Re-reading

I know it must sound dorky to admit that I'm already wanting to re-read some of the textbooks I used in seminary. But, I have to say with all the responsiblity I've seemingly been given recently, I know I can use all the help I can get.

One of my favorite professors from Duke was Dr. Bill Quick. I took two classes with him, Church Leadership and Administration and Church Stewardship and Finance. One of the things I admired about him the most about him was that even after over 40 years in the ministry he still loved being a pastor. His glowing love of the church made me want to love it like him.

While in his class we read the book, Leading the Congregation: Caring for Yourself While Serving the People by Norman Shawchuck and Roger Heuser (a text I highly recommend for clergy by the way). I remember Dr. Quick driving these passages home on several occassions. But, even more so now, I see what he was trying to teach us in these readings:

Leadership and mangement can hardly be separated; yet, they are not the same. Broadly speaking leadership is seeing to it that the right things are done; manegement, on the other hand, is concerned about doing the things the right way. . . . Leadership and management must both be included as valued contributions within an organization. . . . A problem in many congregations, especially those in decline, is that they are overmanged and underled.

I point to this passage because I see how true it is. As pastors we are both shepherds keeping the flock together and trailblasers who point to the possiblities of the future. Yet, living in this tension is hard, especially for new ministers. I am in the process of getting to know my people and gaining their trust. While I do this, I want to honor the culture and traditions of my congregation. But at the same time I also do not want to be a minister who allows the church to fall into the traditions of what has always been. I want them to try new things. I want the gospel to take root in this place in even more creative ways. I want others to recognize their gifts and take ownership of this ministry.

I'll let you know how it goes . . . who said being a leader was easy?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

If you know me well, you realize that Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the idea of families and friends coming together and sharing a common meal of thanks. I love the family traditions that are associated for me with the day. The friends of mine who have been subjected to my collection of Thanksgiving videos know some of these traditions far too well. And, I love all the great food served, of course (which includes ice cream turkeys from Baskin Robins).

I am so glad that I get to spend Thanksgiving with my family again this year in Florida! It is the only time of year that I often see some of my uncles, aunts and cousins on my mother's side of the family. I'm glad my new work schedule allowed for some time off to be with them.

Although Thanksgiving is not an offical religious holiday, I feel like it is for it is a wonderful time of the year to take stock of one's blessings and thank God for evidence of grace in your life over the last year. We did this activity last night at church. I was leading in the service and didn't have time to write down very much. So, here is my list: this year, I am very thankful for . . .

• My family and their health and happiness
• Friends and a boyfriend who have stood by me through all the transitions of this year and love me even still
• Being a part of such a dynamic, international city
• Church families old and new
• The fact that after a long struggle I was ordained at Calvary Baptist Church in DC several weeks ago
• The opportunity to serve as a pastor at a diverse and open minded Baptist community of faith
• My spacious new home and the opportunity to get to share it with others
• And all the little things that make life in Elizabeth world happy: means of communication like email, Gilmore Girls, road trips to visit dear friends, Diet Coke, rides on the Metro, movies that make me loaf on the couch for awhile, and my new obsession with Direct TV.

What about you?

Much to Learn

I already knew that seminary would not teach me everything that I would have to know about being a pastor. But, I’m already wishing there are things that I wish I knew more about . . . like budget planning.

This week I’ve been charged with the task of putting my two-cents in to the Finance committee about what kind of money I’ll need to carry out my vision of education and youth ministry in 2007. What an overwhelming task. How many thousand dollars does it really take to get a group of kids to camp? I’m not sure, especially since we are still in the process of deciding where we are going. And, how much money does it take to “develop education leaders?” Or, do “general outreach?”

I know the list of “what I wished I learned in seminary” will grow exponentially over the next year. But, I am very glad to be a place full of helpful colleagues who can help answer my thousand questions. I know with their support, I may still feel overwhelmed but answers are in sight! It is a learning experience here every day.

And the Party Began...

It was the weekend of my first youth event at FBC-Gaithersburg. It was a marathon of sorts as we were together Friday night through Sunday morning for a "Disciple Now" event. (Does this bring back memories for any of you raised in the South?) It was a wonderful weekend thanks to all the many youth parents and other volunteers who helped things run smoothly. They made my job easy. I've attached some photos above and below from our Saturday night bonfire. If you want to see more, check out the following link to u-tube.

I look forward to getting to know these students better each week. I think they are a great group of kids and I can't wait to see where the journey together takes us.

Ordination Pictures

I was ordained to the gospel ministry on Saturday. Wow!

These are my Baptist sisters from Duke! They say I look like the jolly green giant in the middle of them. What do you think?
My good friend, Debbie from my first church placement in NC. Her husband, Tim and daughter, Alaina played in the service. I was so honored to have them with play. They brought the love of New Sharon UMC with them!

My fellow pastor friends who prayed, read scripture and charged me to remain faithful to my pastoral calling.
The laying on of hands...
The "my face" cake that Kevin surprized me with.
My sister, Emily, Mom, cousin, Ellis, and Uncle George. It was so great to have family present with me on such a special day. Uncle George was such a surprize. I loved having him there along with my parents and sister as well.
The Duke Women! Everyone in this group is a pastor!! The church is in good hands with each of them. I was blessed to have them with me at the service. Yet, I miss their daily presence in my life as we are serving all across the country now.