An Excited Pastor Has Been Sighted

Hello Emmanuel,

Pentecost is coming.  Time to wear red.  Time to rediscover what Pentecost is and why the Pastor is so excited.

My excitement is multi-fold.  First, I haven’t looked forward to summer like I have this year.  I’m not sure why except that I perhaps haven’t lamented a winter like I have this past one.  For some reason, the cold just got to me more than usual.  Does that mean I’m getting old?  In any case, Pentecost means warm weather is here. 

Secondly, baptisms are going to happen Sunday.  In fact, it will be a 3 generational baptism.  I don’t think I’ve ever done 3 generations at once.  Celebrating God’s grace in such a way is going to be fantastic.  Son, Mom and Grandma are going to celebrate God’s grace in the water.  I might need to have extra water on hand.

Thirdly—and I feel like I say this so often—the new faces at Emmanuel bring so many possibilities for new disciples of Jesus and new servers to the many ministries we implement.  I’m wondering how many we’ll have at the Roots Class on Saturday at 9:00.  Let the Discipleship Pathway be discussed!!!  Woohoo!!

Fourthly, a new sermon series starts.  Discussing the work of the Holy Spirit always seems to be attention-getting.  People want to know how God speaks to them right now.  I’m looking forward to a change of gears and moving from having hope in the resurrection to having fulfillment in living today.  I hope you come and hear about a Wild Goose Chase. 

So how could I not be excited right now?  I hope you are excited too!  Sometimes I feel like I’m just riding a wave of grace through 2014.  I hope your summer will be a time you see God working among you.  Take time to soak it in and celebrate it.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Oh… and on a side note, we are tweaking our bulletin and making it a newsletter.  Our intent is to be more informative to more people about what Emmanuel is doing and how to get involved.  We want as many servants as possible.  So pay attention to how the bulletin… I mean, newsletter… changes over the next several weeks.  

I'm Surviving and Thriving!

Hello Emmanuel,

I survived yesterday.  As part of Emmanuel’s Mother’s Day gift, a group of men of the church (and Rachel) offered to take care of kids so that moms could have a couple hours to themselves (or with their friends).  We had 10 different families leave their kids with us.  Fortunately there was plenty of help.  The gift of time was a success. 

I was also reminded how valuable it is to have so many servants in the church.  While I did help with lunch, I was also able to take time to connect with a new person of the church.  We had very good conversation and I hope I was able to help her make a connection with Emmanuel.

I was also approached by a couple that came into the building looking for financial help.  I was freed up enough to help them in a responsible way (i.e. the sermon on May 11^th). 

The Pastor can wear many hats, but only so many at one time.  I feel very blessed to have so many servants in the church that it can allow me the freedom to take care of immediate needs when they arise.  I was just mentioning to Shawn Young last week how I can look back and see how my focus as a pastor has shifted over the 5 years.  Once upon a time I was immersed in establishing a long-term vision; then getting a Hospitality Team off the ground; then helping a Sunday School program deal with fast growth; then expanding a Small Group ministry; then managing changing worship issues; then helping with Trustees; then dealing with paid staff issues; then… well… it’s neat for me to see the journey.  This year I’m focusing on the Outreach Team.  If your turn hasn’t come up yet, I’m sure it will.  Why?  Because the many servants of Emmanuel give me the freedom to wear whatever hat I need to wear in order to help the church as much as possible.

Certainly there are hats that I will always wear:  preaching, teaching, visiting and offering the sacraments are obvious ones.  However, it feels good to do what I feel like I’m called to do.  Watching God move me from one topic to the next without me getting so overwhelmed with hats that I get too weighed down is refreshing.

How do you view your journey?  Do you have people in your life that help you do what you feel like you are called to do?  If not, why not?  My door is open.  I have time to talk.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

Moms Are Happy But...

Hello Emmanuel,

It was another good Mother’s Day yesterday.  And by ‘good’, I mean that Mom was happy.  Clearly any other ‘good’ doesn’t matter on Mother’s Day, right?  We go about our day trying to find ways to say ‘thank you’.  For us it was an attempt to have the house clean; the kids fixing a meal for Kim; and then giving her gifts. 

Emmanuel (and other churches) also go about trying to celebrate moms.  Free stuff is given away, the most popular being flowers.  This year, however, Emmanuel is offering a different kind of gift…. The gift of time.  I (and any other willing man) am going to offer childcare from 12:00 until 2:00 next Sunday for any moms that just want time to do what they want.  We will feed the kids and make sure they have fun while moms aren’t around (which isn’t really all that difficult… hehe….).

I think this is a neat idea that comes from the Vision Team… the gift of time.  What is it that moms don’t have enough of?  It isn’t flowers or bookmarks or pins… it’s time.  It falls into one of my passionate issues when it comes to healthy living as a disciple:  self-care.

I would have left ministry on more than one occasion if I didn’t learn how to take care of myself (physically, emotionally, spiritually).  Any time someone gives of themselves for a long period of time without finding ways to refuel are in danger of crashing and burning--becoming frustrated or discouraged or just down right too tired to keep going.  Every human being is like this, though some humans can go a much longer time than others depending on how they are wired.  And yet some just won’t admit it for fear it may look weak or ignoble.

What I have learned is that ignoble is to make a commitment, be it a vocation or parenthood or a hobby, and quit in the midst of it or not give 100% because of this reason or another.  If I were to leave ministry or give less than 100% because I was too worn out, then that isn’t anyone’s fault but my own.  The same holds true for parenthood.

So, for all you moms and dads out there, find a way to care for yourself.  Being glued to your kids 24/7 isn’t healthy in the long-run.  Not only can you get worn out and even become unhappy, but you can also lose your identity as a person (and when your kids become independent and leave to start their own life, it can be a tragic time for you). 

I know there are supermoms and superdads who might disagree with me on this, but superpowers are only found in the comic books… even Jesus needed time to himself. 

So let me watch your kids next Sunday and go do what you want.  Even if it is for only 2 hours, it is good statement for Emmanuel to make.  Just be sure you are back at the church at 2:00.  I have a feeling that I’m going to be ready to leave (along with all the men who are going to volunteer to help me).

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

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