Hello Church,
I am super-excited about our readiness to launch a new vision on March 18th (6:30). Whether you are a doer or a planner, you are invited to attend as we set the stage for a new approach to being church...
However, as we get ready to pivot and charge in a slightly different direction, I am forced to pause, if even for a few days....
The special session of General Conference in St. Louis is happening as I type this. I have been watching and listening at how delegates in the United Methodists from around the world are engaging each other on the issue of human sexuality, specifically how to treat homosexuality among our clergy and churches.
While the final vote isn't in as of this writing, it is clear that we are a very divided church. Irregardless of the outcome of General Conference, people will be hurt; churches will be dissatisfied; and individuals and local congregations will leave the denomination. As someone who has been spiritually raised by the United Methodist Church, this breaks my heart.
My liberal friends and my conservative friends will be happy or sad depending on the outcome. Those who are conservative will expect me to feel with them and those who are liberal will expect me to feel with them. The truth is, I have my own category of feelings and it is unlikely that either of them will be able to empathize, especially those who are too lost in their own passionate opinions.
My passionate opinion is that other passionate opinions have lost perspective. Jesus spent a lot of time NOT talking about a LOT of stuff. I am a follower of Jesus. Therefore, I will try to preoccupy my energy with the same things Jesus preoccupied His energy. That doesn't include a lot of things, but it is enough to keep my day full.
So when you see me minimize issues that you are passionate about, I don't intend to offend you. I will try to be pastoral and walk with you where you are. But there is a chance that I will simply be preoccupied by something else. True, it may be about what the starting pitching rotation might look like for the Reds or if a bicycle trip across the Alleghenies would be smart.... but it might also have to do with thinking about how Jesus might approach your passionate topic.
So I hope you come on March 18th at 6:30. We are going to eat (Jesus did a lot of that) and we are going to talk about worship and fellowship and discipleship (Jesus did a lot of that too). We are going to make 'a way forward' and when General Conference gets done with their stuff, they can tell us what we need to know.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, February 25, 2019
Monday, February 18, 2019
Graphic Design, Cynical Church Members And A Fun Ride
It's time for a new thing. It's almost here.
Hello Church,
Graphic design is not in my wheelhouse. However, as a pastor, one will find themselves doing all sorts of odd things that don't always align with given gifts and talents. It's been 18 years, but I once again find myself tinkering with programs like Microsoft's 3d paint. I am sure many of you have advice on which program would be easier. I typically choose what is already on my computer... and free.
The launch of a new vision at Emmanuel is right ahead. I am reinventing myself. Emmanuel is reinventing itself. The result? A Vision that is informed by the church and organized by church leadership. This time around, instead of me doing the visioning, the church is listening and speaking into it. I like it.
In this blog over the next few weeks I will be explaining this new church in more detail. I hope you will read up and explore your potential role.
So I am excited. The first draft of the new Vision is being presented Monday, Feb. 18th. I suspect there will be a shift in perspective in how we plan, implement and evaluate ministry. I also suspect it will narrow our focus as a church. A narrower focus will cause us to do less ministry that has more impact instead of more ministry that has less or no impact. Stay tuned.
And if you are still on the sidelines wondering if all of this is real, know that there will be plenty of opportunity for you to jump in with both feet. No matter how cynical you might be, you will always be welcomed at Emmanuel. When you buy in, we will be ready for you.
However, with every reinvention of an organization, there is a catch.... there is always a catch. You, the church, will have to participate. It will be your obedience to the preferred future that will make this go or not. Visions don't work on dry erase boards or on 3d paint. Visions work because the minds and hearts and hands and feet of God's people go to work and do things and say things that bring about God's Kingdom.
This gives me relief. What it means is that my 3d paint skills don't really matter at the end of the day. What matters is the active faith that is in the heart of the church. I trust you are ready to do what you say is important. It will be a fun ride if you are.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Hello Church,
Graphic design is not in my wheelhouse. However, as a pastor, one will find themselves doing all sorts of odd things that don't always align with given gifts and talents. It's been 18 years, but I once again find myself tinkering with programs like Microsoft's 3d paint. I am sure many of you have advice on which program would be easier. I typically choose what is already on my computer... and free.
The launch of a new vision at Emmanuel is right ahead. I am reinventing myself. Emmanuel is reinventing itself. The result? A Vision that is informed by the church and organized by church leadership. This time around, instead of me doing the visioning, the church is listening and speaking into it. I like it.
In this blog over the next few weeks I will be explaining this new church in more detail. I hope you will read up and explore your potential role.
So I am excited. The first draft of the new Vision is being presented Monday, Feb. 18th. I suspect there will be a shift in perspective in how we plan, implement and evaluate ministry. I also suspect it will narrow our focus as a church. A narrower focus will cause us to do less ministry that has more impact instead of more ministry that has less or no impact. Stay tuned.
And if you are still on the sidelines wondering if all of this is real, know that there will be plenty of opportunity for you to jump in with both feet. No matter how cynical you might be, you will always be welcomed at Emmanuel. When you buy in, we will be ready for you.
However, with every reinvention of an organization, there is a catch.... there is always a catch. You, the church, will have to participate. It will be your obedience to the preferred future that will make this go or not. Visions don't work on dry erase boards or on 3d paint. Visions work because the minds and hearts and hands and feet of God's people go to work and do things and say things that bring about God's Kingdom.
This gives me relief. What it means is that my 3d paint skills don't really matter at the end of the day. What matters is the active faith that is in the heart of the church. I trust you are ready to do what you say is important. It will be a fun ride if you are.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, February 11, 2019
Pastor Joe Is Full of It
It is time for a new thing! Do you perceive it yet? - Isaiah 43:19
Hello Church,
What a Saturday! The Relive Retreat went very well (I got 8,000 steps in with all my nervous energy). We have the beginnings of a fresh start. I want you to be a part of it (yes, you). The ball is now rolling and it will be gaining momentum. You don't want to miss out on this.
But some will.
While enthusiasm was created on Saturday, not everyone was there to capture it for various reasons. That's okay. There will be plenty of opportunity to get on board. Monday, Feb. 18th is the next opportunity. 7:30. A new vision and direction is in the makings. You are invited. Many will be there.
But some won't.
I want to be clear and concise with the church. I am not the same pastor. I am more determined. I am more stubborn. I am better focused. I am more spiritually alive. I am less concerned about appeasing you. I am more concerned about appeasing Jesus. The ministries I lead will reflect this. Some of you will get with the new program and be on a new, more exciting journey than before. There will still be bumps... but there will also be victories.
But some will remain skeptical.
I get it. It makes sense. Most of you have known me for as long as 9.5 years. Some of you have known Emmanuel since its birth. You have become accustomed to what has been (especially the last 3 years). The status quo has woven around your expectations. However, don't expect me to spend time winning over the skeptics. I used to spend a lot of energy doing that. I am done with that. I will take those who want to move into something bigger and better and we will move forward. I am focusing on the path ahead. Those who walk with me will walk with me. Those who don't will miss out.
If I sound smug, I don't intend to. I intend to sound determined. I don't like losing. We have been losing. Jesus isn't a loser. We shouldn't be losing. We should be winning. We proclaim Good News, not bad news. We should walk forward expecting to win... to be a magnet for people who want things like faith and hope and especially love. I am going to do so.
So get on board. It's time for a new thing.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Hello Church,
What a Saturday! The Relive Retreat went very well (I got 8,000 steps in with all my nervous energy). We have the beginnings of a fresh start. I want you to be a part of it (yes, you). The ball is now rolling and it will be gaining momentum. You don't want to miss out on this.
But some will.
While enthusiasm was created on Saturday, not everyone was there to capture it for various reasons. That's okay. There will be plenty of opportunity to get on board. Monday, Feb. 18th is the next opportunity. 7:30. A new vision and direction is in the makings. You are invited. Many will be there.
But some won't.
I want to be clear and concise with the church. I am not the same pastor. I am more determined. I am more stubborn. I am better focused. I am more spiritually alive. I am less concerned about appeasing you. I am more concerned about appeasing Jesus. The ministries I lead will reflect this. Some of you will get with the new program and be on a new, more exciting journey than before. There will still be bumps... but there will also be victories.
But some will remain skeptical.
I get it. It makes sense. Most of you have known me for as long as 9.5 years. Some of you have known Emmanuel since its birth. You have become accustomed to what has been (especially the last 3 years). The status quo has woven around your expectations. However, don't expect me to spend time winning over the skeptics. I used to spend a lot of energy doing that. I am done with that. I will take those who want to move into something bigger and better and we will move forward. I am focusing on the path ahead. Those who walk with me will walk with me. Those who don't will miss out.
If I sound smug, I don't intend to. I intend to sound determined. I don't like losing. We have been losing. Jesus isn't a loser. We shouldn't be losing. We should be winning. We proclaim Good News, not bad news. We should walk forward expecting to win... to be a magnet for people who want things like faith and hope and especially love. I am going to do so.
So get on board. It's time for a new thing.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, February 4, 2019
Emmanuel Will No Longer Be.....
...who we think we are.... or have been........
It is time for a new thing! Do you perceive it yet?
Hello Church,
I am treating Relive Church 2019 like a new church start. Spiritually, I want us to capture the enthusiasm of serving a gracious God. Physically, I want us to find renewed energy. Emotionally, I want us to rediscover the joy of following Jesus. It's time for a new thing.
Come prepared to throw away assumptions. Don't anticipate what you think you will be doing. Throw away labels for yourself and others. There will be no trustees people, finance people, worship people; no lay leaders or Sunday School teachers or coffee makers or missions team. Ministry teams will not exist at 9:00 on Saturday morning. We come as people who are simply ready and willing to become a new church that wants to make God happy.
Come prepared to witness determination and authenticity; faithfulness and commitment. What we will become, we will become very good at becoming. What we will not be good at becoming will be the result of a stronger focus on what we will become. It is time to narrow in on divine purpose and leave the rest behind. It is time to proclaim God's mission for us loudly and leave no time to proclaim anything else.
We are on the home stretch toward a first step to a new thing. This Saturday is Relive Church 2019 for Emmanuel UMC. Loveland UMC has been so kind to host us. They are being so great!
There are 65 people registered as of this writing! Wow! If you want to be a part of this, feel free to email me (pastorjoe@emmanuel-umc.com) or text/call me (513-463-7378). Lunch is provided. Child care is provided.
The Holy Spirit is provided.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
It is time for a new thing! Do you perceive it yet?
Hello Church,
I am treating Relive Church 2019 like a new church start. Spiritually, I want us to capture the enthusiasm of serving a gracious God. Physically, I want us to find renewed energy. Emotionally, I want us to rediscover the joy of following Jesus. It's time for a new thing.
Come prepared to throw away assumptions. Don't anticipate what you think you will be doing. Throw away labels for yourself and others. There will be no trustees people, finance people, worship people; no lay leaders or Sunday School teachers or coffee makers or missions team. Ministry teams will not exist at 9:00 on Saturday morning. We come as people who are simply ready and willing to become a new church that wants to make God happy.
Come prepared to witness determination and authenticity; faithfulness and commitment. What we will become, we will become very good at becoming. What we will not be good at becoming will be the result of a stronger focus on what we will become. It is time to narrow in on divine purpose and leave the rest behind. It is time to proclaim God's mission for us loudly and leave no time to proclaim anything else.
We are on the home stretch toward a first step to a new thing. This Saturday is Relive Church 2019 for Emmanuel UMC. Loveland UMC has been so kind to host us. They are being so great!
There are 65 people registered as of this writing! Wow! If you want to be a part of this, feel free to email me (pastorjoe@emmanuel-umc.com) or text/call me (513-463-7378). Lunch is provided. Child care is provided.
The Holy Spirit is provided.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
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