February 2009

Have I told you all lately that I really appreciate being your pastor? I just want to say, “Thanks so much for your patience, support, encouragement, and faithfulness.” Not only do I get paid to do what I do, but I receive a great amount of encouragement and support as well. So, again, “THANKS!”

One of the things I am grateful for is the opportunity to take classes so I can have the opportunity to expand my thinking and possibly discover new ways of doing ministry more effectively or more Biblically. This past month, I was fortunate enough to take a class at the seminary where I was formally trained and this class called The Intentional Church, taught by Randy Pope, pastor of Perimeter Presbyterian Church just outside of Atlanta, GA, proved to be all and so much more than I anticipated and hoped. In fact, I have already informed the Pastor’s Cabinet that the model for discipleship that I was exposed to has given me a new hunger and a desire to try and discover how best topromote discipleship here at HFM.

One of the things that I have been embarrassed about, regarding my ministry here at HFM, was my inability to be able to clearly envision and/or verbally communicate God’s call for my mission and vision for this church. It has been very hard to confess to Superintendent Ramundo and my So. MI FMC accountability pastors my lack of a clear vision for my ministry here. I just was hesitant to “come up with one” on my own just to say I have one. But, it is also very hard to do ministry well without one. So I have been patiently waiting, praying and seeking God’s direction for my ministry here at HFM. Please don’t think that while I was waiting, I was doing nothing. I have been trying as best as I know how, to do the work of ministry here at HFM. But, I will have to confess, it has been very generic in focus and universal in scope.

But, now, for the first time since I was called to be your pastor, I believe God is beginning to formulate a ministry vision and mission for my call as your pastor. And, if you have ever been in a leadership position, you would know that this is very exciting for me.

So, what does this mean to you? First of all, you need to know that you will, more than likely, not see any change at all for at least 4-8 months. Even though the class has stimulated my thinking and allowed me to hear more clearly the Holy Spirit’s leading for my ministry at this church, I will not do anything until I have a chance to formulate a fairly comprehensive plan for doing ministry here at HFM. And then, none of this will be implemented until I have a chance to run it by Superintendent Ramundo, the Pastor’s cabinet and the Official Board to insure that they believe that my vision and mission is from God.

Ultimately, if I am in alignment with God’s plan and will for HFM, it will mean some changes in how we do small group ministry, what we require of our members, what it means to be a disciple of Jesus here at HFM, and the level of commitment required to be a leader at HFM. Probably the biggest thing that will change is that your pastor and leadership will have a clear and defined ministry agenda that we feel is unique and custom designed by God for this church. And that can mean nothing but good news for everyone here at HFM.

We will have to wait and see if what I am sensing right now is from God or just post-class high. After about 4 months of meditation, planning and review by your leadership, we will see. Please pray for your pastor, and your HFM leadership as together we seek God’s agenda for HFM. In the mean time, thanks again for your patience, encouragement and support. I want in the worst way for HFM to be a great church. I just appreciate your patience and encouragement while I try to hear from God how HE wants us to become a great church. Thanks!