Senior Pastor's Note
July 29, 2010
Five Smooth Stones of Ministry
Each week, I am usually in the middle of reading two to three books at a time. One book is for fun, probably a novel, autobiography or a work of history or politics. The value of such works are minimal except that they entertain and keep my mind off of other things.
I also spend a great deal of time with books devoted to deepening your personal spiritual walk. I love authors such as Brennan Manning, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, Frances Chan and N.T. Wright.
But, invariably, I am always reading at least one book about leadership and about developing a 21st century church using a 1st Century Model. And, each week, I make a list of sayings, phrases or comments that impress, challenge, confound or push me and, I hope, will push the church.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have marked three "sayings" or "principles" that not only caught my eye but pricked my soul, both as a leader in the Church at large but also for GBUMC in particular.
Here are these principles… (read more)
First, If we are to reach people no one else is reaching, we must do things no one else is doing. Craig Groeschel used this phrase in a leadership talk he shared several years ago and it is now part of one of his books.
It is estimated that of the 430,000 people in the Pensacola/Escambia/Santa Rosa County Metro Region, 280,000 of them do not attend church anywhere. Think about that number for a minute. As many people as we have attending one of our three campuses on Sunday morning, we would need 120 more Gulf Breeze UMCs in order to meet the needs of those new believers. But, even more profound, why, with so many churches in this area, do over half of our population choose simply not to go.
Maybe it is because these 280,000 are tired of the "old ways" that churches connect to them and try to make faith relevant for them. That is not to say that traditional churches don't have a place, but it does speak to the need for churches to be open for reaching as many people from as many places in as many ways as possible.
Even more important, each of the 280,000 represent more than a number. They are our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, best friends, roommates, etc.
From this point on, we will post a "Reach Wall" at the Fairpoint Campus that will have a picture which represents 10,000 of these persons. That would be 28 photos to remind us of how far we have before our job is finished.
Second, The Ideas for reaching the next generation will not come from the previous generation. My dear friend and Pastor of the highly successful Orchard UMC, Bryan Collier, uses this statement to remind his staff and leaders that the next generation has moved beyond our "capacity" to impress and persuade. Our only task is to provide an environment where the right staff, idea catchers and dream captains can build a place where each generation feels comfortable and excited.
But, that means the youngest generation is not, for the most part (and there are exceptions to everything) going to worship the way we do at 8am and 11am on Sunday at Fairpoint. Maybe not even the way we worship at 9:30am at Fairpoint or at 9am and 10:30am at Soundside.
No, worship is always changing because generations change. Does the message change? Absolutely not! But, the vehicles for reaching our younger crowd must develop and evolve into their own indigenous language, means of grace, and methods.
Over the next five years, GBUMC will commit itself to being a NEXTus Church, whereby we provide the most cutting edge worship, community, fellowship and learning available. And, we plan to grow larger by growing smaller, offering more and more worship styles in more worship settings with more worship sites than ever dreamed possible.
And... by the way.... when we do that, we will also be taking care of the first principle, too.
Finally, When our memories exceed our dreams, we are headed for death. We don't dream enough. Sure, we are in the visioning process and it is going very well (Great Job George and Greg!!!!) but we are talking about DREAMING!!!!!! The kind that wakes you from a deep sleep and causes you to stay up wondering what you can do to make it work.
This church is filled with great memories, but our memories, at times, exceed our dreams and it leaves us feeling old, tired and out of touch.
My wife's little 85 year-old grandmother loves to run down memory lane from time to time, but, as she puts it, she wouldn't want to live there. She wants to be where our girls are, where the action is, and where things are making a difference. Even at 85, her memories do not exceed her dreams. Do yours?
You know... I have spent a lot of time over the last 14 months feeling bad that I wasn't what some of you wanted, expected or really felt you needed as a pastor, because I didn't (or haven't) fit the mold or model of pastors gone by. I've tried, but it simply won't work. I am just not cut from that mold. Don't get me wrong, it is a great mold, just not mine.
But, truthfully, the problem is that no one will fit that mold. No one... In the process of trying to work the mold as we once saw it, we allow our memories to exceed our dreams. GBUMC deserves better than that. The legacy we so cherish deserves better than that. Our children and future generations deserve better than that.
Jesus says you can't do anything about the past, no matter how much you lament its loss. And, you can't do anything about tomorrow, for it will have enough worries of its own. But, today you can DREAM! And, best of all, we can dream together!
Paul says it this way, "Forgetting what is behind and straining for what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for Christ."
Friends, I want to hear your dreams. That is where the action is. And, the process of doing it together is where God's harmony can be heard.
And, so, in these three sayings we find our church, what God is working in our future and how we are to approach the challenge of making it so. But, along the way, we also get to have some fun, sing some praises, be amazed and in awe of His grace and love, and to wrap ourselves so tightly around each other, that folks will never mistake our affection for our church, for brothers and sisters, and for our God.
I love you all and pray for you daily. Please do the same for me.
Be Salt and Light... You Matter!
July 22, 2010
Leadership Summit
As you know, the 2010 Leadership Summit is fast approaching. Gulf Breeze UMC has had the privilege of hosting the Summit as a satellite site now for many years. It is always a blessing to not only participate in the life of each year’s Summit but to see how God continues to expand the conversation of leadership for us, our congregation and for sister congregations throughout the area.
Each year’s line up is always outstanding. In fact, every Summit, we believe that “this year” is the best the selection of speakers, topics and themes has ever been… Until the “next year”.
And, this 2010 Leadership Summit is no different. The scheduled speakers are not just tops in their fields; they are “revolutionary” in their thinking, skills and accomplishments. From the “old standards” of Bill Hybels and Andy Stanley (two of the country’s most innovative pastors) to business legends Jack Welch (General Electric) and Terri Kelly (Gore Company) to innovators and motivators Tony Dungy (NFL Coach and Author) and Jim Collins (Author, Good to Great), this year’s Summit is beyond anything we have experienced in the past.
And… that is saying ‘something’!
Please don’t miss this exciting time of reflection, reformation and redefining of what God is calling in you, your family, your staff and/or your organization.
The Summit begins on Thursday, August 5th from 9am to 5pm, and continues with the same schedule on Friday.
CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER AND ENTER PRIORITY CODE TEAM2010LS TO RECEIVE THE CHURCH PRICE.
If you have any questions or need any help please contact the church office.
Again, friends, this event is too important for you to miss. Whether it is leading a company, a church, a serving team, a Sunday School class, a small group, a men’s or women’s coffee, your family, your children or just your journey… the Leadership Summit is for you!
Allow me to pray for you and for us that God will bless this event:
Gracious God, we thank you for the opportunity to come together in an event such as the Leadership Summit, to hear these wonderful speakers, to be together in fellowship and to spend time considering how you want us to live deeper, richer and better in Your Will. Bless us, Father. Remove the obstacles and the excuses that keep us from registering and that will keep us from experiencing what You will say to us during these days. And, Father, we pray especially for those who will attend this Summit with NO IDEA of what they are doing there, but, yet, will experience a life changing moment with You. What a joy, what blessing, what a privilege it is to be a part of something so much in Your heart.
We love you, and we thank you.
Amen.
Thanks, my friends. I look forward to seeing you at the Summit.
Be Salt and Light… You Matter!
Shane
July 8, 2010
Extravagance in Plain Sight
(An Excerpt from the new book, "Prayers for the Gulf" with Prayers by Shane Stanford and Artwork by Anthony Thaxton.)
In 2007, the Washington Post newspaper organized a social experiment in the thoroughfares of the Washington Metro Subway System. Their goal was to assess whether people would respond to exceptional beauty set outside its normal context.
The plan worked like this...
A young violinist set up in one of the metro station stops and spent the next several hours playing for the daily travelers. At one point, the musician provided a 45 minute presentation using several exquisite pieces from such composers as Bach.
Over the course of his time in the metro station, nearly 2,000 people passed by the young violinist. Of that number, only six stopped to dialog with the man. Four of them were children, who were eventually pulled away by their rushed parents.
Though he did nothing more than open his violin case and place a sign that donations were accepted, the man received $32 dollars over the hours he played. For most people, this young man's impromptu concert was unrecognized if not unexceptional as they quickly moved on to their destinations.
How little they really knew...
The young man in question was actually Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. The night before, Mr. Bell had performed to a sold out audience at a large music hall in Boston where tickets went for well over $100 apiece.
The violin on which he played was one of the most expensive instruments in the world, valued at over $3.5 million. And, the pieces of music Mr. Bell shared were some of classical music's most complex and some of the world's most beautiful.
If people had only known...
But, does knowing the exquisite nature of something mean that it is worth more than in its simplest form? Mr. Bell would say "no" and so would those few who, though they had no idea who was in front of them, recognized that something extravagant was in plain sight.
Think of Creation.
Does a shoreline filled with beautifully adorned resorts and tourist areas seem more beautiful than an untouched stretch of natural coastline. Of course not. In fact, the opposite is most likely true. With all of the tools humanity uses to shape and decorate nature, it is nature itself that is the most extravagant... the greatest wonder.
And, best of all, it sits right in front of us. It is present every morning and every evening for us to enjoy. It’s a gift of God that we should never take for granted.
The busy life often keeps us from stopping to watch genius unfold. But, that is exactly what a sunrise or sunset becomes-- a brilliant cosmic work of art by the universe's greatest artist.
Our hope is that you will not pass by extravagance in plain sight while making the journey of life. You will not only be blessed for stopping, but you become part of the scene, part of the masterpiece.
And, so, we mourn our many wounds to nature. But, we should not miss the opportunity to make those wounds sources of healing and wholeness as we learn from our fragile nature and restore creation together. The music of Creation matters, and everyone plays a part.
Be Salt and Light... You Matter! (Matthew 5: 13-16)
Blessings,
Shane
June 24, 2010
Are you part of a DLT Group? You may be surprised…
The early church formed in small groups, not large religious communities. In fact, as one reads Acts 2: 42-47, we learn that most early Christians experienced faith in home/cell groups that focused more on fellowship and study than corporate worship. Certainly, corporate worship was incredibly important, but the real essence of the Church was in connecting together in these groups and then “doing life together”.
The Bible says that these first Christian communities served together, ministered to the poor and those in need together. They joined in sharing their resources, together. And, they faced the good and bad times of life… together. It is a beautiful picture.
Corporate worship is a mighty expression of God’s presence in our faith community. But, it is the act of “doing life together” where that presence becomes personal.
Over the next weeks, you will hear more information about GBUMC’s Doing Life Together groups. These groups (DLTs) are Biblical functioning, Christ-centered groups that allow people to connect in community, study, service and prayer.
Many of you are already involved in a DLT group, though you may not have known the name. Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, serving teams, etc., have the form and identity of what it means to “know and be known” as members of a small group.
DLT groups are a way for GBUMC to focus on the importance of Biblical community and fellowship while also providing Bible study, care, serving, and prayer.
Our hope is that every person at GBUMC will be involved in some DLT experience, either by joining an existing group or by helping facilitate the start of a new group.
For those of you interested in starting and/or facilitating a new group, please contact Kathy Norberg. GBUMC will provide guidance, training and evaluation of our DLT ministry.
What is a DLT (Doing Life Together) group?
A DLT group is an intentional small group gathering of couples and/or individuals who covenant to live out the values of Acts 2: 42-47 on a consistent basis—
Meet on a regular basis (regular is defined by the group) for: Prayer Study Fellowship Service
Agree that they will attend worship at a local church on a regular basis
Agree that they will give of their resources, time and gifts on a regular basis
Agree that they will take communion together at least twice per year and share in the “holy” moments of the group’s members including baptisms, weddings, etc.
Agree that they will “care” for one another through life’s twists and turns “as they go” about their own journeys.
For more information, contact Kathy Norberg.
June 17, 2010
Dear Friends and Family of the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church,
Sadly, our community is facing the terrible man made disaster of the oil spill, while at the same time realizing that June marks the beginning of “hurricane season” that runs from June through November, with a peak in September. We want to make sure that our community is informed and prepared for dealing with the possibility of another hurricane. We have come a long way since Hurricane Ivan, and the pain and experience of dealing with nature’s destructive forces has improved our practice and preparation as individuals, community, and family of faith.
As the disaster response coordinating pastor, I have met with some of our most experienced leaders in our church and community to help make sure that we are as ready as possible to responsibly respond, coordinate, and dispatch assistance in the event of a hurricane. Our team has made some notes to assist and guide you in the event of an impending hurricane.
Review your homeowner’s insurance policy and make any necessary adjustments (Once a storm is named in the Gulf of Mexico, you most likely won’t be able to make any adjustments in your policy, so handle this before a storm is brewing.)
· Take care of your home and family first!
o Stock up on enough water and non-perishable food for 7 days.
o Board up windows or put up shutters
o Plan for your pets
o Test personal generators
o Test and run chainsaws, lanterns, portable stoves, and other tools
Review your homeowner’s insurance policy and make any necessary adjustments (Once a storm is named in the Gulf of Mexico, you most likely won’t be able to make any adjustments in your policy, so handle this before a storm is brewing.)
· Help you neighbor!
· Our church responsibilities following a hurricane.
o GBUMC provides childcare for emergency workers
o GBUMC provides meals for emergency workers
o GBUMC dispatches work teams in coordination with other Methodist churches and community groups
o GBUMC reaches out with God’s love, hospitality and hope...even after hurricanes and oil spills!
· Special Notes:
o No ice or water will be provided as in years past. Wal-Mart and Publix are prepared to pen as soon after the storm has passed as possible.
In the event of a damaging hurricane, you are encouraged to volunteer to help as soon as possible, but we also invite you to consider now, how you would like to serve following a hurricane. Please e-mail jkale@gbumc.org to let me know where you would like to serve in helping our disaster response.
Lastly, we are planning a disaster response team meeting on June 21st at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of our Fairpoint Campus. You are welcome to attend. The conversation will revolve around 3 topics: the oil spill clean up effort, hurricane preparedness, and The Good Neighbor Network.
It is a great honor to serve in a community that has shown its true colors during the aftermath of Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. I pray we don’t experience another such tragedy of that magnitude, but working together through Christ, we can withstand all things.
Jack
W@W Pastor
June 10, 2010
This week, I attended my first Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference. Except for the setting and a different cast of characters, it looked like so many other of the Annual Conferences I have attended. In many ways, that was comforting.
Our connection, with all of its many struggles, possesses a unique set of advantages that we should never take for granted. From Gulf Breeze to the world, we are connected…
We are connected by opportunity. The United Methodist Church has both the theology and structure for reaching into an ever-changing faith environment. Cultures, styles, interests are changing at lightening speed. But, the UMC has been working in diverse settings for over two centuries, reaching pragmatically to every corner of the globe. Whether the world is round or flat… the UMC is there.
We are connected by mission. The United Methodist Church is one of the first agencies responding to natural disasters. But, we are also there when the focus is off, and the news media have moved on. The UMC works in more areas of the world; teaching and reaching those most vulnerable, than any other mainline denomination. We are truly a global church in local places.
We are connected by faith. The United Methodist Church professes an orthodox statement of faith that allows for various and diverse opinions but always points toward God’s great gift in Jesus. We may not agree on all of the “surrounding issues” but we coalesce around the essentials—A God who loves us enough to give His son that we might be changed… We believe in the Trinity, the universal church, the fellowship of believers, hope for those in need, and the return of Christ to restore and redeem all that we know.
There is old saying that “The sun never sets on the British Empire”. Of course, this was describing an age long gone. But, the same is true, even today, of the United Methodist Church. Although, unfortunately, the UMC is losing members in the USA, we are growing by leaps and bounds around the world. The sun never sets on our church because the church never rests in pursuit of sharing God’s love, proclaiming Good News, and being the ‘hands and feet’ of Jesus.
And, so, it was both different and familiar to attend Annual Conference this year. There is much to learn and discover about my new “connectional home”, but there is also much that fits perfectly into what I have always celebrated about being a United Methodist. Our connection is our strength and our hope, not because of the structure or even the theological standards, but because our connection models the connection we have with Christ, and, through Christ, the Father.
So, as you say your prayers today, thank God for all that being a United Methodist means, and know that at that very moment, somewhere in the world, someone’s life is being touched, changed or made better because of this connection.
Be Salt and Light… You matter. Blessings, Shane
Other Notes:
---The Youth Minister Search Committee begins interviewing candidates this week. At present, we have several wonderful candidates who will be interviewed. The Youth Search Committee, led by Susan Story and Earle McAuleye, covet your prayers and support in the selection of this incredibly important position.
---We begin a new sermon series entitled, “Proxy: Living by Someone Else’s Standards”. This week we discuss David and Goliath. What happens when a shepherd boy takes on the gear of a warrior king? What can we learn about using the gifts that God has given to us?
----Be sure to check out the sermon blog at www.gbumc.org. Also, you are invited to connect to our GBUMC Facebook page.
---This week is our C3 camp at GBUMC. Please pray for this wonderful gathering, the staff and the volunteers that will minister to hundreds of kids from our community.
--- Many of you have asked about our response to the Oil Spill Crisis. Members of the Compassion Team and also our Worship @ the Water campus are coordinating opportunities to respond. However, our ability to respond is limited by safety concerns and procedures established by both BP and government officials. There will be a training on Monday, June 21 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall of the Fairpoint Campus for all disaster response volunteers including oil crisis and hurricane response. The Good Neighbor Network will present plans already in place.
---As Hurricane Season is upon, a Disaster Response Plan from GBUMC is available for the public. We encourage you to pick up a copy of the plan. If a natural disaster were to occur, GBUMC is poised and ready to respond to the needs of our community. Contact Jack Kale for more information.
---GBUMC is involved in two strategic planning processes. Greg Strader and members of the Visioning Committee continue to evaluate and plan for the future of our congregation’s mission and vision. Lee Brown, George Williams, and members of the Board of Trustees are evaluating our physical plant and campus needs for the next years. Please pray for God’s guidance. We are making great strides and God has amazing things in store.