Lessons Learned--Seven Years In

As I mentioned in my sermon Sunday, July 1 is a momentous day for all United Methodist pastors. For some, like my brother Daniel, who began his first full-time appointment this year at Cowenton UMC in White Marsh, or Emily Berkowitz, the new pastor of Buckeystown UMC who I had lunch with today, it marks an incredible new beginning. For others, like our senior pastor Ken or myself, it marks an anniversary-- the start ofeight years and three years at Calvary, respectively. It is always a good opportunity to reflect on where we are in ministry. And for me, an opportunity to reflect on the lessons I've learned. It seems hard to believe that I'm entering my seventh year in full-time ministry. Here are JUST A FEW of the lessons of pastoral ministry I've learned thus far:

• You've got to be prepared/open to becoming an expert (or as good as you can be) on lots of random things. For me, I've learned more about copier leases, feeding horses and Photoshop (among other things) than my seminary education would have suggested I would need to.
• Listen. Often a host of problems can be avoided by just not speaking. Even if you can't listen, at least stay silent sometimes. This is a hard lesson for me :-)
• Prioritize your tasks. You simply cannot get everything done, and certainly not all at once.
• Adapt to new ministry settings. You've got to find a balance between adaptation and being yourself, to be sure. But if God calls you to a place and a people, there is work and growth to be had. Sometimes you'll learn things about yourself you didn't know, all because you were willing to explore new ways of being in ministry.
• Everything changes. Roll with it.
• At that same time though, know what you stand for. And stand for it. Just remember you don't have to be a jerk while doing so.
• Take time off. And don't (or try not to) feel guilty doing so. If you don't it will catch up with you, then you won't be of use to anyone.

I've learned different kinds of lessons in the two appointments I've learned so far. At Jefferson, I learned a lot of leadership lessons, about being where the buck stops. At Calvary, I've been learned a lot about systems, about processes, and about not being able to make the last call. Both settings have taught me really vital lessons--ones that I continue to discover and learn.

Seven years in, and it's incredible to look at what these seven years have brought me both professionally and personally. I can't wait to see where the next seven lead--let alone beyond that. One thing is for sure, many lessons learned lie ahead. And hopefully more and more opportunities to use all those lessons learned to build up the kingdom!

The End of To-Do List

Something I really took for granted before having a child was the leisurely task of composing to do list. I mean, I love to do lists. Composing them enables me to get a handle on what needs to be done. And the feeling of checking things off? Only topped by totally clearing a to do list. I love to do lists.

Enter Anna, my now near seventh-month old daughter.

I still love to do lists, let me say. But I'm finding it so much harder to find time to actually make them. Some days, all I can do is keep my head above water, as it were. I know I'm much more productive with a to do list, but it's much easier these days for the tasks of daily life and my work routine to overshadow any grander idea of accomplishing tasks.

Those thank you notes from Anna's baptism? I have them. I have the list. Now nearly two months later--maybe writing this here means I'll finally DO them today. Or maybe tomorrow.

Cleaning our upstairs bathroom? Wait, when did we do that last? Hmm, guess that should be on the list too.

To do lists offer a sort of structure to my time, and that is more needed now than ever. I keep trying to get a good routine--I KNOW if I could set a routine time (I thrive on routines) to make my list, my weeks would be more productive, my time more efficient, and my free time less harried. The problem is, finding a solid routine with a seventh month old under foot? Challenging to say the least.

So perhaps today, even as I tick of the items on the to do list in my mind, I will also sit down and make that to do list I've been needing. And then as I check things off, I can feel a bit more "normal." Yep, that's right, to do lists help restore my sense of well being. I'm okay with that.

Articles with Coffee

Here are some things I'm reading this morning...


From the Pew: Frederick's Mission Church
Frederick News-Post
For those who aren't fans of Calvary (who already saw this posted) check out this article about the awesome work being done at Centennial Memorial UMC, part of our cooperative parish. The article also talks about Fariview Chapel, a local favorite.


Vienna Presbyterian Church seeks forgiveness, redemption in wake of abuse scandal
Washington Post
A very sad situation, but a well done article on the sorts of situation we hope our churches' Safe Sanctuaries policies and just general approach to things would prevent. A story both of stuff that should never have happened, but also of how it all should have been handled differently.

Our bishop sent this out to us, and I actually read it yesterday when he sent it, but wanted to share it nonetheless.

Faith and Leadership
This is actually a website hosted by Duke Divinity School's leadership institute, but it's a good resource. In addition to their own original content, I especially like the daily (on weekdays) collection of religion and leadership-related articles they post. Sadly, whoever posts there does not apparently have a four month old and so does not post at 5 am or any such time that my daughter thinks the world should be awake. But give it an hour or two into regular business hours and they'll that that day's up.

Follow-Up: Hell and Other Pastoral Issues

So...my blog post got a couple comments on Facebook, and brought forward a couple links--on top of which the United Methodist News Service late yesterday posted a story that summarizes things, and I think, makes the point I tried to make in my post--this wasn't really about the hell thing--that was the last straw, but rather the result of a long, and complicated situation.

Here is the pastor's (Chad Holtz) blog. Including the articles in question and his own view of the situation.

Here is an article my dad found giving the background of universalism in Christianity, especially the evangelical movement.

Finally, here is the UMNS article.

Really, I think this is an issue about how pastors use social media, or just generally present themselves, especially beyond the pulpit. I am always keenly aware that I can't separate my pastor and non-pastor time. I choose to have a public Facebook page and blog and I try not to post things I wouldn't say from the pulpit or just generally want anyone and everyone to see. I try to keep in mind that a challenge of such medium is the inability to immediately respond to people's questions or concerns. And yes, I have taken down posts when I've realized they are just really not a good idea...or just kind of not a good idea. But...I've also left some pieces up At any rate, I do try to do it all thoughtfully.

I also have to be aware of my Facebook statuses. Yep, that's right. Because some people will misinterpret them--like if I post that I'm busy, I've had people concerned I'm overwhelmed or such. Explaining that I wouldn't post if I was upset or overwhelmed, esp. with work, doesn't always appease folks, so I just generally try to avoid getting into that. Would it be nice to post whatever I wanted? Sure. But I'm a pastor and I'm never NOT that. And there are just some hills that aren't worth dying on.

Ultimately I think this pastor has some good thoughts, and his posts, at many other churches, would have hardly ruffled feathers. It's unfortunate the church he was at was not such a church, but it's also sad that after (according to the UMNS article) agreeing to avoid posting on controversial topics for the remaining few months he was there, he did so anyway. Should his speech be thus restrained? One would prefer not. But he was the one who agreed to it. At any rate, it all seems like a rough, sad situation, and I hope that God continues to work in powerful ways to bring healing and hope to both the pastor and his family and the congregation.

Hell and Other Pastoral Issues

Okay, so I've been watching all day as my colleagues (and relatives!) posted a link to a story about a pastor in NC who lost his job, as the story goes, because he doesn't believe in hell.

Here's the link

Now, my colleagues have seemed to be wildly supportive of Chad, and I must confess I get their points, and further I must confess I don't know him and only know the details in the article and those posted on Facebook by others who have followed the progression on his Facebook page.

First off, it's important to note that this guy was a student pastor. Thus, the process for removing him was well, hardly anything. As an ordained elder, there is a load of church law that would make it really difficult to remove me, or any elder, but Chad did not have those protections. Let's examine that. By the time you've gotten ordained, you've theoretically gone through a rigorous examination process. This includes, among other things, theological examination. That said, a good range of theological views can get you through the examine--even those staunch maintainers of some view cannot necessarily preclude your ordination since it's done by vote at the Board of Ordained Ministry and in clergy session. I know of people who have BARELY passed, but passed nonetheless. It's my understanding (and of course this is different in each conference) that it's pretty difficul to fail to pass for a theological issue or two.

At the same time, I hope we can all agree in principle that we ought to have SOME theological guidelines, otherwise how can we at all clearly define what we do (and don't believe)? And without that, Christianity, I think, means nothing. I think the question is not HAVING guidelines, then, but what they should be. And that's where it gets fuzzier. Who gets to set those and what are they.

Well, good news. The United Methodist Church has a Confession of Faith and Article of Religion. Pastors commit to teaching these. What you believe--that's one thing--what you teach in your role as a pastor, that's another. Well, in a perfect world those aren't different things, but in terms of the vows you take, it's the second they're concerned about. You shouldn't be surprised if you violate those vows and get in hot water. Is that ideal, no. Unexpected? No.

Someone in the Facebook discussion on this pointed out that our doctrinal statements say nothing about Hell. Okay...true. But here are some related things they say (in my paraphrase--you can check out the actual wording--which I encourage you to do):

• Purgatory--Nope. The Roman Catholics made that up.
• Jesus is hanging out in heaven awaiting the last day when he will judge all people
• Humans cannot, on their own, see the kingdom of God
• BUT--good news, prevenient grace, y'all
• Jesus died for all
• We become reconciled to God through new birth
• The wicked will be sent to "endless condemnation" (I think they mean what we call hell)

That said, my understanding of hell is separation from God. Do I believe in a hell that is like what you see in movies or depicted in literature? No. Do I actually believe anyone can exist completely separated from God? That's a question that really makes me struggle. And I must confess that the universalism of many writers and theologians seems quite persuasive to me.

BUT scripture talks about judgment and punishment and Jesus says we have meaningful choices. It was upon points like this that Wesley argued predestination with Whitfield. Jesus wouldn't lie. So if he says something, there has to be something to it. I'm persuaded by writers like C.S. Lewis in The Great Divorce to ask whether God wouldn't wait indefinitely for each person to turn to God. I don't know. It's perhaps easier for me to say what I don't believe than what I do. And I think that's a theologically honest and sound position. Humility, after all, is an appropriate response in the presence of God.

All that being said, maybe it's just me, but I haven't felt the need to use my seminary education as a hammer over people's heads. So maybe I think the disciples didn't actually write the Gospels as they exist in final form today. But that's not a point to make each time I preach the Gospels. And it's fitting for me, as a pastor, I believe, to adapt my messages and teaching to my audience. Yes, that means I take into account the educational level and views of my congregation at any time. Do I say something I believe to be untrue? No. Do I avoid taking all possible opportunities to make people feel like idiots or to question the beliefs that are foundation for their faith? No.

I've been trying to really figure out how this happened, and I have to admit, I think there have been a lot of pastors with a lot of crazy beliefs (some which even I would say go beyond what our church teaches) who have maintained their pulpits--for good or bad. I think people are willing to put up with a lot of stuff, but they don't take well to arrogance. Believe me, I'm type A and I have learned that the hard way. Sometimes in our zeal as pastors, instead of trying to make a point, we drive a stake. I think we've all found ourselves in that position.

But I am not convinced that as pastor it's my job to seek out places to drive stakes. One of my college professors suggested the following as a helpful question in life, "Is this the hill you want to die on?" You cannot die on every hill--and it is unwise to try to die on too many at once.

Here is the pastor's quote on what he believes:

"I think justice comes and judgment will happen, but I don't think that means an eternity of torment," Holtz said. "But I can understand why people in my church aren't ready to leave that behind. It's something I'm still grappling with myself."

Seriously? I mean I understand everyone's defense of the guy because I would say it's not dissimilar to what many UM pastors would say. And the vast majority of them could say this and there would be no threat to their job. Even in a very small, very rural, very conservative church.

There is no way (and as I said the article and even this pastor's supporters confess) he was fired because of his views on hell. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, they say. That was probably one very weigh-down camel.

Which brings me back to the whole incident. I don't think this is really about this guy's view of hell, and I have no interest in turning him into a theological martyr. I do not think a pastor who pile drives through their congregation is necessarily doing God's work. I know too many pastors (and have I done this at times? I have no doubt I have) who mistake their own  ambitions or priorities for being God-ordained ones for their congregations. It happens, but that doesn't make it right.

Should pastors offer prophetic leadership? Yes. Even when they face opposition? Yes. Is it possible to lead people from where they are? Often. We cannot change people, only God can. Trying to push, pull and prod them without loving them and respecting them (even if that means doing so while in great frustration) is, I think, plain wrong.

Like I said, I don't know all the details, and on that point my words no doubt fall short of the actual situation. But as a matter of principle, sometimes as pastors we need to back off and let our people grow and learn at their own rate, or even (gasp) admit that even we see only as in a glass dimly.

New Calvary Logo

Over the past months, Ken, I and the Evangelism team have looked at ideas for a new logo for Calvary. We have some WONDERFUL images we have been using--a couple different variations of pieces of our architecture, but as we move forward, we are wanting to have one simple logo that we can use for Calvary. A good logo is simple--could be drawn by hand and can be easily recognized (think Nike or McDonalds).

We wanted something that was, then, simple, and also something that distinguished us as a Christian church. Below is what we've come up with. The initial idea was to combine the "C" that begins our name with the idea of what our name represents--the mount upon which Jesus (and two others beside him) were crucified. One really cool element that we didn't think of till it was presented as an idea to the Evangelism Team is that it also brings forth the idea of the path leading to the cross.

This is by no means the only idea, but we needed to get a draft to work with, and if nothing else, to spark ideas for the congregation. We are asking the Calvary congregation to give us feedback in the next couple of weeks--or share new ideas--so that we can make a final decision soon.

To share feedback or ideas, contact me or talk with a member of the Evangelism Ministry area.

In State Tuition Bill

When I was in Annapolis with other area United Methodists for our Advocacy Day, my group visited a couple senate offices to advocate for the in-state tuition bill which would offering in-state tuition to students who attended MD high schools and paid taxes for a length of time--a major population this would reach is the immigrant population.

One of the senator's aides expressed the senator's concerns that this might draw a flood of illegal immigrants to our state. So we said we would track down information about whether that actually happens. Check out this article with more information:

In-state tuition not a draw for many immigrants
By Raphael Lewis, Boston Globe Staff | November 9, 2005

As Beth Reilly summarizes,

Only Texas showed a significant increase in students; the other five states did not show a large increase. As mentioned in the article, the typical undocumented immigrant coming to the United States recently has been a single individual in search of work and not entire families with teenage children soon to apply to college.

Finally, for more information about the actual estimated financial impact of this bill, check out this report from the MD Dept. of Legislative Services.