Lutheran Grilled Cheese » First Call

Tell Me About Your God….

Joe — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:23:55 +0000

I was at a conference earlier this week for Lutheran pastors in their first three years of ministry who live in the northeast part of the United States. It is one of those conferences that I really do not look forward going too. One of the reasons is that I have so many things going on all the time and it seems almost impossible to leave town for a week without something falling apart. I also dearly miss my family when I am away for more than a few days.

But after I arrive on site, I unpack and I start to relax. Then I am glad that I took the time to go. My time away helps me regain energy and enthusiasm for ministry. I usually pick up one or two ideas to use in my ministry, my time away provides me an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues and a chance to make some new connections.

The title of the conference I attended was Embodying Hope for an Anxious World. How do we as a church preach a gospel of hope and renewal when we are surrounded by things that make us anxious? Whether it’s the economy, world conflicts or swine flu, the anxiety level is rising in everyone!

Our keynote speaker was Terry Leib. Terry is an Associate in Ministry, and director of Family Life Services, a part of Diakon Lutheran Social Ministry in northeastern Pennsylvania. Terry was a great speaker and really got me thinking about not how the world makes me (and everyone around me) anxious, but in fact I become anxious because of my reaction to the events happening in the world.

He also used the phrase “God image” quite a bit. I found this idea interesting and something that I really want to use in my ministry. Instead of going to people and telling them about the God that I know, a God of love, forgiveness, grace, and truth. I first want to get a sense of who God is for other people.

Tell me about your God….. who is your God? what characteristics does your God have? What does your God do? What does your God say? How evolving is your God? With an idea of who your God is, then and only then can we move forward together and have a conversation about God.

For some, thinking about a God of love can be hard, because the only thing love has done for some people is bring them hurt and pain. For others trust might be an issue, why trust God if trust is only a negative thing in life? The more that we understand the God image of the people around us, the more we can develop a sense of purpose in ministry together.

It is hard to define our God image. I know I have had a hard time this week thinking about that. We define the things around us by our job, career, family, social position, income or appearance, so how does God fit into all that. What are the messages that have brought us to where we are today? What has influenced you? How do you define your God?

Tell me about your God…..

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2009 in Review

Joe — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:58:44 +0000

In about eleven hours 2009 will be no more. I have finished my first calendar year as a pastor and I can honestly say that I am in a completely different place now than I was this time last year.

I made it through my “second” Christmas. I have to say it felt more like my first Christmas since last year (2008) I had MAJOR back pain and I barely made it through the early Christmas Eve service I can hardly remember anything that happened and I never made it to the late service.

I would be lying if I did not say that 2009 was an adventure. But there were many great things that happened this past year and some not so great things. So listed below are my top ten highlights from the past year:

10. Two Virginia weddings: I presided over my first wedding as a pastor in April. It was the wedding of a friend from childhood – he was also the best man at my wedding. It is hard to believe that we have been friends for more than 24 years! It was a blessing and honor to preside over his wedding.

This past weekend I was a part of another Virginia wedding. Two friends from seminary got married on December 28th and I was a groomsman. It was a wonderful service and reception. It was great to celebrate with them and to watch two people who are hopelessly in love join together as one.

9. 37,000 Teenagers – I was able to join 37,000 Lutheran teenagers in New Orleans this past summer. We gathered together for worship, fellowship and service. I was amazed by the multitude of of people and the high level of energy. I heard amazing stories from that trip and I was blessed to be a part of it.

8. Moving to Church Road – For the last five years we have been basically nomads. We lived in Reading, PA- on seminary campus in Mt. Airy, PA – in Ambler, PA – in Souderton, PA – in Rutland, VT (with my parents for about a month), on Vallingby Circle in Baldwinsville, NY and now our current home on Church road in Baldwinsville, NY. I love our house and I look forward to finally feel settled.

7. Watching my son start school – My son started kindergarten this year. To our surprise he has been doing very good. His teachers love him, he is making friends and he is starting to become his own little man. I love watching him grow and develop. He is also VERY smart.

6. Change in music directors - One of the harder things in my professional life (and hardest thing as a pastor) was losing my music director at the church in May. However, out of it we have hired a wonderful director who is taking our music program to a new level. One of the fruits of this transition was a service of Lessons and Carols on December 20th. It was an amazing service and great for our church and our community.

5. SLIC Group- (Pronounced Slick — Syracuse Lutherans In Conversation) Actually this group doesn’t really have a name but I have to call it something! I have been meeting with a group of clergy on a monthly basis. We talk about the characteristics of God that we see in ourselves. This group is headed up by a wonderful, talented man who has been very helpful in the development of my ministry. He is helping me see all the things that God has blessed me with and he is helping me in the development of ministry at the church that I serve.

4. My wife staying at home with the kids - When we first moved to New York my wife wanted to stay at home with our five-year-old and two-year-old. Eventually she needed to get a job outside of the house…..she stayed at that job for about five months. This summer we started to reevaluate our situation because our son was starting school and our babysitter was starting school as well (so she was not taking any full time kids anymore). So we checked things out and she found some kids that she is watching at our house, which makes things perfect!

3. Road to health - I am not where I thought I would be health wise, or where I want to be. But I have taken some major strides in overcoming some health obstacles. I am looking forward to continuing my journey of health and wellness in 2010.

2. Vacation at Calumet – My family spent a week at Camp Calumet in Freedom, NH this past summer with some friends. It looks like will be an annual tradition. It was something that I really needed in my life. It was a time to reflect, reclaim and reconnect with people that I love.

1. Milestones – 2009 I celebrated five years of marriage with my wife. I also celebrated year one of ordination and my time at St. Mark’s. It marked important milestones in my life. I look forward to many more years at St. Mark’s and many, many more years of marriage with my wife.

Needless to say, 2009 has been a busy, eventful and wonderful year. In the next few days I hope to post some hopes and dreams that may/may not take place in 2010.

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26 Things I am Thankful For

Joe — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:44:26 +0000

For the last month I have been reading about all the thankful things in my friends lives through status messages on facebook. Many of my friends began by posting this:

Let’s see how many people can do this. Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. “Today I am thankful for…” The longer you do it, the harder it gets! Now if you think you can do it then repost this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what YOU are thankful for today.

I commend them for attempting to do this. I chose not to participate on facebook. But I would like to now post 27 things that I am thankful for here to make up for my lack of participation on facebook.

Here goes nothing:

1. For my wife and my best friend. She stands beside me in all aspects of my life, she pushes me to do my best no matter what the obstacles are, she seems to love me more and more each day, evenn the parts that I may not love…

2. For my son, who is one of the most important people in my life. He is bright, active and he is always ready to have fun. He is smart and fun to be around and he always surprises me. I love coming home to him and hearing about his day.

3. For my daughter, who at 2 years old already has me wrapped around her little finger. She gets so excited every time I come home from work. She makes me laugh and cry in a matter of seconds. She is going to grow up and be a beautiful, intelligent, independent woman.

4. For a church that has been patient with a first call pastor. They work with me as I learn what it means to be a pastor and they allow me to work with them as a congregation in the community that we live in.

5. For our house. Even though we may not own it yet, we are happy to be settled in a house that we can almost call our own, and we can feel completely settled for the first time in our life together as a family.

6. For me extended family. I love my parents and my brothers who bring so much to our lives. I may not say it enough but there is no measure of gratitude I can express for the positive presence they have been and continue to be in my life.

7. For my friends who are like family. I have the best friends a person could ask for….I have been inspired, awed, humbled, and wowed over and over again in my life by these people. I am thankful for any time that I get to spend with them (because it is not much these days). I miss them but I am thankful for the quality of time that I do spend with them and I look forward to that more than getting presents at Christmas.

8. For all of those who have died this past year. So many people walk into our lives and make lasting impressions on our hearts….I give thanks for them.

9. For music — so many times I don’t have the right words for a certain situation and so many times music steps in and gives the words and/or the sound to complete my thoughts.

10. For celebrations, this year I celebrated my 5 year anniversary with my wife, my first anniversary of being at the church I serve and the first anniversary of my ordination…..I look forward to celebrate more in the years to come.

11. For the opportunity to work with the youth of my church. I love youth ministry and I am thankful for being able to have a congregation that sees my passion and ability to work with the young people of the church and I am thankful for the opportunity to do so on a daily basis.

12. For vacation….do I need to say more?

13. For the opportunity to serve, especially during our trip to New Orleans this past summer.

14. For my heath. Even though I continue to struggle with some health issues, I am thankful for the health that I do have an the opportunity to continue to live a healthier lifestyle.

15. For colleagues that have been so important to my ministry this past year. For my colleagues who check in with me and who offer advice as to how to improve my ministry. For my colleagues who just lend a listening ear.

16. For new beginnings………

17. For opportunities to walk with people in the best and worst times of their lives.

18. For the ELCA who struggles with its identity as a denomination. For people who are able to have a constructive conversation about their beliefs and interpretation of the Bible. For those who may disagree with decisions by the ELCA but choose to work from within rather than leave or withhold money.

19. For the leadership of bishops, especially Bishop Hanson and Bishop Jerge.

20. For my pets, I am thankful for our dog and two cats. I love them and I can’t imagine my life without them.

21. For my ability to self criticize. For my ability to see my mistakes and not to get frustrated with myself but to grow and blossom as an individual as a leader.

22. For things that make my life easier (ie technology) my iphone, my laptop, wireless Internet, Google, spanning sync, MoblieMe, ect

23. For the things that I take for granted — being a white male, living in America, freedom, an education, a job, a family, my health, my cars, electricity, running water ect

24. For all those who fight to serve our country. May God bless them in the work that they do.

25. For DVR (can this count as two?)

26. For the stress releases in my life: music, working out, television. I will need them more and more the closer we get to Christmas.

That is my list, I am sure that I am not including everything — because it was not hard to come up with the many blessings in my life. I feel blessed!

I hope that everyone who reads this had a blessed Thanksgiving.

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Church Planting

papajoemc — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:21:51 +0000

Yesterday the ELCA came out with an article yesterday talking about the importance of Church planing in the ELCA. The article highlighted a 2007 mission start in Lake Ann, Mich. The church that started with nothing is now worshipping 160 people (mostly children) in an renovated firehouse garage. They hope to have their own worship center by 2011.

The ELCA as a whole is really trying to think intentionally about the future and is doing it with church plants:

“In 2008 the ELCA has identified 70 locations in more than 25 states to begin new congregations. Fifty-seven of those are under way — 41 as congregations under development, and 16 as synodically authorized worshiping communities. There are another 197 congregations under development that started in previous years in urban, suburban, rural and small-town settings. Of the current congregations under development, about 2 percent are American Indian/Alaska Native, 47 percent European American, 1 percent Arab/Middle Eastern, 14 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, 14 percent African/African American/Black, 19 percent Hispanic/Latino and 3 percent are multicultural. There’s one prison congregation and one maritime congregation under development.”

This brought me back to my final year of seminary. I had some professors at the seminary who thought that I should be a church planter. I thought about it and prayed about it and talked with my wife about it and we decided to go through the process. I talked with my synod mission director and filled out the application. I got a phone call that I had been accepted into the program!! I thought that was great and I was ready to go! However, I was then told that I had to go through a number of interviews. The interviews were based on what I had done, not what I know. I thought that was a little strange — granted experience is important but I think that as a church we mainly do things on what we have done in the past and we stop trying to be innovative. We stop trying to think outside the box in all aspects of ministry. Instead of asking ourselves what we are doing and why we are doing it – we look back at last years newsletter and say “if it ain’t broke, why try and fix it?” Is that the way we should be running our church’s?

Back to my experience — needless to say I was not “accepted” into the mission development program of the ELCA. The reason they told me was that I did not have sufficient ministry experience to be a mission developer or church planter. Experience? I worked three years at a Lutheran Camp and two years as a youth minister before seminary, but that was not as ordained clergy. So I did not have the same experiences as someone who is ordained and now that I have been working as an ordained pastor for the last 7 months I can say that I have learned many things and I have experienced things that I never thought I would have in ministry. But does my lack of pastoral experience take away from my success as a church planter? There are needs in the church to spread Gods word to those who do not hear it – there is a need in the church to create meaningful worship for people who might be fed-up with traditional church models. Why are we hindering those who are energetic and enthusiastic to start something new, to think outside the box when it comes to ministry?

Don’t get me wrong, I do see the other side of the argument. It does take a certain skill set for someone to be a church planter. It does take someone who is willing and able to spend their days and time reaching out to the community they have been sent too, it takes a lot of motivation and accountability for someone to be a church planter and I tip my hat to those who are doing it. When I step back I do question if I could spend my ministry planting churches — but I don’t know where God is going to send me and what my call later in life will be.

At this point in my minsitry I am trying to transform the church from the inside out. I am trying to think like a missional pastor and reach out to those who might be on the fringe of the church or on the outside of the church. I want them to feel like there is a place in God’s house for them as well. I am trying to meet them where they are at and tell them to “come as you are” – I do not want people to think like they have to change to come to the church. The church should be a welcoming place, not only welcoming in a sense of feeling like they belong with the people gathered but welcomed in God’s presence as well.

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Baby Pastor School

papajoemc — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:34:06 +0000

Last week I participated in the Institute for Congregational Ministry Retreat. ICM is the major component of First Call Theological Education for ELCA rostered leaders in the Northeast. It is required of all rostered leaders in their first three years of ministry. This is also known for those of us who went to the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia as “Baby Pastor School.”

I honestly did not hear too many good things about this retreat – I heard that one of the things that participators really enjoyed was the night time activities. However, I enjoyed the retreat much more than I thought I would. I was able to see seminary classmates that I have not seen since graduation. I was also able to hang out with one of my favorite people in the whole world – who also happens to be my daughters Godmother (or baptismal sponsor).

I really enjoyed the speaker Mark Allen Powell. He talked about the Book Christ and Culture. This was a book we read in seminary and I can’t say that I really enjoyed the book when we read it. It is a tough read and it was one of those books that we had to read quickly and then talked about it in very vague terms. This time as a pastor in a church trying to identify itself, I really took in what Dr. Powell was saying about how churches relate to the world. I think as a church it would be good to talk how we as the church relate to the world. I wonder how people in the church on 370 see themselves and if it is not something that is consistent with our theology as ELCA Lutherans then can we change that? What do we do to change that?

The work shops that I really enjoyed were about money. The first was one that dealt with Clergy Taxes — now this is a very confusing thing but I think I am starting to understand it some. However, with that being said I am going to find myself a good accountant that deals with clergy taxes. Especially this year since I worked three different jobs in three different states and one job (my current one) is in ordained ministry.

The other workshop that i really enjoyed was about personal and church stewardship. We looked at our financial history (including childhood) where we as pastors are financially and where we want to be. When you talk about money as a pastor you think about your congregation as well. How do we encourage those who are sitting in the pews to think of their personal stewardship as giving thanks to God for what God has blessed us with instead of thinking it as giving to meet the budget, or thinking that whatever I have in my pocket after a busy weekend I will give to the church. I think for Lutheran’s it is difficult to talk about money and the church, because it is not a should or should not question — our theology does not ask that question, that is a question the mega church down the road asks. Our theology is talking more about our response to what God has given us, but it is not a guilt type thing. For Lutherans it is always a yea…..but. type thing.

I am not sure what the next two years will bring me as I attend this event but I know next year I will not be dreading it as much as I did this year and I will be excited to see what happens.

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My Verse

papajoemc — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:00:38 +0000

A few weeks ago I was at the Upstate New York Synod “Welcoming Event” at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center. It was a time for all the pastors new to the synod to get together and meet the synod staff and the Bishop and one another. It was a time for us to hear the expectations that the synod has for us and for us to ask the synod staff questions.

Throughout the event there was a basket where we could write scripture passages that we talked about during our time together. Or we could write scripture passages that were meaningful to us while we were there.

During the final worship time we passed the basket around and we read the scripture passage that we picked out.

I have been reflecting on mine since I recieved it and here are some of my thoughts…..

Verse:

2 Corinthians 4:5 “For we do not proclaim ourselves, we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake”

I have been asking myself why I got this verse. What is this verse saying to me? I think the last few weeks I have been praying alot about my pastoral identity. Coming into the church with my first call has been the biggest transition in my life — I think bigger than getting married or having children! When I was married or had kids I took on a new identity but that was tangible and there were set expectations that everyone new. There was something there that I could show people my new identity. But now it seems less tangible and less defined. Everyone has their own idea of what it means to be a pastor. I have had several mentor’s in my life guiding me along the way, helping me create my own pastoral identity and I have been thankful for that. However, it is a different ball game when I am out here on my own. There were many things that have happened here that did not happen when I was in other churches, and we did not talk about these things while I was in seminary. So the new experiences as a pastor, the new identity and getting to know the new community has been a big transition for myself as well as my family.

The one thing that has helped recently is reading 2 Corinthians 4: 5 on a daily basis. I remember that I am not the one to be proclaimed but it is Jesus that is being proclaimed. While I struggle with what I need in this transition the one thing that I can fall back on is Jesus. It is Jesus who is the head of this ship not me. I can do all I can in ministry but when it comes down too it, I am going to mess it up– but Jesus’ got my back and as long as I keep grounded in that, I know that I will be okay. I am not here to be anyone’s savior — but I am to point to the one who has already saved us all.

I am thankful for this verse in my life and the experience that I had at LCLC.

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What is Ministry

papajoemc — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 02:56:30 +0000

I have been thinking about this question since I started my call in July….what is ministry?

When I was in youth ministry before and during seminary, ministry for me was connecting with the youth of the church. It was sending out permission slips and making phone calls. It was getting in the lives of the youth of the church making sure they felt weclome and that they were being treated fairly in the church.

During seminary (at least the educational part) ministry was filling my head with knowledge. I read hundreds of books about the Old and New Testament, Pastoral Care, preaching, basic and not so basic theology, and anything else they could throw at us. Ministry was learning.

I had my internship during seminary and that was a learning experience. Besides learning about the church, the context of ministry, I learned how to apply some of the stuff I read in books to actual ministry situtations. I also learned how to change my name to a title of “Vicar”

The main purpose of ministry for me was relating with people. It was getting out there and getting to know people and hear their stories. As I settle into my first call, my idea of ministry changes — I still believe relationships are key to good ministry. In order to know the context of ministry that you are in, you have to know the people in which you serve. That is fundmental in my opinion…..

But I have expanded that, there are so many behind the scene type things that need to get done, I have been amazed at the type of things that I have needed to do the last three months. There have been things that I have had to deal with that I never learned in seminary or on internship. If it was not for my mentor and colleagues I would not of made it. I have learned that ministry is relating to colleagues because I would never last as a pastor who is out there trying to do things on my own without support.

Ministry is evolving and never really constant, when you think you know what ministry is – it changes into something else. Ministry is thinking a month a head of time, while at the same time reflecting and learning from the recent past.

Even though I have not figured out what ministry is — perhaps I never will, I do know that I love ministry. I love the basic parts of ministry and I love being able to experiment in ministry in the church – to help people find God moments in their life.

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What a week!!

papajoemc — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:51:21 +0000

This week has been amazing!

My week started out pretty normally. However there was excitement in the air. I knew that there were two big events coming up for me. The first was that on Tuesday I pick up the first generation iphone. Let me say that I LOVE IT! I had trouble setting it up. That was my own stupid fault because I left the previous owners sim card in it. But once I got my sim card in it I was able to activate it and start using it. I am still trying to figure out all the bells and whistles but I love it. The phone has almost everything I could ever want in a portable device. I think I would love to have the 3G speed and more importantly the GPS navigation but I am very, very satisfied. (plus I am not locked in for another two years before I can upgrade to version 3 of the iphone!!!

The bigger of the events this week was my ordination last night. I must say I am still in awe of the whole service. To be a part of an ordination is special to be the one who is ordained is priceless. To have the gathered church body around me in celebration of all my accomplishments and the ministry that is before me is just awesome. I know that I am lucky where the two biggest ceremonies in my life (wedding and ordination) have gone without a hitch. It was pure celebration and excitement.

I found out this morning that my picture along with an interview was in today’s local paper. It is also online for those who would like to read it. I love the title of the articles.

Amidst all the craziness I have spent more time getting ready for my ordination and now I feel more free to focus my energy on getting to know the people of St. Mark’s and to expand upon my ministry here.

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What has really helped you?

papajoemc — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:49:39 +0000

To all my pastor friends out there (or soon to be pastors or anyone else with ideas)….

What has really helped you in your ministry? I am talking about “stuff” (ie books, home communion kits, albs or other worship stuff ect)

As someone going into a first call situation what will I need to have a successful first six months to a year? Is there something that you wish you had when you started? Or was there something that really helped you that you are glad that you had? Any and all advice is welcome.

Thanks!

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New Job, New Home, New Blog

papajoemc — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:50:41 +0000

I have been a pastor for a week. It feels good. I came into the church with 65-70 kids running around during Vacation Bible School. It was kind of crazy — but a good kind of crazy. I prepared for my first service as well as my first time presiding over communion. It was a good feeling — it really helped me solidify my call as a pastor. It helped me gain more confidence in this vocation that I have been called too.

There is so much going on right now it is hard to sit down and spill everything out. It feels like my life is a fast moving train and there is no way to stop it. However, with that being said things are coming together.

We moved in our new place and really like it. We have a garage full of boxed somewhat organized into different piles but there is still unpacking that needs to be done.

I am getting more and more familiar with the church and how the church runs. I am finding out their style of ministry while I am finding out my own. I think we will work well together.

I am trying to catch up on things like emails, blog posts, well wishes and I would like to establish a routein. I guess things will eventually come……..

I have to get my office in order. I have a number of boxes of books that need to come in and get organized and my office furnature needs to be arranged to how I want it- I just need to figure out how I want it

Ministry is fun – ministry can be overwhelming. I hope that the fun comes sooner than later

PS – since I have lots of new stuff going on I decided to change the look and title of my blog. I hope to stick with this one for awhile. There are other adjustments that need to be made but I decided to call it “Life Together” – I chose this since I am starting a new life- That involves you, my new church home and community. I also enjoy the book by the same title by Bonhoeffer. You should check it out! (another blog topic for the future)

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