Sitting here at Mt. Hermon…Darrell Johnson is preaching…”We are ordinary, broken people summoned by and gathered around the Risen and Ascended Jesus, to share in the life of Jesus, and to be engaged in the business of Jesus in the city.”
Attended a seminar by Eddie Gibbs this morning in Pasadena where he presented a seminar on the church in transition. He filled the 50+ folks on what the emerging church was and is today and how we need to rethink how we do church together. I appreciated his definition on what a missional church is, “the Missional church consists of followers of Jesus who are seeking to be faithful together in their place and in their time.” I also appreciated the reminder that we’re to disperse the congregations we serve into the world to do the mission of God, not send them off. Does this mean the benedictions we were trained to do in seminary are a thing of the past as pastors?
Flew solo tonight leading my first Ash Wednesday service at church. It was a special service in so many ways. The church hadn’t had a Ash Wednesday service for several years. It was an honor to lead this service and to help folks get ready for the Lenten journey we all walk as followers of Jesus. We even tried something new. Communion by intinction. Very moving and powerful for me to witness God’s grace in community.
I must say I loved every bit of my seminary education. My theology classes with folks like this and this who I could sit and listen to all day long. After today and the fun I had today in officiating a wedding, these are a few classes I wish seminary had offered;
1. The Missional Theology of the Wedding Coordinator
2. Marriage licensee preparation and its use in ministry to engaged couples
3. How to minister to broken down printers as a pastor without falling away from Jesus before the wedding.
4. The Office of Church Custodian and its function as a minister of the Gospel
5. The Etiquette of the minister of the Gospel at a wedding reception and how one is to function inspite of the yummy food being dished out.
Okay. Just a few.
It’s been one of those weeks. I’m learning lots about being a small church pastor. I’m learning that it’s most important to do what really matters. This past week I’ve been trying to figure out how to balance the roles of pastor and administrator. Especially when you’re the only one in the office. I’ve also had fun spending time with folks from church who really want the church to grow not only in Christ, but in the way we attract new folks. We joined the gym that a few in the church frequent. One person made sure I met the regulars this past week when I was at the gym. It was pretty cool meeting some new folks. When it hit me that I was now the pastor of a cool, fun filled, hip, little, Christ centered church was when this church member who was introducing me to folks at the gym said, “I want you to meet my new pastor.” I was thankful for his affirmation and at the same time wanted to say, “where?” The Lord is teaching me lots! By the way thanks to those who came to my installation! You all rock! And thanks to our new church for making the day a special one for me as I start as their new pastor.
When a new pastor begins his or her new pastorate in a Presbyterian Church there is a service of worship to install the new pastor. Although the fun has already begun, after this Sunday it’s official. I will be installed as the new pastor here. I have to be honest I’m thrilled, but anxious. I can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to do and will do. For you locals the service starts at 4pm. By the way it was 43 degrees in my office this morning…
Church, school, new jobs, new house. My bride is getting settled in her new school and teaching gig. We’re doing pretty okay for the first week of the new year. Our oldest is enjoying his new school. Our other two are enjoying their new school and our youngest is in full day kinder which saves his parental units some day care money. I’m loving our church very much. Our first session retreat is this weekend. I’m looking forward to spending time with some wonderful leaders. I’m also enjoying the sermon thingy every Sunday. One of our elders who leads a Bible study during the week is doing a study on Colossians and I’ve decided to do my sermons in-sync with his study which is a cool thing. Anyways, all is well. Supposed to snow some on Friday??? It was in the high 60’s yesterday…and the new season of “24″ kicks off! Go Jack! Praise God for new beginnings.
As I reflect on my recent start as a pastor of a small church I think back to my seminary days and all of the things I learned and I didn’t learn. There are classes I wished I had taken and classes that I’m thankful that I passed by the skin of my teeth. I praise God for my preparation for ministry I did receive though and I don’t regret it one bit. I really enjoyed my time in seminary. I loved everything. Most of all I loved the community within community that took place. One of my favorite seminary memories was when I was on my way to a class when I overheard two students talking;
Student 1: “Guess what?”
Student 2: “What?”
Student 1: “Did you know that if you took the word presbyterians that it spells Britney Spears?”
Studnet 2: “No way!”
I couldn’t stop laughing and to think that he actually spent the time figuring that out. hehe.
My friend Eric has made a little clip here to prove it…
This is actually not me…it’s my friend Steve who happened to be driving through Littlerock this past Sunday. Thanks Steve for the PIC!
On a plane at 4:40pm to Burbank and back on a plane back to Sacto at 9:55pm. The presbytery examination went okay. Roughly twenty minutes. I had a baptism question and a holy spirit question. It was all good. I was nervous and thought my heart was going to race out my brains. I made it though and the church is very happy and beside themselves. We praise God for our new church and look forward to serving the Lord with them.