Back to Life, Back to Reality

January 31, 2012 7 Comments

When Sarah and I were talking about what I should be blogging about it right now, she said this song immediately came into her mind. And this is what life feels like right now. I’m 2.5 months into my call as Associate Pastor here at First Presbyterian Church in Ashland. I’ve been ordained and installed, we got settled into our home here in Ashland, we had a beautiful baby boy, I had a short time off for some paternity leave…and now it’s back to life, back to reality, back to the here and now.

For those of you who have been in ministry much longer than I am, and have families and children, you can go ahead and enjoy reading this post of a newbie and please feel free to share your infinite wisdom with me. But it’s evident that life will never be the same again. Our marriage will never be the same, our priorities have been changed and my days off have become “Okay – take the baby!” I’m starting to settle into my job at the church, but there are still days that I’m clueless as to what I’m supposed to be doing. My office is a constant mess. And as with any job, you always learn more about the church (both its strengths AND it’s “growing edges”) after you accept the job.

All of this leads me to wonder how it all works? How do I find time for myself when coming home now means that Sarah is more than willing to relinquish the baby into my care so she can nap, get some work done or just relax? How do I spend the time I feel is necessary to read, study and reflect deeply on my ministry when I need to find more Sunday School teachers, continue to learn how this church does things from potlucks, to expense reports, and pastoral care visits? Where do Sarah and I find the time to sit with each other, catch each other up on our days, and cultivate our marriage when we’re both exhausted at the end of the day and she’s ready for bed, and I’m ready to get in some “Adam time” by doing things like writing this blog post?

I keep thinking to myself, “We’ll find our rhythm soon…we’ll get into a good routine” – but I sometimes wonder if that is just a ruse, a “pie in the sky” dream that may not actually be attainable with all that we have going on? Certainly my monthly talks with my spiritual director help. And being able to hold that beautiful baby boy of ours and just look into his eyes seems to make everything else seem much less pressing…but I find myself, during those moments when things all seem just a bit crazy, looking around like David After Dentist, and asking, “Is this real life?”

Filed Under: General, Ministry Tagged With: , , , ,

Have you Registered for the Children, Youth and a New Kind of Christianity Conference Yet?

January 30, 2012 1 Comment

I just received an email today from the folks behind the Children, Youth and a New Kind of Christianity Conference – notifying me that the fee for the conference will be increasing on February 1. The more I read about this conference, the more I’m excited for it and can’t wait to spend a few days thinking theologically about children’s and youth ministry. This was their update:

Register now for Children, Youth and a New Kind of Christianity and take advantage of the early bird rate of only $189. (Don’t forget that this includes lunches, dinners, and receptions). The registration rate will increase on February 1, so don’t miss out on your chance to save! Visit http://children-youth.com/register/ today.

And while you’re at the website, check out the new primer (http://children-youth.com/primer/) featuring the work and ideas of CYNKC contributors, including John Westerhoff, Brian McLaren, Almeda Wright, Ivy Beckwith, Joyce Mercer and Dori Baker, Shane Claiborne, Tony Campolo, and more! Get to know their ideas before you meet them at the conference.

This primer is a really great resource of articles about the topics that we’ll be discussing more in-depth during the conference. I think I’m most excited to learn more about children’s ministries and what people are finding to be the most effective way to reach children today in our churches.

Filed Under: Ministry, Youth Ministry Tagged With: , , , , ,

“Weak Force” – An Installation Sermon by Tony Hoshaw

January 23, 2012 1 Comment

Yesterday, I was installed as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church here in Ashland, Oregon. In addition, I had the privilege of hearing my good friend Tony Hoshaw preach at my installation. For those of you who have been following my ordination journey since the beginning, you’ll remember that my initial invitation of Tony to preach at my ordination is what set things in motion for my ordination to be cancelled in 2008 and led to my transfer from Kendall Presbytery to the Presbytery of San Francisco.

So it was as if things had come full circle, and it was great for Tony to be welcomed to preach at First Presbyterian Church yesterday and for him to join the celebration. Below you will find both the audio of his sermon, as well as the text. I appreciated his message and his challenge to me through the sermon, and I offer it to you here. The three texts for the sermon were Isaiah 56:1-8, Romans 15:1-6 and Mark 9:33-37 (you can look at the complete bulletin here).

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Purpose Statement:
I propose to preach that weak force, the rejection of the politics of self-preservation for a messianic politics of weakness, is the way of life of all those seeking to faithfully discharge the office of pastor. I preach this to the end that hearers will be just, that is, be weak and welcome the weak – as the messiah Jesus was weak and welcomed the weak.

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Filed Under: Ministry, PC(USA)

Children, Youth and a New Kind of Christianity Conference

January 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

I’m exactly 2 months into my first ordained call as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Ashland. Starting just two weeks before Advent made for a busy beginning, in addition to…oh, getting ordained, having a baby and getting through Christmas and the holidays. Part of my responsibilities, that are different from previous church positions I’ve held, now include working with our children’s ministries program: coordinating Sunday School, VBS and all of the other things that go along with children’s ministry.

So when I heard about the Children, Youth and a New Kind of Christianity conference, I knew it was the place I needed to be in May. This is a brief description from the website:

Something is happening in the church. A new kind of Christianity is taking root and growing across the globe. New forms of ministry, worship, and community are emerging. Questions are being asked. And change is happening.

But amidst these changes and shifts, children and youth are being left behind. Innovative approaches to ministry with adults are emerging around the world, but little critical reflection and attention has been given to how to nurture young people within a new kind of Christianity.

It looks like it’s going to be a really great event, especially when Kenda Creasy Dean says this about the event: “This event sets the bar high: it’s got passion, purpose, and a line-up of theological luminaries who rarely share the same stage.”

The early bird registration ends on January 31 (the prices increases to $209 on February 1) – so save yourself a few bucks to spend on a beer at the conference, and register soon. It’d be great to hang out with you all. Anyone going already?

Filed Under: Ministry, Youth Ministry Tagged With: , , ,