Category: Ministry

I’ve recently discovered that a change in venue is a great way to stimulate creativity. When I’ve gotten myself out of the office and just sat around at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, I’m able to come up with vision, ideas, and stories that I never could just sitting at my desk. Why is that?

There are plenty of distractions at the office, for sure. Like phone calls, computer, and people stopping by. There are plenty of distractions out in the community, too. But they’re different. In a way, rather than distracting, they open up my mind. People who walk in, music playing, overheard conversations. I think it’s because I don’t know most of the people. The music is different than what I usually listen to. The conversations are not intended for me to hear. Together these things stimulate my imagination. Suggest things to write about, learn about, ask about. Give me a different view of the world.

It gives me a different view of the church. The church looks a lot different out in the community than it looks in the parking lot, the sanctuary, or my office. It’s people I don’t know, who don’t know me. People I will most likely never see in the usual church places. Yet people for whom the kingdom of God has come near. They are in the world that Jesus was born into. They are around people like me, who carry grace around with us.

Whenever my creativity sputters, I need to remember this simple jump start strategy.

Today the reigning Miss America, Katie Stamm, spoke at the president’s prayer breakfast at the LCEF leadership conference in Tampa. She is a Missouri Synod Lutheran and spoke very movingly about her faith and her duties as Miss America. She has flown over 200,000 miles this year.  That’s a tough schedule. About 300 hundred people lined up for autographs, so I passed on this opportunity.

Later in the morning, the keynote speaker was Rev. Bob Roberts from NorthWood church in Keller, TX. He’s a Baptist pastor and had some very interesting thoughts and experience on mission, church planting and the globalization of the church. He noted that though there are more mega-churches in this country, there are actually fewer people attending. Christianity is exploding, just not in this country. I need to read some of his books.

At lunch with some folks from New England, and North Dakota, I was reminded that not everyone is used to sitting outside the weekend before Thanksgiving.  The weather I take for granted was beautiful and a real treat for all who attended.

As usually happens with me, an event I’m not looking forward to turns out to be a great experience.  Perhaps I’ll get to go next year in Nashville.

Tonight was the opening banquet/session of the LCEF (Lutheran Church Extension Fund) leadership conference at the Marriot Waterside in Tampa, FL. I initially wasn’t too excited about coming, but decided to be positive and learn something.

I’ve already talked with some people I knew in New England. It’s also very good to connect with the national church, reminding me I’m not alone in this ministry. It’s so easy to get isolated in FL. Not good. It helps to get out a little.

So far, the LCEF knows how to put on a good conference, from the devotions to the food to the technology, they’ve got skills. It turns out I didn’t have to come, because our district actually brought more voting members than they needed. But I think I will benefit from the trip, and may be able to make some new friends.

I also discovered that I know the LCEF president-elect. He and his family vacation in Palm Coast and have worshipped with us several times.

Yesterday I wrote about my pre-worship routine on a Sunday morning. Today’s the “morning after.” As I reflect on yesterday, which was chock full of different activities, conversations, tasks, and thoughts, there were some good moments and some bad. Some things that I liked, others that we could have done better.

The big event is always the sermon. I spend a lot of time preparing for that 15-20 minutes each Sunday. I spend a lot of time second-guessing myself, usually concluding that I could have done better. Better illustrations, better stories, better transitions. That’s just me. I tend to be critical of myself. I don’t even know if anyone was really listening. Responses to sermons usually don’t come right away, but weeks later. I’m not sure why that is, but it must have something to do with ideas having to incubate for a while.

Everyone who had volunteered to help make Sunday morning possible was there and doing their thing, as far as I could tell. I really appreciate that.  It always makes me feel good.

I enjoyed the music, the busy children, and the coffee someone made for Bible class. I missed some of the people who are usually there, said goodbye to some who will be traveling, and wondered who will be around for the holidays.

It wasn’t an extraordinary Sunday in any way, but it wasn’t bad, either. Just a much-needed gathering of God’s people around his word and sacraments before heading out into another week where we will certainly need his grace.

What is early Sunday morning like for a pastor?  I’m glad you asked.  While some may roll over in bed bemoaning the fact that it’s time to get up for church, I’m up early on a Sunday, with way too many things on my mind. Getting up early gives me the chance to wake up, shake all that stuff loose from my mind, and focus on what I need to do.  I get to church about 90 minutes before the beginning of the first worship service.

First, I work from a list of things I need to set up and get ready, so they are off my mind.  Things like having my water ready, setting up my bible class, adding people to the prayer list, and putting my bible and worship folder out.

Next, I run through my sermon.  Maybe not the whole thing, but at least the outline images I’ve got in my head.

With everything in place, I’m ready to worship first of all, focus on leading worship and preaching, and talking to all the people who will gather.  I’ve found that keeping focus on a Sunday morning is the biggest challenge; there are so many things to distract you.  So if it ever seems like I’m somewhere else when you talk to me, chances are I am!