Falls rocks in Sacramento. I love this little tree.

The seven of you who frequent my “blog” know that I’m in the midst of searching for a new call as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church USA. We’re in conversation with folks and were listening to God for direction. When I know more I will be certain to catch you up. I hope to be able to blog about it as soon as all the details are worked out. I know some of you have prayed for me and I’ve sensed the Lord working in our lives and now we just pray and wait and listen.

In looking for that new call as a pastor the difficulty about this process is knowing that my wife and our kids will go through transition again. This is the reality of being a pastor. Transition. Change. New home. New church. New people to love and walk alongside with in the midst of their joys and struggles. Most of all a new community where you get to proclaim the gospel that Christ loves us no matter what. 

In this process for me I want to be a pastor for a community of people looking to find wholeness. Who want to be missional. Who want to grow in their walk with Christ. Who care about becoming a community for a community. This is my hope and my calling. The hard part is knowing what happens to your family when you have to pick up and move to that next place? What if my wife doesn’t find a new job? What if the kids don’t adjust right away? I know God is good and will provide. Kids I know do adjust. I know they will make new friends and will adjust to their new home and their new church. It just breaks my heart knowing that they will be sad. They know the time will come though. They’re aware of the need for dad to find a new call. Its just that I think they’re hoping time will maybe stop. Just briefly. Just the other day our oldest said, “dad, my friends and I want to start a band.” You see he’s become quite the guitarist. My heart crashed to the floor when he said this because of our possible future. It breaks my heart knowing that my wife who found a new job a couple of months ago and how shes enjoyed the stability of having a good teaching position, will have to leave. What if she doesn’t find a new job? What if she doesn’t make new friends? Will she feel that “call” like I’ve felt the call to the church I will pastor?

I’ve felt the Lord work these last few months. I know the Lord is getting us ready for something awesome. What do you do though with the butterflies? Good butterflies I must say. The sermon writing. Preaching every Sunday. Pastoral care. Youth and children’s ministry. Most of all being a pastor to a community of people who are just like me. Can I do this? On the one hand, I can’t stand it…its like waiting for Christmas morning…this is what I’ve been waiting for…on the flip side? I’m scared silly! I’m encouraged to know that I will have some awesome friends and mentor pastors who I know I can call on. I will look diligently for an accountability and prayer group of pastors who meet often. Word on the street is that there is one.  Most of all I know a few pastors who’ve been where I will be. Folks who’ve failed, made mistakes, and continue to be faithful to God and his calling to faithfully love and serve the church. Folks who have families who’ve gone through similar changes in their lives and in their ministry. This train is about to take off!!!! Oh boy! Thank God that God is faithful…”For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord..”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OvAUy7cXhU]
What happens when you mix a little crowder with a little dynamite…

 ht: Brian

Lots happening. Discernment. Prayer. Conversation is happening with folks about our future about the church I will pastor. I hope one day to pick up my wannabe blogginess. A milestone did occur today though…

The ham sandwich is now a new menu item for our 5 year old. Adios to the corn dogs and other fried products!

“Dad, can I have a turkey sandwich?” (AS I make a ham sandwich for me…)

“I don’t have turkey, but I have ham.”

“Okay.” (We now move to the couch for a little “blues clues.” It’s opposite day on blue clues and Steve is doing his usuall thingy)

“Dad, I ate all of my ham sandwich.”

“That’s awesome son!”

The last “Wahe” to graduate from the three basic food groups, “chicken nuggets, corn dogs, and fish sticks.” Now we’re moving on to the ”ham sandwich!” Praise be to GOD!

With the sudden drop in price I’m finally the proud owner of a nano, nano, nano. Had a shuffle. He died. Loaded some tunes. Dave Matthews sounds so much better on a nano than a shuffle. Very happy. Any thoughts on good podcast preachers from you podcastians would be a help.

Cruising some of the youth ministry blogs of recent and it seems the topic of discussion is regarding the future of youth ministry. Its wonderful that its being talked about. My buddy Andrew has some good thoughts on his blog and others alike are contributing to the discussion. I thought I’d throw in my two cents for what its worth.

I’m convinced that the greatest change that will have to occur in the church when it comes to youth ministry is the way the church relies on the position of “youth director” or “youth pastor” as the sole go to person when it comes to how ministry is to be done. The head cheese. The gal or guy in charge. Yes he or she is the paid professional. Yes they are the PROS when it comes to loving kids. The expectation though that this person must be the ONE who meets all of the spiritual, emotional, and mental needs of the kids of the church in my opinion is the killer of the youth worker. Too often this person in the church is looked at as the savior of the world to getting, keeping, and retaining the kids of the church and when the numbers, the sparkling and eye catching programs aren’t drawing and keeping the kids, the youth pastor is often looked at as the possible reason for the flagilating ministry to students. Something must be wrong with our youth director? Why aren’t kids coming to Christ? Where are the numbers? We used to have 150 kids in our youth group? Now were down to 40? Why isn’t he or she meeting my kids needs? And what often happens is the person is asked to leave or move on in a “nice and loving manner” and the kids again are hurt in the process. I think the future of youth ministry will actually not be led by a youth pastor. It will be led by people who care about kids and about making a difference in their lives for Christ. It will be homegrown folks who know the culture of their churches. It will be the women and men who by God’s grace were loved and cared for by people who had time and who made sure that every kid they ever met or greeted knew that they were a blessing from upon high. I talked with a church this afternoon whose YM is led by a kid of the church on a part-time basis. He grew up in the church. Loves and has a heart for the community that surrounds the church and who loves kids no matter what. The church pays him a small stipend (which I think he tithes back to the church) and by day he’s works in the insurance industry.  What a powerful model. The professional is actually the one who was blessed by someone else when he grew up in the church. Goodness. I do what I do because of a bunch of people who loved me like Christ when I was a kid and who cared about me and made sure I knew I was loved. Once I read this I hope to add another penny or two of my thoughts.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4]
What a world it would be…

HT:Steve

Loved every moment of Yosemite last week. Got to be a chaperon for my sons 5th grade class. I tip my hat to the Yosemite Institute and its work in empowering kids to love the world God has blessed us with. The week started with a hike to the top of Sentinel Dome. I’ve never been to the top until last week.

We also visited Hetch Hetchy. Kind of like this pic. Never knew there was a Hetch Hetchy and the controversy behind this area of Yosemite. We named Hetch Hetchy, Hush Hushy last week. If they were to ever drain the valley it would take up to three generations for the Valley to become a true wilderness again. Sorry San Francisco, find your water some where else.

Like this pic too. The ash on da face is from hiking down the side of a mountain in route to Tuolumne grove where the big sequoias reign. Loved every moment of this week and it was a hoot to watch our kid get pumped up about being outside! Nice to be home again with the family unit, but I have to say I miss the quiet, the trails, and the scenery.