Yesterday, as many pastors do, I was out visiting people who were in the hospital. It was a busier afternoon than usual, as I had five people to visit in three different area hospitals. I drove about a hundred miles getting around to everyone. The good news: everyone was recovering and improving and looking forward to going home soon. The not-so-good news: the effort it took to find out who needed a visit and where they were. Spoiler alert: this is a rant, so you can decide if you want to read further or not.
Continue reading “Call me, maybe…”
Category: Ministry
Top ministry moments – a few that didn’t make the cut
After writing about ministry moments from the past thirty years, I thought of a few more that didn’t make the top ten list.
- Representing the circuit at the 1998 LCMS Synodical Convention in St. Louis, MO. It was very interesting to see the synod at work, and a great opportunity to meet up with friends from all over the country.
- Giving the opening prayer for the opening session of the Iowa state legislature. Our church was issued an invitation, the senior pastor had done it before, so I got the nod.
- In 2004, while our sanctuary was under construction, my good friend and Embry-Riddle flight instructor Jim Petrucci took me up in a single engine training airplane and we flew over the nearly completed building where we worship today. I got some cool pix.
- For several years, my dear homeless friend Eric Zimmerman would meet me when I arrived to open up the church at 6:30 am on Sunday mornings. Intelligent and inquisitive, Eric still reminds me that the homeless have a name, a face, a family and faith.
- Sharing a year of ministry with vicars from the seminary 2005- 2008. Thank you Brett, Eric and Brian for letting me be a part of your seminary education.
- Getting “pied” several times over the years, including Lauren and Kirsten Perrotta’s first Sunday at our church.
Those are some that immediately come to mind. I reserve the right to add to this list in the future as I remember some more.
Top ten ministry moments – #1: “Pastor Dad”
Finally, here’s the one you’ve been waiting for. My number one ministry moment, though, is actually a series of moments when being a dad intersected with being a pastor and I had the unique privilege of baptizing, confirming, marrying and ordaining my children. Continue reading “Top ten ministry moments – #1: “Pastor Dad””
Top ministry moments – #2: The phone call from Haiti
I was about five minutes into my sermon when I heard the phone in my pocket ring.
Yes, it was my turn to have my phone with me in church, the volume turned up and had someone call me on a Sunday morning, right in the middle of a worship service! Naturally I paused the sermon, excused myself and took the call. It was my wife. Continue reading “Top ministry moments – #2: The phone call from Haiti”
Top ministry moments — #3: Flyover
When a dear friend and faithful member Rear Admiral Mort Cooley died in 2005, it was at the same time as my mother’s death and two other member of our congregation. It was a busy, emotional, overwhelming and amazing time in my ministry.
Our new sanctuary was complete; we were waiting for the certificate of occupancy from the city of Palm Coast. The season of Lent was about to begin. I had gone to Philadelphia to spend the day with my Mom. And then the phone calls began. Mom died. Mort died. John (Palkovitz) died. It was going to be one of those months. Continue reading “Top ministry moments — #3: Flyover”
Top ten ministry moments– #4: Fiesta!
I have so many Vacation Bible School memories that it is hard to pick out a favorite. But the one that always comes to mind is the one where we formed dance lines and sang, ‘Cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-Fiesta!” The theme was something from the southwest and with our hands on the shouldes of the person in front of us, we sang and danced to that song throughout the week.
If there is one thing that our church has done well over the years, it is Vacation Bible School. We may not have the biggest or even the best, but our program generated the most energy for our congregation of anything we do during the year. We would have one hundred children and sixty staff working during the week to bring the good news of Jesus to kids from age 3 to 11. A theme song and word would define the week for us, and it’s hard not to forget the shouts of “Viva!”
Vacation Bible School has always been provided a spark to our congregation, involved more members than any other event, and connected with the community in dynamic ways each year. I am indebted to the many who have made our program happen each year, and privileged to be a part of the week each summer. We had so much fun preparing the artwork, performing the dramas, eating the snacks and singing the songs!
Top ministry moments — #5: When no one came to church
I
n September 2004, we had two Sundays when no one came to church! On September 5 and 26 in 2004, hurricanes passed close enough by that everyone had either hunkered down or left town.
I remember September 5 the best. Our new sanctuary was under construction. The steel was up but the steel roof wasn’t yet in place. We were running three Sunday worship services at the time because of our limited space: a traditional, a contemporary and a traditional. Though only a dozen years ago, smart phones didn’t exist, cell phones were kind of new on the scene, so it was hard to contact a whole congregation. So I went to church that morning just in case anyone came.
At 8:15, it wasn’t raining yet and one family showed up. At 9:30, sheets of rain pummled the building and winds ripped some of the tar paper off the new building and no one showed up. I didn’t stay to see if anyone was coming at 10:45. I went home to hunker down with my own family.
On September 26, hurricanes passing through our section of Florida from the Gulf of Mexico one again came close enough that worship just didn’t happen. I can’t even remember if I went to church that day. By God’s grace, the greatest inconvenience was no power for a few hours. After that, everything was back to normal.
Those were the memorable Sundays when no on showed up for church!
Top ministry moments – #6: The big Christmas cantata
For many years our church’s music ministry has presented a special musical worship service during the seasons of Advent and Lent. A few years ago (2010), we went all out with a Christmas musical arranged by David Clydesdale “A Baby Changes Everything.” The production includes elaborate hand painted sets, lots of lines for actors and songs for soloists to learn, and a number of challenging pieces for the choir to learn. As part of a multi-age cast that met for many rehearsals, I had two solos of my own to learn, plus a narration. All our work was for just one night. By the grace of God we pulled it off. It was a night far beyond anything we had done before or have done since.
It centered around a world oblivious to the fulfillment of prophecies and birth of a Savior and those who discovered it as the angels appeared, the shepherds came to see and the wise men arrived. It speaks to our time, when we are often oblivious to our Lord and need to discover once again his ever-present gifts of grace.
It felt to me to be the perfect storm of cast, talent, script and song. Some of the cast have moved away, some have grown up, some are no longer involved, some can no longer sing. It won’t happen again, but it will always be a wonderful memory.
Top ministry moments – #7: Teaching preschool Sunday School
In response to a sudden exodus of several Sunday School teachers, I decided to step back from teaching an adult Bible class on Sunday mornings and teach children. The age group we needed to fill was Kindergarten/Preschool, so that’s the class I took on. It was one of the best teaching years I’ve ever had.
I not only love to teach but I love children, so it was a double blessing. From sitting on a little chair at a little table to messy crafts to class trips to the bathroom, it was great. You can read more about my experience in my post “Things I’ve learned teaching preschool Sunday School.”
I’m back to teaching adults for now, but I dream of the day I get to get another chance with the little ones. Thank you Riley, Reagan, Owen, Ariana, Savannah, Corbin, Isabelle, and Kiley for a great, top-ten year!
Waite for it... 