The Crossroads Lobby

Hello Church,

Office hours is an interesting topic for Pastors and churches.  On one hand it is a nice concept to have office hours because the church can know that the pastor is available to meet and talk.  On the other hand the pastor can feel productive in that he/she has made themselves available, willing and waiting to counsel those who are in need.

I have tried having official office hours a half-dozen times in my career.  It ends up the same.  No one comes and sees me (insert sad face).  I then spend several hours a week in the church by myself and feeling quite isolated and sometimes lonely.  That is not good for me.  So I discovered another solution.

Panera.  Kroger.  Starbucks.  Zoup.  Libraries.  .....  the Crossroads lobby.....

All kinds of people go there.  It has wifi.  And though none stop to talk to me, I don't feel isolated.  I feel a part of the community... a part of a working world.  At the same time I am still available to talk to you. 

Generally speaking, I spend 3 days a week at one of the above locations (the Amelia Kroger/Starbucks has been my favorite lately).  I want you to know that I am available to meet.  Just let me know.  You can email me at pastorjoe@emmanuel-umc.com.  Or you can call the church phone (732-1400) and leave a message.  Voicemails go directly to my cell ( a cell that will likely be changing in a couple of weeks.)

I want to talk with you.  I care about your life.  Stop by.  I would be glad to see you.

God is Good,
Pastor Joe

How Are You Today?

Hello Church,

My post-Leave journey is beginning.  I am intent on getting better focused to be you pastor.  Two particular issues at hand:  Reconnection and Communication.

You've heard it said that 'idle hands is the devil's playground'?  Well, in the church, isolation can be just as dangerous.  Not being connected to one another allows negative feelings to inflate.  A lack of support and love and fellowship causes discouragement and frustration to be much more problematic.  I have personally experienced this.  Maybe you have too?

After meeting with leadership, we have decided to declare October, November and December as a time of Renewal.  The focus is going to be on nurturing one another in the Faith and getting to know one another in an environment of encouragement, support and love.

I hope you consider diving in with us.  A church that is knitted together with Christ's love is a church better equipped to move forward for the betterment of His Kingdom.

God is Good....
Pastor Joe

A Brand New Start

Hello Emmanuel,

Well it has been a long, long time since I last posted a blog.  Much has happened since and the reason for the delay will be the subject of the blog over the next couple of posts.  I have had many challenges as has the church.  This blog will be a trampoline into the coming weeks as I share with you many issues around being a Christian, being a Church and where God is in the midst of it all.

Some upcoming issues:

Frustration, Discouragement and Failure
Encouragement, Peacefulness and Success
Being spiritually exhausted and being spiritually renewed
Healthy boundaries.... and unhealthy...
Preparing yourself for change (hopefully for the better)
Being connected to each other

I want you to know that I am not going to be the exact same Pastor Joe moving forward as I will discuss in the above topics.  I will be mostly the same, but the tweaks I am making in my lifestyle will have some impact on the church and, I believe, in a healthy way.... both for you and for me.  God wants us to experience the joy of being His people.  It is going to be my intent to help us do just that.

I want you to be a part of this journey.  Emmanuel means much to me and I want you to walk along side of me as I know God does each day. 

God is Still Good,
Pastor Joe