One foot in, one foot out

This past week has been an emotional roller coaster for my family and myself. Sunday the 24^th, our move was announced to the two congregations. The shock, disbelief, and deep sadness that was expressed seemed to be overwhelming. At one church, my four-year old daughter leaned over to my wife and said, “Mommy, why aren’t they happy for us?”

This next month will likely be one of my most trying in ministry, as my family and I balance between old and new, that which is coming to an end and that which is about to begin. The process is not made any easier by the normal weekly grind, the pre-charge conference meetings, or the concerns of packing for the move.

I received an informational packet from my new SPRC chairperson, which I would really like to look over in greater detail. However, I have not yet let myself focus too much on the future until I have dealt with the “here-and-now.”

On one hand, I want to be learning more about where we are going. On the other hand, I am torn by having to leave the area and people that we have served over the past several years. This tearing away is made all the more difficult by the fact that the people here have made us feel like family.

It’s hard to be a “lame duck” pastor, but there’s also something empowering about it. The people know I won’t be here in a few weeks, but I feel freer than ever before to preach the Word without compromise, to speak boldly that which they most need to hear.

So here I am, with one foot in, one foot out. I hope to take some time the last week and really focus forward. Until then I am just plugging away in the midst of the growing stacks of cardboard, looking forward to the change to come.

(My thanks to Pastor Dave for this post's title. As I thought about your blog, it just seemed appropriate!)

Changing Perspective

It's been a busy two weeks. Monday morning (9/11) I was awakened by a ringing phone. It was my district superintendent, informing me that I would be receiving a call from another ds, to discuss a change of appointment. When the call came, we still had no idea where we might be moved to.

The next day, I had breakfast with that ds, and learned that I would be interviewing Sunday afternoon at a single-point charge (Hallelujah!!) :)

Sunday went well, and we are now anticipating a move that will be effective November 1. I would covet your prayers both for our new church and for our current churches. The last two weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster. The SPRC met Tuesday to begin the process of profiling for a new pastor, and the move was announced to the churches this morning (9/24).

I had considered whether or not I would continue this blog, but after some discussion with my wife and a few pastor friends, I will be. My new church is still in the area designated as Appalachian Ohio, and though the specific issues will change, the overall focus of the blog can continue. Maybe the fresh perspective will help bring more clarity to the issues.

I am starting to be surrounded by cardboard boxes and plastic totes, so it may be into November before I begin to post again on a regular basis. Just check in occasionally between now and then, as I may find a few spare minutes to throw on something.

Peace,

Pastor Tom.

Six Signs of a People in Exile

A couple of years ago, Rev. Chip Freed spoke at the East Ohio Annual Conference. In his message, he shared what Walter Brueggemann calls the six signs of a people in exile. Chip pointed out that while we don't think of ourselves as an exiled people, the list fits pretty well.

1. a community of sadness over what used to be.

2. the loss of the old family home place.

3. a keen awareness of the power of despair. We ask, "does our effort make any difference?"

4. the absence of God. If the temple = God's presence, and if the temple is far away, then we are far away from God's presence.

5. the "Blame Game" -- finger pointing to find out who's at fault.

6. an intense preoccupation with self and self-concerns.

The feelings of the exiles are summed up in the first couple of verses of Psalms 137. In a lot of churches today, we find that these same six characteristics fit. We are a people in exile, longing for our eternal home.

Poverty spreads in Ohio

We’ve known it is happening for some time, but seeing it in black and white on the front page of the newspaper is still a bit disconcerting. Ohio’s economic indicators are poor and getting worse. The article reflects this trend through the lens of a Salvation Army Officer, Maj. David Hathorn.

Marietta Times reporter Connie Cartmell writes, “The apparent local downturn comes in the wake of a report from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Survey and the American Community Survey that puts Ohio among states with the highest rates of poverty and lowest household income. Ohio is losing manufacturing jobs, adding low-paying service-related jobs, and steadily falling behind, a recent report shows.”

“From what I have read of this U.S. Census Bureau study, there is nothing specific about areas, such as southeastern Ohio,” said Jon Allen, deputy director for communications with Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. “There are a lot of economic factors that complicate this picture. Fewer jobs is one.”

While some look to the politicial races in 2008 to bring about a regional seachange, the somber reality is that the only way things will change is if we change. The current trends indicate that we are not yet ready to change.