One of my Struggles - Help Wanted

For the past month it's been a great pleasure to be part of a learning experience among some of our Conference Lay Leaders around the issue of Congregational Life and Death - yup, that leading for Christ stuff.

I've just about finished facilitating an on-line book study along with our Associate Conference Lay Leader, Ms. Shannon Meister, (we have one more week to go) for your Conference Lay Ministry Team which is basically made up of all the District Lay Leaders, a few At-Large members, some Conference Staff and the Conference Director of Lay Speaking. All friends and colleagues with leadership ministries all around the Shoe-Me state.

Our book selection is Rev. Paul Nixon's "I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church" one of the many books you have seen on my recommended reading list for some time now. Rev. Nixon is an ordained UM minister and former Director of Congregational Development in the Alabama-West Florida Conference. A Multi-Denominational Church and Pastor Coach, and the Pastor of Epicenter Church in the Washington D.C. area. We were fortunate to have included in our study the author himself, officially lurking in the discussions along with our Missouri Bishop, Robert Schnase, no stranger to published work himself.

There are many relative topics for our congregations brought up in Rev. Nixon's writings (again, I'll encourage you to read this book if you have not already), and the insights and sharing conducted among your Lay Ministry leaders responses to Chapter questions Shannon and I posed to the group, their thoughtful remarks made excellent reading.

But there is one area of our District ministries which the recent chapters we were talking (or typing would be a better explanation) about titled "Choosing Bold over Mild" really hit me between the eyes. A ministry in our District which I'm struggling with.

So my BOLD idea is to first pray more about it, and then to toss it out to you for your thoughts, celebrations, shared concerns, and ideas because if I've learned anything from this wonderful calling God has provided is that you can't do it alone.

So what is this struggle? - Men's Ministry!

Our Heartland North United Methodist Men's ministry, or should I say vibrant men's ministry is a struggle for me. I know there are some groups out there with great guys, providing support for ministry and outreach projects with and without the formal structure of a UMM Charter, and I'd be the first to admit that the work of the Lord does not need a sanctioning piece of paper. I also know, there are some churches where our faithful men do not gather as brothers in Christ, yet they attend worship and Sunday School gatherings just like we/they were always taught, but without the ability to share, and grow spiritually with other men in a group.

I'm struggling because although I am at times disdainful of the many metrics organizations fall upon to gauge effectiveness, they do tell a story, and the metrics or story I have at the District, Conference, and General Church level continuously shows a steady decline in UMM groups, Men's ministry, and Men's groups in general.

Why is this a concern for me? Well, beyond the obvious, the studies I continue to see show that if the male head of a household, be that Grandad, Dad, Step-Dad, Husband, whoever - if they go to church, so does the family. If they live a life of faith, those with them do too . . . period . . . no disclaimers, so I'm concerned for our Men's Ministries.

Now you must remember how I come to this concern, I've visited every one of our churches since I began this journey, but what I'm able to see are snap shots, snippits and reports. I have not had the opportunity to really spend the time to live these wonderful ministries with you, to hear the great stories you have to tell, to visit, meet with, and celebrate the faith shared by men's groups in our churches - this is the burden of a "part-timer", but a burden I carry gladly - with your help.

So I want to hear from you. I want to hear your concerns and celebrations about our Men's ministries, and where warranted, I want you to engage with your Pastor Partners and fellow Servant Leaders around this important aspect of our faithful journey. I need, no, we need to gauge my concern to see if it's warranted and to discover where the resources are needed to vitalize and/or connect this critical element for the success in our mission of leading congregations to actively lead people to follow Jesus Christ, and an active Men's ministry is a vital part of that effort.

So please, I'm asking for your help in my struggle, my prayerful struggle. Post a comment, send me an e-mail servantflyguy@sprintpcs.com or call me to share your thoughts.

As always, I continue to be on bended knee in thanks for your wonderful gifts of leadership to our congregations and to the great commission given to us from God. I look forward to hearing from you. Blessings always friends.

Kevin <><

The parable of the Committee - Charge Conference Approacheth

What a great idea! – Cindy our Youth Leader was telling the Pastor that the youth group wants to open up the basement of the Church for three Wednesdays each month to offer donated clothing and household items to needy families in the community after school; they will serve sandwiches and drinks to those that come in to browse and offer this with donations they gather themselves – all this while showcasing some of the wonderful ministries here at Ya’ll Come United Methodist Church in Yourtown, Missouri.

Soooo, the Lay Leader tells her there is no church policy for use of the basement by the youth . . . the Pastor is concerned the Trustee’s and Kitchen Committee must be consulted at their meeting next month before proceeding, after all they just refinished the cabinets in the Kitchen and painted the downstairs . . . the Outreach Committee Chair says he already has his yearly schedule of events set . . .the Finance Committee doesn’t know if there is any budget available for the extra custodial support on Wednesdays and everyone would be upset if things were not in place for Sunday morning, because that’s the big day . . . Oh, yeah, and we’d better check with the SPRC group to see if that’s even in the Youth Leaders job description we did three or four years ago when we had to turn them into the District Office for Conference Review. . . and . . .

Is it possible that we could put up a few more of these hurdles to the work of Christ in our communities?

As servant leaders do you find some frustration in the ways we have found to tighten the structure within the walls of the church until we, as unintentionally as it may be, choke the passion and enthusiasm of our ministry and talent to the point that we just “show up” for the Praisetainment on Sunday?

John Wesley did not intend for this Connection of ours to become a hurdle, or brick wall to making disciples of Jesus Christ and empowering the good works of congregations in community, far from it, Pastor Wesley submitted himself to “become more vile” and go out to where the need is – to the farmer’s fields, the prisons, workhouses, and other places where the people were, but the church wasn’t . . . what about us? Have we started to let ourselves become limited . . . even if it is a make believe church basement on a Wednesday afternoon.

Now what if our fictious youth leader only heard “YES, how can we help you!”

But, Kevin, we’re Methodist – we’ve got to have a meeting; maybe even a covered dish to make a decision like this. Well, I’m going to disagree, now hold on – I’ve studied the Book of Discipline (you can’t work with one of the best DS's in Methodism and not study the Discipline), I know our structure, you’ve elected leaders and affirmed the ministry of your Pastor at Charge Conference; all according to the Discipline, we share the leadership with talented Clergy, and we do good . . . but that’s not it, it doesn't stop there, it's not good enough . . .

We should be a Church FULL of Leaders! Not just a few, FULL!

Leaders willing to risk telling Cindy and the youth group, YES! How can we help you?

Leaders willing, no, seeking to volunteer and serve on committees and teams to support, inspire, and break down barriers that keep us focused on the internal when there is plenty external need just around the corner.

Leaders looking toward inclusiveness and fighting to prevent exclusiveness.

Leaders holding each other accountable for our membership commitment of time, talent and treasure.

Leaders knowing well that our Discipline, Resolutions, and Polity are guides - not limits.

A Church FULL of leaders living a Christian example in our daily lives, in prayer for our faith, and committed to sharing it with others – not just occupancy of the pew on Sunday watching the clock and wondering if the Pastor has finally mastered the theology of Microsoft PowerPoint 2000-whatever.

YES - Pastor Wesley connected us as a Church FULL of leaders . . . appointed Clergy teaching and leading in the Word of God and Sacramental reminders of our Baptism, Laity members committed to our own vows of shared leadership, support and learning; and all of us, Clergy, Laity, Servant Leaders each and everyone CONNECTED in the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ and sharing grace and love to the world. Now that is truly vile 

When I read the Methodist Book of Discipline, study its many paragraphs, sub-paragraphs and directives I have yet to come across the part where it tells us . . .

“Thou shall meet in Committee, just those elected to leadership so as to stand in steadfast impediment to outward ministry of the teachings of Jesus Christ thus protecting with utmost vigor our great Methodist traditions”

Churches FULL of leaders, lead by the spirit, and guided with discipline take the passion and vision of servant leaders like Cindy and break away the barriers, they confidently minister equally to those inside the church and those yet to cross the threshold; they embrace change without conflict, and they choose to enjoy the path they walk together.

I dream of a Church FULL of leaders – let’s dream together.

85% of people find your church based on your Website

There is just no getting around the fact that our world, our ministries have in large part, gone the way of the information superhighway. The graphic above is crystal clear addressing the “Someone’s out there” who are seeking the love and location for worship of the risen Lord through cyberspace, and we need to be ready to welcome them.

As servant leaders we must evolve along with those looking for this love and grace of Jesus Christ and go to where the spirit leads.

Without getting too technical and in an effort to assist all our congregations in this endeavor our District Webpage will soon undergo a major undertaking and become the tool you expect to help you make this happen. What I would want us to do now if you’re not already is to take a good look at the information on your webpage (or create one, the District Communications Committee can help), ensure the link is current and up to date with the District Office, and that we recruit, train and encourage leaders who can use this technology as an outreach tool within our communities.

Once the District Webpage is completed it will have the means to link to each church on the web so those who seek a place of worship can search you out, will we be ready? Will the excitement of your worship, activities and ministerial programs jump from the page and excite the passion for those looking? I know they will.

I’ll be on bended knee asking for God’s watchful presence so that we seize the opportunity to reach that one person, that one family lost in the world ready to connect with a vibrant, loving church family, in fact, I’m all googled up about it  <><

Forward from a UMM friend

Change Your Thinking

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.Days, weeks and months passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall.The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.

'The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings good luck to everyone who passes it on.Do not keep this letter.I pray you will forward it to all your friends to whom you wish God's blessings.

God's blessing to all. - Thanks Doug