The Think Box

Hello Emmanuel,

Well that was different, but very cool.  Yesterday Emmanuel had the first annual Blessing of the Bikes.  It was a time to pray for bikers and their safe travel through the summer.  We had a motorcycle in the sanctuary and I even got to wear some leather.  Emmanuel also got to meet some new people and get a glimpse into a hobby or even a lifestyle that many of us (including me) have had no experience with.  I look forward to next year and finding ways to make it bigger and better.

We must never be afraid to try something different as long as it fits with the Discipleship Pathway (i.e. Circle Chart).  I am impressed with Emmanuel’s willingness to think outside the box, but we must continue to encourage it.  There are infinite number of ways to try something different and as the community changes around us (and those of you who have been around know the community has changed fast in 10-15 years), we need to be diligent to recognize what those attention-grabbing ministries could be. 

If you have an idea that you think can be attention-grabbing to the community, let me know.  Many of you don’t realize it, but I have a Think Box that I keep crazy ideas in.  The Think Box is a 3x3x3 inch box that I keep on my desk.  It’s purple, green, red, orange and blue.  It opens from any side and can hold any idea for as long as needed.  So don’t be afraid to give me your crazy ideas…

… oh… and did I tell you that the Think Box is invisible to everyone but me?  That means that you need to tell me the idea so I can put it in the box.

A church that doesn’t have a Think Box is a church constantly in danger of becoming stagnant, boring and non-relevant.  Sometimes it takes years for it to happen, but it can happen.  So let’s be on our toes and keep the creative juices flowing. 

TOPIC CHANGE                 

I want to throw out some prayer requests that probably hit closer to my home than yours.  Churches in our area are going through pastoral changes.  Those pastors are moving and need our prayers as they start a new segment in their lives.  Faith UMC, Mount Moriah UMC, Owensville UMC and Goshen UMC are all going through pastoral transitions.  This can be a very nervous time for churches and pastors.  Owensville hasn’t had a change in 15 years and Pastor Dave Phaneuf has been at Faith for 8 years.  So prayers for everyone. 

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Easter Is The Beginning

Hello Emmanuel,

Yes, I know, I’m a day late.  No need to email me or call me or text me or tweet me.  I have no good excuse.  My bad excuse is that Easter wore the heck out of me.  Unfortunately, I don’t have time to be tired and neither does Emmanuel.  Easter isn’t the end.  Easter is the beginning.  So now we look forward to lots of God work.  The traveling food pantry (Friday, 9-1) and the Blessing of the Bikes (Sunday, 10:30) is in the immediate future.

Since we have turned the page on the season, I want to highlight other matters that upcoming:

Collecting Bare Necessities April 27^th and May 4^th:  Emmanuel is collecting toiletries and other basic necessities for Saul’s homeless shelter and the YWCA.  You can bring them to church and set them up by the altar.

GriefShare Tuesdays at 7:00:  Are you grieving?  This 10 week class wants you to know that you are not alone.  Come join us.  It is a time of support and caring.

Renewing Your Kroger Plus Card Giving:  Kroger gives away money to charities, including churches.  A year ago several families at Emmanuel signed up to allow Kroger to give free money to Emmanuel every time they shop at Kroger.  The year is up and Kroger requires that everyone re-sign up in April.  So if you are part of this program—or if you want to start—you can go to the Kroger website and continue to help out Emmanuel. 

Blessing of the Hands for Health Care Workers:  Sunday, May 18^th.  Nurses, Therapists, Counselors, Doctors, Social Workers, etc;  Emmanuel wants to bless all of you.  Come to either service and bring your work peers. 

Childhood Lost: May 18^th.  The Youth are participating in a mission project to raise awareness of child trafficking.  They will be helping to lead worship that moring.

Online Giving:  The Finance Team wants to know if you would be interested in an Online giving option (specifically, having automatic withdrawl set up with your bank account… this would NOT include the use of credit cards, only bank debit cards).  This is a growing trend in churches and we want to know if it would be feasible at Emmanuel.  During the month of May, we will be exploring this option and will be seeking your feedback via an insert in the bulletin.

Flower Sale/Grill Out May 10^th:  The UMW will be having their first Grill Out and will be selling flowers as they continue to work hard to support Missions ministries.  The flowers aren’t free, but the food is.  Woohoo!

Mother’s Day May 11^th.  Emmanuel is working to have a special gift offered to all the ladies of the church, especially the moms.  Stay tuned.

See?  I told you Easter is the beginning.  It is when we are revived by Good News and go and run with it.  I hope you join us on Sundays to hear more specifically how we can be a positive force in the world.  God encourages us and God commands us and God will run with us. 

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Face Of The Church

Hello Emmanuel,

We need a bigger church sign.

Now before you start listing the reasons why we don’t and why we can’t, consider the problem I am dealing with:  we have too many community ministry events.  They don’t all fit on the sign.  With the Egg Hunt, Maundy Thursday, Easter Services, Griefshare, the traveling food pantry and the blessing of the bikes all happening within 10 days of each other, you might see how stressed I am… not to mention Justin-The-Sign-Guy.

This leads me to a unique topic for all you church people:  how is a church to market itself?  Or is it?

There are those who would resist any semblance of a church mirroring corporate America.  The marketing ploys used by the secular business world are often met with skepticism and paranoia…. As in ‘what’s the catch’.  The result is a church attitude that resists promoting the church for fear of the same reaction by those we are trying to reach.

However, consider that there is a difference between promoting/marketing the church and promoting/marketing the message.  And what does this mean as we go about advertising as we do?  I, personally, think there are biblical ways to advertise/promote/market as a church.  I also think that there are unbiblical ways.  I want to share both, the latter which may get me into trouble.

God has a message for us to send out.  If we focus on the message, then we do what God wants.  Creating ministry events that give people a chance to hear that message is, in my mind, biblical.  Worship services, Missions, Outreach, Hospitality, Small Group and Care ministries (look familiar circle chart people?.. hehe) are ways to get the message out…. Or at least give people a chance to hear the message that Jesus loves them and they can be a part of a redeemed community that nurtures healthy relationships with God and others (i.e. be a disciple of Jesus).  When we use the church sign, it is for the front end of those purposes:  to invite and welcome.

Then there are other ways to use church signs that I believe are either ineffective or even unbiblical.  I’ve seen many cute sayings on signs that may bring a smile or smirk to a passer-byer’s mouth.  While a church is free to do what it wants with a sign, I often wonder, ‘what is the purpose’.  How about giving a non-churched person a concrete reason to be curious about the church?  This is almost always tied to an event that would minimize discomfort in a new, unchurched person…. Like an Easter Egg hunt or Breakfast with Santa Claus or a Yard Sale.

Once the new person participates in these events, then opportunity can be had to establish a conversation and invite them to then next event… hopefully eventually leading to worship… where God’s Good News is shared in a more clear and distinct way.

And then there are ways to market a church that make me squirm.  First and foremost, marketing the messenger instead of the message is dangerous business.  If you notice, my face is not on the sign or a billboard or book or even on the screen in the sanctuary.  If I didn’t wear the cordless mic on Sunday mornings, a visitor wouldn’t even know I’m the pastor until I walked up to the front.  While I’ve been told that I should be more visible as part of Emmanuel, I resist it.  Why?  The message is more important than the messenger.  Some call this humility or false humility or whatever you want to call it.  What I know is that I get extremely uncomfortable when someone places me on a pedestal higher than the message.  It’s like I wait for lightning to strike me down.

Not all pastors would agree with me.  For example, you don’t have to be a big Joel Osteen fan to recognize his approach is nearly opposite of mine.  Though to be fair, it would be difficult to be part of a nationally known church and not see your face everywhere.  However, I also think it would be tempting to allow your face to be marketed all around when people appreciate your work.  Pedestals are tempting… the highest pedestals are the most tempting.  The truth is that the church was here 2,000 years before I got here.  It will likely be around 2,000 years after I’m gone.  The Good News is forever.  The message is forever.

So we need a bigger church sign.  Not because of any one person.  We need a bigger sign because Emmanuel is very good at understanding that people find Jesus by being invited by the church to get involved in events…. And we have many events…  And these events should always lead to a really powerful message…. a message that the messenger better not mess up.  That’s a job that I will gladly take on.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Think Like A Preacher

Hello Emmanuel,

The sermon series this Lent got a lot of attention… well.. more so than usual.  For a church to put ‘poo’ on their sign was a tolerant sort of taboo.  It certainly created curiosity and discussion.  And maybe it did a small part of bringing us out of the worse-than-usual winter that was blah for many people.

So now Easter is on its way.  A new sermon series starts April 20^th and the pressure is on.  How do you transition from the poo of Lent to the resurrection of Easter?  What possible name of an Easter sermon series can one come up with to rival the one we just had?  This isn’t a rhetorical question.  I want to know.

So send me your ideas for an Easter sermon series title at pastorjoe@emmanuel-umc.com.  I’m curious as to how creative you can be.  I may use it… or not… or it may spark something else entirely.  Unlike other times of the year, Easter is more narrowly defined.  It’s about life and resurrection and new beginnings and hope for a better future—a better existence.  There are also 7 Sundays of Easter, in case that helps.  Keep in mind, I just want ideas for a title… no need to write a sermon.

And if you are one that wants to be a smarty pants and send ideas that you think I’ll never use, go ahead.  Just be forewarned that I may use it and give you all the ‘credit’ for it… unless it turns out great, in which case I’ll take at least a little bit of the credit.

Why do I want your ideas?  Other than I have writers block?  I’ve never tried this before.  Consider it an attempt to put a wrinkle in the season and keep out of ruts.  But I also believe one should always foster ideas of community.  While I, as pastor, am inevitably responsible for the proclamation of the Word, why not think outside the box.  So send me your ideas.  If I regret it, I’ll not do it again… haha….

In the meantime, I encourage you to enjoy the upcoming season.  Yes, we need 6,000 more eggs filled with candy.  And, yes, we are not yet done making the chocolate eggs.  However, the process of getting ready to engage the community with Good News should be an exciting time of anticipation and celebration.  I, for one, can’t wait.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

An Exciting Storm

Hello Emmanuel,

With everything about ready to happen at Emmanuel, I feel like this is the week of calm before the storm.  Every year at this time a check myself to be sure I’m ready for it all.  While I don’t find myself doing any one thing a lot, I do make sure I spend my time making sure all the leaders are equipped for what needs to be done.  It’s a little dizzying for me, but I always seem to enjoy the outcome.  Lots of people love Jesus and will spend their energy expressing such. 

The truth is that it takes a lot of energy.  And we need lots of help.  The Easter Egg Hunt (April 19^th at Batavia Township Park, 1:00-3:00) needs 100 volunteers to help pull it off smoothly (if you want to help, you can register here or sign up in the lobby of the church).  The Chocolate Easter Egg production that raises funds for the United Methodist Women for mission work takes a lot of helpers too… .over a 2 week period.  Easter is full of life, but also full of needed energy.  Add Maundy Thursday (7:00) and Easter breakfast and you have even more stuff to look forward to. 

And this year seems to be even busier.  We have scheduled a Blessing of the Bikes for April 27^th at 10:30 worship.  This is not a new idea, but a new event at Emmanuel.  We are not sure what the turnout will be, but we are saving space in the back part of the parking lot just in case. 

I could go on with all the mission projects we are supporting over the next 2 months, but I’m digressing.  Are you ready for Easter?  Really ready?  I’m not asking if you have your new Easter clothes or have penciled ‘church’ into your calendar.  I’m asking if you are ready to celebrate new life.  Are you prepared to see your day as an opportunity to live anew instead of just living some more?

I admit that I’m not always ready.  I too often get caught up in the busy-ness of Easter instead of the message of Easter.  I too often am relieved when Easter is over instead of excited that Easter has begun.  I’ll try not to do so this year.  There will be too many chances to invite people to meet Jesus and consider that the idea of mortality is being overthrown.

Someone is going to find a new source of hope over the next couple of months.  Indeed, I want many more people to find a new source of hope and life.  I invite you to do your part in making Easter a time for living anew.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Don't Assume I'm Wearing Green

Hello Emmanuel,

Never assume you know someone else’s story.

I’m not wearing green today.  I guess I’m a glutton for punishment.  Today is St. Patrick’s Day.  What better time to talk about a saint.  What I have learned again today is to never assume you know someone else’s story.

St. Patrick wasn’t Irish and he wasn’t even named Patrick.  A son of a Roman imperial official in Britain, Magonus Sucatus was captured by Irish pirates (I wonder if they wore green eye patches) and was sold into slavery.  He escaped 6 years later and eventually ended up in a monastery in France, feeling the call to become a priest.  He later became known as Patricius (Latin for ‘Patrick’).  He returned to Ireland to evangelize the pagans and lead a Christian movement.  He then became the first Bishop of Ireland.

Not much more is known about him, though many legends surround him.  Indeed, there seems to be many more legends around him than what is factually known.  This leads me to my point for today:  never assume you know someone else’s story.

I certainly have discovered many instances of those who meet me, find out that I’m a pastor, and assume they know who I am, what I’m about and even how I expect them to act.  These stories are humorous in many instances.  But mostly it is disconcerting to me.  The label ‘pastor’ isn’t who I am.  It is just one of many roles I play in life.  Those who get to know me find out that I don’t let labels define me.  Those who don’t understand this will either not ever get to know me or will not like me once they do.

The positive side to all of this is that it serves as reminder to me not to put too much emphasis on the labels of others.  There are all kinds of stereotypes out there for teachers, nurses, mechanics, office workers, etc; and the church is full of such labelled people.  I prefer to try and find out who they are.  I am much less concerned with what they do. 

Oh… and this is the way Jesus is too.  He is much more concerned about who you are.  Are you humble?  Selfless?  Loving?  Merciful and compassionate?  Forgiving?  Hopeful?  The qualities that make up a person… if they are Christ-like…. make labels much less significant.

So the next time you meet someone new, don’t assume you know any part of their story.  Get to know them.  You may make a friend in the most unexpected places.  Who would’ve thought that St. Patrick would have ever gone back to his land of slavery and get to know the people?  Not me.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Strutting Models and Loud Music

Hello Emmanuel,

Have you ever worked so hard that you forget to smell the roses?

While the new Lenten series is about life pooing on us, it is also the time of year that I have difficulty keeping up with the joys of church life.  As a result, I fail to announce such on Sundays.

This past Saturday, the United Methodist Women sponsored a ‘tea and fashion’ show with Christopher Banks and CJ Banks offering their clothing line to be modeled.  It was a wonderful success.  The UMW raised $900, all of it going for missions.  The ladies had a wonderful time and I hear the models was strutting their stuff down the catwalk.

Additionally, the youth went to Winter Jam at Bank One Arena.  James and Beth Pollitt continue to commit their time and energy giving youth the opportunity to experience faith in various ways.  Winter Jam was a series of Christian bands offering their unique (and sometimes loud) kinds of music to proclaim how good God is.  James and Beth couldn’t do it all.  Thanks to Ginifer and Chris Swofford; Russ Bowman; Pam Murphy, Tracy Jones and Andrew Shamblin to help with the chaperoning (I hope I didn’t miss anyone).

Finally, Emmanuel played a role in helping other churches in our District consider how they may be able to do Outreach ministry at their church.  Allison Boone, Muriel Cunningham and I were invited to be on a panel to be a part of the Ohio River Valley training day to share about how Emmanuel reaches out to the community.  Many other leaders at Emmanuel were able to attend other workshops to learn from other churches as well.  It’s good to not have to re-invent the wheel.

We may have also seen the birth of a new group ministry.  Scrapbooking/Craft day has now been scheduled for a 3^rd time this winter (March 29^th).  Emmanuel has been more intentional about fighting the winter blahs and it has been met with very good response.  The plan is to be even more intentional next winter by planning more family game nights, euchre nights, crafting days and any other ideas that may come our way.

While I go about my job to keep the church encouraged, inspired and motivated to do God stuff, it’s easy to forget to celebrate after the fact when God gets involved.  However, it is equally important and I ask all of Emmanuel to not be afraid to approach me when I get too caught up on the front end of helping ministry happen and don’t do enough on the back end of celebrating when things go great.

There will be much more to celebrate in the weeks ahead.  God has promised.  Easter is coming.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe