Category: Ministry

Posted in Life, Ministry

Reflecting on an installation

Posted on by William Douthwaite

 

My son Adam was installed at his first church last Sunday afternoon. My wife, in-laws, youngest daughter and I travelled to Dallas to attend that service that would mark the beginning of his pastoral ministry. We were joined by a friend I went to elementary school with who lived nearby, a teacher who Adam had in middle school, and a number off pastors from his circuit.

Your first call, your first congregation, your first words of institution, your first absolution – lots of powerful firsts on the horizon for this young pastor. He is blessed to be the associate of a dynamic, energetic and faithful senior pastor who is very grateful for the help, gifts and ministry my son will bring. I remember how excited, motivated and terrified it was to be at that point. Terrified? Yes, for I was a sole pastor at my first church, and I didn't want to mess up.

I am so very thankful to have been there for his birth and baptism, and then did his confirmation, wedding and ordination. So many blessed moments along the way!

 

Posted in Life, Ministry

Youth Gathering (Days 4 and 5)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

 

Day four (Thursday) began with a worship service for everyone in the Alamodome. Worshiping with 25,000, hearing a great message from President Harrison, and a blend of music led by a talented choir, orchestra and band make it one of my favorite parts of the week.

Afterwards, we decided we had better eat early in the day, since the Riverwalk and dome areas were going to be very crowded later. We went to Dick's Last Resort on the Riverwalk, where the waiters are rude and the food is very good.

We didn't get back to the convention center in time for an interest center, so we revisited the exhibition hall and did a few craft things (headband and a backpack buddy.

We headed over to the dome early and listened to a Christian Mariachi band playing outside. Inside, the evening mass event included the amazing story of a young lady who was heard after spending six years in the hospital with a neuro disease contracted from a mosquito bite. Our guys in masks got on the big screen again, mugging a Community Life Builder.

After the evening event, we watched some fantastic fireworks outside the dome. We didn't get home til 11 pm, but everyone was hungry. Pizza? Sure, why not? Well, the delivery wait time was 2 hours, so I went to pick it up. Got done eating and asleep by 1:30.

Friday morning was pack, a final mass event, and head out for home. Liv and I were dropped off at a car rental place, so we could drive to Dallas for my son's installation. The rest of the group, who barely fit in the van, started east, spending the big in Lafayette, LA.

Overall, a great gathering. It took our group several days to solidify, and then it was almost over. We'll have to work more on that. San Antonio is a great city, but didn't seem quite big enough for an event of this proportion. Many of our group underestimated the amount of energy needed to last all week and do all the events. They were dragging!

 

 

Posted in Life, Ministry

Youth Gathering (Day 3)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Our first activity for the day was an excursion to the Alamo. Just a short walk from the convention center, crowds were small in the morning for this famous Texas shrine. I hadn't realized it was considered a shrine until the men were asks to remove their hats upon entering. I also hadn't remembered the historical and societal significance of the battle and loss of life there. A very simple place, it contains familiar names, preserved artifacts and draws you into a great story of courage and commitment.

From there we walked some of the Riverwalk and decided on Fuddruckers for lunch. We just beat most of the noon crowd, and then headed back to the convention center. We spent about an hour browsing the exhibits, getting some cool free stuff, and then attempts to go to an interest center. I say attempted because they all filled up long before we arrived, up to 30 minutes early. It seems like the venues aren't quite big enough to handle the crowds. Liv and I just slipped into a session called, “Is there Jesus after high school?” It was well done, but I don't think most of the youth there really grasped how much life changes after you graduate.

Afterwards, Josh and Hayden bought some masks that wrestlers would wear, giving our group a distinctive look for the rest of the day.

 

Determined to get to the Alamodome a little earlier, we then bought some Subway to take with us, and then walked down to eat our supper there. We got to the dome about 6:00 pm, and found that thousands of people had a

 

Ready camped out at the doors which didn't open until 7:30. I gave the youth a couple of photo scavenger hunts to work on, and we just relaxed a little.

The evening event included some dramatizations of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. President Matt Harrison played a little banjo, and Evan's pic of his head stuck in a cannon made the big screen.

We stayed after the big event to hear the Skit Guys, which is always enjoyable, and the headed back to the hotel.

 

Posted in Life, Ministry

Youth Gathering (Day 2)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

 

Day two began with bible study after breakfast, followed by the successful quest to get our shuttle wristbands which hadn't been included in our registration packet. Mission accomplished.

The first interest center we attended was called, “Questions you can't ask your Mama.” The audience tweeted their questions, and the speaker deftly handled discussions mostly about sexuality. We heard him speak at the last gathering in New Orleans. He was humorous and very good, coming from the perspective that your current behavior has consequences, and God has something a lot better for you.

The second interest center was “321 Improv,” three guys doing a variety of improv comedy. They were excellent, and did tack on a short testimony at the end of their time, but I'm not really sure howmtheynfit into the whole gathering.

The sessions we attended were packed (meaning several thousand people.) We learned to leave a lot more time to do just about anything.

Mark and I then left the group with Rosemary to return his rental car.

When we returned, Olivia and I went and heard a few missionaries who had been in South Africa speak. Some were career, some were short term.

 

We headed out to a pizza place for supper, enduring an hour wait for our food. Of course around here, every restaurant is like that. On the way we ran into my brother-in-law Jeff with his group from Indiana. In the restaurant I saw Pastor Ingo Dutzman from First Lutheran Church in Boston, whom I knew from my years in New England.

We got to the dome about 8 for the evening mass event which focused on how we are so easily distracted from Jesus, which always leads to wondering if we're loved. We are always loved by him, and need that reminder often.

On the way to our shuttle, a voice cries out, Are you Adam's dad?” I have no idea who she was, but she said we had met before. Our youth are amazed when I run into folks know, but that's one of the blessings of being in the church for a while.

 

 

Posted in Life, Ministry

Youth Gathering (day 1)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

 

The drive from Mobile to San Antonio is very, very long. We left a little later than we wanted to, but made it with no problems other than a little group motion sickness. As soon as you hit the TX line, speed limit goes up to 75 and it is off to the races. A Corvette passed me doing at least 100.

In his quest for the world's best hamburger, Josh was not impressed by Whattaburger. His research continues.

Our hotel (LaQuinta) is pretty nice and I slept much better on a bed last night. I'm rooming with the Ore twins. No major bruhahas. Yet. Refreshing glimpses of maturity.

Best sighting of the day: a terrified Hispanic man driving a very small car 45 mph merging onto I-10 just outside of San Antonio.

We ate supper around midnight at a 24-hour Mexican restaurant, which was excellent and even had some Mariachi singers.

 

Posted in Life, Ministry

Youth Gathering (prequel)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

 

Our high school youth group and I leave tomorow for the triennial LC-MS youth gathering in San Antonio, TX. With 10 youth and two other adult leaders, we'll take two days to drive from Palm Coast to the heart of Texas.

The youth have spent the last two days making t-shirts and accumulating snacks to bring in the van. I expect them to consume some massive amounts of food in the next few days.

This will be my fifth gathering. I survived Red Rocks in Denver in 1989, have been to three in New Orleans, and one in Orlando. I've been able to go with all three of my children, and that has made each trip very special and a lot of fun.

Most of youth and adults going with us this time are attending their first gathering. They have no idea what it will be like to be with 25,000 other Lutheran youth in one place at one time, worshiping, singing, dancing, yelling and making a bunch of new friends.

Right after the benediction tomorrow, we're off, two long days in a van ahead of us. Doesn't get any better than that.

 

Posted in Grace, Life, Ministry

An extraordinary ordination

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Yesterday I had the privilege of ordaining my son into the office of the holy ministry. His district president granted me permission to do so, and I served as officiant and preacher for this unique service about church. I am so thankful for the nearly two hundred friends, family, members and clergy who gathered to worship on Sunday afternoon.

I didn't know what to expect as the service began. What I mean is, I didn't know how I'd feel. At my children's baptisms, confirmations and most recently my son's wedding, I had some emotional moments when I got a little choked up and had to pause, take a breath and collect myself before continuing. I had my message prepared, but as I looked at the pastors who had come to be a part of the service, I knew I had to say something about each one of them. Each one played an important part in my son pursuing full-time church work. My brother-in-law who introduced me to my wife over thirty years ago was with us. My son’s father-in-law who had four children, two of whom are pastors and one of whom is now my son's wife was in attendance with his entire family. The campus pastor from Florida State was there, as well as vicars from our congregation who encouraged my son along the way. A retired pastor from our congregation represented all the members who prayed for and encouraged him along the way. A living biography! I also reflected upon the nature of his “labor,” the preaching of the gospel, but also reminded him to be himself, and especially to call his mama. After my amen, I gave him a big hug, and that is one of the best ways I can think of to end a sermon. There were a couple of moment when I started to feel emotions swelling up, but nothing overwhelming.

The powerful moment was when I placed my hands on his head and ordained him to the office of the holy ministry. What a moment, what a privilege, and what an awareness of our prayers being answered. Our Lord sending out another worker into his harvest!

After each pastor in attendance blessed him with words of scripture and encouragement, we prayed of the Lord's Prayer together. In that moment, the collective voices of the saints in heaven must have joined us here on earth, for our petitions have never thundered like that before! Yes, we were indeed surrounded by that great cloud of witnesses.

And then I got to place the red stole around his shoulders. Representing the yoke of Christ, it is indeed light and easy to bear, for His words are living, active, powerful, healing and forgiving. He finished up the service with prayers and a blessing, and it was time to relax, celebrate and get to work. After all, the harvest is great and the laborers are few.

I may never do another ordination, so I am thankful for the chance to do this one. I am thankful for the musicians, the worshipers, my colleagues who attended, the friend who made him a set of stoles, the many, many hands who prepared the reception afterwards and the powerful work of the Holy Spirit on this extraordinary day!

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Posted in Ministry

Planning an ordination

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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My son just graduated from the seminary and received his first call into the pastoral ministry. Just a few days ago I received permission from his district president to do his ordination at our church. Sweet.

Now I’ve only been to two ordinations in my life. The first was my own, in June of 1986 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Coventry, CT, my first parish. That seems like a long, long time ago. The second was for one of our vicars when he graduated. Now that I am planning a service and preparing a sermon, I wish I had been paying closer attention.

On the one hand, it’s not too hard. The Order of Vespers with the Rite of Ordination before the Collects. With a hymnal and an Agenda, a piece of cake. Worship folder? Plenty of templates to work from. Cover? That’s a little tougher. I thought I could find one to buy, but church publishing houses print stock very few. I can make my own, right? I found a picture to go with one of the texts he picked. Should work.

Now, a sermon. An ordination sermon. For my son. Hmm. Over the last twenty-seven years, I’ve preached somewhere around 1,000 times. But never for an occasion like this. I like all the texts he picked: Isaiah 6:1-8, 2 Timothy 1:8-14 and Matthew 9:35-38. I’m going to go with the harvest, prayer, laborers text of Matthew’s gospel. It’s time to get to work. I didn’t baptize him (I wasn’t yet a pastor when he was born), but I did confirm him and marry him and his wife. Now I get to ordain him! Like I said, sweet.

He doesn’t remember it, but he attended my ordination. Now I get to go to his. This is definitely one of the perks and blessings of being a pastor. And maybe a good way to begin an ordination sermon.

Posted in Grace, Ministry

See all the people

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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I did a funeral service today for the brother of a dear member. I had visited, talked and prayed with him a number of times over the past six months as his cancer progressed and his family took care of him. During one visit, he asked me to do his funeral service, and I was glad to say yes.

After the worship service at the church, I chose to drive myself to the cemetery, following the hearse on a slow but steady eight mile ride through town. During that ride, I found myself marveling at all the people involved in making this day happen. I believe I was initially impressed with the six citizen patrol cars that escorted us through the various intersection of town. Zooming ahead, then lagging behind, we didn’t have to brake once.

“We” included the funeral director and staff. They arrived two hours early, set up the viewing in the chapel, arranged the flowers, welcomed and directed guests, and paid special attention to the family. They reverently moved the casket in and out, covering and uncovering it with the pall, drove the cars, and had the cemetery ready just when we arrived. Each one was professional, compassionate, efficient and a pleasure to talk and work with.

Meanwhile, back at the church, the organist had prepared music for the service, a dozen or more members prepared and set up a meal, the custodian had everything in order, elders were on duty, and even the office manager stepped in to sit with the family.

I had met with the family, helped them choose some hymns and scripture readings, put the service together and preached. I did my part, but it was only a slice of the day’s agenda.

What a difference a community of faith makes on a day like today! I suppose all of this could have taken place in non-faith context. But would it? Would we put that much effort into this event without the love of Christ and the hope of resurrection? Would people who didn’t know the deceased come just to be with someone in the family? (We had two dozen from our church, none of whom had met the man who died.) Perhaps. But I don’t believe it would be the same. As dearly loved children of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, our family is much bigger than we realize.

Until we get together to mourn or celebrate, to cry or laugh, to welcome or say goodbye, to both live and die. And how good it is to be able to do it together.