Metrics for the UMC: Comparing Stories (2 of 3)

12 10 2011

Clearly numbers do not tell the whole story of a local church, annual conference or denomination. There are stories of life change that are more important than raw data. One of the challenges of collecting stories is how to report them. It is far easier to look at a graph of worship attendance at our church over time and seek to draw conclusions over time. How do you look back over time and compare stories that have been collected?

  • Number of stories?
  • Category of stories?
  • Stories of visitors?
  • Community impact?
How do you collect stories of people and tell them in a way that builds up the body of Christ both at the time and will be able to used in a meaningful way in the future?
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Categories : changing lives, ministry, renewing the church, united methodist church

Blessings of Ministry – Mission (2 of 3)

6 10 2011

There are many blessings of being in ministry as the pastor of a local church. One of these blessings is the opportunity to lead our congregation in mission to the community. In my role at Resurrection West, I have the opportunity to work with a great team of volunteers on the Mission team that organizes and equips our congregation to serve others and share Christ. I love being able to help people live out God’s call in their life.

What blessings do you find in ministry?


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Blessings of Ministry – Babies (1 of 3)

5 10 2011

There are many blessings of ministry as a pastor. One of those is to be with families with new babies. In the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to be with two families who welcomed a new member to their family, as well as pray before surgery for an infant. Each one of these are doing great.

What blessings do you find in ministry?


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A Year Ago on Thoughts of Resurrection – October 2010

4 10 2011

Here are some posts from Thoughts of Resurrection one year ago, that I think you might find interesting. Take a look…


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Closing My Time with Resurrection Online

30 09 2011

Yesterday, I led a workshop at Leadership Institute – Worship Online: What We’ve Learned in Three Years. Having transitioned my job responsibility to serve as Associate Pastor at Resurrection West on August 15, this was my final official role with Resurrection Online. You can see the presentation here:

I felt great about the presentation. I was able to share the thought, theological reflection and strategic decisions that had been made over the past three years that culminated in the decision to understand Resurrection Online as a worship venue of our Leawood campus and not as a campus where people would go to worship, grow, give, serve and find community. My friend Ben Simpson, asked if I would guest post about what I learned as Pastor of Resurrection Online. I hope to write this post soon, so to read some great writing (and my guest post at some time in the future, I commend http://www.benjaminasimpson.com to you.

It was a good finale. With the completion of that workshop, I feel that I was able to end well and close my time with Resurrection Online.

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Pastoral Excellence: Strategic Planning

20 09 2011

There are many things that I hope to do well as a pastor. One of those is strategic planning. The Wikipedia contributors define strategic planning in this way - ”Strategic planning is an organization’s process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people.”

This process is critical for a local church to have significant success in their purpose. At Resurrection, our purpose is that we are building a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians. Each year the church council defines strategic objectives to help us accomplish this purpose. As an associate pastor, I have some role in this process and when I am the lead pastor at a church I want to be great at leading the congregation through this type of planning process.

Strategic planning can undergird the purpose of the church, equipping volunteers, mobilizing for mission and faith sharing. It is a helpful skill for pastors.


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A Year Ago on Thoughts of Resurrection – September 2010

8 09 2011

Digging through the archives of this blog, I found a few posts from a year ago that I continue to find value in today. I invite you to take a look back with me.


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First Two Weeks at Resurrection West

31 08 2011

I have had a great first two weeks as part of the Resurrection West team. I started as Associate Campus Pastor on August 15 and have loved the opportunity to be part of what God is doing through this community in the western part of Johnson County. There is an amazing team of staff and volunteers that make opportunities to know, love and serve God possible each day.

My task over these two weeks has been to step into some of my immediate areas of responsibility and get to know people. It is a brand new congregation for me to get to know. I have met with couples and individuals almost every day to hear their story of connection at West and listen for the words of wisdom and guidance they have for me as an associate pastor here.

At times it can feel exciting, confusing, peaceful, important, fascinating and sometimes a mix of all of these at once. I am looking forward to the days ahead!


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Questions about Resurrection Online (3 of 3)

10 08 2011

Why are you leaving Resurrection Online?

Over the past three years a stable worship platform has been created and the significant theological reflection have been completed. I have been able to play a significant role in shaping the framework and future direction for Resurrection Online. One of my gifts is to help clarify a direction and next steps for ministry. I feel that I have been able to see this accomplished for Resurrection Online and look forward to see where the ministry will go from here.

Who will lead Resurrection Online?

Travis Morgan will be moving from a staff position at Resurrection West to lead the Partner Church project and Resurrection Online. The Partner Church project is preparing to move from a planning to pilot phase and Travis will be able to provide leadership and guidance during this critical transition. Travis is a gifted leader who will be able to provide strategic direction and move the vision for Resurrection Online forward. Travis’ gifts and skills will help Resurrection Online to take the next step.

What is the future direction of Resurrection Online?

The focus will be on connecting people in person instead of building community and discipleship opportunities specifically for those that worship online. The next steps for Resurrection Online are to:

  1. Continue an excellent online worship experience
  2. Increase the number of people that are worshiping online
  3. Increase the people who connect in person as a result of connection with Resurrection Online.

What will happen to online congregants who have connected with you?

As with any pastoral transition, I will seek to transition the connection of those that worship online to Travis Morgan as the next leader of Resurrection Online and when possible to a local church.


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Questions about Resurrection West (2 of 3)

9 08 2011

Why are you going to Resurrection West?

Resurrection West has experienced steadily increasing worship attendance and participation and this growth is anticipated to accelerate with the move in to a new building in the fall. These circumstances have created the need for an additional pastor to serve the congregation.

What are you looking forward to at Resurrection West?

I am excited to be involved in pastoral leadership in ways that have not been possible at Resurrection Online, including leading worship, teaching, offering in person care and guidance. This role will provide an excellent opportunity for me to stretch and grow in ways that will be valuable in my continued pastoral and spiritual formation. Most of all, I want to serve where I am most needed and there is a clear need for an additional pastor at Resurrection West.


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