7/30/2019
Can you believe it...it’s almost August. I hope you had the opportunity to participate in some of the fun things of summer, swimming, camping, summer games, Vacation Bible School and maybe even some time away on vacation. August marks a time of new beginnings — kickoff to new programs at church, a new school year, fall sports, marching band competitions, fall festivals, cooler weather to name a few. As lay servants, it’s a time to review where you are in your journey as a lay servant. What do ...
7/1/2019
It’s my turn to share again. What do I have to say? Each time I contemplate this I struggle for a topic. I spend time alone waiting for inspiration. And somehow something comes to mind. This time it came to me during a chore… It’s summer again. Hours are spent each week mowing the grass. Seems like I mow half the town from my local church to my dad’s property to my own lots. Lots of time to let your mind wander—to contemplate. After all, as long as you don’t mow a stump, it’s just back and ...
6/21/2019
In talking with lay servants across the conference, the most frequent complaint I hear from them is “I keep up my certification, but no one asks me to do anything.” We need to continue to keep our gifts and talents before the church and church leadership and be more assertive in offering our passions and skills. LSM is still an under-utilized resource in our conference but keep the faith. We are making progress. If you have a new pastor this year, be sure to introduce yourself as soon as ...
5/1/2019
Recently I was invited to preach at the close of a sermon series called The Gospel of Tidying Up (credit to Rev. Jeff Prothro, DeSoto United Methodist Church). The end of the series coincided with the church’s annual garage sale (brilliant!) and there was clearly excitement about the sermon series. I suppose by now just about everyone has heard about “tidying up” or has been asked the question, “does it spark joy?”… Both expressions are the words of Marie Kondo, the author of two New York ...
4/24/2019
On a shelf in my kitchen, I have a stack of paper napkins. When it’s my turn to be hostess for United Methodist Women’s meetings, I bring snacks and also try to find napkins for the occasion. And, of course, there are family gatherings that call for special napkins, so I end up with a mixture of napkins for many holidays or special days. I have a few that are from more formal occasions that I have left from weddings, anniversary celebrations, etc. Now that I’m usually the only one for meals in ...
4/15/2019
A couple of times of late I've felt compelled to Facebook post one of those "My heart is heavy" posts, and the UMC has certainly provided lots of opportunity of late. I'm not one to just throw stuff out there on a daily basis, but rather I sit on it and stew for a while...sometimes as a way to verify if it is just my mood for the day or that it truly is something...discerning, praying, reflecting. In this Lenten season time of reflection I find myself reflecting. A lot. This is not a blog ...
4/2/2019
What is the importance of Lay Servant Ministries? It is to better equip laity to help them serve in their ministry to help make disciples of Jesus Christ. Who should take part in Lay Servant Ministries? Anyone who feels called to the ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Isn't Lay Servant Ministries just basically pulpit supply? There are many different paths for a Lay Servant to follow in this program. This is why we have many different types of classes. You can reach out to your...
3/18/2019
I have been giving the role of servant-leader some thought recently. I believe if one were to ask the pastors of our United Methodist Churches of the Great Plains Conference, “What is one of the greatest needs for the church?” the reply would be, “Leadership among the laity.” Lay Servant Ministries is all about training up servant-leaders for the church of Jesus Christ. Training courses in a variety of ministries and roles within the local church are offered in the Great Plains Conference on a ...
2/20/2019
I was in a meeting at a local church with the district superintendent when a lady burst into tears and proclaimed: “This is MY church!” The DS replied hotly “this is GOD’s church!” Who was right? Who was wrong? They both were! Say what? How can they both be wrong AND right? The woman was right in that each local congregation is a unique entity that the members are responsible to maintain. We are to encourage, teach, reach out and keep our local church vital and strong. Too often we rely on ...
9/2/2015
Did you ever find so many things roiling around in your mind that you couldn’t make sense of what was going on? Isn’t being a Lay Servant confusing? That’s my situation right now. I have this epistle passage, a recent article from the Five Rivers District Lay Servant Ministries newsletter, an old teaching from my first-grade teacher and a story (supposedly) about St. Francis all jumbled up in my mind. And I need to find a way to make sense of it all in some kind of “inspirational message” ...
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