Category: Ministry

Posted in Life, Ministry

A new chapter for the men’s bible class

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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As soon as I arrived in Palm Coast to begin serving as pastor at Shepherd of the Coast seventeen years ago, I was informed I’d get to lead the men’s bible study that met on Thursday mornings. At the time, we met at a little diner-like place at the Flagler County airport called “Wings,” where the standard breakfast fare was a “hockey puck” (Fried egg on an English muffin with your choice of bacon or sausage patty). One bite and you know how it got it’s name. That and coffee cost you $1.99 plus tax.

After a few years, though, the restaurant closed and we moved our study up to Perkins restaurant, where we had a back room to ourselves and a larger choice of breakfast specials, including muffins and pie. I generally passed on the coffee, which I suspect was also used to clean the grill. But some of the heartier souls were able to down cup after cup. This past Sunday I heard the rumor and got the official news on Monday that Perkins had closed. Just like that. Our Waitress of many years, Jennie, left a note for me at the church. An era had ended.

But a new one begins tomorrow, at Bob Evans. I stopped by to see if they had a spot for us on Thursday mornings, and was blessed to know the manager there, the daughter of a woman I had visited many years ago in the nursing home. She hooked us up and we are ready to go.

I believe this group has been meeting for over twenty years. Numbering anywhere from twelve to twenty men, I believe we have studied nearly every book of the Bible, watched a number of Bible videos, and in animated conversation, solved most of the world’s problems. We have said farewell to a few who have gone on ahead of us to glory, but new faces have soon filled out our group.

I appreciate this faithful group of men, whose faces I see each Sunday in worship and at breakfast on Thursday mornings. If you’ve ever needed prayer, chances are we’ve prayed for you. Our list is formidable, but we’re undaunted, for we hold to the promise that the prayers of righteous men are effective.

If you are ever in Palm Coast on a Thursday morning, stop in and see us from 8-9 am, now at Bob Evans (next to Home Depot).

Posted in Ministry

Open Arms Preschool Graduation

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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Last Thursday night I attended our Open Arms preschool’s twentieth graduation. A couple dozen pre-K students were sent along to kindergarten with our blessing and thanksgiving for the time we had with them. Dressed blue cap and gown, each received their diploma and we announced what they wanted to be when they grew up. There was the usual assortment of public servants I(firefighters and police), doctors and dentists, but my favorite was an aspiring mermaid!

I was privileged to lead them in prayer to open the night, and then sing some songs with them that we had learned though the course of the year. I get to read from the bible, sing and pray with them each Wednesday during the school year and summer program. It is a unique way of reaching into the families of our community, sending these students home to encourage their parents in prayer, worship and mercy.

We had no commencement speaker, nor was there a valedictorian, but a great time was had by all. My youngest daughter, who is now graduating high school, graduated from Open Arms thirteen years ago. She ran the sound board for last week’s graduation all by herself. Another grad, Tabitha, is now a teacher at our school. But the anchor of our program have to be Shari and Sarina, who have taught there all twenty years that the school has been a part of our church. In a business where staff comes and goes, it’s rare and a blessing to have that kind of consistency and commitment.

That’s graduation number two. Number three in just a few days!

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Posted in Ministry

Graduation at the Sem

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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After a day of passing ominous clouds and occasional showers, the weather cleared enough for the 174th commencement exercises of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis to be held outdoors in the quadrangle on the evening of May 17. Row after row of white chairs slowly filled with friends and family, including lots of infants and toddlers who suddenly had become pastors’ kids. The ceremony began as graduates, faculty, staff, and regents all filed in to a “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” accompanied by a 12-piece brass choir.

After opening prayer and scripture, the speaker, Dr. Abjar Bahkou related his journey into Lutheran Christianity that began of all places in his home on “the street called Straight” in Damascus, Syria, right across the street from where Annanias had gone to baptize Saul (Acts 9). His Christian life, which began steeped in works righteousness, was soon transformed into one of grace, and he helped plant ministries to Islamic Americans through People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO). While there is much in the news to make us fear Islamic militants, there are also many stories of the Gospel’s advance into that culture. I have heard many over the past few weeks.

Then it was time for the conferring of degrees. Each graduate was invested with a hood as Masters of Arts, Masters of Divinity, Doctor of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy honors were given. A few honorary awards were then presented. Everything was done in a very somber and academic way, punctuated by screams of delight from the crowd as their favorite graduate’s name was called.

Finally, they were done. Well, mostly. Some still had a few weeks of internship or some recommended study to complete, but their degree was in hand! At that moment, I wondered if they realized the major changes about to take place in their lives. This time when they left each other, they wouldn’t be returning for another semester. They would begin their new assignments in churches all across the country. There would be visits of course, conferences, conventions and some video chat, but not the same day in day out shoulder to shoulder pilgrimage together.

I reminded each of Adam’s closest friends that they may never have friends as close as the ones they developed at seminary. Do what you need to do to stay in touch, for you will always share a bond in pastoral life that those on the outside will never fully appreciate.

Pastor Adam Douthwaite and his wife, Deaconess Sarah Douthwaite
Pastor Adam Douthwaite and his wife, Deaconess Sarah Douthwaite
Posted in Life, Ministry

Time to Go

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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Dr. Andrew Bartelt was the preacher at the morning worship service for the conferring of theological diplomas at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on Friday, May 17. Working from Isaiah 2:2-5, he recalled the typical welcome offered to an incoming class, “We’re so glad you’re here” and added these words for the graduates: “But we  can’t wait for you to go.” Just as Isaiah gained insight into God’s holiness and grace and was sent out (Isaiah 6), so the students have immersed themselves in His Word, and are now on their way.

While we are so thankful for those men and women who commit to academic preparation for full time church work as pastors and deaconesses, it’s a special time of celebration when they are ready to go and begin that work. As good as seminary life and education is, it means so much more when you’re out there. The Greek and Hebrew words, the history of Old and New Testament people, and the basic teachings of the faith come to life in the day to day routines, struggles and celebrations of the church. New lives cry out as others are commended to graves. Couples come together and others go their separate ways. Our lives are blessed one day and severely challenged the next. Each one who goes out will discover that the black and white lessons learned in the classroom are lived out in full color in the church’s life and ministry.

My son Adam and his wife Sarah, pastor and deaconess, have finished their education and will now begin their work. But there is a cycle they will repeat often. Their experiences will send them back to what they’ve learned, and what they learn will send them back out again in ministry. As natural as breathing in and out, we are drawn to our Lord’s promises, and then go back out into the world.

Thank you Dr. Bartelt, for your insights, images and message to this year’s graduates and families. Thank you Concordia Seminary for being both a place to prepare, and a place from which to go on the adventure of a lifetime that is full time ministry.

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Posted in Ministry

Do you listen to sermons online?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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So why do I spend the time uploading my sermons to sermon.net?

I did a little research, and discovered that on average, each uploaded sermon gets about a dozen listens. My all time high is 57 (“When a kiss is not just a kiss”) a Lent midweek sermon from a few years ago. Quite a few others hit double digits, mostly in the teens. Some don’t.

Each uploaded sermon is promoted on both Facebook and Twitter among my friends. My blog has a link to sermons, although I doubt if many click on it.

So what is the point? Is it worth continuing this effort? Does anyone really care? If you miss church for some reason, do you listen to see what you missed? If the message was especially meaningful, do you re-listen? I require my confirmation students to hear and report on at least 12 sermons during a school year. Many want to skip church and listen online. Is that even kosher?

I don’t listen to many online sermons. Maybe I should. It might be a blessing. It might help my faith, understanding, preaching.

What do you think?

Posted in Ministry

Kenya (part 1)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

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My wife Lisa has bee trained to lead medical mission trips for the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Health Ministries. She’ll get her first chance to lead a trip to Kenya this July. Jacob, the synod’s manager of medical and health projects will be going out early to work out some details, so Lisa gets to orients her team of nurses, teachers, laypeople and me, the team chaplain.

Both of us have been on similar trips to Haiti, but this is a little different, taking us to a different continent on the other side of the world. Getting there involves an eight hour flight to Amsterdam and then a nine hour flight to Nairobi. With layovers, it’s going to take about a day and a half.

We’re looking forward to,the adventure. I’ll post periodic updates as we figure out what we’re doing and prepare for our trip.

Posted in Ministry

Ascension

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Ascension Jello!
Ascension Jello!

You might miss the celebration of Christ’s ascension into heaven because it always falls on a Thursday, tucked in-between the sixth and seventh Sundays of Easter. Though we confess it in the creed, alongside Jesus’ descent into hell, resurrection, seat at God’s right hand and return, it doesn’t command as much attention as the big holidays. Of course, that means it hasn’t been commercialized and we don’t have to send Ascension Day cards and shop for Ascension gifts.

Why is Jesus ascension important?

  • It means he really has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3).
  • It reminds us that he is interceding for us (Romans 8:34).
  • It means that he is ruler of all. He ascended to the throne where he has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18).
  • It means the Holy Spirit will come (John 16:7).

Stop for a moment today and thank the Lord for his ascension into heaven! Check out the Ascension jello pic and recipe here! 

Posted in Ministry

Professional worker’s conference (part 2)

Posted on by William Douthwaite
I came into today's conference sessions with high hopes. I was both disappointed and pleasantly surprised.

The first unexpected blessing was the coffee machine in the lounge on my floor (The sixth floor is the Club floor at this Sheraton.) At the push of a button, it ground the beans and made espresso! I could have cappuccino or a latte, too. Very nice.

Then I had a great conversation at breakfast with Jawed and Juliana Dass. They are Pakistani Christians doing mission work in Naples, FL among Muslims. Her ministry is called Sisters of Faith. She had some great stories of how God has opened doors for her witness. I'd like for her come up and speak for us sometime.

Unfortunately, The second half of Dr. Gibbs' presentation had a lot of good information, but just didn't hold my interest as well as last night.

After lunch, I went to a couple of break out sessions. The first, entitled “Pastors as Communicators,” just wasn't communicated very effectively. It as more of a rant about ill-prepared speakers. The second, a panel discussion about witnessing across cultural and generational boundaries was great, filled with personal stories of connecting with all kinds of different people in different situations. One pastor spoke about a ministry among gypsies; another helped his aging congregation connect with the community for the first time in years. And Juliana told of how she was able to relate to an atheist son of a Muslim family.

In the evening drove over to the campus of Concordia University at Ann Arbor for supper and worship. They have a beautiful chapel there and a fantastic organist accompanied the service.

Heading home tomorrow morning — after some espresso.

 

Posted in Ministry

Professional worker’s conference (part 1)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

 

After an uneven travel day, the conference began at 7 with a devotion and then the first part of Dr. Jeff Gibbs' presentation (professor, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis). While his presentation was promoted as being about witnessing, he took the topic in a different direction than expected. He chose to talk about the what of our witness, not the how, specifically different ways of presenting the gospel beyond the usual “Jesus died for your sins.” The Bible is filled with images of resurrection, reconciliation, growth and unity, all of which are good gospel themes. I think ourngoal will be developing a broader vocabulary for our witness, which should be interesting.

Of course, most of my conversations with my brothers have been about Adam's call and upcoming ordination and graduation, and Olivia's high school graduation. It's cool to have lots of good family news to share.

The most exciting part of the day was hearing a woman rant and rave about her disappointing first class accommodations on the flight from Jacksonville to Charlotte. Expecting to be treated as a diva, she got nothing but disdainful looks from the other business travelers, which really set her off. She continued to yell and shout on her way to her connection, prompting one man to say, “Maybe I'll be that important someday.”