Pastors' Break Room

[Macrina]

Hi out there!

I just thought I'd see if there were others in congregational/pastoral/parish ministry out there who would like to have a thread to kick back and chat in. I'd like to get ot know the other pastors on CF, and it might be nice to have a place where we can come and discuss some of the concerns that we have in our ministries, or just relax and get to know each other.

I'll start: I was ordained in August (2004) in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I am the solo pastor of a small, rural church, and I love it. There are challenges -- I am working on motivating the congregation for outreach and evangelism, and I also hope to revitalize our worship services. We use traditional worship, and people seem to appreciate the more liturgical elements that I bring in, so I am hoping that we will generate more energy in our services.

I'd love to meet the other pastors and hear about your ministries... please share!!

 

[clonenomore]

Well, Macrina, I guess I'll go next. BTW, I love this idea for a thread.

I was saved when I was 8 years old. I was active in the local United Methodist Church (UMC). God called me to preach when I was 16 years old -- but I did my best Jonah impression, and I ran the opposite way. I ran from God's call for 23 years. During that time of running, God continued to work on me, even though I didn't know it. He kept putting people in my path and putting me in situations to prepare me to accept the call on my life. I drank, did drugs, and chased women. I finally got married, the drugs and fornication stopped, but I still was running from God. God kept sending people that cared about me to witness to me, but I was pretty nasty to these folks. The people that God sent included my brother and a childhood friend. I was REALLY nasty to these guys. But God kept sending people my way, and these people kept answering the call.

I tried my best to bankrupt my family, but the wife that God had sent me kept us afloat financially. I jumped from job to job -- but couldn't find satisfaction. I made a lot of money in sales, but I spent a lot as well.

We had a son after 6 years of trying and 1 miscarriage. We decided that we wanted to raise our son in a "church" environment. So we started visiting churches. We visited several, but just didn't fit in. They were good churches, but God was calling us to go in a different direction. I believe that all churches have the same goal, but God calls each church to travel a different path to reach that goal. This is to make sure that all people get the chance to accept that grace that is extended. Finally, we walked into a church that was pastored by an old "beer drinkin' buddy" who had answered the call to full-time pastoral ministry 20 years before. Our whole family became involved in the church. Our church is built around small groups that we call LifeTeams -- so my wife and I joined a LifeTeam, which has been a huge blessing for us. The church has contemporary worship services, with upbeat worship music. We offer a casual atmosphere, realizing that, as the Faith and Victory Church website puts it, "we worship God with our souls, not our clothes".

While taking a class on spiritual gifts, I started to feel the call again. Finally, after 23 years I quit fighting and answered the call. I felt as though a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I initially thought that I was called to preach in the UMC, but God has since let me know that I am to plant a non-denominational church -- a church that is built around small groups, is contemporary in worship, and goes out to reach the non-believers where they are to bring them into the Kingdom. God has really laid the Great Commission on my heart as a ministry.

For now, while I am preparing to plant a new church, I remain active at the UMC that I attend. I am heaviily involved in a teaching ministry, teaching the New Membership Class, the Discover your DESIGN class, and the Good $ense ministry. I preach whenever I can. I often fill in for local pastors that need a Sunday off. Additionally, in further preparation for my ministry, I am currently taking a course on Biblical counseling. I firmly believe that the answers are there, sometimes we just need help to find them.

Sorry for the long post. Again, this is a great thread.

 

[Macrina]

CNM,

Welcome to the Break Room!

Thanks for sharing about your walk and your call. What a journey! Isn't it wonderful how God uses us, even when we're not, well, the most likely prospects by human standards? I chuckled when timid little me first felt the call to be a preacher... but now, I can't imagine doing anything else. I love it!

I would like to hear more about your church plant. I have though in the past about church planting, although I don't know that I am being called to do so myself. It is wonderful to create a church for people who lack a church home.

As for the biblical counseling class -- if you encounter any good books on the subject, would you recommend them to me? My undergraduate studies were in psychology, and I would like to do some reading to help me blend the best parts of psych with my faith and pastoral calling.

By the way, I thought we should have some donuts in our break room, so here's a mixed dozen... I'll just set them on the table for everyone.

 

[clonenomore]

My undergraduate work was psychology -- primarily in Organizational Psychology (God had His hand in that decision as well).

A good book on Biblical counseling is How to Help People Change by Jay Adams. Dr. Adams has written several books on the subject. Another noted author on this subject is Ed Bulkley, although I haven't read any books by him.

Additionally, check out the websites for:

The International Association of Biblical Counselors (www.iabc.net)

The National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (www.nanc.org)

Thanks for the donughts! I only had one -- I have to watch my waistline!

 

[Macrina]

thanks for the resources -- I'll check those out.

And remember, *virtual* donuts have only *virtual* calories! oh YEAH!

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Avete!

My formal name is Imperator Bizzlebin Primvs Antarcticae, but most everyone just calls me Bizzlebin, or Bizzle

I began recieving visions around age 10, and after that began to intensely study scripture. I was ordained on May 9 of this year, serving where I am needed in the kingdom as a teacher, elder, prophet, and bishop. I counsel teachers, am involed in the destruction of heresy, and give fiery lessons on the subjects that no one else will teach on. I can see sin very easily, almost to a fault. Often, I only teach on very deep subjects, leaving the common to the other teachers so that I have time to study and am not overwhelmed by simplistic questions

Hmm, not too much else at the moment I suppose...

 

[Macrina]

Hello Bizzle-- welcome to the Pastors' Break Room!

There's a comfy chair right over here... and potluck leftovers in the fridge.

*hands Bizzle a hot chocolate* I find this relaxing after a long day.

What branch of the church ordained you? I believe that we are all ultimately one body, but I am interested to know about the different denominations/traditions out there.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

God ordained me actually. I do not believe in denominations; I teach and whatnot all over the place! (And I do not like chocolate, of caffeine even. Water is fine!)

 

[Macrina]

God ordained me actually. I do not believe in denominations; I teach and whatnot all over the place! (And I do not like chocolate, of caffeine even. Water is fine!)

okay, here's a glass of water. I also have cranberry juice.

I actually can't have caffeine, either, so I understand.

Well, it is true that only God ordains, not the church. But I think that church recognition and support of one's ministerial gifts is also important, because we are collectively members of the body.

I'll try rephrasing my question -- the contexts in which you work, what types of churches/schools/organizations do they tend to be? A title like "bishop" indicates some kind of organizational structure.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Well, in theology I have taught at quite a few churches where I am now, and corrected some international speakers, etc. I have also done work in non-theological fields.

Bishop is a title given in the Bible according the the Kingdom's structure as prescribed by the apostles.

 

[Macrina]

so... do you have a regular community in which you worship and work? a "home base" for your ministry, if you will?

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Antarctica is going to be base camp. Right now I'm doing studies in Colorado Springs, and I go around the area as well as to Denver. I do have a few regular churches that I help with, though.

 

[Macrina]

Ah, Colorado. I'm afraid my experience with that state is limited to the Denver airport. What school are you at?

I'm curious to hear what your main congregation(s) is/are like because there are such a variety out there... the one I am at is a very small congregation, in a rural area, with many elderly members. Even though the church isn't real high-energy right now, I can sense that God is doing a good work here, and I'm so excited to be a part of it.

Right now, I'm seeking to discern what's God's will is for this particular congregation. These folks have a real heart for community service, and are also interested in evangelism -- although they don't really know where to start (common problem, methinks).

This is an area where there are a lot of churches, all very similar. Ours is slightly different in worship style -- we are more "high church" than the average southern congregation. The structure of the liturgy seems to be something that folks find particularly worshipful, and I have hopes that it might draw in people who wouldn't go to the other churches. I think we are also a place where people can ask intellectual questions without being frowned upon. I think each congregation has its own ways to reach out to the lost, and I'm still learning what that will look like for this congregation. But I have hopes that good things will happen -- and a couple of people have started to come to worship who didn't come before, so I take that as a positive sign.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

I am in High School actually

I consider my main congregation to be Antarcticae Ecclesia Christi. Anabaptist/Nazarene/Charismatic/Episcopalian/Fundamental/Liberal mix. Liturgies used, as well as prepared sermons. Scripture first, but tradition is important. Structure is important, but liberty should be given on what is not specifically mentioned, etc.

 

[Macrina]

that's quite a mix!

yes, I should have realized from your age that you'd be in high school... but you never know, I have known a couple people who were in college at your age, and you seem non-traditional in some other ways. (in a good way, I mean)

How is school treating you? What are your classes like? Are you in any activities there?

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Boring actually. Physics, Pre-Calc are far to easy. Lot's of slower kids in the "Honors" classes. And yes, I am in some activities. Leader of MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement), I work with the teachers to tutor kids after school, a member of NHS (National Honors Society), etc. As I said, it's not really something I enjoy doing for the most part; a lot of the time I could use to be saving others from death is spent doing nothing in a class period.

 

[Macrina]

*pats Bizzle on the shoulder*

I understand. High school was terribly slow for me, too. Too often, they cater to the lowest common (intellectual) denominator and the more advanced students just tune out...

but hang in there. I know it sounds trite, but it does get better. In college, seminary, and divinity school, I encountered challenges aplenty, and I'm sure you will, too.

And believe it or not, the time you spend developing yourself academically, personally, and socially will contribute to your ministry. My (unsolicited) advice is to be intentional about developing yourself as a whole person, because that will help you to reach out to others.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Quite so. I do a lot of physics work in my time off. Working on a plasma reactor right now actually

Was seminary helpful at all? I am thinking of going, but I do not know if I will learn much. I guess what I am saying is, do you think it's worth it?

 

[Macrina]

Yes, I think it is worth it to go to seminary. That is different than saying that they know everything there, and I am not saying that your faith or gifting is lacking if you don't go... but I think it is valuable preparation. For one thing, it really will expose you to different aspects of study that are helpful. I found my courses in history and language to be very useful in interpreting the Bible. Also, taking Bible or church history courses with other students opens a great door for discussion -- you can learn a great deal from your classmates. And even in those circumstances where you disagree -- I had that issue at divinity school -- it is still helpful to know what's "out there" in the world of academic theology, because these things affect the church and it is important to know what people are being taught.

I am also hugely in favor of a solid liberal arts education. It helps you grow in ways that are difficult to explain, but will make you a more effective, articulate person, and help you to develop the skills to tackle biblical/theological studies more thoroughly.

 

[Macrina]

PS -- when I said you learn a lot from seminary classmates, that goes for "academic" topics as well as "practical" ones. Some of the most fruitful courses I have had have been ones where I was able to discuss the theory with others in ministry and we could all share our challenges and ways of applying what we were learning.