Hello Church,
This is a special week at Emmanuel. It is a week of change and appreciation....some sadness, but also some excitement. It is a week of considering our Call and praying for those who answer it. I hope you can make it Sunday at 10:30 (and for the ice cream afterwards).
First, our Columbia Mission Team leaves for another trip to Brisas Del Mar. Another opportunity to engage presents itself and several from Emmanuel are going. We will pray for them as they travel and show God's love.
Second, we will spend some time loving on the Pollitts. Emmanuel's Co-Op Youth program with Amelia is ending September 1st and Beth is taking a paid staff position at Amelia UMC as their Youth Leader. It is a good opportunity for her, but also a difficult change. James, Beth and Bella will be attending Amelia UMC and leaving Emmanuel.
There's a mixture of emotion for me and I suspect it will be the same for many of you. The Pollitts have been a big part of Emmanuel and you will be able to share that significance on Sunday. There will be tears, but there will also be hope and expectation. While they are only moving down the road a bit, it will be a chance for Beth to continue the pursuit of her Call.
Please know the importance that Emmanuel has in all of this too. We have worked with Beth to help her grow into her Call. That is a big part of what churches do.... help others identify and answer divine Call. While we are sad they are leaving, we should also be glad that we lived into our role. Please come and share in this celebration because it is a celebration even if it is a difficult one.
Finally, know that Emmanuel's role in raising people up in their Call doesn't end. Plans will be in place by September to launch a Youth and Children's program. New leaders with new Calls are being identified. We continue to move forward. While it is a new start for Beth, it is also a new start for Emmanuel.
So, again, I hope you can come Sunday at 10:30 (and the free ice cream afterwards). God will be there and it will be good.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, July 29, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
Do You Dislike The Church?
Hello Church,
Consider that not everyone trusts us.
It would be nice if we didn't have to work at winning trust from others. If the word 'Church' automatically meant the loss of suspicion, anxiety and caution... and the addition of peace, unconditional love and comfort.... our role in the world would be much easier. Unfortunately, the Church hasn't been immune from causing harm, hurt and wounds that embed itself deep in the psyche of the community around us. Sometimes it was by total accident. Other times it way too intentional. The grand history of the Church isn't always so grand.
The truth is that some unchurched folks have good reason to remain unchurched.
So what do we do? We put forth effort to win back their trust. As Emmanuel engages more of the community around us, it should be expected that some will wonder what we are doing. Some will doubt the authenticity of what we do. Others will just downright not trust us.
The onus is not on them to try Church again. The onus is on us to be humble, loving and sacrificial in how we reach out and invite them in again. Sometimes we will also need to be repentant and apologetic.... to be transparent that we do make mistakes, but we don't want to. We want to be the kind of people that is expected from a church.
So whether we are feeding the hungry, encouraging teachers, connecting with students, or traveling halfway across the world to spend time in a jungle, remember that we have something to prove: that God is real and His love isn't too impossible.
Let Christ live in you. And let others see Him.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Consider that not everyone trusts us.
It would be nice if we didn't have to work at winning trust from others. If the word 'Church' automatically meant the loss of suspicion, anxiety and caution... and the addition of peace, unconditional love and comfort.... our role in the world would be much easier. Unfortunately, the Church hasn't been immune from causing harm, hurt and wounds that embed itself deep in the psyche of the community around us. Sometimes it was by total accident. Other times it way too intentional. The grand history of the Church isn't always so grand.
The truth is that some unchurched folks have good reason to remain unchurched.
So what do we do? We put forth effort to win back their trust. As Emmanuel engages more of the community around us, it should be expected that some will wonder what we are doing. Some will doubt the authenticity of what we do. Others will just downright not trust us.
The onus is not on them to try Church again. The onus is on us to be humble, loving and sacrificial in how we reach out and invite them in again. Sometimes we will also need to be repentant and apologetic.... to be transparent that we do make mistakes, but we don't want to. We want to be the kind of people that is expected from a church.
So whether we are feeding the hungry, encouraging teachers, connecting with students, or traveling halfway across the world to spend time in a jungle, remember that we have something to prove: that God is real and His love isn't too impossible.
Let Christ live in you. And let others see Him.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, July 15, 2019
It Has Started! Woohoo!
Hello Church,
It has been launched! We are officially in partnership with Holly Hill Elementary! Woohoo! For those who missed worship this past Sunday, here is the link. It didn't catch the whole talk due to space, but Principal Parker is at the end. Our pre-teen mission trip presentation is at the beginning.
We welcomed Principal Erin Parker (presented her a Starbucks gift card, chocolate and a t-shirt) and began gathering sponsors and mentors. Sponsors will spend the year encouraging, supporting and empowering teachers in simple and uplifting ways. Mentors will be given the opportunity to provide some positive connection to a given student.
If you would like to be a part of this partnership or want more information, please let us know. Email me at pastorjoe@emmanuel-umc.com. We can provide you with a guide sheet on what it would mean to be a sponsor.
I fully admit that for me, personally, this particular engagement is the one I've been looking forward to. I'm not sure why except to say that I feel like I relate with teachers. Now don't get me wrong. I am not comparing the congregation to a room full of first graders. However, I do understand the stresses associated with working with many people on a regular basis. Those who are in the people business (teachers, health professionals, pastors, etc) share the experiences of rewards, risks and frustrations.
So I am looking forward to being a support to those who help our children. Emmanuel isn't big enough to change the world, but we can focus in and make a positive impact in a little corner of it. I hope you are a part of that impact. I know God is.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
It has been launched! We are officially in partnership with Holly Hill Elementary! Woohoo! For those who missed worship this past Sunday, here is the link. It didn't catch the whole talk due to space, but Principal Parker is at the end. Our pre-teen mission trip presentation is at the beginning.
We welcomed Principal Erin Parker (presented her a Starbucks gift card, chocolate and a t-shirt) and began gathering sponsors and mentors. Sponsors will spend the year encouraging, supporting and empowering teachers in simple and uplifting ways. Mentors will be given the opportunity to provide some positive connection to a given student.
If you would like to be a part of this partnership or want more information, please let us know. Email me at pastorjoe@emmanuel-umc.com. We can provide you with a guide sheet on what it would mean to be a sponsor.
I fully admit that for me, personally, this particular engagement is the one I've been looking forward to. I'm not sure why except to say that I feel like I relate with teachers. Now don't get me wrong. I am not comparing the congregation to a room full of first graders. However, I do understand the stresses associated with working with many people on a regular basis. Those who are in the people business (teachers, health professionals, pastors, etc) share the experiences of rewards, risks and frustrations.
So I am looking forward to being a support to those who help our children. Emmanuel isn't big enough to change the world, but we can focus in and make a positive impact in a little corner of it. I hope you are a part of that impact. I know God is.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, July 8, 2019
Holly Hill Elementary School
Hello Church,
The word for the day is 'macro-impact'.
I'm not sure if it is a real word. I've been known to make up words, sometimes intentionally. I wouldn't call it a skill set, but it makes explaining things less difficult sometimes. 'Macro-impact.
Through the renewal Emmanuel has focused on how to have a bigger over-all impact on community. This has led us to engaging not just individuals, but engaging community organizations. Partnering with other groups helps us influence on a larger scale an, oh-by-the-way, allows us to be more visible in the community, opening doors for more impacting opportunities.
We have a list of options. We have already engaged the League of Animal Welfare (where Hope and I are now official volunteers) and the Clermont County Humane Society. Inside the Church we are encouraging the Sunday School kids to show their acting ability in worship. There are more opportunities forthcoming (Inter Parish Ministry and Scouts to name a couple).
However, this coming Sunday is a biggie! Holly Hill Elementary is coming to share about themselves and we will be celebrating a new partnership with them. Opportunities are two-fold. You will be able to sponsor a group of teachers to encourage and support. Or you can be assigned a student to mentor. Details are coming Sunday. Just know that this is a chance for 'macro-impact'.
If we commit ourselves as a Church to establish a relationship with another organization (like a school), the result can be Christ-like. It just isn't Pastor Joe letting Principal Erin Parker know that God loves Holly Hill. It is the people of Emmanuel showing love to the staff and students of Holly Hill. Faith is made real in how a person of Emmanuel engages a person of Holly Hill. We don't just say it. We don't just give them things. We show it by how commit our time and energy in building authentic relationships.
I hope you attend this coming Sunday at 10:30. A new school year is on the horizon. The Community Fellowship Team is preparing to equip you to join this new partnership. I hope your heart is ready to make a 'macro-impact'.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
The word for the day is 'macro-impact'.
I'm not sure if it is a real word. I've been known to make up words, sometimes intentionally. I wouldn't call it a skill set, but it makes explaining things less difficult sometimes. 'Macro-impact.
Through the renewal Emmanuel has focused on how to have a bigger over-all impact on community. This has led us to engaging not just individuals, but engaging community organizations. Partnering with other groups helps us influence on a larger scale an, oh-by-the-way, allows us to be more visible in the community, opening doors for more impacting opportunities.
We have a list of options. We have already engaged the League of Animal Welfare (where Hope and I are now official volunteers) and the Clermont County Humane Society. Inside the Church we are encouraging the Sunday School kids to show their acting ability in worship. There are more opportunities forthcoming (Inter Parish Ministry and Scouts to name a couple).
However, this coming Sunday is a biggie! Holly Hill Elementary is coming to share about themselves and we will be celebrating a new partnership with them. Opportunities are two-fold. You will be able to sponsor a group of teachers to encourage and support. Or you can be assigned a student to mentor. Details are coming Sunday. Just know that this is a chance for 'macro-impact'.
If we commit ourselves as a Church to establish a relationship with another organization (like a school), the result can be Christ-like. It just isn't Pastor Joe letting Principal Erin Parker know that God loves Holly Hill. It is the people of Emmanuel showing love to the staff and students of Holly Hill. Faith is made real in how a person of Emmanuel engages a person of Holly Hill. We don't just say it. We don't just give them things. We show it by how commit our time and energy in building authentic relationships.
I hope you attend this coming Sunday at 10:30. A new school year is on the horizon. The Community Fellowship Team is preparing to equip you to join this new partnership. I hope your heart is ready to make a 'macro-impact'.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, July 1, 2019
Are My Sermons Too Long?
Hello Church,
What is the Holy Spirit Calling you to do?
I like preaching. Over the years it has come easier and easier for me. It wasn't so easy in the beginning. I essentially would sit down and type an 8-page paper as college and seminary put me in the habit of doing. Then I would read that on Sunday morning. I was not a boring reader, as far as that goes, but it was still reading.
My anxiety around preaching was multi-layered. Did I know what I was talking about? Will the congregation agree with me? How many people will I upset? Is it too long? Not long enough? Are my arguments logically sound? Is it too mushy? Too illogical? Not mushy enough? Is it biblically sound? Where are the loopholes? Can I fix the loopholes? Am I talking loud enough for everyone to hear?
Over the years I have crossed off many of those questions. This is because many of those questions speak to my self-confidence more than anything else. As I started agreeing with God that preaching is a Calling, I got more brazened. I stopped typing out 8-page papers and making outlines. Then I went from outlines to a few notes. Now, sometimes, I don't even use my notes.
My point isn't that I have improved as a preacher. My point is that when we believe.... truly believe... that God has called us to something, the more we can lean on God and not ourselves. The more I got to know God; the character of God; the habits of God; the attitude of God, the more I could allow God to speak through me. My confidence didn't just come from experience. It came from my faith that God knew what He was doing when He said, 'Joe, go preach'.
What is the Holy Spirit calling you to do?
Consider that whatever it is, it is more about God and less about you. Your confidence, know-how, attitude, etc; are certainly important. But God's confidence, know-how, attitude, etc; is much more important when He is the one deciding that you can be good and useful at something.
So I became a preacher. I learn how to improve at it because I decided to believe that God has my back.
When you believe God has your back on something, go do it and learn to do it really well. What I learned throughout the years is that it does matter what other people think, but when you commit yourself to your Calling, it matters much less than you think.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
What is the Holy Spirit Calling you to do?
I like preaching. Over the years it has come easier and easier for me. It wasn't so easy in the beginning. I essentially would sit down and type an 8-page paper as college and seminary put me in the habit of doing. Then I would read that on Sunday morning. I was not a boring reader, as far as that goes, but it was still reading.
My anxiety around preaching was multi-layered. Did I know what I was talking about? Will the congregation agree with me? How many people will I upset? Is it too long? Not long enough? Are my arguments logically sound? Is it too mushy? Too illogical? Not mushy enough? Is it biblically sound? Where are the loopholes? Can I fix the loopholes? Am I talking loud enough for everyone to hear?
Over the years I have crossed off many of those questions. This is because many of those questions speak to my self-confidence more than anything else. As I started agreeing with God that preaching is a Calling, I got more brazened. I stopped typing out 8-page papers and making outlines. Then I went from outlines to a few notes. Now, sometimes, I don't even use my notes.
My point isn't that I have improved as a preacher. My point is that when we believe.... truly believe... that God has called us to something, the more we can lean on God and not ourselves. The more I got to know God; the character of God; the habits of God; the attitude of God, the more I could allow God to speak through me. My confidence didn't just come from experience. It came from my faith that God knew what He was doing when He said, 'Joe, go preach'.
What is the Holy Spirit calling you to do?
Consider that whatever it is, it is more about God and less about you. Your confidence, know-how, attitude, etc; are certainly important. But God's confidence, know-how, attitude, etc; is much more important when He is the one deciding that you can be good and useful at something.
So I became a preacher. I learn how to improve at it because I decided to believe that God has my back.
When you believe God has your back on something, go do it and learn to do it really well. What I learned throughout the years is that it does matter what other people think, but when you commit yourself to your Calling, it matters much less than you think.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
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