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church communications ministry

Transition Preparation Document for First UMC El Dorado

One month from today, I will begin serving as pastor at First United Methodist Church in El Dorado. Last week, I had the opportunity to spend time with some of the key leaders and staff from the church. I shared a document with everyone that I met outlined some of my personal priorities as well […]

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leadership renewing the church united methodist church

Energizing Others at #gc2012 (@TheKLC: 6 of 10)

This past fall and winter, I had the opportunity to take part in the Leadership and Faith: Transforming Communities program through the Kansas Leadership Center with the Missions team at Resurrection West. I want to share my reflections and learnings from that time in light of the General Conference 2012 of The United Methodist Church. When […]

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annual conference church question and response renewing the church

How Does the Appointment Process in the United Methodist Church work?

I have been appointed to serve as the lead pastor at First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, KS beginning July 1. This is a series of posts about this transition. When I have the chance to talk with someone more than briefly about the move one of the most common questions that comes up is about how pastors […]

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ministry

Blessings of Ministry – Teaching (3 of 3)

There are many blessings of being in ministry serving as a pastor at a local church. One of these is the chance to teach classes about knowing, loving and serving God. This week I finished the second of a six week class in which we are looking at how we respond to God’s love and […]

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ministry

Blessings of Ministry – Mission (2 of 3)

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 […]

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ministry

Blessings of Ministry – Babies (1 of 3)

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 […]

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Bible changing lives

One Day

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10, NIV This verse reminds me of two things, which happen to be connected together. The first is an experience that I had in college at One […]

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Bible

1 Chronicles 13:8 – Worship with All Your Might

David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets. 1 Chronicles 13:8, NIV Yesterday we completed a two week series at Resurrection in which we looked at what it means to worship. I found this verse to be particularly timely and […]

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ministry worship

Auto-Tune Assisi

I was fascinated the version of All Creatures of Our God and King from the Elevation Church worship team. This video has prompted some response in the blogosphere, including: Worship vs. Performance Citizenship Confusion: Auto-tuned Elevation Church I find myself back and forth between the perspectives outlined in the two posts above. I would be […]

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Bible

Psalm 71:18 – Leaving a Legacy

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come (Psalm 71:18, NIV) This verse clearly articulates the desire to leave a legacy of faithfulness and sharing good news to the generations that are coming ahead of […]

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Bible life

Scripture Monday – Psalm 63:1

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water (Psalm 63:1, NIV). I love the vivid description of seeking God. Thirst is powerful in a land where there is no water. I aspire to seek God in this way, […]

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ministry worship

Living Without Fear in an Age of Terror

I am preaching this Sunday at Resurrection West. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share good news with the congregation. I am particularly looking forward to it as I did not have the opportunity to preach while serving as Pastor of Resurrection Online. We are in the middle of a series in which […]