Category: Life

Posted in Life

What I learned at a leadership retreat

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Last night and this morning, I got my church council together for a long overdue leadership retreat, two three-hour sessions to talk about some vision and insight into their role as church leaders. We had an agenda, but that wasn’t really the most important dynamic of our time together. The best thing we did was eat, talk, laugh, pray, and relax together as a group. It is something we should have done right off the bat at the beginning of the year, especially with a number of new people on the board.

We often talk about how important relationships are when talking about our faith  with others and when inviting people to participate in a ministry or study. We encourage our small groups to do this on a regular basis. Well, guess what — it’s just important to develop the relationships between leaders who meet together on a regular basis. At least that’s what I now realize. Our monthly business meetings will feel much different now that we’ve spent time in another setting, sharing, listening and interacting. I intend to make sure we get together like this in the future to further develop this dynamic.

Posted in Life

Would anyone miss us?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I left you hanging yesterday with the question, “What is an appropriate tool for measuring the effectiveness of a church’s ministry?” I feel the need to investigate that question and maybe come up with some answers. It is so hard to step away from numerical growth because that’s most visible and easily measurable. And bigger is better, right? Growth equals success. If you’re growing, you must be doing something right. We’ll model you. If you’re not growing, you must be dying.

The other day, my friend Jay wondered, “Where is the church” when spring break alcohol arrests quadrupled this year at Panama City beach? You can read his thoughts here. What kind of influence does or can the church have in the lives of young adults? How can we help them pursue a different kind of spring break that benefits both them and others? Isn’t there something the church can do? Is anything different in your community or community because you’re church is around? That maybe one way to measure effectiveness.

You can ask that question another way: if your church folded tomorrow, would anyone in the community miss it? That’s a painful question, because there are some days when you’d have to answer, “nope.”

Posted in Life

Flexing our Easter muscles

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Over the last few days, I’ve read lots of recent Facebook status updates and Twitter tweets about how great everyone’s Easter was. I think it’s interesting how we pastors feel the need to flex our muscles and speak of how many attended worship services, how many people got saved and how full the parking lot was. Just like we do at the gym. Hey, I’m as prone to that as anyone, but it suggests an interesting question. Does Easter Sunday really have anything relevant to say about your church? Can it be used as a measuring tool for the effectiveness of your ministry? We certainly act that way, but I’m not so sure.

Yes, our Easter Sunday attendance is higher than any other Sunday of the year. But I believe this is more of a cultural thing than spiritual. Going to church is something you do on Easter, along with buying a new dress and eating candy. It’s a ritual repeated at Christmas, and in part, on Mother’s Day (when mom asks, “Why don’t you come to church with me today?” and you feel like you can’t say no.)

If that’s the case, then Easter Sunday says nothing at all about the church or ministry. Having said that, it might make you wonder why we put so much into this one worship service per year. Think about it. We invest a lot of time, energy, and money in preparing music and messages, purchasing lillies, and trying to impress someone. And experience has taught me that everything will return to normal next week. Spring break will be over. Families will return home. All the special flowers will be gone. And the candy will be eaten.

This is not to say that I don’t think Easter Sunday is important. The resurrection of Jesus is the one fact that gives oomph to every other gathering on the first day of the week. It is the one certainty that turns our morning into dancing and our sorrows into joy. It is the one thing that can truly brings us to life. But Easter worship itself is really just an anomaly. Something that boosts our average attendance statistics (and hopefully, our offerings). It’s very much like free pastry day at Starbucks. Bat day at the baseball stadium. Fourth of July fireworks. You attract a crowd for a day, but it will be back to business as usual.

So if it’s not Easter, what is an appropriate tool for measuring the effectiveness of a church’s ministry?

Posted in Life

The blessing of being nonessential

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It’s taken a while, but one pastoral task I seem to be getting better at is “preparing God’s people for works of service” (Ephesians 4:12). I realized this tonight as we were practicing music for Easter tonight. I’ve got three other guys playing trumpet with me. And they are good. I can remember the first times I got to play for worship. It is such a great feeling to know that God can use you to lead people in worshiping him.  It was a stepping stone for me on my way to the pastoral ministry. I am so thankful that I can give other musicians that experience!

Either I’m getting better at letting go of things, or God is motivating more people. Or a combination of both. There have been times when it seemed like I had to do a little of everything. Now other people are taking responsibility and stepping up to the plate, and that’s a blessing for both me and them. One  of my goals is that if for some reason I wasn’t here, it would be business as usual. Thank you Lord for letting me be, in many ways, nonessential!

Posted in Life

Do you understand?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I cleaned my trumpet today. As I think about writing that last sentence, I realize that any non-brass playing person probably has no idea what I’m talking about. They’re thinking, “Why would you clean a trumpet?” Trumpet-muggles probably have no idea that a trumpet has numerous slides and valves that all come apart so that you can clean the tarnish off the brass and keep everything in top working order. When everything moves and slides effortlessly, it is so much nicer to play the horn.

Now to get some mileage out of this metaphor. As a pastor, I probably say a number of things that puzzle many people who listen to me preach, teach, or counsel. My education was so good that theological talk comes very easily and is very useful around other clergy. But not around the people I’ve been called to shepherd. Sermon preparation involves going back and cleaning up all the theological jargon and making it understandable to a normal person. (Not that I’m that abnormal.) Even after all these years, I can go into any sermon and find phrases that need to be translated into something people can understand. At least if you want them to understand anything you’re talking about. Words like “faith,” “Bible study,” “repent,” and “mercy” probably go way over the heads of many listeners. I’ll bet some people have listened to me and wished they had a translator. Not all the time – but I am sure I have my moments.

Posted in Life

The holy week experience

Posted on by William Douthwaite

When I was growing up, attending church for all the services of holy week was a given. On Thursday we remembered the institution of the Lord’s Supper. On Friday, we came at both noon, remembering the time Jesus spent on the cross, and again in the evening, as candles were extinguished and the church became eerily dark. On Sunday, we were up for a sunrise service and then another service later in the morning.

It’s always a challenge for me to remember that many have not grown up with these traditions, so it does not occur to them to come to church on any day other than Sunday. I have to remind myself to walk them through the passion of our Lord, rather than assuming they know it, for many just don’t know the story. If we don’t get a chance to pause and think of the agonizing prayer in the garden, the betrayal and denial, the false charges, the cries and “crucify him,” and the cruel nails of crucifixion, we may miss some of the impact of the resurrection, too.

I owe my parents and the church I grew up in a debt of gratitude for making sure I got the complete experience of holy week. I hope I get a chance to pass that along to others.

Posted in Life

My wife’s back from Haiti!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

She flew back to Miami this past Sunday, and my youngest daughter and I drove down to meet her and drive back home on Monday. Was it ever good to see her! I also got to meet a number of the medical mission team she went with her and talk with them over supper. An interesting, diverse, and talented group who made a difference in the 1300 patients they saw at the church turned into a clinic the week before.

She was glad to be home, for the conditions were hot, sticky, rainy and dirty. But I think a part of her wanted to stay since so many would need so much help for years to come. Even though what they did was awesome, it was only a drop in the bucket. The team had just gotten to know each other and many members of the church and community, so it was as hard to leave as it would have been to stay. One of those paradox things.

Now that she knows people there, we’ll be able to stay in touch and help more in the future. It feels very different to help people you met and know by name than to just support “missions” somewhere, so this can be a great opportunity for her and our congregation. Where will she (or hopefully, “we”) go next? Hard to say. There are many, many opportunities. Of course, for just about everything now, you must pay your own way, so a little planning is needed.

So, God — what’s next?

Posted in Life

30 hour famine follow-up

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The youth group and I ended our thirty-hour famine this afternoon with a worship service, holy communion, and then a great dinner prepared by the parents at 6:00 sharp.

This year’s group is awesome. We had no problems, everyone participated fully and enthusiastically, and everyone was asleep by about 2 am last night. The ground was hard and the air was cool but I was warm in my sleeping bag under a cardboard box. Earlier in the evening we did a few devotions, played some games to help us understand the dynamics of living without much in third world countries, and watched the movie Slumdog Millionaire. I’ve seen the movie before, but it’s a great reminder of how difficult life is for so many in this world. Today’s program included some strenuous service activities at the homes of some of our members who need a little help with yard work, and a few more games.

One lesson of not eating for a day or so is the awareness of how often you just timefor a snack without even being hungry. I’ll bet I caught myself thinking about it a dozen times over the thirty hours. We could probably all do with a few less snacks in the course of a week. I also learned that our youth care a lot about other people. They may have their moments of self-centeredness, but they also have many moments of wanting to make a difference and leave their mark on this world. I’m very proud of them all.

Posted in Life

30 hour famine

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I spending the night at church with the youth group tonight, who are doing a thirty hour famine to raise money for World Vision, specifically their work in Haiti. The fast began about noon today, we’ll be sleeping in boxes outside, and it should be a nice night to sleep under the stars. With Lisa out of town, Sable the Bassett hound gets to come and sleep in my box and enjoy the attention of all the teenagers. She won’t fast, but she’ll look like she is, with her perpetually sad, pathetic face. I’m not in charge of the program, just a few devotions along the way. Tomorrow we do some service projects, and in-between Liv has her last lacrosse game of the season. Should be an interesting night. I’m not anticipating too much actual sleep.