Transition time is here for the Western NC Conference

     Transition time is here for the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church. We are in the middle of figuring out how to move from having 15 districts to 8 districts. Since Annual Conference met last summer there has been a team of people working diligently on how to bring this change on paper into a reality. If you have not already been to the conference website, you can go there to look at the new district line proposal, the new district names, and the churches that will be aligned with each district. Some of you may be asking why are we trying to do this and what was wrong with the way things were? We are working to do the best we can to realign resources and energy to do the best we can to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Why does it have to be that the church is usually 50 years behind the times? Well, for some of the ways we do life together, the old ways of worship and singing and coming together, and making disciples and people getting saved are working great. I hope that for all the churches that are going through a time of prosperity and seeing fruit in ministry that this time of transition will not be seen as a negative dynamic that will pull you down in any way. I don't see any reason that the change in conference structure should slow you down even for one day. But, for the churches that are struggling, and in a real need of an extreme makeover from the top to the bottom, the model of what the conference is doing may help give your church the example it needs to go ahead and make some tough choices, realign priorities, and put all you have towards becoming more effective in putting resources behind making disciples for Jesus Christ.


     As a pastor, I am close to completing my 19th year of full time ministry as Elder in this conference. Having served several churches, I am not a stranger to times of transition. Every year this time of year, there are hosts of pastors and churches that are gearing up or gearing down because you are facing a time of transition because of a change in pastoral leadership. Having been through that a few times I would like to offer some words to both pastors and churches are in that time in the life cycle of your church or ministry right now. To the pastors, seek out other pastors who are going through times of transition. You are not alone in the feeling of being bombarded with a host of what if questions. You make the effort to find other pastors who are transitioning and offer support to pastors who are going through times of change just like you are. Remember, we are in this together, and you are not alone. To the churches, I offer to you the challenge to look for the strength that you bring to the table as the lay people of your church. What area of ministry are you doing well right now? This is a great time to focus on what you as lay people do well and go after your ministry! If you are in the middle of a building project, then keep on building. If you are in the middle of starting a new playground, then keep on planning and fundraising and gathering the volunteers to make it happen. The dance between the pastor and the congregation in who is taking the lead can shift to the congregation during the times of transition in pastoral changes. When the new pastor arrives, you will be in a great place of being focused on ministry and offer your new pastor the chance to see how his or her gifts will add strength to the ministry that your church may be missing.

     There is no way to escape that times of transition may cause some pain. As human beings we simply are not crazy about change, in whatever form change comes to us. We just have it in our bones to not want but so much change and at a certain pace. Life usually will bring us more change than we want and at a faster pace than we want. So we do what a normal human being does, we will adapt. We will grieve having to give up relationships and the security of the way things used to be, and in working through that get ready to embrace new possibilities. All that doesn't happen on the same day. Transition is truly a process. It's time to get our head in the gear that change is coming. Grief is part of acknowledging the good that may be left behind. In a healthy grief, that allows us to let go and get ready to embrace the new opportunities that the Lord will bring, both for pastors and for congregations. Our conference is currently right in the middle of its time of transition of structure. Change is coming. Many churches and pastors are also in a time of transition knowing that change is coming. It is our prayer together that God's hand will be on each change, and to work through every change the most good for the cause of Christ that is possible. My prayers are with the church and all those who are really feeling transitions right now. Remember, God is still in charge.

Not too cold here to go fishing!

     What a great January this has been in Boone NC! We were anticipating 10 below and lots of wind and rain and snow and fog. I am so glad to report the weather has been milder than usual. Everyday here in January where you can actually see the grass is like having another day added to Christmas. It feels like a real gift. We do anticipate the winter to still arrive, but we have enjoyed the warm days. It is a blessing to be able to share the good news that the work that we are doing to teach the children of our church about the good news of Christ on Monday afternoons continues to prosper. It is such a joy to set aside the cares of pastoral care with the grown ups I serve which can be serious and heavy some days, to laugh, spin the hula hoop, and teach the kids about how much Jesus loves them. Some how I believe in the life of the church and the pastor, we are supposed to care both for the elderly and for our members, and yet look for ways to tell the story of Christ to those who do not yet know the story, or know the Savior personally.
     This past Sunday we studied from the lectionary text in Mark where Jesus calls his first disciples. They were real fisherman. Jesus talked them out of doing that for a living with their dad and to drop what they were doing to come and follow him. In exchange for doing that, Jesus promised to teach them how to fish for people. No matter what the weather may be, fishing for Jesus Christ is always in season. I have reminded our flock to look for ways to tell the story of how much Christ loves them to the people they meet day by day. You are an expert on your witness. No one knows better than you all that Christ has done for you. So, we are a blessed people, yet afraid of offending or pushing people away, so we fail to speak up for Christ all through the day. We pray for God to give us open doors to the hearts of the people we meet, and for God to put people in our path who are spiritually hungry. We are trusting in His grace to give us the courage to speak up, and by the Spirit, we know God will give us the words to say to help get one more fish in his net day by day. Fishing is holy business. It is a ton of fun to work for Christ and the joy of knowing that another fish is securely in the net of Christ is the most rewarding work I can imagine. Sunday I gave the church an invitation to follow the example of the first disciples and I pass it on to you as well, "Go fish!" In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

What a wonderful regular Monday!

     Yesterday during worship, I celebrated with the children that it was a regular Sunday at Deerfield UMC. No big deal to them. But when I told them I was really excited because that meant tomorrow is a regular Monday and what does that mean for the children at Deerfield? They quickly replied, "Marvelous Magical Mondays!" So today at 3:30pm, we were back on our regular schedule for our children's ministry that meets weekly to teach them scripture through songs, stories, and puppets. It was a wonderful day to share hula hoops with the kids, and to teach them the story of Noah's Ark and what the promise is that comes everytime we see a rainbow in the sky. So next week, even though it's a holiday, and a very special one, we will be striving to keep our kids in their normal routine by staying with our instruction time at 3:30pm on Mondays. It has been a ton of fun! We have about as many grown ups that stay and help us each week as we do children and that is also wonderful. God is using the children of our church to put a smile on my face each week, and I know the other grown ups helping organize and teach each week feel the same way. Regular Mondays for us are awesome, and we praise God for each child who comes through the door of our church. We want to love them and share with them the good news of Jesus Christ. Next week, we will be starting to teach the kids all the books of the Bible and I know this will be a challenge, but the kids rise to the challenge and work hard. Thanks again to Connie Goff and Katie Grady for such great leadership to pull together our children's Christmas program. We made cd's of the kids singing and now the kids are playing their cd's over and over again, continuing to sing the songs like "God is always with you." Praise God that on a regular Monday, we have something exciting, life-giving being breathed into us that is just too good to keep to ourselves, so we want to share some of the joy from the kids of Deerfield UMC with you. Come join us. God is up to something musical and marvelous every regular Monday. For this, we give the Lord praise.

Merry Christmas from Deerfield UMC

    We hope that you have had a blessed season of Advent that is rapidly moving over to make way for Christmas. In reflecting on where I have seen the love of Christ unfolding at Deerfield UMC during this season, I am moved closer to Christ and to the kingdom of God by the generosity of the people here at Deerfield. It has been a tremendous time of giving. We give the Lord praise for the ways God has provided for our church financially over the course of this past year, even in the face of hard times, God has been faithful! In response to God's great love for us through his son Jesus Christ, our church has made intentional efforts to reach out to people in this season of Christmas who have great needs. Whether it be a health issue, or financial need, or a member who has recently gone through the loss of her home through a fire, God has moved on the hearts of the people here at Deerfield to respond, and my witness to their generosity is reason to give the Lord praise. What a powerful witness you are for Christ!
     Our church grieves with a member presently who has gone through the death of a 9 week old grandson this week, whose funeral will be Sunday afternoon. At the same time of entering into the depths of compassion of this great loss, I am waiting for the call of a baby boy about to be born, whose mother is in labor at this moment. At the opposite end of the spectrum of emotion, it reminds me of how limited we are to understand some things we face in life, and God's great capacity to hold both life and death in his hands, always. God has a way of being able to hold onto both life and death at the same time, and that capacity is beyond our reach and it is the holy work of God. In this season of Christmas, it is Christ being born, a great gift of new life to the world, that enables us to give witness to the one who can hold us all the way to death and through death to eternal life. May the one who came to save us, Jesus Christ our Lord, be at the center of your Christmas this year. To him be all praise, honor and glory, for he is truly our Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, The Word made flesh. Merry Christmas. Peace to you. In the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
  

Boone Gets It's first real snow today!

Well, the snow really started yesterday about 1:00pm, and the snow continued for most of the day today. As I was leaving a church member's home tonight from doing a pastoral visit, when I came to the end of their road, I slid about 10 feet on black ice before I could come to a stop at the stop sign. I was only a few miles from home, but a lot of curves and potential slick places with black ice. Pretty nervy, but a safe ride home anyway. Thank the Lord for the angels that ride with me.  As I was getting ready to pull into the garage at the parsonage, a skunk scampered past the doors of the garage. I was so grateful he didn't want to come in for a visit. But, he did head behind the house and under the storage shed, so maybe I'll get to see him again tomorrow when it's daylight. The scenery was beautiful today. At the high elevation of the visit this evening, there was about 4 inches of snow, it was about 2-3 inches here at the parsonage. It stuck to the grass and trees, but not on the road.  Just about a week ago, I was able to take a few days off work, and walked barefooted on the beach and enjoyed the unseasonably warm days. My body is rebelling with a stopped up head. Winter wonderland is here. Living in Boone does save some time in watching the weather reports. Now you can pretty much expect it to snow just any time, whether it is in the forcast or not. The schools here were delayed just 2 hours this morning, but I know snow days are ahead.
     The snow is here but it's still a really busy time for the church. Forty shoe boxes already delivered to Samaritan's Purse just starts the list.  Life in the church presses forward here rain or snow! Praise the Lord for the faithfulness of those who want to give all they have to give to serve for the good of the cause of Christ. We have had a lively crowd of Christmas helpers making wreaths each morning in the fellowship hall. At lunch time, volunteers bring food, and all the workers sit down and have the chance to share a meal. I have loved that part too. It is so wonderful as a pastor to be at the church and have a crowd of volunteers show up to work, glad to be there and full of joy. It is really encouraging! In the evenings, the United Methodist Men are selling the wreaths and Christmas trees. They offer to deliver trees in the immediate area, and for the folks who are going down the mountain, we tie the trees on top of the car, invite them to church, and wish them a Merry Christmas. It takes a lot of commitment to go cut Christmas trees in the snow, and more commitment to sell them when it is cold and windy outside. On Monday of this week, we decorated the church with Hanging of the Greens and brought in the lights and poinsettias, and now the sanctuary is ready for Advent. Come on to Deerfield, and join us for some special Christmas cheer. It's the love of Christ that moves us a little closer every day to Christmas and to Christ.