Two Weeks In the Pew (Chair)

The past two weeks I’ve been in the pew.

For the first time in a decade, my wife and I (along with the children) have been able to sit together as a family without me having the responsibly of regular pastoral duties on a Sunday morning. Even though it’s technically been a month, the first two Sunday’s I had the opportunity to speak at two different churches. So, I was in the pulpit for the first two Sunday’s and the pew (or chair) the past two.

Moving from the pulpit to the pew has been an unexpected but welcoming change. It’s been nice to sit under the teaching of God’s Word. To see how the passage has impacted the speaker personally and then to receive the outflow. Yesterday, at the church we’ve attended the past two weeks, I couldn’t help but thank God for being the recipient of a faithful week of preparation from His speaker.

I don’t know how long I’ll sit in the pew but while I’m there I am confident this is God’s Good Plan for this season.

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What a Difference a Month Makes

What a difference a month makes. Going into the final Sunday of October we entered November with much uncertainty. Nevertheless we were thankful.

Entering December (the Advent season) we are hopeful. For 10 years we served, loved, and made many sacrifices (often putting the congregations we served over our own needs/desires.)

A book I picked up years ago, initially I purchased it it to pass along should it apply to someone else. The book is titled, Surving a Layoff: A week by week guide to putting your life back together.” In it I had highlighted a thought, again expecting whoever would read might be encouraged. At the time I didn’t know the reader would be me.

The author wrote, “Day 1 after losing your job is the day you truly start working through the grieving process. Take time to grieve, just as you would over the loss of a family member. Losing a job can be just as devastatingly, if not more personally devastating, as losing a loved one. Many of us think of ourselves in terms of our jobs and all of a sudden we feel as if we have lost our identity.”

This month as we’ve entered the grieving process and much uncertainty has been a productive time. In this time God has put us around people who have cared for us, comforted us, provided for us, and has built into us. God has opened a door of employment and it appears that he is beginning to work out a housing plan.

One of the things I am learning is that my identity is not in what I’ve done over the past 10 years but in who I am in Christ. Walking through Ephesians 1 has been most helpful over the past few weeks.

So, as the title suggests in the book Give Yourself Some Time, we are doing just that. Time to gather our bearings, time to heal, time to grow.

Hello Again, My Old Friend

In 2009 I began this little “blog” at the recommendation of a friend to record some of my thoughts as it relates to my walk with Christ through words. Over time I managed to write, share, go silent…write, share, go silent…repeat.

Until recently, I hadn’t realized just how long since I’ve visited this space. After reading my about page, I have some housekeeping to do. At first I thought, “does anyone even blog anymore. Is this even still a thing.” I figured I would go through and see if some of those I followed in the past are still actively posting. Then, I quickly decided I would wait. Doing so might deter me from sticking around, should I find that their blog property has also seen neglect. Another thought crossed my mind, “would anyone even read what I have to write.” I decided to throw that thought out because dwelling on it too much might also deter me.

A lot has changed since my last post and the publication of my about page. In time, that will be updated and some thoughts will be recorded. The goal is still the same as when I began in 2009 (almost 13 years ago).

To motivate, mobilize, and mentor others to live life in a passionate pursuit of God.

As I close this post I am ending one season and entering another. For nearly 11 years I have had the opportunity to serve as a Pastor. I served the St George Church of God (2011-2013), North Aiken Church of God (2013-2018) and Summerville Church of God (2018-2021). On October 31 of this year, 2021, I stepped out of the pulpit of the Summerville Church of God no longer holding the title Pastor within a local congregation. This means a lot of changes for my family and I, for the time being, as I wait for what’s next. In waiting I am certain that God is working all things for His Glory and Our Good.

Hello, Again!

Name Change?

Let’s change the name of the church! I ask, why?

The following statement is one I left on a post in an online forum. The original poster asked how to get people on board with a name change. Further how do go about getting them tied into the vision and mission of the name change.  Below was my reponse.

A name change without a DNA change will not help.

• For example, if changing the name is “the secret sauce” for growth, you’ll still be stuck.
• If the DNA…(values, vision, mission) necessitates a change of name, go for it.
• Though I have never personally led a church through a name change, I was on staff at a church who changed their name. After the pastor left (that initiated the name change) the church name eventually went back to the original name under the new pastor. Why did that happen?
• The answer I believe is due to the reason why the name was changed to being with. The name change wasn’t organic. The values, vision, and mission of the church didn’t necessitate the change. The DNA of the church didn’t change. Same church….different name.

Write the vision, make it plain.

• Allow people to get tied to the vision first. Once that happens begin tying a new identity (name) with the new DNA (values, vision, and mission).
• It could be a tag line at first. For example. Say the tag line from your values, mission, and vision was the following. A place for people looking for life and significance.
• As people live out, or reproduce the values, vision, and mission, it may  be, that you find out the vision and mission necessitates for you to identify as Infuse Church.
• The name changed because the identity changed.

Allow the name change to be from the values, vision, and mission. Let it be organic.
Just to be honest, my advice may not be worth the time it took to write it out. I admit, I’m limited in my experience with the question, but, maybe it’s helpful.

Share this: Some helpful tips if your thinking of changing the name of the church.

1. A name change without a DNA change will not help.
2. Write the vision, make it plain.
3. Allow the name change to be from the values, vision, and mission. Let it be organic.

Read more here… https://georgetallmageonline.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/name-change/

Gaze or Go?

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. (Acts 1:10-11 ESV)

As devoted followers of Christ, our goal isn’t to simply gaze. We are to put dirt between our toes and go.

Mentoring Group Recap

I was invited to attend the Pastors and Church Leaders Mentoring group hosted by Pastor David Kemp and the Fort Mill Church of God. In short, it was a great day. I’m sincerely grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow pastors and church leaders. They are truly and inspiration. We were blessed to hear on the topic of race relations as well as compassion fatigue. Frank from Fort Mill had great insight and delivered a convicting message on race relations. Dr. Bill Leonard, Director of Ministerial Care with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN), offered stirring statistics as well as practical insight. We also were blessed to hear from our State Administrative Bishop, Thomas Gillum, who offered some concluding remarks and led us in communion. It was definitely a soul stirring day.

Today’s Spiritual Battle (Emotions)

Emotions are where today’s spiritual battles are being faught. Emotional pain is as big an issue with the current 20-30 something crowd as was drugs for the baby boomers.

-Pg. 49, Quitting Church, Julia Duin (2009)

Don’t Loose Your Passion

Lost passion leads to a displaced vision. A displaced vision leads to misdirection which ultimately sends you to the wrong destination.

The point: Don’t loose your passion.

Thoughts?

Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Today’s picture of the day features my 4 day old, Connor. My Sunday afternoon consisted of his routine; Eat, Sleep, Repeat.

  

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, the future worth living for. (Author Unknown)

Celebrating Our 8 Year Old

Today is a special day. Peyton turns 8. The past 8 years have flown by. The following are a few things that describes Peyton. First he is thorough. He takes pride in his work and wants it done correctly. He pays attention to detail and likes routine. He’s systemic. He has a soft spirit that displays compassion. He’s loving. Who does he love more? Mommy and Daddy!

Here’s a few pics.

The first picture is his bike. He wanted a trick bike, one with the pegs. He was surprised when he saw it. The next picture is the cake Chanelle baked for him. He wanted a Carolina Jersey.

If you’re family, friends, or a part of Peyton’s life in any capacity; what are a few things that you could say that would describe Him?