Dollywood with the Buchers

Here is a brief video of our Dollywood experience with our Beeson Friends, the Buchers. Enjoy.

One More Thing I Learned in the Beeson Program

I had been meaning to write this for a while but didn't take the opportunity. So much of church ministry is helping people grow in their faith and/or attracting them to programs which help them to do that. In fact, much energy and money is expended to encourage people and entice folks to come on Sunday morning.

Through my readings this year, I learned that while this is important, it is not the end goal. The end goal is not just to get people to go to church but to be the church. I am not saying don't go to church. I believe folks who call themselves Christians who do not actively participate in a local body of Christ are missing out and other people miss out as well, for we are called to sharpen each other in faith. But I also believe that sometimes churches folks so much time and resources on 1-2 hours a week that they forget what happens during the week. I like how Neil Cole said it, "I want to lower the bar on how we do church, and raise the bar on what it means to be a disciple." I think that is true.

This year has given me a unique opportunity to visit churches of all kinds. That has been great to see how different people worship. But going forward I believe it is important not just to attract people to church but how can we be the church to a hurting world.

In January we went to Houston TX and saw Ecclesia church in action. They are trying to be this type of community. I was impressed how they worked with other churches to raise funds to dig wells in Africa for people to drink instead of us spending an inordinate amount of money on ourselves for things we really don't need. That is part of what it means to do church in a different way. To make a real difference for people who need it.

Help me Lord, to be the kind of pastor who invites people to make a dent in the world's hurting and be your body here on earth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

And Then there Were Three ...

One by one the Beeson Pastors leave. Now only 208 N. Maple Apts. 2,3,4 are still left on the island. We lost Apt 1 today. Jason McIntosh and his family left for Alabama by way of Tenn. It was sad to see him go. We are good friends and wrote each other's reccomendation letters to come here. It is hard to see people go. I will miss him, Keri, and the kids.

We are waiting for the manditory end of school on May 31st. Those three days include two play days and a day for giving awards and talent show. Nonetheless, I am glad for this extra time with the family.

My internet is out at my house so by blogging will be vicarious. Got most of our stuff packed. We are in good shape and looking forward to the next chapter.

We put a bid on a house today in Morristown. Should hear back in a day or so. Kate and I are at peace knowing that if God wants us to be in it, the offer will be accepted.

First UMC Morristown Pictures

These are some pictures I took in March of First UMC Morristown where we are headed in June. This is the Sr. Pastor Darris Doyal. Darris has been in ministry approx. 40 years and still is a joyful man. He and his wife Erma have been here four years and the church is growing. This is the main sanctuary. It is a pretty church in downtown Morristown. Many weddings are held here.

This is the inside of the sanctuary. They have an excellent music program and a wonderful organ and choir.

Their stained glass is all around and beautiful. It took a few pictures of some of them.

This is the current look of The Connection. It is the contemporary service I'll be leading in the Family Life Center (Gym). The service has been in existence for a little over a year and has been growing some lately. The church is putting a lot of energy to having this service be a vital ministry of the church so that people can hear and experience the message of Christ in a format and language perhaps people outside the church can understand.

This gives you a snapshot into our new church home. Pictures help do that.

Update on Us

I had hoped to update earlier but it turned out to be a full weekend. As I have remarked to several of my Beeson Colleagues, I feel like we are on Survivor: Wilmore as people depart every couple days. There are only seven of us families left, with three leaving this week/weekend. I am going to miss folks, miss kids, miss our community. I am not going to miss boxes because I have boxes all over the place and can't wait to move to our new house and get rid of them for a long time. Which brings me to ...

This weekend our family went with the Bucher's to Dollywood. I will add pictures later but it was a fun time with them. Our kids have really connected with their kids and they had a blast swimming in the pool, watching TV and playing at Dollywood. The accomodations were so-so but liveable. Perhaps Brian can give you the details more on his blog.

We came back Tuesday to do another round of house hunting. We looked at 13 more. There were some good possibilities, one in particular. While it would stretch us financially, the bigger question we struggle with is how big or nice a house should we live in as Christians. I know God provides for our needs but how much house do we need? In our consumeristic society we are told bigger is better. We also want a house that would fit the needs of our size family and still be a good investment. We need the Lord's discernment. Please keep us in prayer. The church has been great to help with this transition. One person in the church has even offered to let us use his 3 bedroom furnished house for just the cost of expenses until we find the right place. Mt. 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added on to you." We are seeking to put his kingdom first and trust that he will make our path straight.

The Final Beeson Banquet

Tuesday night was our final Beeson Banquet. We are now officially completed our year. It is a bittersweet time. While we are looking forward to our new ministry settings, we will miss each other as well. The Muse Family was the first to leave, in fact they missed being in this picture.

Beeson Kids

2006 Beeson Pastors and their spouses.


Just the 2006 Beeson Pastors.



The families are leaving over the next week or two. Kate and I are one of, if not the last ones to go. It has been a great year. We will truly miss everyone!

Mother's Day Weekend

This past Mother's Day weekend, we went to Louisville Kentucky. We visited the Louisville Slugger Museum where Pro and Semi-Pro bats are made. Each of the kids got a small free bat.



They had a room to chill out and watch Peanuts shows on baseball. Pierson gave many photo ops here.

Next we went almost across the street to the Louisville Science Museum. This is a great Museum with many hands on things for kids. They even had a kids Zone for little and bigger kids. These are some pictures from the day.

It was fun to do things as a family for Mother's Day Weekend.

One Thing I Learned in the Beeson Program

There were many things I learned here, things which most of us know but things that are good when they are articulated. Things like the value of listening, listening to each other, creating space to listen to God, to listen to scripture. I learned the importance of ethos; that your character is just as important as what you say. Without character you have nothing to stand on. I learned that leaders know roughly where they are going. They don't have it all figured out but they know what direction they are headed and often work out the details with people they trust. I have the importance of creating an atmosphere or enviroment in order for life change to occur; an atmosphere of belonging, acceptance, accountability, encouragement and love.

One thing which hit home to me came across in an article written by Craig Groeshel, pastor of LifeChurch.tv in Oklahoma. The article is titled "Full time Pastor but only Part - Time follower of Jesus". He shared how early on in life he learned to please people, please his parents. As a teenager when he became a follower of Jesus, he learned how to put up a front, of trying to impress or please people. As a young pastor, he perfected putting up a front. This was actually encouraged in his seminary coursework. He told himself the lie "Keep your guard up. Don't let them know the real you. You're a pastor now. Don't make yourself vulnerable".

One Sunday later on in his ministry, he went up to preach and just couldn't do it. He got through the sermon but he realized he hadn't prayed at all. not that day, not that week. He realized he was just a regular guy, insecure but whose life has been touched by God.

That week he prayed like he hadn't in months. He went to the pulpit that next Sunday with nothing wrote out, only what was in his heart for the week. He began with the words, "My relationship with God is not what it should be. I've confessed to God and now I'm going to confess to you." He said you could hear a pin drop. This was the biggest public risk he had ever made. He made himself known. And God made himself known too. Craig invited others to join him at the altar to repent of their sin. He then made the commitment of no posing. No playing games, to be who he was or nothing at all.

I too have learned how to pose. Being a "religious professional" is dangerous to your soul. David Seamands used to say that once you become a minister, your chances of getting into heaven drop 50%. At this point in my life, I have learned to be myself, to be an ordinary guy who God has called to simply be a witness for him. Wearing special clothes or using special words doesn't matter. What matters is how sincerely and correctly I am living out my faith.

A few months ago when I went out to California, I heard Neil Cole say, "I want to lower the bar on doing church and raise the bar of what it means to be a disciple." That sentence resonates with me. Getting dressed up or singing certain kinds of music is not what it means to be a Christian. Being a disciple of Jesus means having a life touched by God's grace, seeking to live and embody the teachings of Jesus, and living a life will impact others naturally. I have determined to be my true self, the person God created me to be and is making me to be. It recognizes that I have quite a ways to go before my life is "Hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3). But I am actively seeking to be on the way. I hope you are too.

Luau Video

Fellow BP made a video that captures well the events of the evening. Check it out by clicking here.

Coming next post, one thing I learned from the Beeson Program.

Beeson Pastor Luau

The Time is almost over. Last night we had a Luau to celebrate with the kids. Rebecca Scholl went all out in planning and organizing this. It was a blessing for our kids especially. These are some shots from the party, including food, games, and other cute pictures.