggling with loss as we continue to move forward into the future. Loss is a reality that cannot be denied. I have tried to be sensitive to the loss that has occurred.
Change also brings with it the possibility of gain. I believe that we have gained a great deal in the past twelve months. We have regained a spirit that matches our purpose statement, to love Jesus by serving others. At the annual meeting, we acknowledged a climate of celebration as we said thank you to all the disciples at Epiphany who have willingly volunteered to give of their time, skills, and ability. We are creating a financial foundation that will support the delivery of Epiphany’s ministries to members and non-members alike. I believe the roles and responsibilities of the staff and volunteers are much more clearly defined. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities give good order in our decision making process. Again, I could go on and on but I think you get the point. Good things can come out of change.
If change automatically brings loss and the possibility of gain, the questions is, Did we as a congregation and as individual disciples gain more than we lost over the past year? If the answer is yes, we will tell our friends and neighbors what wonderful things are happening in our congregation. If the answer is no, the struggle continues on how we are going to deal with loss that will not let us go. For those who are celebrating the gain, I celebrate with you. For those who are still struggling with loss, I empathize with your struggle.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A Good Get-away
Since my retirement Joyce and I have taken a winter trip to get away from rain, snow, and cold of Ohio. These get-aways are similar to summer get-aways to the beach. Last week was this year' get-away.
My friends laugh at my get aways because I am always taking a book or a project with me. To them my get-ways seem like another day at the office. The only difference is that I am wearing a bathing suit. This should not surprise you. I told you in a sermon that I am a Type-A personality often on steroids. My get-aways are when I have the time, without interruption, to read, think creatively, plan the future, and let my administrative imagination run wild. The beach, summer or winter, is the perfect getaway for me.
This past week I worked on two projects. One of them was to prepare a presentation for a group of Lutheran pastors. The assigned topic is, The Augsburg Confession Yesterday And Today. I will use "Tradition" to describe the place the Confession has in defining what Lutherans believe. I will use a communication model as a way to form a dialogue between the 16th century Confession and today’s church. And, I will use a key planning question to identify about what is not in the Confession but should be. The presentation is on the 22nd of March. I will be putting together a PowerPoint design to communicate what I want to say in words and images.
By the end of last week, I began to think about offering this presentation to the disciples at Epiphany. I think that Epiphany has many disciples who are deeply interested in the teachings of the church. I also believe that the discussion might be fruitful and lively. To determine the practicality of such a presentation, I am using this blog to determine interest in such an adventure. If twelve disciples at Epiphany (12 is a holy number), I will offer this presentation at a time to be determined. Let me know if morning, afternoon, or evenings are best.
It was a good week. The creative juices flowed even if the weather was cloudy and cool.
Pastor Pete
My friends laugh at my get aways because I am always taking a book or a project with me. To them my get-ways seem like another day at the office. The only difference is that I am wearing a bathing suit. This should not surprise you. I told you in a sermon that I am a Type-A personality often on steroids. My get-aways are when I have the time, without interruption, to read, think creatively, plan the future, and let my administrative imagination run wild. The beach, summer or winter, is the perfect getaway for me.
This past week I worked on two projects. One of them was to prepare a presentation for a group of Lutheran pastors. The assigned topic is, The Augsburg Confession Yesterday And Today. I will use "Tradition" to describe the place the Confession has in defining what Lutherans believe. I will use a communication model as a way to form a dialogue between the 16th century Confession and today’s church. And, I will use a key planning question to identify about what is not in the Confession but should be. The presentation is on the 22nd of March. I will be putting together a PowerPoint design to communicate what I want to say in words and images.
By the end of last week, I began to think about offering this presentation to the disciples at Epiphany. I think that Epiphany has many disciples who are deeply interested in the teachings of the church. I also believe that the discussion might be fruitful and lively. To determine the practicality of such a presentation, I am using this blog to determine interest in such an adventure. If twelve disciples at Epiphany (12 is a holy number), I will offer this presentation at a time to be determined. Let me know if morning, afternoon, or evenings are best.
It was a good week. The creative juices flowed even if the weather was cloudy and cool.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Three Worship Styles
I have received a number of comments lately about the PowerPoint graphics that illustrate my sermons. Last week, one person recited all the points of the sermon correctly and credited the graphics for her accomplishments. This was amazing since most people can’t remember the sermon when they leave the sanctuary never mind at a later time. I was honored. A mother told me that her young daughter didn’t listen to the sermon but she just loved the pictures. The fact that kids pay attention during an adult exercise called a sermon is a miracle in and of its self. The mother’s statement was a compliment and I will keep the pictures coming.
As I reflect on these two comments, I remembered a sociological breakdown of American society. Sociologically, three groups of people make up the American public. It should be stated that all three groups make up the membership of a congregation but one of the three groups usually dominates a congregation.
The first group are Word People. Word People are those who learn and are stimulated by the spoken and written word. There are several ways to identify a word person. Word People say “I think ...” Word People believe that the most important part of worship is the sermon. (I am not going to debate the theology of this statement except to say it is the way that it is.) If Word People miss church, they may ask their friends, What did the pastor say in his/her sermon? Word people sit in the back of the sanctuary. Do you recognize anything Lutheran in this group?
The second group are Visual People. Visual People learn and are stimulated by visual images and color. Visual People say, “I see ...” Visual people are very aware of the color of the paraments and look to see if the flowers match well with the paraments. When the colors do not match, they become upset. They are very concerned with banners, stain glass windows, and colored bulletins that present the theme of the day. In my last church, extreme Visual People said to me, “I really don’t listen to the sermon, I am spiritually moved by the way the sun comes through the stain glass window in the front of the church. God speaks to me in all of those colors and reflections.
The third group are Kinesthetic People. Kinesthetic People say, “I feel ...” They like movement. Therefore, they sit in the front of the church to see what is happening. They watch the movement of the pastor’s hands in prayer, offering the peace of the Lord, or in the elevation of the bread and wine of Holy Communion. Kinesthetic People join the Drama Club or want to see liturgical dance as part of the service.
Going back to the comments on the PowerPoint graphics in the first paragraph, those who made the comments have an insight into what is happening in the worship services. The graphics increase the number of worshipers who can relate to the sermon. Word People still have the written and spoken word. Visual People now have graphics which match their style of seeing God’s word in a way that fits their personality. And, I might add, Kinesthetic People have the movement in the liturgy that gives worship extra meaning for them.
So let me ask, who are you? Do you think, or do you see, or do you feel? Probably some of each but one will be more dominant over the other two. Does this help you to understand what you like best about church, about Epiphany, and about its worship?
Pastor Pete
As I reflect on these two comments, I remembered a sociological breakdown of American society. Sociologically, three groups of people make up the American public. It should be stated that all three groups make up the membership of a congregation but one of the three groups usually dominates a congregation.
The first group are Word People. Word People are those who learn and are stimulated by the spoken and written word. There are several ways to identify a word person. Word People say “I think ...” Word People believe that the most important part of worship is the sermon. (I am not going to debate the theology of this statement except to say it is the way that it is.) If Word People miss church, they may ask their friends, What did the pastor say in his/her sermon? Word people sit in the back of the sanctuary. Do you recognize anything Lutheran in this group?
The second group are Visual People. Visual People learn and are stimulated by visual images and color. Visual People say, “I see ...” Visual people are very aware of the color of the paraments and look to see if the flowers match well with the paraments. When the colors do not match, they become upset. They are very concerned with banners, stain glass windows, and colored bulletins that present the theme of the day. In my last church, extreme Visual People said to me, “I really don’t listen to the sermon, I am spiritually moved by the way the sun comes through the stain glass window in the front of the church. God speaks to me in all of those colors and reflections.
The third group are Kinesthetic People. Kinesthetic People say, “I feel ...” They like movement. Therefore, they sit in the front of the church to see what is happening. They watch the movement of the pastor’s hands in prayer, offering the peace of the Lord, or in the elevation of the bread and wine of Holy Communion. Kinesthetic People join the Drama Club or want to see liturgical dance as part of the service.
Going back to the comments on the PowerPoint graphics in the first paragraph, those who made the comments have an insight into what is happening in the worship services. The graphics increase the number of worshipers who can relate to the sermon. Word People still have the written and spoken word. Visual People now have graphics which match their style of seeing God’s word in a way that fits their personality. And, I might add, Kinesthetic People have the movement in the liturgy that gives worship extra meaning for them.
So let me ask, who are you? Do you think, or do you see, or do you feel? Probably some of each but one will be more dominant over the other two. Does this help you to understand what you like best about church, about Epiphany, and about its worship?
Pastor Pete
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