Hi!

So I'm looking for some feedback on several items.

First of all my church is looking to start adult mission work. Anyone have any experience with that? I'm looking for organizational tips and who you've been involved with, i.e. UMCOR or VIM or someone else. This is coming from some laity so I want to nurture them with as much information as possible.

Second, are you all addressing the current global economic crisis in your churches? If so, how? Is anybody doing anything special with your budget to reflect this? I feel as if my church is currently focused on other matters and we have not given this series of events its proper consideration. I'm extremely nervous to think that we're going to really feel the crunch this winter as heating costs go up and people's expendable income goes down. Also I'm interested to see how people are responding to the increasing needs of the community. I don't know about you but we have more people coming in asking for money than ever before...and the demand on our local soup kitchen has increased. I can imagine it will only get worse this winter.

And finally, how do you all deal with ineffective staff? I find myself stuck between knowing the work that needs to be done with some staff that doesn't get it done, and being told the as a church we can't hire and fire as regular businesses do. This is mostly for my information as I have little say in staffing being the young associate (sometimes playing this card pays off!).

Oh and by the way. I found The Divine Conspiracy difficult to begin with but the more I get into it the better I enjoy it. Just words of hope for anyone who might be struggling with the beginning.

Blessings,
Alexis

Still Sharing...

Ok, so I thought we had a covenant to blog our progress / struggles. I know it has been a little disconnected with summer and not really getting together, but lets keep sharing.

I'll get us going again by sharing a few things:

1. Since SCD I have been working toward a little restructuring of committees based upon the "Discipline" believe it or not. This is taking more work than I thought with ingrained beliefs about what is what and who is who. For example, the fact that the Lay Leadership Committee is primarily suppose to identify, support, and train lay leadership in the church rather than just nominate individuals. Or the fact that the AD Board acts like the charge conference every time we meet rather than the committee to oversee nurture, outreach, and witness ministries. However, we have a plan for 2009 to begin realigning a couple of those things.
   
2. I have been more involved outside the church: coaching soccer, leading an ecumenical Bible Quiz group of kids 3-6th grade at the school (After hours) Along with trying to keep up the prayer walking.
3. Geneseo has been actively bringing 9-10 members to the 5 practices workshops. (Thanks to the conference for these opportunities) That integrated with the Joel council has seen a lot of growth in the way we vision ministry. The last session was particularly encouraging as everyone laughed at most of the recommendations for radical hospitality and passionate worship noting that we have already implemented most of it.
4. In the last 6 weeks, we have had virtually one visiting or new family every week. (This is a big thing in our rural setting) The majority have comeback every week since. (At least two of the families are coming because they noticed our large play ground we installed last year and came over to use it during the summer, which was where I was able to first meet them)
5. Not only did we have another first time visitor this week, but after the service during Sunday school and fellowship, a man walked in, asked for me then went into the sanctuary and waited. After confirmation class, I went in and talked with him for 3.5 hours. He was someone who I met this summer prayer walking, someone I felt like shrugged me off. But he was facing a situation he could not handle on his own, and because he remembered we were praying for him, it was the only place he could think of to get help. (His name is Wes, he could use a few extra prayers)

This answered some of my prayers, that God would reveal to me and to the church that our obedience to pray for our community would show some very evident fruit. (He is not the only one who has been coming to church as a result)
Pray for me that I make time to get back out there and walk. The fall schedule has really put a damper on it.

I am praying for each of you that God would bless your ministries and fill you with abundant peace and hope by the power of Christ's resurrection. Let's keep sharing, CF

If Your Heart Is Like Mine...

I frequently marvel at others perceptions of me. In my church in Council Bluffs, I am a radical, tree-hugging, vegetarian Californian. In our Academy, Winter and I seem to have been pegged for conservative right-wing evangelicals. I have been accused of being a "white male oppressor chauvinistic pig" at my college. And, some how or another, someone at the Board of Ordained Ministry in the Cal-Nevada Conference was so threatened by me that they tried really hard to "black ball" my ordination.

Given that my perception of myself is that of a moderate liberal, I find these views somewhat mind boggling. I do hold some radically liberal ideas when it comes to living out our faith in Jesus. I tend to be a fiscal conservative when it comes to politics.

My point here is that I wonder if in trying to identify who is "with us" and who is "against us" in our political battles both professionally and and in our country that we are missing the forest for the trees.

Let me give you an example: When we were trying to plant a new church in Spanish Springs, NV, some of the most welcoming, caring and radically helpful people to us were conservative, evangelical business owners. They worked with us to try to grow the church and the Kingdom of God. Some of the most obstructive, unwelcoming and uncaring were our local brother and sister United Methodists!

Sometimes we seem to get so wrapped up in the labels we place on each other, not only do we fail to work together, we do overt and covert harm to each other! What a tragedy.
Jim Griffith said at Church Planters Boot Camp, "When you choose to plant a new church; you, your family, friends, house have all just inherited a t-shirt with a bullseye painted on it because the enemy is now out to get you." At the time, Winter and I laughed and said quietly to each other, "That's not part of our theology but that's nice to know." We're not laughing now. Anyone who has attempted or succeeded in planting a new church knows Jim Griffith is right. This makes sense due to the immutable laws of physics. "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

So, if we are going to be about the business of doing God's work, if we are going to go around working with God to build the Kingdom of God, we better be ready for some push back whether you name that Satan or negative spiritual energy or whatever! If we are going to work for God, we are in for the fight of our lives! We've got a great ally in God but, frankly, I want more. I want a group of colleagues that have my back. I want a group of colleagues who, like police officers and soldiers, realize that the only way we're going to make it is if we care for and protect each other. The community of faith is the primary way God has chosen to work in the world. Our petty arguments and power trips and working to build our own little private kingdoms are a betrayal of our call.

I will work passionately with anyone who is focused on working for making peace, justice, health, well-being and joy the rule in life regardless of denomination, political self-identification or theological outlook. In other words, anyone working to make the Kingdom of God a reality now, I want to work with.

Salvation Moment

Thought I would share with all of you an exciting moment in ministry...

Last week I had the funeral for a 42 year old who died from a brain aneurism. Her brother has been absent from church since confermation (age 30) He has had a real difficult life, and many events lately had become a burden he didn't think he could deal with. But over the last 2 years we have built up a relationship, and he sat down to talk with me on two occasions.

After addressing many issues we turned to matters of faith, hope, and Jesus Christ. He said he wanted to begin a personal relationship. We talked for a long time about thise, I offered up a prayer with him, and gave him a Bible.

This is not something new to me, but it has been a while, and it feels like way to long. Pray for me as I meet with his wife today. I believe God is at work, and I rejoice in being able to be a part of it.

As I have really made an outward focus on ministry over the past 5 months, (Prayer walking and greater community presence) I feel like God is opening more and more of these evangelical moments to me; times to share faith and Jesus Christ.

Praying for each of you, CF

Just a quick FYI

There are two boys from Iowa who are walking across the US right now doing random acts of kindness. They are not overtly Christian as far as I can tell but their mission seems to be something we could all buy into. Check out www.nostrangerland.blogspot.com Oh and I've totally ordered the hoodie. :-)

Blessings,
Alexis

Prayer Walking

Just thought I would share with all of you what Geneseo has been doing in order to grow our Passionate Spirituality.

Prior to the NCD, we had established a prayer map that includes all the roads, and homes withing 7 miles in every direction of the church. (Rural life) We have begun prayer walking those roads. I plan to personally walk all 400 miles this summer knocking on every door. We have a flyer to hand out that basically says, "We are praying for you."

So far I have walked 42 miles 10% of the roads, (It is adding an extra 2-4 hours to my days) and the Divine appointments are profound. One man broke down in tears the moment I told him I was there just to pray for him. (God changed my schedule, or I would not have been there when he was)

I and others with similar experiences have begun sharing those stories during worship, and the move of the spirit is starting to get people excited, nervous, and filled with anticipation. I don't know where it will take us through the summer, but the one thing we know is we are surrendured to the Spirit, and God is in control.

Blessings, and see you soon. CF

Building Committees

Hi all!
I just had a wonderful meeting with our building committee. They are all gun-ho about figuring out what to do out our pathetic church building! Yeah!
Does anyone know of any people/websites/books that are helpful in this process??
How do we figure out what the needs of the future church are, not just our present church??

thanks for any ideas!
Sarah Rohret
Arnolds Park

So I've started reading Simple Church because it was recommended to me awhile ago. I gotta tell ya, I'm only 50 pgs in and I'm already frustrated. I can see my church in the example they're using of the church that's too complicated...and the sad thing is that we already know we're too complicated but noone seems willing to actually DO anything about it. How do you move people from talking about it/studying it to DOING it? I love reading and studying, I am an input person (strength finder reference) but I also like to act on what I learn and I feel like this one is even too big for my Joel Council. *sigh* Sorry, just needed to vent. I'm sure you all have felt or are feeling the same way.

On a more positive note, things are going well. I still feel like my head is going to explode with all the stuff I have to do this summer but I also feel like this will be a good chance to knock myself out of my procrastinating cycle. Trial by fire so to speak.

I hope you all are finding yourselves blessed. I hope nobody had any major trouble due to flooding. Blessings!

Alexis

Hey Everybody! With our family having Strep Throat, Holy week services and a week of vacation-I am behind with things and have not finished "The Evangelistic Love of God and Neighbor." Wondered how everyone else is doing and wondered if I am past due on turning in my questions... I personally am finding this a hard read, but that may be because of other chaos. See everyone in a week and please reply if anyone knows our deadline. I am aiming to get it read by Wednesday.

Happy Easter!   Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.   We had a great time at our house, when we were there!   People probably don't realize how the holidays are never really holidays for pastors.  Maundy Thursday I had a full Seder meal for the second time.  Its so much work, yet it is so meaningful understanding the symbols of the passover and how Jesus used their ancient meaning and applied it to himself.   I swore not to do it again for a few years, but then so many people came and they so appreciated it maybe. . . we'll see.  Good Friday is always difficult for me.  Its like doing a funeral for all the people you've ever known and buried as well as Jesus.  The sorrow is so overwhelming, and God's love so astounding.  It is so humbling to try and convey such depth in a 45 minute worship service! Impossible!     We had all three of our regular services for Easter, after toying with the idea of canceling Saturday night we didn't.  And I am so glad we had it!  We are keeping that service over 30 people for the past month and it is so wonderful!!

Our traditional service was also full, and our contemporary service was a surprise hit.  We had it in the fellowship hall, just a 15 minute sunrise-type service with the kids acting out the Easter story.  Then we had a wonderful brunch.  Everyone thought I was crazy in planning for 50 but we had over 40 people so it was perfect.  These numbers probably don't mean much to most churches that are larger, but it represents a growth of nearly 300% for those two services!  Thats huge to us!  After all this, I have been a blob the past couple of days, working from home to recover.    Happy Easter!!

Academy for New Ministry Development Academy X COVENANT

Below is the covenant we make together on this journey. You are asked to sign this covenant if you are in agreement by posting a comment. This will be the indication that you have read the covenant and are in agreement with it for the class. Thanks!

Our Covenant

We will pray daily for and with other Academy members.

We will participate fully in all teaching sessions unless there is an emergency.

We will do all the reading and any other preparation that is asked of us.

We will begin and end on time in the sessions.

We will share discussion time equally so that a few people do not dominate our discussions.

We will share leadership of the small groups and book discussions.

We will respect differences among us, trying to understand rather than to judge or change one another.

We will observe confidentiality, not repeating personal information shared in our discussions.

We will evaluate each session online.

We will develop a network of people from the Academy to which we are accountable.

We will notify the leader beforehand if we must be absent, and send our book prep notes.

We will make up any sessions that we might miss because of an emergency with an accountability partner.

We will faithfully blog and participate in a Joel Council in our local church.

UMC new church starts

Some interesting stuff on this new website I just found -- how come this stuff is so hard to find??  

Hope you all have a blessed Easter!

Sarah

www.umcnewchurchstarts.org

Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Greetings!

Looking ahead to April's gathering, I see there is currently a link to a study by the Pew Forum on relgion & public life on the conference web site (links to umc.org - our world section) Not sure how long it will stay there, but I found the article very interesting, raising some food for thought. It is entitled "When Methodists Leave." I thought it was certainly relevant to evangelism & might be valuable to our discussion when we next meet, in case you want to check it out. So, I submit this tidbit for your consideration.

God bless,
Judy.

Home

Just a note to let everyone know we are home from Cambodia! Thanks for your prayers.

A Moment from Cambodia

Just a quick note to let everyone know that my wife and I are doing well in Cambodia. Lots of ministry opportunities and a sense of joy as we see God at work among the Cambodian people in so many ways and so many places. We are busily involved in visiting churches, doing pastor's leadership training, visiting orphanages, etc. On Monday of this next week, I'll be speaking to a group of 100 employees of a NGO organization, most of whom are unbelievers - an exciting opportunity to share the gospel. After religious oppression and the killing fields during the Khmer Rouge of Pol Pot in the 70's and beyond, it's a shining light of Christ to see Cambodia turning their hearts away from Buddhism to Christ. Thanks for your prayers! We return to the states on March 1.

Joel Council

Just wanted to let you all know that I met with my Joel Council this morning. It was good, we talked about Natural Church Development and the evaluation process, my participation in the Academy and also visioned for the church. They are offering suggestions on who should take the NCD evaluation with our Ad Council. What are you all doing with your Joel Councils, do you have other ideas what should be discussed?

Up's & Down's

I've been talking with my D.S. the past 3 days and it seems that I'm not moving this year. The wife and kids are happy and I'm looking forward to the new possibilities. I feel in a pinch with trying to get the NCD survey put together but this will work out.

I do have some questions about the Joel Council. Hawarden UMC tends to be a very traditional minded church and I can't help think that they will be suspicious of the Joel Council. I can also imagine that they might say that this falls under the work of the SPPRC. In addition, the UMW has had a death grasp on most ministry planning. This started to change about 8 years ago but they still like to, "monitor," the planning process and have been known to be a wet blanket from time to time. They also hold the opinion that they should be represented on every committee. I would welcome any and all suggestions.

Something new

If you haven't noticed already, I've started something on our Academy X blog called "Links and Blogs for Reading" (to the left of where you are posting). Besides the standard UMC sites you go to, I'll start posting some links to things you might find thoughtful , insightful, or otherwise controversial. If any of you out there have something of interest you'd like to post as a link - let me know via email at twpollrd@yahoo.com and we'll continue to expand the list with your help. Be blessed and be a blessing . . .

Awesome Posts!

Awesome posts, its so exciting to see the Spirit at work . . . I want to thank you who lifted up my adoption in prayer and praise God who moved a mountain and smoothed everything over so that my paperwork is now on its way to court in Ghana! whoo hoo! I talked to my SPRC about the Academy and they seemed excited about what we are learning. Four of them agreed to be on my Joel Council. Have any of you talked to your "coach" yet?? What are the expectations for meeting with this coach? (once a month?) Blessings!

Sarah

Taking it to the people

Hey, I really ventured out and took the 8 quality characteristics and put them into a two-part sermon series the last 2 Sundays for both churches I pastor. The response of the people? They can't wait to check the health quality! They are now incredibly curious to find out what they are like as a community of faith....hmmmm. They all want to be one of the 30! So, what a "refreshing" wind of the Spirit as we anticipate what we can do together. I'll have two weeks while my wife and I are on mission to Cambodia to contemplate the 30 x 2 (Lord, please help me come up with the right 60 people!). And the Joel Council - well, I believe that will come together too. I think I want some thinkers, movers, and shakers as part of the team. Maybe church life won't be quite the same - what do you think?

Joel Council...

I had a question on my mind as I was trying to put my "Joel Council" together. I was wondering what kind of leaders we wanted on this council, because I can see it operating in at least two different ways.
I can see myself getting the active leaders together - the ones who make things happen and have direct influence on the workings of the church. With this group I can see unpacking the material and then working together to implement it. Since they already have active leadership roles, they would play a major role in implementing in various areas of ministry.
Or, I can see myself getting some of the deep thinkers and spiritual leaders (who may or may not be actively leading any ministry areas) to act like more of a "think tank" or even a group of sages to help me process the information myself through the lens of the church as it is and has been. But, when it comes to implementation this group might not have the direct influence on ministry areas that will be acting on our decisions.
I realize there is definitely some crossover here as well, but I am just wondering how to approach it in theory. Do I gather a group to be the sages for me? Do I gather a group where I am the sage and help them work through it? Is there something in between, like maybe some rosemary or thyme? Your input would be great food for thought...

I'm Here!

Greetings to you all!

Since our meeting in January, I have done a four day quilting retreat (WONDERFULLY refreshing!), and I have just returned from leading a VIM trip to the Tree of Life Ministry on the Rosebud Reservation. I'm feeling particularly good about that because we (First UMC-MC) were joined by members and a pastor from Grace and Wesley UMCs here in Mason City, as well. I like churches working together; I like seeing people get excited about mission. If you have questions, ask... or I will not bore you with the details.

I had a conversation about the 8 characteristics in NCD with a quilting group that meets at our church before I went off to C.B. in January. Since returning, I have used NCD as "Table Talk" at one of our Wednesday Night Suppers. People were able to talk in small groups about what our best qualities were and where they felt we needed to improve. I also put a small article in the newsletter explaining the survey 30 and the Joel Council.

Jim and I have compiled a list of about 50 persons' names on my wall. From this list, we will discern the 30 and the Council. Since returning home from our meeting, I have concluded that I will be making a move this year, along with some of you. We have been working hard so that when I might be asked to move, Jim will continue on with the process. I'm looking forward to getting this show on the road.

I better get to work. Its nice to have found the sight. I'm looking forward to hearing about your ministries and your lives. May this Lenten season be meaning-filled for each of us.

Stuff

Well Lent starts tomorrow and we are swamped. We're in the middle of huge staff transitions because our youth minister and children's minister both left. (They were married so when one goes...) On a personal note, they were my friends and partners in crime in the church so I'm finding myself floundering until I get re-oriented.

We're doing a staff study based on John Piper's book Desiring God. Has anyone read it? Any thoughts...I'm really struggling with his theology right now and I can't quite articulate why.

Oh and just an FYI. I did the strength finder book early. Its very enlightening and takes almost no time...I highly recommend ya'all do it soon.

Drive safe in this craziness my friends!! Blesssings!!!!

Prayers for Cambodia Trip

My wife Diana and I will be leaving for a missions trip to Cambodia on February 14. We will return to the states on March 1. Will appreciate your thoughts and prayers while we are on our trip. We have a son there who is on a missions internship also. He will return home with us. Blessings to all!

Finally got it to work!

It took some time but I finally figured out this blog stuff.

Prayer Request

Hey Ya'll 

please pray for my family -- there is a glitch in our adoption.  The homestudy wasn't in the right format and the agency is giving me only this week to fix it or the boys may be given to another family.   Only God is gonna get me through this one.  Thanks bunches!

Greetings Academy X

Thanks for putting the blog together, Terry! Let's use this as a resource to share insights and learnings. I will be out of town this week. I will get back in touch with more information about "Natural Church Development."

With Joy! Scott

NCD - Check out the site

Since we just finished the first class and NCD is our resource and emphasis - it might be that you'd like to check out more resources on the NCD website. Just go to http://www.ncd-international.org and you may find some helps as you pursue the things that need to happen over the next few months at your ministry place.

Another Sunday and a big world still needing Jesus

My first blog ever...so have low expectations for me. Just excited to be in this experience with all you fellow pastors. I am praying for you all as we get ready to lead worship today and hopefully help others meet Christ in a new and refreshing way. Academy X is going to be great and I can't wait to get to know all you better. God's blessings to you all this week.

Welcome to the Academy X blog post!

Hey, Team X! We're now out here on the big world of blogging - a place where the whole world can read what we have to say about church, ministry, and other such "churchy" kind of stuff. This is the place where you can actually think out loud to each other. For all of you who are worried about what this blogging stuff is all about - here's to put you at ease. I have invited only the members of the Academy X team to be the ones who post to this blog. And while the whole world will be allowed to read what you post, the whole world will not be allowed to comment on what you post. As the blog controller, I have that taken care of. At some point your name should appear to the left as a contributor. So have fun and have at it! And remember, if you like something someone has posted, you have the option to comment on that person's posting as well. I hope you enjoy this blogging experience! Be blessed and be a blessing . . .