Dave's Dibble

Generation Gaps

2012-02-13T14:31:00.000-09:00

Last week at the Professional Church Worker's Retreat we heard generations expert, Amy Lynch, talk about how generational differences affect how we do church. It was eye-opening for all of us as we began to understand, for example, why young people of the Millennial generation are not coming to our churches. Rather than label a generation as being "lazy" or "old-fashioned" we learned to appreciate the forces that have shaped each generation.

I suggest our preachers consider holding a Generations Sunday where we all would address the topic in a sermon and find creative ways to get our generations to understand one another. What if some churches invited Millennials who don't go to the church come and help us understand why they don't? What if Baby Boomers talked about their optimism and understanding of endless youth?

The most important learning I received was that we need to eliminate the labeling and blaming across generations. We need to appreciate the gifts of each as we strive to include all people in the work of God in the Church of Christ.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Reasons for the Ruts

2012-02-07T09:58:00.000-09:00

Last Sunday I shared with Anchor Park UMC in a sermon the reasons why the distance between our railroad tracks is four feet, eight and one half inches. The reason the rail distance is this odd number is because that's the way they built them in England, and American railroads were built by British expatriates. Why did the English adopt that particular gauge? Because the people who built the pre-railroad tramways used that gauge. They in turn were locked into that gauge because the people who built tramways used the same standards and tools they had used for building wagons, which were set on a gauge of four feet, eight-and-one-half inches. Why were wagons built to that scale? Because with any other size, the wheels did not match the old wheel ruts on the roads. You see where this is going, don’t you?

So who built these old rutted roads? The first long-distance highways in Europe were built by Imperial Rome for the benefit of their legions. The roads have been in use ever since. The ruts were first made by Roman war chariots. Four feet, eight-and-one-half inches was the width a chariot needed to be to accommodate the rear ends of two war horses.

Someone has said that the seven last words of the church are: “That’s the way we’ve always done it.” Perhaps you are the kind of person who dislikes this attitude. Such an attitude stifles creativity and ingenuity. It conjures images of stuffy people who wouldn’t change their routine if their lives depended on it. We need to understand and appreciate our history so we can understand the ruts that keep us on a certain road.

But we also need to step out of the old ruts so we can forge a new path, one that will put us in touch with people where they are. We need to be on a path that stretches and challenges us and moves us out of our comfort zones. We need to be on a path where the Spirit of God guides us, not the old ruts!

Old ruts. It can feel comfortable to know where we going, or rather, where we are NOT going. In this age of change the Church needs to cultivate a culture of experimentation. Try new things. Take some risks. The Church can not afford to be on the tail end of a cultural shift. We need to be at the forefront. We need to get our wagons out of the ruts!

Grace and peace,

Dave

Imagine No Malaria

2012-01-31T07:33:00.001-09:00

While at jurisdictional meetings in San Diego this week the western superintendents and bishops gathered to hear a presentation by Bishop Tom Bickerton about the next phase in our goal to elliminate malaria from the face of the earth. It is called IMAGINE NO MALARIA. You may remember our previous campaign called NOTHING BUT NET, which by the way is still active. This next phase is to raise $75 million.

Here's my question. Why don't we as the Alaska conference choose this as our missional emphasis for next year?

This is from their web site: So, how will we do it? How will we eliminate deaths from a disease that has killed so many millions of people for thousands of years? Imagine No Malaria helps us take the next step in this fight.

Think of it as Nets Plus. We continue to support Nothing But Nets, because bed nets are an effective tool against the disease. But, we’re doing more.

First and foremost, we work in full partnership with communities in Africa. Empowering people to be part of the solution. Providing the tools needed so they can fight malaria.
So here’s the plan: we’re gonna put 160 years of know-how and experience in Africa to work against malaria. This comprehensive approach is divided into four main parts:

Prevention: It’s about improving the ways people fight the disease locally. Using bed nets. Access to diagnostic tests and medicine. Draining standing water. Improving sanitation. Every person can take steps to prevent malaria deaths, from protective measures to taking swift action when malaria symptoms begin.Treatment: Improving infrastructure. There are literally hundreds of churches, schools, hospitals and clinics operated by The United Methodist Church in Africa, but what good are they if medicines to treat malaria aren’t available? We’ll make sure these facilities have the diagnostic tests and treatment needed to save lives.Education: It’s about outreach to those who need it most. Last year alone, we trained thousands of local people in African communities to teach their communities about avoiding malaria. In Sierra Leone, these workers went door-to-door to deliver bed nets, install them in homes and teach folks how to properly use and care for the nets.Communications: And finally, your support helps upgrade communications networks throughout the continent. Building new radio stations and providing hand-crank and solar-powered radios will ensure we are reaching great numbers of people with life-saving information about malaria.
What makes us so sure? We are putting in place a system of accountability. By establishing health boards in Africa, these groups will be held responsible for stewardship of your donation and results, putting funds to work with a plan that creates malaria programs that truly serve the needs of their local communities. Once established and trained, these boards will be eligible to receive a lot more funding from our partners, like The Global Fund, to Fight Malaria.

UM's came through with amazing support of Nothing But Nets. Let's gather our energy and resources to run this next leg!

Grace Always,
Dave

Garbled Speech

2012-01-20T19:10:00.000-09:00

Last Friday it was very cold in front of the federal courthouse in Anchorage. I was there to read a statement from my friend and Presbyterian executive, Rev. Dr. Curt Karns. It was a rally to highlight the unfairness of the recent Supreme Court decision that corporations deserve the same rights as individuals. This movement seeks to amend our Constitution to firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.

This is what Curt wrote and what I read at the rally. "The biblical witness is clear both in the prophets and in the words of Jesus that societies are to be based on justice, and that societies are judged by their commitment to justice. By granting civil and personal rights to corporations, the Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Board case has turned this biblical guidance on its head. Rather than viewing political and social decisions from the perspective of the poor, the weak and the downtrodden, decision will now be considered from the perspective of the most powerful corporations. The undersigned regional leaders, speaking on their own behalf and not their churches’, therefore endorse the formation of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, in which it will be clear that corporations are not persons with constitutional rights, and that money can be regulated for political spending.
Christians have always understood that any true justice is of God, the Creator of all that is, including Creator of justice. As such, whenever gross injustice appears in a society it is important for Christians to stand up and be counted among those who oppose that injustice."

I encourage Alaska's United Methodists to apply our Social Principles to this and other social situations and speak out to church and society. The funny thing as I began to speak at the rally after standing in -8 degree cold for 30 minutes was that my mouth literally could not speak! I think my mouth muscles were freezing. It felt like the dentist had just shot my mouth with novocain! There I was with community leaders and the media watching, and I could not speak! And what eventually came out was somewhat garbled.

I suspect there is a metaphor here for us as Christians. Our mouths often become frozen when it comes to speaking a prophetic word in the public square. The message of the Church is sometimes garbled and the message of God's desire for humanity fails to be understood. My prayer for us as a conference is that Christ's message will be refined by the fire of our passion to bring God's reign to our communities.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Issues That Will Not Let Us Sleep

2012-01-17T12:48:00.000-09:00

Last week I wrote about the sin of imprisoning children to be sex slaves around the world. I am asking for our UM churches in Alaska to keep this issue before our congregations.

Another issue Anchorage residents will face on the April ballot is an initiative designed to provide equal rights for all people regardless of sexual orientation. Currently, a lesbian can be fired for simply being homosexual. If a restaurant owner were to refuse to interview a straight waiter, that prospective employee would have no protection.

The One Anchorage Initiative simply provides to gay and transgender Alaskans the same legal protections that are provided to Anchorage residents in employment, financial practices, housing, restaurants, and other businesses.

What are the similar issues in your town? In the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr., what injustice can be seen through a God lens that demands prophetic voice and actions? Where does our resolve to do something come from? Not all UM's will feel the motivation to act on this issue in Anchorage. I get that. But as God's people we are called to look at life through a God lens. Sometimes that view calls us to prayer, or to donate money, or to learning more. But for some of us (and this means all of us at one time or other) it is a call to action.

I fully support this initiative in Anchorage and am working in concert with pastors to promote this issue. It is because of my faith that I am compelled to act and work for justice. And I encourage you to consider a justice issue in your community, one that may just move you to action.

Grace and peace,

Dave

Invitation to Prayer and Action

2012-01-09T15:23:00.002-09:00

Isn't it interesting how stories of human suffering come into our minds and hearts? We breathe a prayer and move on. But every now and then it seems that God grabs our attention and we find ourselves wanting to do more than pray.
Last Saturday I turned on the TV to look for a football game and locked onto an MSNBC special on how children are being forced to be sex slaves in Cambodia. They were doing a follow up on four girls whom they had rescued five years earlier. The transformation was astounding. These teenage girls proudly wore their school uniforms and talked about their future. One wanted to be a CEO. Another wanted to be a doctor. It was a testament to the power of healing love.
One California family of five saw the first special and were so moved that they sold everything and moved to Cambodia to provide a safe place for freed children to begin a new life. Talk about being grabbed by God!

After the special I went to my computer and sent out this email to all Alaska clergy and asked them to read it to their congregations in worship during the prayer time.

"Next Sunday is Human Relations Day which is part of the United Methodist Church's effort to support community ministries that teach and advocate for justice, especially among people struggling to survive in the margins of society. As your superintendent I am asking you to pray for the world's children trapped in a dark web of human sex trafficking. I am also asking for some of you to learn more about this evil so the light of God's love and justice can bring freedom and healing to children damaged and scarred."

Pastors, if people come forward willing to learn and educate your congregation about this issue please refer them to these web sites. Our UMW is working in this area as is General Board of Church and Society. They recommend churches and organizations learn more about becoming a Rescue and Restore Partner.

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=3631781&ct=3978355

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/

This issue has touched my heart and I encourage us all to shine God's light on this dreadful curse.

Grace and peace,

Dave

New Roles in 2012

2012-01-03T13:46:00.000-09:00

I have been fascinated with identity over the years and nearly finished a book on the subject 5 years ago. Specifically, I am interested in distinguishing between identities we choose and those that others choose for us.

Last Saturday, Dec. 31 I gained a new identity as a grandfather when Isabella Kay Smith was born. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say I received a title on that day. My identity as a grandfather is one I gladly choose and which will require my love and energy. I will make time in my life to think about her, pray for her, spend time with her, and get to know her. This is what it will mean for me to choose and nurture my new identity as a grandpa.

I wonder if this applies to our identities as Christ followers. Are we simply assuming this identity because we grew up in a Christian home? My guess is that a Christian identity for many is a default identity. We did not choose it to be our own, but was chosen for us. And because we did not feel empowered to fully choose it for ourselves we simply defaulted to what we were given.

What would our lives be like in 2012 if we consciously made a choice to take on the identity of Christ follower each day? What if we embarked on a journey to wrestle with the questions of life and faith for ourselves? My sense is that our spiritual, emotional, and physical lives would be much enriched if we choose each day to invest ourselves into a relationship with God in Jesus Christ. And in the process the world will be transformed.

From a happy grandpa,
Dave

Asking the Right Christmas Question

2011-12-19T14:01:00.000-09:00

Many years ago when I was the pastor of Soldotna UMC I was asked to come to Soldotna Middle School and read my stories about conflict to the students. It was an invitation I gladly accepted. In my other life I was a middle school teacher before becoming a pastor.

We were discussing one of the stories when one of the students shared the frustration she felt when her parents would ask her every day after school, “Well, how was school today?” The student felt that such a question was almost an invasion into her privacy.

Many of the other students echoed her feelings. But one young lady spoke out, “How would you like it if no one ever asked you how your day went? You guys should be grateful for what you have.” It was a powerful moment.

As a parent of four students I heard again the need for parents to ask good questions. Instead of “How was school today,” I have learned to ask, “What did you do in math class today?” or “What was the most fun thing you did today?”

It is the art of asking questions that many of us need to learn. Perhaps it applies in our relationship with God. For many the most basic question is “Do you believe in God?” I propose a more fundamental question. “God, do you love me?”

This is a question humanity needs to ask this Advent and Christmas. Sometimes we view God as distant and far off. Life is hard and we feel that God is a million miles away. At Christmas God answers our question with a baby in a manger, God’s own Self. He is Emmanuel, “God with us.”

“Do you believe in God?” is a question most of us ask from our minds. “God, do you love me?” is much more personal. It has to do with the deep places in our hearts.

This Christmas will once again answer this question with a resounding, “YES! I DO LOVE YOU!” The answer will be proclaimed from the heights of heaven to our earthly reality no matter how dark.

The pastors and laity of all our Alaska UM churches are in my thoughts and prayers this Christmas. And may the Christ Child be the answer to the question we are asking this year.

Grace Always,

Dave

Advent Is a Time to Wake Up

2011-12-05T14:43:00.000-09:00

Father Alfred Delp, a German priest who was imprisoned and executed by the Naziis in WW II wrote this from his prison cell. “Advent is a time for rousing. Human beings are shaken to the very depths, so that they may wake up to the truth of themselves. The primary condition for a fruitful and rewarding Advent is renunciation, surrender ... a shattering awakening; that is the necessary preliminary. Life begins only when the whole framework is shaken.”[1]

Advent can be a time for the framework of our lives to be shaken and stirred. It can be a time to be roused from sleep into wakefulness. If nothing in life has awakened us then we have a need to waken ourselves.
There are several tests out there that offer Christians a chance to show how much they really know about Christmas. It’s easy to get tripped up and think there were three wise men standing next to the manger, or that the Little Drummer Boy was there, too. But these tests are challenges of the details of the story, and do not speak to the spirit of it. Mastery of the facts isn’t what Christmas is about; the Advent season is one where the mystery of God’s love is opened to us as we progress toward Jesus’ birth.

That wonderful line of Kierkegaard comes to mind: “It is so much easier to become a Christian when you aren’t one than to become one when you assume you already are.” Advent is a time to shake loose of all the assumptions we make about Christmas, ourselves, the world, and the Christ child. When we assume we already are awake and alive to Christ we may discover that our soul has been asleep.

Grace Always,
Dave

[1] Alfred Delp, S.J., The Prison Meditations of Father Delp, 1960 MacMillan, p. 40.

Thanksgiving Connections

2011-11-29T12:00:00.001-09:00

Our family has a tradition of sharing thanksgivings as we sit down to a Thanksgiving feast. We also pass around a cup where each person gives some money which goes to help people in need. One year we bought restaurant gift cards and kept them in our cars to give to those on the street corners asking for help.

Last week we gathered the gifts but didn't know for sure where to give them. Then I had the chance to meet Pauline, from Cameroon, Africa, who was speaking Sunday at St. John. Pauline is the widow of a pastor with an amazing ministry to her neighbors. St. John has been sending teams there for the past several years.

Pauline wanted to thank me for supporting the mission efforts when I was pastor at St. John. She gave me a gift. A bottle of peanuts that she raised and harvested in her garden. It was an amazing gift of love...to imagine how she cared for these peanut plants and picked them when they were ripe. I want to keep them as a visible reminder of the love of a disciple of Jesus who is sowing seeds of God's love in a tough place on the planet.

God had shown me what to do with our Thanksgiving offering. When I gave it to Pauline with the hope that she would spend it on herself she was grateful and said it would be used to buy windows for her home. It was a special moment for me.

One of the ways we can recover our missional identity is to be intentional about creating similar experiences for our congregations. Yes, we will continue to send checks to food and shelter ministries. But we also need our people to be in relationship with the poor. Face to face. Hand to hand. Heart to heart.

I invite you to pray for Pauline and all of the dear saints of God working for good in the world. I also encourage you to pray for God to open a door for you to be a friend to someone in need. Consider going on a Volunteer In Mission trip. Pray about stirring your church to be in ministry with the poor.

Grace Always,
Dave

Changes on the Horizon

2011-11-14T09:02:00.000-09:00

Alaska lay and clergy will want to know about some changes to start in 2012. One is about the Advance which is how people give directly to mission projects in the United Methodist Church. Beginning in January we will have one Advance number (931027). We will still receive all donor documentation so we can send thank you notes and newsletters. And all funds given to a specific pastor or current project will be honored if we have the documentation which GBGM will send to our treasurer's office.

If a church has a general project Advance number it can be used for salary support. In other words these churches need to choose to use the single Alaska number or one of their general project numbers. This decision needs to be made soon. Just let me know.

Another change involves moving of missionary pastors to and from Alaska. Beginning in January, 2012, GBGM will no longer handle moving pastors and their families. They will give us the money although not at the actual costs and we will handle these moves. Hopefully, we can be more efficient with local control and contracting. We will need to examine GBGM's moving policies and create our own. For pastors returning to their home conferences we may need to ask for moving assistance from the receiving churches and/or conferences.

With any change in our system anxiety may be present. We are open to ideas on how to best communicate these changes. GBGM will send a letter to pastors, donors, and supporting churches. We could use our Fuze online meeting service to allow these changes to sink in. Mostly, let us hold fast to our Lord, his grace and the mission given to us all.

Dave

From Leap of Faith to Faith of Leap

2011-11-07T09:19:00.001-09:00

Ten Alaskan UM lay and clergy have embarked on a two year journey of faith and discovery. We are enrolled in the Academy for Missional Wisdom. The goal is that we would begin new missional faith communities.

In our first online course called Missional Imagination we are reading and writing about "Faith of Leap" by Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost. It is an attempt to write a theology of risk, adventure, and courage. It is about a life of faithfulness to God that includes risk, adventure, and courage. The temptation is, and this happens a lot in the Church, to settle into safety and security. When I was single I was fairly adventurous and courageous when it came to my faith. When I was married and our first child entered our lives it became easy to shift into safety and security mode.

I could spend a couple of blogs and sermons talking about how the Church has retreated from risk when it comes to being missional. According to the authors the main thing to recovering a missional identity is to create a sense of holy urgency. This connects with the business world and the authors cite John Kotter's book "Leading Change" with eight necessary steps for bringing significant and lasting change to an organization. The first and most important is to create a sense of urgency.

"The adventurous church thrives on a sense of holy urgency, and missional movements are built on it. Says Kotter, "If the sense of urgency is not high enough and complacency is not low enough, everything else that we seek to do will become much more difficult." p. 40. The authors go on to describe how to create holy urgency in Church.

Those of us in the Academy are looking for ways to share what we are learning. If you have a desire or a suggestion of how this interface can happen please let us know. We are: Cindy Roberts, Karen Martin-Tichenor, Robert Hicks, Sandra Wagenius, Jenny Smith, Eric Treider, Nelma Treider, Lonnie Brooks, Janice Carlton, and myself.

Grace Always,
Dave

Church Leadership Ideas

2011-10-31T13:39:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to "Leading Ideas" which comes as a free resource from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The first article by Reggie McNeal is "Fast Forwarding Your Church's Community Engagement." As we all rediscover what it means for our churches to missionally reengage with our communities this article is very helpful. Reggie reminds us that one in five Americans are sure about their belief in God but never attend church. So people are out there ready to be engaged about their faith. Click here for the link. http://bit.ly/tm8Opv

A second resource is about asking good questions. Author Debra Meyerson suggests some questions when fearing consequences of potential actions.

What might happen if you take this course of action?
What are the worst things that could happen?
Why are you afraid of these outcomes?
How bad would it be if feared outcomes materialize?

I offer these resources to you as Alaska lay and clergy leaders working to make disciples of Christ to change the world.

Grace Always,

Dave

Native Storytelling Event

2011-10-25T09:23:00.002-08:00

I believe that all human societies should make time to listen to the wisdom of people who lived for centuries in the land they now inhabit. To be sure our God speaks to us through the stories and experiences of people who have learned to live in harmony with creation.

Last Sunday Charlie Brower, an Inupiaq man from Barrow, whaling captain, retired engineer and businessman, member of St. John, and chair of our Native Ministries Committee, asked several native American leaders from the lower 48 to share their stories. About 100 children and adults gathered to listen and laugh as stories of native people were shared. We were reminded of the importance of names, of the meaning of a special dancing dress with patches from service in Iraq, and of brokenness and healing.

I want to share some photos and to encourage our churches to observe Native American Sunday this year. For resourcing go to http://www.umcgiving.org/site/c.qwL6KkNWLrH/b.3833863/

This video clip depicts an Alaskan flute played for the first time.

Grace Always,
Dave

Preparing the Way for God to Do a New Thing

2011-10-17T13:07:00.000-08:00

I am not a fan of musicals with one exception. I love "Godspell." I love the music, the acting, and the story. The opening song is called "Prepare Ye." Echoing the words of John the Baptist it proclaims softly and then builds with anticipation. Pre....pare ye the way of the Lord. Pre....pare ye the way of the Lord.

Alaska United Methodists are doing what we can to prepare the way for the Lord to do a new thing in our midst. We are refocusing on our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. When it comes to our structure we are discerning our way towards a more streamlined and nimble structure that will respond to the missional needs of the people in Alaska.

For example, we currently meet as conference leaders three times a year. We want the primary purpose of our gatherings to be on learning how to grow and make disciples rather than administration. So we are thinking of a Leadership Team or Table that would include 15 leaders from around the state. This group would wear many hats such as trustees, pension board, outdoor ministries, and acting on behalf of the annual conference. We would retain PMU and CFA and Nominations. Missional subgroups that reflect our core values could be Native Ministries, Congregational Revitalization, New Ministries, and Leadership Development. The goal is to create a structure that helps us redirect the flow of energy towards revitalizing our congregations who are effective in making disciples of Christ.

Bishop Hagiya is leading this task group. Members include Nora Ortiz Frederick, Lonnie Brooks, Leila Disburg, Luther Oconer, Charles Martindell, and Dave Beckett. We have reviewed the 61 survey respondents and are open to hearing from lay and clergy. We want to engage one another in a dialogue over the coming months with the plan of approving a new structure at annual conference next May.

Please look for communications coming to you via the E-Aurora, Aurora Witness, and the conference website.

Grace Always,

Dave

Party at Aldersgate

2011-10-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

Aldersgate UMC in Juneau celebrated 25 years as an active presence of God's grace in action in the Mendenhall Valley last weekend. I was there along with my wife, Kim. She had never been to Juneau and I asked her to go with me as a birthday gift. I also had not met Pastor Susan Boegli's husband, Ken, and daughter, Megan. I was not able to find Megan for this picture but here is Susan and Ken after worship.

Another highlight for us was to see Fred and Sharon Cooper. The Cooper's were instrumental in helping to launch Aldersgate back in the day. Sharon is a retired diaconal minister whose music ministry and contemplative prayer ministry blessed Alaska for many years. Fred is a retired Alaska state trooper who was the pilot for many of our governors. Here is a clip of Sharon's sermon on Sunday.

And for those with a long history in the Alaska conference who know and remember the Cooper's, here is a photo.

Happy 25th, Aldersgate UMC. You have a rich history and a blessed future if you stay focused on God and God's mission.

Grace Always,
Dave

Renovate Or Die by Bob Farr, Chapter 6

2011-09-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

The title is "Think Strategies, Not Programs." I resonate with Bob's opening sentences: "It is important to have a strategy to achieve your vision and mission. Most congregations are simply going along and are guided by the calendar of events."

Wow! I say this because I see many of our churches being guided more by the event calendar than anything else. When an event works we naturally want to do it again next year. A program calendar can easily become packed with successful events leaving little room for new initiatives. The question needs to be asked, "What criteria shall we apply to all of our church's events to determine whether or not they should be continued?"

Bob Farr writes that UM Churches do not need to spend time writing a mission statement. We have one which is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. "Our mission is clear; the only question is how your local church is going to carry it out." The answer to this is our vision. "Once you have your vision, make sure it is easily understood by all, and that it is obvious and strategic so that the congregation will support it by putting feet to it to make it so." (p. 51)

Farr believes that everything we do in our churches should be measured by whether or not it is achieving the mission. When talking about a church preschool he writes, "There's value in having weekday ministries for children, but you must ask if that value is in line with the overall mission of the church. Too many churches have lots of separate little ministries going on that are good but don't align with the mission. They may look like they are not hurting anything, but they take up needed time, space, and energy and thus lessen our ability to achieve the overall purpose of growing our church." (p. 53)

"A CHURCH IS NEVER FACED WITH THE CHOICE BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD. IT'S ALWAYS A CHOICE AMONG WHICH GOOD." (p. 54)

It has been my experience as a pastor and superintendent that we generally do not do a very good job of measuring our ministries by our missional purpose. We find it difficult to turn down a traditional event we've had every year for 30 years. We don't want to risk hurting others who value an event. But as Bishop Mike Lowry advised us at annual conference in Homer, "mission always trumps niceness."

I don't think this is a call to become less nice. Rather, it is a call to put mission first. The major issue for our leaders is to keep the mission and vision of the church before our congregations. Farr's words are a helpful challenge to us all as we seek to be faithful to the mission God is giving us.

Grace Always,
Dave

A Suggestion on Dealing with the Nomination Process

2011-09-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

Have you scheduled your Lay Leadership Committee (formerly known as the Nominations Committee)? Pastors know they need to have this report ready for Church Conference so leaders can be elected for next year. We all know that this is the only committee in the church where the pastor can serve as chair or co-chair.

But with a plate full of autumn ministries pastors all too often succumb to the “warm body” approach. Let’s ask so-and-so. She isn’t doing much in the church. Or there is my favorite, the “activate the inactive” by giving them a job. Or the “lower the bar” approach where “you don’t have to do very much to be on this committee.”

Do our churches have written job descriptions for committees and ministry teams? How are new people asked to serve? A single phone call from someone who doesn’t really understand how the committee works? A phone message? An email? Does anyone speak with a potential leader face to face, and perhaps with several conversations? Maybe the quality of our church leaders is partially dependent upon the quality of how they are courted and asked.

What is the criteria for choosing people to serve? I suggest each Lay Leadership Committee ask these questions when names are brought forward.

1. Does this person attend worship regularly?

2. Is there evidence that he/she is praying for the church?

3. Is this person a faithful giver, perhaps even a tither?

4. Is she/he involved in our community with acts of service?

5. Is this person able to share their Christian faith by words and actions with others?

You will notice that these are the vows for becoming a member of the United Methodist Church. Do you promise to support the Church with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness?

Lay Leadership committees need to operate a bit like SPRC where they can share their discernment about their future leadership in confidence. It is high time that we all take leadership development more seriously. It rarely is a squeaky wheel so it rarely gets grease. Pastors deal with so many squeaky wheel clamoring for attention. But not everything that clamors for our attention should get it.

When it comes to creating a healthy church system leaders really need to make leadership development a high priority, especially in Alaska where we experience such high turnover. Revamping how we choose leaders this fall can be a great time to begin anew.

Grace Always,

Dave

"Renovate Or Die" Chapter Five on Preaching

2011-09-13T09:22:00.002-08:00

It is clear and should come as no surprise that Alaska lay people want and expect their pastors to inspire them through experiential worship with life-application preaching. It is why this is one of my expectations of all our clergy, and it is essentially the title of Chapter Five of Bob Farr's book, "Renovate Or Die."

Bob opens this chapter by citing the rapid rate of change in our world today. While it took 71 years for the telephone to get into 50% of American homes, it took only ten years for the internet to reach 50% of American homes. Given this velocity change Bob believes that current preaching methods must change to keep up.

"I'm not asking us preachers to give up our values or change our theology. I'm asking us to rethink our presentation style. I'm asking us to change our medium to rethink how we communicate, so that we might be culturally and emotionally relevant." p. 45.

Some of the preachers in Alaska remember being trained in seminary to have three points and never talk about yourself. Farr wants to dispel these notions. In fact he believes that people are hungry to walk away from a sermon able to remember a single, main point! And he believes that we must begin with peoples' experience. His outline process is:
A. Theirs
B. Yours
C. God's
D. Ours
We live in an era where people are hungry for authentic discipleship models, so it's not only okay for preachers to talk about their human experience, but necessary if people are going to make a connection.

But it isn't about us. God's story is always included, ending with the story that we are never alone, that we live in a world and faith community.

Farr goes on to discuss how to inject music, video, dialogue, or humor every 4-5 minutes. We need to be multi sensory and work with themes. How pastors plan and include a worship team is vital to inspirational preaching.

I think clergy and laity alike will enjoy chapter five. I am confident that all of our preachers truly want to become better at helping their people connect their real lives to the story of God acting throughout human history.

Grace Always,

Dave

Creativity

2011-09-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

One of the aspects of local church ministry I miss is the creativity. When I was pastor at St. John and overwhelmed with administrative functions I could visit the children in the preschool, or write a song alone in the sanctuary, or create a new visual for worship.

In my role as superintendent I do not always have these outlets. This was driven home to me this past Labor Day weekend. I had several projects planned at our little cabin in the woods north of Willow. A combination of factors including rain made those projects undoable. I was really looking forward to completing these projects so I was fairly grumpy when it did not happen. So I went home and built a roof over part of our deck.

I was amazed at how my spirits lifted. This roof project was the outlet I needed to express my creativity.

Maybe you are a person in touch with your creative spirit and you set aside time for art and creative projects. Most of us however find it easy to push this part of us down in favor of checking off our to do lists. And creativity is often not a part of our daily routine.

I know God can speak to us through the mundane administrative details of our daily lives. But I am more open to hearing and seeing God when in a creative mindset. Our God is a Creator God. Thanks be to God who gifts us with creativity.

Pray for Kim for patience to deal with a husband seeking creative home projects!

Grace Always,
Dave

To Live As Trish Lived

2011-08-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I attended the memorial service for Trish Opheen Redmond. About 17 years ago Trish and Mike were part of a marriage retreat Kim and I led for the Chugiak UMC. Trish was an active and vital leader for the church who had knee surgery so she could enjoy her love of skiing. On the way out of the hospital she fainted and never revived even though medical care was immediately available. An apparent blood clot blocked the flow of vital oxygen to her brain.

And suddenly, without warning, a vibrant, energetic, compassionate woman left this world. When someone in their 80's or 90's dies we understand that she or he has lived a long life. But when someone dies "before their time" it gives us pause. Somewhere deep inside we wonder out loud, "This could happen to me. This could happen to the people I love."

It did happen to Mike and his family and the entire Chugiak church. It was clear that the church building would not hold all those who would come out of love and respect for Trish so the Chugiak High auditorium was made available. It was in that space that we had church. Pastor Carlo Rapanut led us in a time of worship and remembering. We sang hymns from the Faith We Sing hymnal that were Trish's favorites. Chugiak member, Jan Wachsmuth, sat near me. I noticed that people were not singing, probably because they did not know the hymns. I am not one to sing loud, mostly out of a desire to save my voice for preaching. But there in that holy place where church was happening Jan and I raised our voices a notch or two. I had a sense that we were helping to fill the empty space that Trish had left with hope, the kind of resurrection hope that only comes from God. It felt like we were witnessing to our faith with our singing.

I wondered what people thought of us as United Methodists. I found myself grateful that Trish was loved by so many people that we had to hold her service in the school auditorium. It was a moment of intersection of Christ and culture, of church and society. It felt right.

Trish did not choose to die. But the way she lived, so full of life and passion and joy, gives me an example to follow. I am not promised tomorrow. God only gives me today. God help me to live like Trish lived, fully present to the moment, fully present to God who is the source of our love and joy.

Grace Always,
Dave

Highlights from “Renovate Or Die” by Bob Farr. Chapter 4

2011-08-23T13:15:00.000-08:00

Continuing with our book study/review. I skipped to chapter 4 titled "Momentum." Bob writes, "You know when you have it and you know when you lose it." The scientific definition of momentum is a measure of the motion of a body equal to the product of its mass and velocity. I am partial to the definition of momentum in the investment world: "the perceived strength behind a price movement."

As we think about momentum in the church it might be helpful to think about the "perceived strength" behind any kind of movement. Farr believes that momentum, like the movement of the Holy Spirit, cannot be created, only caught. We don't create a wave or the wind but we can notice where it is and ride.

Five steps to catch momentum according to Farr.
1. If you want new momentum, you have to change something.
2. Make the easy changes first.
3. Do best practices and keep doing them.
4. Lead by example.
5. Preach change to get change.

One thing I am learning is that renovation and vitality in our Alaska churches will not happen unless our clergy and lay leaders agree that our old sails are not catching the wind like they once did. Our churches will not change unless our leaders are willing to embrace the changes we need in order to gain spiritual momentum.

Grace Always,
Dave

Highlights from “Renovate Or Die” by Bob Farr. Chapter 2

2011-08-16T09:46:00.000-08:00

Understand Your Present Reality is the title of chapter two. How well do you as a leader in your church understand your present reality? One of the reasons I enjoy living and ministering in Alaska is that people are real. You don't see a lot of posturing, posing, and pretending. My next question is: do we look at our local churches and communities through such a realistic lens? Or because we don't want a negative reality to deflate our hopes for the future, do we ever try to paint our reality in a new light? Do we gloss over the hard realities because we don't want to face them?

This chapter is about taking what we can learn from others and mixing them in with our local contexts. Upon arriving at a new church Bob Farr "wanted to know more about that church and community than they themselves knew." p. 26. He cites three kinds of data leaders need to know. 1. Demographic statistics. 2. Historical information. 3. Stories (what he calls "walk-around information"). Welcoming a new pastor is a good time for a church to engage in this activity. Let us remember that we need to find ways to share this data with the new people who come to our churches. It's not just the pastor's job to learn a church's context.

The last point is about survival vs. vitality mode. "This is where most mainline churches find themselves today: survival mode. This turns us inward and leads to protectionism. It also most often separates us from the vitality that makes us a church, which is our connection with the mission field." p. 28.

I do hope you will get Bob's book and study it together.

Grace Always,
Dave

Highlights from “Renovate Or Die” by Bob Farr

2011-08-09T09:57:00.000-08:00

Bob Farr is the Director of the Center for Congregational Excellence at the Missouri Annual Conference. He attended seminary at Perkins School of Theology, and he first served in the Missouri Conference at Randolph Memorial in Kansas City. He started a new church in Lee's Summit called Grace UMC, and his latest appointment was at Church of the Shepherd in St. Charles where he led the congregation through a relocation. He is experienced with developing the Pastor Leadership Development program, church consulting, relocations, mergers and new church starts.

From the book cover: “Bob Farr asserts that to change the world, we must first change the Church. Rearranging the pews, painting the fellowship hall, or paving the parking lot are just not enough. With clear language and practical tips, this book will inspire and help you organize your church for new life.”

My plan is not to review this book so much as share my highlights. Here are the highlights from the introduction and first chapter called, “It All Starts with the Pastor.”

“Renovation and innovation, not just redecoration.” P. 4.

“The attraction model is dying and being replaced with a networking model.” P. 9.

“If the pastor and some key leaders do not possess a sense of urgency, they are doomed to fail. That burning desire that something must be done NOW is essential in beginning the renovation process.” P. 10.

“Adam Hamilton, in Leading Beyond Walls, says you need to know three things about your church in order to cast your vision: 1. Why do people need Christ? 2. Why do people need the church? 3. Why do people need this particular church?” p. 11.

“The church isn’t going anywhere if the pastor is not willing to lead.” P. 17.

“A church must also be pastor-led rather than pastor-centered.” P. 17.

“Moving a church from being pastor-centered to pastor-led is a long process and transition.” P. 19.

“(The pastor’s) job is to focus on the health of the whole community more than one individual.” P. 20.

“A leader’s job is to provide vision. It is the congregation’s job to confirm it.” P. 22.

Bob’s words will no doubt challenge and even offend church people. I encourage you to get the book and read it with me and start a conversation. My plan is to offer these highlights in my dibble over the next several weeks.

Grace Always,

Dave

Downgrading My Life

2011-08-01T10:38:00.000-08:00

"It won't happen to me." In one way or another we all have likely lived with this attitude, at least at a subconscious level. I have seen the news reports of traffic accidents caused by distracted drivers and witnessed advocates bringing this issue into the national spotlight. We all know that we should not drink and drive. Now the mantra is don't drive distracted! People can die. Last week I saw the ultimate example of distracted driving. A father was feeding his baby in the back seat while driving! It's making me angry because now I don't feel safe on the roads.

But how do I contribute to the plethora of distracted drivers? I have an iphone that keeps me connected with people. While stopped at a red light it is so easy to touch a couple of buttons and check my email. But then I hear what I truly believe to be the voice of God whispering, "It could happen to you." Would I ever be tempted to give attention to my phone while driving? I shiver at the thought that my distracted driving could someday cause injury or death to someone. So I have decided to downgrade my smart phone to a "dumb" phone, one that mostly is used for conversation with people.

At a store one clerk said, "Why would you want to downgrade?" After my response she said, "No one has ever come in here to downgrade before." I hope she hears it more often as people make proactive decisions to reduce the distractions in their lives. I have decided to give up my iphone this week. Less distraction. Less money. Less risk on the roads.

It is a way to simplify my life. A way to create a bit more space for conversation with God. I am truly looking forward to the changes it will bring.

Grace Always,
Dave

Lesson in Leadership from a Bike Trip

2011-07-26T09:23:00.000-08:00

Last week five Anchorage area clergy (Jon Disburg, Jim Doepken, Ron Myers, Tom Holslag, and myself) pedaled 25 miles on a gorgeous sunny day. I wanted to emphasize fitness and enjoy a day outside with colleagues. It didn't take long for me to compare this event to our journey with Christ. For most of the ride I was at the rear which was what I preferred. I was not interested in averaging 12 miles per hour which was our pace after the first 30 minutes.

As I meandered the twists of the coastal trail and entered into a time of prayer I discovered that I could not ride quickly. What is it about the spiritual life that it blends well with all things slow? I knew the group would eventually stop and wait for me. At one point I wondered if they would wait when I was stopped on the trail by a mother moose and her calf. There was nothing to do but wait with other travelers until they would let us pass.

After a much needed lunch break we headed back to Anchor Park. Once again I was at the back of the pack and out of sight from the group. Maybe they were trying to ditch me! Here is the leadership lesson I gleaned. If you are leading others it is a good idea to stop or slow down and look back to see if your followers are still following you! I did not know the way back to Anchor Park and was left to my own devices to figure it out. I wasn't worried or bothered but it would have been nice to have someone who knew the path to tell me which way to go.

In our churches do our leaders ever think to stop and look back? Maybe the role of a straggler is a reminder from God to the group to slow down the pace. Maybe someone needs to be paired with those riding at a slower pace. Maybe the leaders are moving too fast. Who said, "We don't get there until we all get there?"

Here's hoping you all are engaging in the art of asking good questions as we ride on the path of discipleship. Thanks to Jon, Jim, Ron, and Tom for a great experience and a couple of important lessons.

Grace Always,
Dave

Beauty in the Rocky Places

2011-07-19T09:54:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to play much golf this summer. Last week I played my first time at an Anchorage course with my sons. It was a gorgeous day and a course full of golfers. At one point the marshal drove by and told us to speed up. Immediately afterwards I spotted a large rock outcropping with some wildflowers growing. Should I ignore the urge I felt to stop and appreciate the beauty? Or should I listen to the marshal and keep going?

Here's the answer.

Are you experiencing some rocky times in your life? Is it hard to see the beauty growing in difficult soil? May God help us to slow down to really look at the amazing beauty even when we are tempted to see only the rocks, even when we are told to speed up through life.

P.S. I am reading a new book by Bob Farr called Renovate Or Die. My plan for August is to share parts of it with you in this blog. I think it will challenge and stimulate us all.

Grace Always,
Dave

Hospitality Opportunity Missed

2011-07-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

I have served as one of your three UM representatives on the board of Alaska Children's Services for about ten years now. It is an amazing agency with 200 employees dedicated to the mission of helping troubled children and youth find healing and wholeness. We welcome Denis McCarville as our new CEO after Jim Maley's retirement.

Every July 9 which is Alaska Flag Day we host a party at our Jesse Lee campus. For 20 years the price for admission has been $5 for unlimited food, ice cream, party booths, and live music. At the end of the event I was talking with another board member and I was lamenting the fact that I did not invite several of my neighbors to the party. The family next door has two young kids and no church family. The couple across the street moved here from Japan and doesn't know many people. Why didn't I invite them?

You know where I am going. We do the same thing when it comes to inviting our neighbors to church. We don't think about it until afterwards. The good news is that we can change to a culture of invitation. We can remind one another Sunday after Sunday that it is our privilege and responsibility to invite others to the Lord's table. We can create an environment of radical hospitality in our churches so we are thinking more and more about who we can invite to church.

We can do better. I can do better. In fact right now I am going to write a note in my calendar next June to remind me to invite my neighbors to the ACS Flag Day party. Until then I hope to be a better neighbor and witness for Christ to them.

Grace Always,
Dave

Emotional Preparedness

2011-07-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

Have you given thought to how you would respond to a crisis in your life? I am thinking about an event that might upset your inner peace that comes with knowing Christ as Lord and Savior. This past weekend something happened to me.

I was with my Aaron, my son-in-law, and his father riding mini bikes on a trail near Willow. I had strapped a new can of pepper spray to the bike. Suddenly, there was an explosion in my face with immediate burning in my eyes, nose, and mouth. I find it interesting the very first thoughts that enter peoples' minds when something like this happens. My first thought was that maybe someone had planted an IED on the trail! Ridiculous, I know. Then with the burning eyes I realized it was the pepper spray. I dropped the bike and blindly stumbled around trying to figure out what to do. Earl was the first to arrive and said I was acting as if drunk. I tried to talk to explain what had happened but the chemical was restricting my mouth. I stumbled to a river and practically jumped in seeking relief from the searing pain.

I was able to get some sight out of one eye to ride back to our cabin where I got some first aid. Eventually I recovered and have no side effects, although I may use it to explain any future memory lapses!

It was a test, a small one, for me. I can say that my inner peace was not touched during this episode. There was no panic or deep fear to that place in my life I have given to God. I may not have similar results when the stakes are much greater than chemicals splashed in my face. I do not know if one can fully prepare emotionally or spiritually for future crises. But I do want to thank God that the peace that passes all understanding was present in my life even when presented with a small test.

Grace Always,
Dave

Rose McLean's Last Sunday

2011-06-27T11:52:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday was Rose McLean's last Sunday at St. John UMC, Anchorage, following 24 years of service as a diaconal minister. The crowds gathered to hear her preach one more time, roast her unique personality, and thank God for her faithful ministry.

At the party in the afternoon it was standing room only as hundreds came to celebrate Rose's retirement. Pastor Peter Perry did an exceptional job of being the master of ceremonies. In attendance was Pastor Wayne Weld Martin, the pastor who hired Rose in 1987. Recollections were shared from most of the senior pastors whom Rose had "trained" over the years. Jim Fellers, David Fison, former superintendent Billy Still, Jo Ann Schaadt, John Dodson, and myself. I had the honor of being "trained" by Rose the longest which was ten years. We worked together during a period of high growth and led the church through the building expansion. There was always something to laugh about when Rose was around including how church life always seemed to parallel an episode of Seinfeld, bargain shopping stories, standing ovations, and bets on Christmas Eve attendance. (I won most of these!)

Seriously, though, our conference will miss Rose. Over the years she was a tireless advocate for being a connectional church. She provided significant leadership to our conference Professional Ministries Unit, Birchwood Camp, GBGM, regional program council, jurisdictional, and general church ministries. Rose is first and foremost a disciple of Jesus, always a work in progress. And she is wholly dedicated to the Church as a means of God's grace offered to the world.

I know St. John will miss her unique personality and ministry gifts. I know many Alaskan lay and clergy will miss her presence in our faith community. And I will be at the top of that list.

This clip is of the St. John choir singing a benediction song followed by Rose giving the benediction after morning worship. Rose will move to Oklahoma City on September 15. Her address will be
14901 N. Pennsylvania Ave. #284
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
jimettemc@hotmail.com

Grace Always,
Dave

Interesting Email Debate

2011-06-21T13:33:00.000-08:00

The Alaska Conference neglected to deal with an issue in Homer so the bishop allowed us to convene a special virtual session via email. The issue was whether or not to approve a new minimum salary for pastors for 2012. So we set aside a week for debate and three days for final voting.

I was interested to compare the oral vs. written debate processes. I found the email debate to be helpful in a couple of ways. One, it allowed more time for prayerful reflection. Some people need more time to organize their thoughts. Some are gifted with an articulate voice that enables them to speak intelligently on a moment's notice. This email debate gave us the time to ponder and pray about this issue.

Secondly, it provided an environment for introverted people to express their views. Many introverts will find it hard to venture forth to a microphone to speak on an issue even in a small conference like ours. But writing down our thoughts was very helpful.

A 2005 Hartford Seminary study found that destructive conflict is a significant predictor of church decline. I trust that our clergy and lay leaders will continue to model for our churches and communities respectful dialogue on issues where we differ. So thanks to all who debated this minimum salary decision with respect for one another. I'm not sure we should do this more often but it does seem worthy of consideration for some issues.

Grace Always,
Dave

Samoan United Methodists Celebrate Christian Education

2011-06-14T09:52:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday Leila and I had the honor of giving out awards to the children, youth, and adults to a gathered Samoan community from two of our churches. Pastors Maga and Tafa are committed to bringing First Samoan UMC and the Samoan Fellowship of East Anchorage UMC together. They swap pulpits, sing in a joint choir, and in this case, held a Christian education competition.

What struck me as we continue conversations about developing discipleship systems in our churches is that I was looking at one. This was not just for children. Even the adults participated! And we concluded the celebration by handing out certificates to 7 new lay speakers.

I plan on sounding like a broken record as I continue to speak the message of lay leadership development in our churches. You will hear it again and again. And we can look to these two congregations as leaders in our common mission to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Here's a short clip.

Grace Always,
Dave

Party in Homer

2011-06-07T10:05:00.003-08:00

Not many UM's would describe their annual conference as a party. And I admit that as good as this annual conference was, a party? C'mon, Dave! This was my 19th Alaska annual conference and the second time it was held outside of Anchorage. The other was in 1999 in Seward. I have to say that a pattern seems to be developing because I would rate the two best overall conferences as Seward and Homer. Perhaps if we were to meet outside Anchorage more often it would lose some of the uniqueness. But it seems to me that we shouldn't wait another 12 years! Maybe in 5 years we can meet in Wasilla.

This clip features the opening hymn of our memorial/communion worship.

My home annual conference is meeting this week. An old pastor friend of mine is there and he posted this on Facebook: Conferenced out. Legislated and Roberts Rules of Ordered to death. What a blessing it is to be part of a small conference where we have the freedom and laid back style to not sacrifice relationships on the altar of rules. I do enjoy our relationship with PNW annual conference but I do hope we retain our status as a missionary conference. I think we can provide a model for the denomination on the value of conference connectionalism.

Here is a clip of our final worship with a combined choir.

Grace Always,
Dave

Bible Study: John 14:15-21 Gaze of Grace

2011-05-24T09:42:00.001-08:00

I may not have a weekly pulpit but I can still study the lectionary and offer comment. So I'm reading the gospel lectionary for this Sunday about Jesus speaking to his disciples of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit who will be another piece of the trinitarian support system. Jesus makes it clear that people who are not looking for the Advocate will not see him.

This begs the question, "Who truly does see the Spirit in the world?" Rev. Harold Camping, the fundamentalist preacher who misjudged the rapture date last week was clearly wrong. Most people would agree that Rev. Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas is wrong about his crusade to spew hate onto military families and people who are gay. Why can people who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ look at the same Bible and same world and come to such different conclusions about how the Spirit of God is present? Have you ever been wrong about such spiritual matters?

Jesus tells his disciples that "the world cannot receive (the Advocate) because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you." (v. 17)

It would appear that in order to receive the Holy Spirit Jesus is saying that it is more than seeing or knowing. It is about abiding. The Christian life is more than an occasional glimpse of God. It is about a relationship that is based on abiding with the Advocate...dwelling....hanging out with God. To be a Christ Follower is much more than belief in a church's doctrines. It is about nurturing our desire to be with God and keep Love's commandments. It is about taking that occasional glimpse of grace and asking the Spirit to transform it into a gaze of grace.

May we all see God more clearly, love God more dearly, follow God more nearly, love God more nearly...day by day. And may we always include how as a Church we can extend this invitation to others who may not be catching even a glimpse of Love in their world.

Grace Always,
Dave

New Members at Palmer Fellowship

2011-05-17T09:44:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday I was privileged to be invited to worship with our Palmer Fellowship. They were excited about receiving three new members. To a community of about 25 on Sunday morning this is a big deal. They meet in the remodeled basement of Country Cuts in downtown Palmer. Music wafted upward as I arrived. The band which is quite good was rehearsing before worship.

Worship was rich and full. The language of our faith was inclusive with a strong message of grace for all. Christ was the center of our experience. Pastor Tori Hicks spontaneously called me forward to participate in the new member vows which enabled me to add the fifth vow of "witness" which does not appear in the liturgy in our hymnal. I do hope our pastors are including this important addition when they receive new members. We need a conference conversation about what it means to support the church with our witness in Alaska. What does "witness" mean for you? And how do you "witness" to others of your faith?

Grace Always,
Dave

Showing Off Alaska

2011-05-10T09:40:00.001-08:00

The tourists are coming! The tourists are coming! The old Alaska joke is that there are four seasons: winter, winter, winter, and relatives! My 80 year old parents and favorite aunt visited our state last week for Jeremy's college graduation. I took a week to be their tour guide to Denali Park where the mountain showed her glory against a pale blue sky for us. Then we went to Seward and a 4 hour tour of Resurrection Bay. We saw caribou, ptarmigan, dall sheep, eagles, orcas, sea lions, tons of birds, and humpback whales. For my Arizona aunt who had never seen such beauty it was the trip of a lifetime.

What do you see when you gaze out your window at your piece of the Alaskan landscape? Because you have looked at that mountain, harbor, forest, or cityscape a zillion times does it ever draw you back to stop and appreciate the wonder of it all?

Surely it is God's desire to continuously call us back to look at this world both natural and human creation as God sees it with a sense of wonder and beauty and simple joy. Let us take some moments today. Let us create some time and space where we can breathe more slowly just so we can truly gaze at this amazing world God has given us, a scene we see nearly every day.

And thanks, Mom and Dad, for giving me a spirit of adventure that brought us to Alaska.

Grace Always,
Dave

Thinking Past the Future

2011-04-26T09:19:00.003-08:00

This Sunday marks a milestone for our family. Our youngest son, Jeremy, graduates from UAA. From the moment our first child, Jenny, was born, then Ryan, Lauren, and Jeremy our focus and vision has been centered around our children. 29 years worth. For me this graduation marks the end of an era and the beginning of another. The problem is that I have not spent near as much time thinking about our future without children than I did when their future was more in our hands. Now it is out of our hands, except for college loans we still owe!

I wonder how much of our thinking about the future affects our relationship with God. Can we spend too much time in the future that we miss the present God-moments? How helpful is it that we think about the kind of person God desires us to be in 5 or 10 years? It's just so different because I have always been a visionary, future oriented person. Now I don't have responsibility for my childrens' future. What kind of future do I envision now?

Some of this is linked to identity. I'll always be a father but now a father in a different way. More equal. More adult to adult. I like it but in the past being a dad has often been about the future. Then there is my identity as a superintendent, or more accurately, as a former pastor of a local church. This has been an interesting adjustment as I think it is for most superintendents. People often ask how I like the new job. In the few seconds that I hesitate to find the words they have their answer.

How much time do you spend thinking about your future? What is "future" for you: 20 years, 5 years, next month, or making it through today? Somewhere there is a balance point between our present and our future, sliding this way and that, but never fully one way or the other. I believe we are called to think about the future but it is never just about us. It is God's preferred future and how we as disciples of the risen Christ fit into that future.

May God be in your present and future moments.

Christ is Risen!

Dave

Healthy Church Workshops

2011-04-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

In 1991 I began serving as pastor of the Soldotna UMC. In 1997 we went through a "necessary conflict." To help me process the feelings and systemic realities I studied at Graduate Theological Foundation and earned a D.Min. in 1999, the year I became pastor at St. John. Last month I returned to Soldotna UMC and shared with them some of what I learned with a sermon and a workshop.

I called it Healthy Church Workshop and it was well received. Since then I took the workshop on the road north to Fairbanks First UMC and New Hope Methodist-Presbyterian. What fun it has been for me to be in a teaching role and to get to know our laity.

The workshop content is about church systems. People are given the chance to talk about the unspoken agreements that exist in a church. The central point of the workshop is that healthy churches don't have a bunch of unspoken agreements. They work hard to talk about most of the issues that come with doing church well.

The workshop lasts 90 minutes and I am available to come to your church. Perhaps we might explore doing it online or when I come to your church for charge conference.

During my visit at First UMC, Fairbanks I recorded this clip of a youth group game.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Travelogue

2011-04-12T07:21:00.000-08:00

Today marks the end of an 8 day trip to Seattle and Idaho. The front end was a meeting of representatives from PNW, Oregon/Idaho, and Alaska conferences to being our work to prepare for September, 2012, when we will share one bishop. I will be asking Alaska leaders to weigh in on specific questions very soon as we continue our work. We are hoping to leverage this as an opportunity to enhance the mission of Christ in the northwest.

Then I flew to Boise and drove to Idaho Falls to visit my daughter, Lauren, and husband, Rob and help them install flooring in their new home. The big joy for me was to watch Lauren teaching her kindergartners. Kim and I tried to raise our four kids in such a way that we would be good friends as adults. I thank God for such times.

Then it was back to Seattle where I joined the PNW cabinet. I appreciate their including me from time to time. It makes me feel less isolated when I am with them.

Looking forward to coming home!

Grace Always,
Dave

Choose Respect Rally Follow Up

2011-04-04T11:33:00.003-08:00

Two weeks ago I encouraged all of our Alaska UM's to join one of Governor Parnell's "Choose Respect" rallies. There were 64 of them on March 31 across the state. I was in worship at Willow UMC recently and Pastor Dan Lush brought a willow walking stick with a sign on it reading "Methodists Choose Respect." He had marched in a rally in Talkeetna and was sharing it with the congregation.

I had intended to ask Dan to borrow his sign for the upcoming Anchorage rally but forgot in the midst of an energizing after worship fellowship time. So Crystal Feaster created a similar sign which I took to the Anchorage rally. Walking with other UM's from First UMC, Anchorage, community members, and the governor it was an enlightening time as we listened to stories of abuse and violence inside the walls of Alaska homes. Sixty percent of Alaska women have suffered some sort of abuse. We rank #1 in the nation with abuse and violence done to children, women, and men in our homes. It is not confined to one social or economic class.

I stood there in the cold and wondered how prevalent this problem is in our United Methodist homes. Do you know someone who is trapped in the cycle of abuse either as a victim or a perpetrator? I thought about God's desires and clearly this Choose Respect movement is aligned with God values. So I encourage us all to focus some of the light of God's healing love and justice on this issue. Help is available. Healing can begin today!

To see the photo that appeared on the front page of the Anchorage Daily News click on this link. Notice our sign just to the left of the cross.
http://www.adn.com/2011/03/31/1785780/chose-respect-rally.html#id=1785792&view=large_view

Grace Always,
Dave

God Moments

2011-03-29T10:48:00.000-08:00

During the children's moments in worship one time I talked with the kids about a God-moment. I was interested in how children experience God-moments in their homes. Sometimes we feel that a God-moment has to be a religious, churchy moment. But God-moments happen to us every day. And they are not always joyful, happy moments. Sometimes a God-moment can happen after a car accident, or when we learn that a loved one has died, or when our families can't seem to stop arguing and fighting.

Do you have a tendency to experience God only when life is going well for you? For some folks the reverse is true. They find it hard to think about God personally acting in their lives until a crisis engulfs them.

During worship a young child was misbehaving. The parents did their best to maintain order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer the child called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"

God-moments are right before our eyes even as you read this. Our job is to notice and be aware.

Grace Always,

Dave

Choose Respect...End the Violence

2011-03-21T16:56:00.001-08:00

I spent time last weekend at Kenai UMC (Check out their new sign.) and Soldotna UMC. While the Whetsell's were leading a Walk to Emmaus I got to spend the night in our old house and preach and teach at SUMC. The topic was Healthy Churches. At one point I asked, "If I were to ask several people in this town what they know about Soldotna United Methodist Church, what would they say?"

In your community what is the reputation of your church? Wouldn't it be amazing if people in your town began to say something like, "Isn't that the church that really made a difference in reducing domestic violence in Alaska?"

On March 31 at noon I encourage all United Methodists to join Governor Parnell's rally cry to put an end to domestic violence and sexual assault in our state. In the ongoing effort to raise awareness of DVSA, the Office of the Governor and non-profit groups across the state are sponsoring simultaneous “Choose Respect” events in more than 50 communities across Alaska. There will be free parking at First UMC, Anchorage where the march will begin in the park strip. The march in Juneau will begin at noon at the capitol building and end at Marine Park. You can learn more about Choose Respect events across Alaska at: www.chooserespect.alaska.gov

Pastors, please consider preaching a sermon about this vital issue. Laity, think about getting involved in your community's efforts to reduce violence in the home. To be sure this is God's desire that all people live in peace.

Grace Always,

Dave

Value of a Faith Community

2011-03-14T14:51:00.000-08:00

What's the old song? You don't know what you've got til it's gone. Hmmm...tempted to sing...They paved paradise, put up a parking lot!

Now that I'm no longer a pastor of a local church, going on two years now, I am learning a few things.
1. I miss the ongoing relationships with people, especially children.
2. I miss the rhythm of preaching.
3. It is much more difficult to get into the liturgical experiences of Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Pentecost because I am not present in one faith community.
4. Playing my guitar recently for the first time in two years at Soldotna UMC I realized that I can worship when I lead worship. And this is a good thing.

There are many more aspects that make this life of superintending very different than pastoring a church. But the simple truth I want to point out is this. Cherish your church! Savor the little things that come with being a part of a faith community. You know what they are. The giggle of a 3 year old sitting next to the pastor. The magnificent way your pianist and choir draws you in to music and lifts your soul to heaven. The sorrow shared from a long time member who recently lost a loved one. The teen who drove you crazy at the retreat but gave you a big hug and said thanks at the end. The banter between the pastor and the people in worship that makes you laugh.

Faith communities come in all shapes and sizes. They are full of needy, loving, difficult, forgiving people. They are God's people. And they are your people. Enjoy this amazing gift of your faith community.

Grace Always,
Dave

Letter to My Son (Published with his permission)

2011-03-08T11:55:00.000-09:00

Dear Ryan,

I feel a need to write to you and all other young people whose rational and logical minds make it a bit hard to allow room for a living, loving God without empirical evidence. I invite you to think about this question. What would life be like if there was indisputable, observable evidence that God is who people of faith have been saying for centuries? Think about this. When you see sunlight you follow the source and look up into the sky and see the sun. You see it with your eyes and feel its warmth on your body. This is how you know the sun is real.

What would it be like if God were that physically real so you could see and feel and hear God any moment of the day? I encourage you to really think about this. Do you ever look at the sun and not really see it? In other words do you take the sun for granted? Of course you do. We all do. Would your life be different if God physically spoke to you each morning to let you know how loved you are and shared ways God wanted you to think and act for the day? For example, if God audibly told you to speak to a homeless man on the way to work would you be likely to do it? If God literally whispered in your ear to resist the temptation to buy a luxury car so you could give more to the poor would you listen?

My point is that even if God were to reveal God’s Self in a scientifically measureable way people would still live as if God did not exist. We would still find ways to ignore God’s desire for us to love God and neighbor.

I remember one day when you were in kindergarten. We had recently moved to Alaska and you and your brother and I were in the woods laying in the snow observing a moose. At one point while lying on our backs I said to you boys, “Isn’t it beautiful? Isn’t God amazing?” And you said to me, “Dad, you always say that!”

Where in our scientific minds is there room for beauty? Can you measure it? Is it logical? How can you know it exists if you don’t have eyes or heart to see it?

I believe God gives us glimpses of God. We see God in creation. We see God in and through the witness of countless people of faith who caught these glimpses and found wholeness and salvation. We see God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. We see God every day in the midst of our mundane routines. We just need eyes of faith to see Love that cannot be isolated in a lab. We need hearts that are seeking these moments of grace, hearts that want to learn how to catch them when they are flung at us.

One thing I know, Ryan. These God moments are real. The case I am making in this letter is that human, scientific logic doesn’t need to be a barrier to you discovering these God moments. Give yourself some time to appreciate wonder and beauty. If your heart is open to matters of faith God will speak to you in a powerful way.

I love you.

Dad

Professor Stirs Up Alaska Clergy

2011-02-28T12:00:00.000-09:00

Last week the clergy and lay professionals under appointment gathered at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Anchorage for our annual retreat. Dr. Elaine Heath was our resource leader who stirred our thinking about how we do church and how we might do church in the future. She asked some good questions. Are we too married to the attractional model of church where we build it and they will come? Research suggests that this only works 40% of the time. What would church be like if everything we did was measured in terms of its missional value? What if we became a kenotic church where emptying ourselves for the sake of others was our guiding light? We are so attached to our buildings and budgets that our focus has been narrowed and the poor become objects of our mission rather than people with whom we are in relationship.

This retreat and the winter meetings have stirred a number of us. I know of three pastors who have already talked with their congregations. Jon Disburg shelved his sermon series and confessed to his congregations Sunday about his need to fall in love with Jesus again. Carlo Rapanut in his sermon confessed that he has become too preoccupied with the wonderful ministries happening inside the church to the neglect of people outside the church. Charles Martindell shared a vision with his Sunday School class of a New Day community being possible in Homer.

We are not talking about doing away with our buildings and the amazing ministries that are happening. But we are talking about a shift in priorities where the needs of the world determine our mission. We are talking about deconstructing some of our conference structures to make us more mission agile. Bishop Hagiya is organizing a task group to examine ways we can streamline our many rules. Look for a report at this annual conference.

Something new is bubbling. Dr. Heath believes that Alaska can be a missional model that can lead the entire United Methodist Church into a new day of being the Church of Jesus Christ. I invite our pastors and laity to share how you plan to carry this vision to your church and community with a comment post. Let's keep this conversation going.

Grace Always,
Dave

Alaska United Methodist Rendezvous

2011-02-22T09:45:00.001-09:00

This week is one of our three big events as clergy and lay leaders of the Alaska United Methodist Conference converge on Anchorage for our Winter Rendezvous. We also have a Fall Rendezvous in October and Annual Conference in early June. Why is it important for our conference to pay travel expenses three times a year for these gatherings? Let me share a story.

A reader once wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper commenting on how he had sat in church and listened to thousands of sermons in his lifetime. He was questioning their value because he could not remember them. Responding to this letter another reader wrote a response that went something like this. "My wife is a great cook. I have enjoyed thousands of her meals over the years. But I can't tell you what I ate on February 23, 1978 or many other dates. But I can tell you that without them I would not have enjoyed the life I have lived. Those meals fed and nurtured my body and soul. In the same way so have all the sermons I have heard from caring pastors over the years. I can say that without them my soul would not have enjoyed the abundant life God has blessed me with."

Our conference gatherings are food for our connectional souls. We United Methodists are a connectional people. While others in the lower 48 may be tempted to take this for granted we in Alaska understand that it is our lifeblood. Tomorrow begins our retreat for pastors and lay professionals under appointment. We will sing and pray and listen to our bishop and resource teacher. It will be important for the health of our souls to gather for spiritual and community formation. We may not remember the details of this gathering down the road but we will cherish the times as we recall how important this feeding has been for our souls.

I invite us all to pray for travel mercies and for the spiritual and connectional hearts of our pastors and lay leaders as we gather this week. God will feed us and we will return to our parishes renewed and refreshed to continue our ministries in the name of Jesus Christ.

Grace Always,
Dave

Future Church

2011-02-15T09:45:00.000-09:00

A major focus of my ministry as superintendent is to meet with my counterparts from the Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians in Alaska. I meet regularly with Mike, Curt, Mike, and now Mark for spiritual reflection, personal sharing, and talk around how we can share ministry in Alaska. On the table are issues like lay leader training especially among our native people, sharing clergy, merging and yoking churches, and a common witness for Christ in the public sector on homelessness and domestic violence.

Now it is time to move this conversation to a broader level: to the clergy and laity of all four denominations. When we discovered that three of us held leadership meetings in Anchorage in February the Lutherans and Methodists changed their dates to coincide with the Presbyterian meetings so we could come together on Friday, February 25 at St. John United Methodist Church and celebrate what God can do with even more cooperation among the body of Christ. Food, table conversation, worship, mass choir, holy communion, and dessert! Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath, professor of evangelism at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas will be our preacher. Elaine grew up in Alaska and understands our context. She will help us think about what the church could look like in the future.

I am pumped to say the least! I want to encourage our clergy and lay leaders in our various communities to give serious thought about what shared ministries might be possible with sisters and brothers from other Christian traditions.

Clergy are encouraged to wear their robes and green stoles.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Beware of an Invitation to Snowmachine with the Superintendent!

2011-02-08T10:26:00.000-09:00

I am seeing something of a pattern. Bad things are happening when I have invited Alaska clergy to go snowmachining with me. Last year I picked up Robert Hicks in single digit weather and we drove to Hatcher Pass for a ride. Not! The area was closed.

Last weekend I picked up Peter Perry for a ride in Willow. After a flat trailer tire that came off and rolled down Muldoon Rd. we finally made it out of Anchorage after 3 hours. Then the sled I brought for him wouldn't start. Then the key broke in the ignition. Then my sled started leaking antifreeze on the trail at -10. At one point it even sprayed through the hood (cowling) directly into my face which greatly amused my riding buddies. Do you know antifreeze tastes sweet?

Now both sleds are in the shop and I have to cancel the ride I promised to Richard Whetsell tomorrow. Maybe you should be very thankful, Richard!

I have always used older snowmachines. I'm not a high marking rider who tries to zip up mountains without triggering an avalanche. I stay away from steep slopes. But the main reason I ride is that it gets me out of the house and into God's winter wonderland. I love everything that the experience brings, even when things go awry. Riding is not a solo sport. People do it with other people.

Living the life of a disciple of Jesus is not a solo endeavor. We need the fellowship of the community of faith to be fully formed into the image of God. There will be breakdowns and delays and detours as we head down the trail. If we are able to let go of our destination modes of journeying through life we come to realize that the detours and delays are every much a part of our journey.

Grace Always,

Dave

What Alaska Could Learn from our Big Sister Conference

2011-01-31T13:26:00.001-09:00

The Pacific Northwest Annual Conference includes Washington and the northern part of Idaho. They engaged in an assessment of their churches called the District Planning and Strategy (DPAS). This is the same process our Director of Connectional Ministries, Leila Disburg, has been using with Alaska churches. The actual assessment instrument can be found at:

http://www.pnwumc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=108&Itemid=100

For PNW 140 churches have completed the assessment and this is one of the initial results. This is from Kristina Gonzalez, associate director of connectional ministries.

Generally, we United Methodists engage well and effectively in charity work. We provide food, clothing and shelter to those in need. We care for the least in society through direct service or through donations. We are a caring people. What we do less well is to link our programs to our Christian faith in a way that invites – not mandates or manipulates, but invites - engagement of those receiving service through ministry into relationship with Jesus Christ through the United Methodist Church.

We also seem less clear as to how to understand the changing communities in which our churches are located. While we can cite the demographics around our churches, we generally do not know the needs, life stresses or hopes of the people outside of the walls of church. We generally do not ask for advice as to the place of the United Methodist Church in serving people who do not worship with us currently. In other words, generally, we do not engage our mission field effectively.

I recently completed my visit of all of our Alaska churches and find a striking similarity to Kristina's comments about PNW. We are an amazing church when it comes to caring ministries. But I wonder if we would say the same thing as the PNW conclusion, that we are not very effective in linking our programs “in a way that invites engagement of those receiving service through ministry into relationship with Jesus Christ through the United Methodist Church.” In other words we United Methodists need to have a conversation in our churches, our pulpits, our leadership meetings, our study classes about what it means to be a WITNESS for Jesus Christ.

What is working in your church to make this vital connection between CARING and WITNESS? Is it time for some holy boldness? Is it time for the leaders of the Alaska Conference to step forward and help our church figure out how we can be witnesses to the resurrection story of Christ in ways that lead to discipleship and transformation?

My hope is to stir prayer and conversation in our conference on this vital subject. What do you think?

Grace Always,
Dave

First, Anchorage and Jewel Lake Parish

2011-01-25T09:21:00.000-09:00

2 and half week road trip! That was a long one. Five charge conferences in Southeast Alaska. Completed Interim Minister training. Weekend touring San Francisco with Kim. Western Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee. I even skipped another committee to come home early.

Last Sunday I experienced charge conference at First, Anchorage. This is a church in transition. Interim pastor Ruth Ward led them in a history sharing time complete with large time line and photos. Here is a clip of that sharing.

At the end of the conference I invited them to share with me their hopes and dreams for their new pastor.

Sunday evening was spent at Jewel Lake Parish where Tom Holslag serves as Interim Pastor. Dr. Curt Karns, executive presbyter of the Yukon Presbytery, led the annual meeting of this union church. This video clip is of the people greeting their newest member. Sophie is a newborn baby who had just entered this world the day before!

Grace and peace,
Dave

Ketchikan and Sitka

2011-01-17T13:47:00.000-09:00

After the constant rain in Juneau it was a wonderful surprise to see Ketchikan and Sitka bathed in winter sunlight. Pastors Teri and Ev Erbele drove me around to see more of this island's beauty and history. I felt badly that the church had to have their charge conference on a Saturday morning. This church is forging a new identity from that of helping with the city's blueberry festival to that of the church providing a day shelter for people without homes. They are also reaching out to the residents of a nearby tenement house. Lots to celebrate at First UMC!
This is a clip of our visit to the dock area.

Sitka is a short flight north from Ketchikan. Rev. Oconer and family were permitted to visit their home in the Philippines at the last minute so I stayed in the empty parsonage. Sitka was the last of the churches for me to be in worship. I told the congregation that morning that if they could pretend just for the morning that I was their pastor that it would make me feel good. So I got to preach about Jesus' baptism. This church is a vital part of the community and is one of the few churches without a financial struggle. The clip is of Julia Smith's (Conference UMW President) granddaughter, Zia, dancing during choir rehearsal.

I always enjoy my travels to southeast Alaska. Did I mention to you all that all five of our southeast churches gave 100% of their apportionments in 2010? They understand how important it is to keep our connection strong.

The last three are Jewel Lake, First, Anchorage, and Turnagain.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Juneau Churches

2011-01-10T16:13:00.000-09:00

My visit with the southeast UM churches was filled with learning about the many ministries of these vibrant churches. This week I will feature the three Juneau churches and share about the southern most churches next Tuesday.

First up was Northern Light United Church with new pastor, Dr. Phil Campbell. Phil and Teresa graciously hosted me for the three days in Juneau. They don't have a charge conference but an annual meeting. Rev. David Dobler, my counterpart from the Presbyterian Church was present. Northern Light has a strong witness in downtown Juneau with advocacy on several social justice fronts. They will receive their new youth director this month. The video clip is of Phil giving part of his pastor's report.

Aldersgate UMC is out in the Mendenhall valley. Led by Rev. Judy Shook this church has a story I have been telling across the conference. After three families with leadership roles moved out of state they were hit hard financially. They made the decision to pay their apportionments before the light bill! Their faith was rewarded and they are a 100% church this year! In fact all of the southeast churches are 100%!! This photo is of their brand new sign.

Douglas UMC was next. Rev. Cindy Roberts is their new pastor. Cindy is bringing some new and fresh ideas for worship. This church continues serving 50-70 school children in a high need area EVERY day of the school week! This clip is of an opening song before the charge conference. Notice the visual arts in the chancel.

Grace and peace,

Dave

Interpreting Congregational Feedback for Clergy

2011-01-03T19:54:00.000-09:00

Let’s be honest. Pastors are in the people business and at some level in our hearts we need and want to be liked and loved. When it comes to receiving feedback from our congregations there is still a part of us that wants to hear, “Nice sermon, Pastor.”

While comments like these stroke pastors’ egos and they do have their place, pastors need feedback that will help them become better pastors. So when it is time for the annual pastoral evaluation SPR Committee’s need to be focused on helping the congregation interpret comments such as “need better sermons” or “pastor needs to lead the church.” SPR Committees need to ask questions such as “What do you mean?” or “Tell me more.”

We need to move beyond whether or not people like the pastor. Whether or not someone “likes” the pastor’s sermons or his/her mannerisms is not the issue. The issue is whether or not the pastor is leading the church towards its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. When an individual church member gives feedback to SPRC during a pastoral evaluation it is also a time for the member to evaluate the effectiveness of his or her own discipleship. In other words when feedback is solicited let’s remember that it is not just about the pastor, but about how we ALL are doing with the mission of the Church. I have created a Clergy/Church Covenant located on our web site at www.alaskaumc.org which can assist congregations in evaluating not just the pastor, but the ministry of the entire church.

This is a call for SPRC chairpersons to lead their committees to help their congregations discover ways to give feedback that will truly help their pastor become a better pastor. Remember that pastors come with various depths of ego strength. There are seasons that need to be noticed. It will help to be aware of times when your pastor may be more open to receiving feedback. You may not want to conduct a full evaluation during dark winter months or times of loss when your pastor is fragile and vulnerable. Most in your church will not be able to notice such times. This is to say that the pastor needs SPRC to be a safe, trusting, and confidential environment to hear constructive feedback. The pastor also needs to be willing to ask for and receive such feedback. Again, it is about the mission of the church that needs to be the primary focus.

SPR Committees are the eyes and ears of the church. They should be listening to the congregation throughout the year. They should be interpreting the feedback with their pastor in ways that will truly improve ministry. Not everything SPRC hears should be shared with the pastor. Some feedback will need further exploration. Some will require discerning the right time to share feedback with the pastor. Identifying an SPRC member with whom the pastor feels a connection and safety is strongly suggested as a liason.

SPRC’s role in interpreting feedback is a learned skill and an important part of creating a healthy church system.

Grace Always,

Dave

Family Christmas Newsletter

2010-12-22T19:22:00.000-09:00

May the Child of Christmas touch your life.

Dave and Kim Beckett

St. John, Anchor Park/East, First Anchorage, and First Samoan

2010-12-20T09:51:00.000-09:00

This was Pastor Peter Perry's first conference as senior pastor of St. John. St. John is a vital church in transition with new staff on board and more to come next year with the retirement of Rose McLean this summer. In this clip the staff share what God has been doing in and through St. John.

Later that same day was the Anchor Park/East joint church conference. Pastors Jon Disburg and Jenny Smith have formed a cohesive team intent on engaging their churches in mission with their community. In this video clip they share what God has been doing through the number of hours given by their members.

Last Sunday I worshipped with First UMC, Anchorage to say goodbye to Pastor Deb Lindsay-Hudgins. Deb is retiring and has accepted a position at Alaska Pacific University. In this clip Deb offers the benediction.

Leila joined me at First Samoan's conference. The most touching part was when the widow of their lay leader, Sioka Pogi, read his handwritten report to the conference. In this clip the congregation sings a benediction song.

I pray for all of our Alaska churches and their leaders. May you all be renewed and inspired by the presence of Christ this Christmas.

Merry Christmas!
Dave

Northstar, Kenai, Soldotna, Seward and Moose Pass

2010-12-13T10:20:00.000-09:00

I usually put about 700 miles on my truck travelling to all 7 Kenai Peninsula churches. I saw lots of stars, moose and even a coyote on this trip. I am so impressed with the youth ministry of Northstar UMC in Nikiski. I spoke with one teen who is sensing a call into ministry! Here is a clip of their youth praise band.

The big news at the Kenai church was their name change. From UMC of the New Covenant to Kenai UMC. The truth is that people in town had called them this for years. After the conference I had them celebrate this new name with this clip.

It is always good for my soul to return to Soldotna UMC where I pastored and lived for 7.5 years. I especially enjoyed my stay at the parsonage thanks to the hospitality of Richard and Karolann Whetsell. Here's a clip of the Soldotna choir after the conference.

Final stop was Seward for the joint conference with Moose Pass. Pastor Paul Caseman showed me the demolition of the old Wesley Rehab building owned by the Women's Division.

I'll wait to share about my time at St. John and Anchor Park and East until next Tuesday. As an annual conference we face several challenges but God still comes to bring hope, peace, joy, and love to the people of Alaska.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Palmer, Wasilla, Willow, Ninilchick, & Homer

2010-12-06T15:36:00.000-09:00

Lots of church visits to share with you today. My time with Wasilla Christ First was inspiring. Strong, growing church with a clear vision for the future. Willow is always a fun church to visit. The Lush family are settled into the new parsonage. Social needs are great and the church is the hub for reaching out to others with the love of God.

Exciting things are happening at Palmer. One is a a new Saturday service designed around hockey families in the community. Here is a clip of the folks sharing what God has been doing in and through their ministries.

In order to go on a date with Kim on Saturday night I got up early to drive to Ninilchik (4 hr) to preach. What a gorgeous experience to stop in the mountains in the dark and gaze at the stars. Without the light pollution of Anchorage the heavens were astoundingly bright! What a wonderful time was had worshipping with the saints at St. Peter the Fisherman UMC. Here's a clip of opening worship with what I think may be the youngest acolyte in the conference! Her name is Devon.

On to Homer where we celebrated Pastor Charles Martindell's 53rd birthday. I felt badly for him having church conference on his birthday. There was much to celebrate with all that was happening in and through this church. Here's a clip of the birthday happenings.

That's all for now. Next up: Nikiski, Kenai, Soldotna, Seward, Moose Pass, St. John, Anchor Park, and East.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Snowmachines, Skiing, & Anchorage Korean UMC

2010-11-29T10:54:00.000-09:00

One thing I learned early on as a rookie Alaskan. I needed reasons to get outside in this amazing wilderness. Now I could have stuck with hiking or kayaking. But I am a man and am drawn to machines! Motorcycling in the summer and snowmachining in the winter. I think the reason I enjoy these sports is because they get me out of Anchorage.

Last Friday I took my son-in-law, Aaron Smith, to Turnagain Pass for his inaugural ride. Sun was shining and the snow was fresh. A wonderful time enjoying God's creation.

Saturday night was a bit of downhill skiing at Hilltop. First time for Kim since her Achilles tendon rupture two years ago. My first time on skiis for many years. And it was great fun and not a single fall.

Sunday was spent at Anchorage Korean UMC. All Korean UMC's in the Western Jurisdiction are supervised by Rev. Won Kie Kim, superintendent of the Korean Mission. Everything was in Korean: worship, SPRC, church conference. Rev. Kim translated some of it for me. Here is a clip of their opening worship.

I did encourage them to become connected with other Alaskan United Methodists.

Next stop: Wasilla, Willow, and Palmer!

Grace and peace,

Chugiak and Girdwood

2010-11-23T10:06:00.000-09:00

Sunday morning I stopped by my office on the way to Chugiak for church conference. I slipped into worship at East to hear our youngest pastor in the conference. Jenny Smith shared the second of a series dealing with technology and social media. I had a nostalgic moment when I realized that in 1984 I preached my first sermon in Alaska in that pulpit when John Shaffer was pastor of East. Jenny was with Kim that day as a two year old. Now that two year old had grown up, mostly in Alaska, nurtured by the saints of Soldotna UMC and St. John UMC. Here she was in that same pulpit. Pretty cool dad moment for me.

The saints at Chugiak are like the energizer bunny. They keep going and going! Pastor Carlo Rapanut has an effective ministry and is a pretty good preacher. They are still using a prayer response I stole and used in Soldotna and St. John years ago. With just over 200 members and around 170 in worship they are managing a building and mortgage payments the same size as St. John. Here is a video clip of part of Carlo's video pastor's report.

Then it was off to Girdwood. They had just recently got some heat in their new building. Ceiling drywall is being done this week. A VIM electrician is coming next week. They hope to be in the new space for Christmas. Girdwood Chapel is hurting right now. They have experienced two sudden deaths in their church and community. The church's ministry is vital to the town and Jim Doepken is the only full-time, resident pastor. I shared with them about the importance of apportioned giving and how other Alaska churches who are struggling with finances are giving so that churches like Girdwood can thrive.

Have a thankful Thanksgiving!
Dave

Unalaska

2010-11-16T08:57:00.000-09:00

It was an amazing weekend on the island visiting with the saints of Unalaska UMC and the Wilcox family. There was virtually no wind the entire time! Gorgeous white-capped mountains and calm seas. Here's a photo of the ballfield which is leased by the church to the city. Notice the parsonage with the green roof at the far end.

Turnover is very high at Unalaska with the fishing industry as the largest employer. Pastor Dan Wilcox arranged for a tour of the crab processing plant which was fascinating. Families move away quite often which creates many challenges for this small congregation. They depend on Advance funds from other churches and conference support to keep going. The Wilcox's are the only full time, resident pastoral family on the island. Unalaska is one of our new Mission Congregations. With this new designation we as an annual conference are saying that we want this ministry to be there and are willing to support it and help pay for it with our apportionment giving.

Among the many ministries Unalaska UMC has study groups, a new choir, Kids' Night Out, Internet cafe, Second Blessing, and more. They recently installed a high tech projector in the sanctuary and plan to show movies for families on the island. There is no movie theater at Unalaska.

Worship was sweet for me as I could gaze at the snow-capped mountains outside and watch the eagles diving and skimming the water. Here's a video clip.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Fairbanks and Nome

2010-11-09T14:40:00.000-09:00

Tis the season all UM's love....church conferences! Pastors and lay leaders dread it because it means preparing paperwork for the superintendent. But so far the first three of 28 were very positive and hopeful. Karen Martin-Tichenor invited me to preach at New Hope which I appreciated. One of their mission fields is children. I just love that the kids stay in the sanctuary during the sermon and create a craft or drawing which they bring forward during the offering.

I visited First UMC, Fairbanks, twice. I had the honor of speaking at the Celebrate Recovery service on Saturday evening. What a needed and blessed ministry! I returned Sunday evening to lead their church conference which was creative and fun. First UMC is a happening church with an amazing array of ministries. Here is a clip of Pastor Tom Telfer sharing a piece of the ministry puzzle.

Then I flew to Nome via Anchorage which was a bit weird. One of their saints, Esther Bourdon, is in Anchorage in the hospital following heart surgery. I offered to visit Esther and suggested at their church conference that they sing a song which I recorded on my iphone. Tomorrow I plan to show the video clip to Esther. Another example of how God's Spirit moves in and through our connectedness to bring healing and hope.

Next stop: Unalaska!

Grace and peace,
Dave

Our Mission Field

2010-11-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

Five Alaskan pastors attended the New Church Leadership Institute in Seattle last week. Luther Oconer (Sitka), Judy Shook (Juneau), Jenny Smith (Anchorage), Leila Disburg, and myself. A long time ago I heard a definition of maturity that has stuck with me. "Maturity is realizing that the most important lessons in life are the ones we thought we already knew."

I was surprised that one of the take-away learnings at the NCLI was so simple. Focus on your mission field. You will hear me talk about this at charge conferences which begin this weekend in Fairbanks and Nome. Do you know your mission field? If you live in a small town the city limits may contain the mission field of your church. If you live in a city it might be defined by a major road or a river or mountains.

We are admonished by John Wesley that the world is our parish. I talked with Bishop Hagiya about the notion that our pastors are appointed, not to a local church, but to a community. He wholeheartedly agreed. I invite all of our Alaskan United Methodists to ponder and discuss this question. What would ministry look like if our focus was more on our mission field than inside the walls of our building?

Let's celebrate ALL God is doing in our churches, both inside and outside. And when it comes to our church goals for 2011 let's remember to focus on our mission field as we make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Fall Rendezvous Highlights

2010-10-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

It was a very full and inspiring gathering with the Alaska UMC lay and clergy leaders in Anchorage last weekend. I'm going to let my camera do the blogging here and post three video clips from the worship workshop led by Dr. Marcia McFee.

A big thanks to St. John for sharing Marcia with us and for Sandy Langland for this gift in memory of her mother.

The other highlight was the consecration of Girdwood Chapel's new building. There was no heat but a whole bunch of warmth in that holy space as Bishop Hagiya consecrated the building and ministries of Girdwood Chapel. Here are two clips.

The only concern I have is that there was not enough time for me to check in with everyone individually. We try to be good stewards of our time and as it is people still need to leave early. I just wish we had more downtime to just hang out and talk.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Preaching to Presbyterians

2010-10-11T15:23:00.003-08:00

My good friend, Dr. Curt Karns, invited me to fly to Fairbanks just to preach to the Yukon Presbytery leadership last Saturday. This clip is from that service at First Presbyterian. Curt and I, along with Bishop Michael Keys of the ELCA, and Michael Burke of the Episcopal Church have formed a sort of covenant group. We meet regularly for prayer, spiritual sharing, and dreaming of real ministry we can do together.

I am excited to announce that next February 25, 2011, our conference leaders and the Lutheran leadership have changed their winter meeting date to coincide with the Yukon Presbytery so we will all meet at the same time in Anchorage. We are planning one evening together with a light dinner, worship, and, in the Lutheran tradition, table conversation over dessert. Mark your calendars for this special event. A coordinating team is being assembled now to work out details.

My main goal in the sermon was to persuade church leaders that significant and systemic change is needed if we are to respond to the world as an authentic expression of the words and acts of Jesus. The message was well received and many spoke with me afterwards about their desire to reach out to people with a transformed Church. Here's a link to that sermon. See you at Fall Rendezvous!
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=159jarVXniWW7y0-bOpuTJ2Xt4EAHrJm17amV20hwJaw

Grace and peace,
Dave

Staying in Touch

2010-10-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

Several things to share with you today.

Welcome Dr. Phil Campbell, new pastor of Northern Light Church in Juneau. Phil and Teresa moved from Denver where Phil was a professor at Illiff Theological Seminary. You can send them a welcome note to campbelpe@aol.com.

Fall Rendezvous is next week. I am looking forward to being with our lay and clergy leaders in Anchorage. New clergy orientation, Friday worship workshop with Marcia McFee, and the important work of our committees Friday and Saturday. Bishop Hagiya will bring us an update after dinner on Friday on the 2012 realignment plan of episcopal areas.

We are finding ways to use our new video communications system. Alaska Children's Services used it to interview CEO candidates. Clergy taking the Interim Pastor Training used it to check in with their projects. Leila and I are using it to keep in touch with pastors across Alaska. You are encouraged to sign up for a free Oovoo account.

Please know that I pray for you all on a daily basis.

Grace and peace,
Dave

We Messed Up

2010-09-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

An open letter to people who feel disenfranchised by the Christian church

We got it wrong. For quite some time now the Church has made crucial mistakes. We have assumed that Church as we have known it will continue without the major changes you have wanted to see. We have focused more on doctrinal purity than the needs of the poor. We have tried to start new churches based on our vision rather than your needs. We have convinced ourselves that we have been loving you but more often than not you have not received our actions as genuine love. We have held fast to worship practices that keep us entrenched and unable to conceive of the changes necessary to reach your heart with the glory of God. We have caused division in the Church and the world with our beliefs about who is living in sin. We have insisted that you accept certain forms of prayer and non-essential beliefs before we accept you into the Church.

No doubt you could add a few more reasons why you do not want to be part of the Church. I apologize. We failed to listen to Jesus when he told his disciples that others would know us by our love. I am sorry. We messed up when we have allowed what separates us to be more important than what brings us together. You have looked at us and decided that Church is not for you if we continue to be the way we are. And you are right.

The question is, Can we change? The deeper question is, Can we listen to you? This is not to say that we should change the essence of who we are as the body of Christ. We should not abandon the principles of peace, healing, love, and forgiveness that are the core of the life of Jesus and who we need to become. But can we change the form of who we have become? Can we love the world without expectation of new members who give generously? Can we stand up for people who live at the edges of society, those who have no voice among the powerful? Can we start new ministries that are radical and different, ministries that you would be a part of, ministries that do not replace but exist side by side with ones church people appreciate?

I am a Christian, a disciple of Jesus, filled with God’s Spirit. Because of this I believe in transformation! Yes I can change! And yes, we can change! So I ask for patience that we will get it and shift how we do Church. I ask for your forgiveness that we can sense a genuine love for you and the hurting of this world. And I ask for your prayers that we will embark on a new era of authentic love and compassion, not simply to get more members, but to love this wonderful world God has given us all.

Dave

Lay School of Theology

2010-09-20T09:55:00.001-08:00

I have a confession to make. When I was pastor of a local church I rarely made time for the Lay School of Theology. The third weekend of September is not a good time for pastors. When St. John would host it I would always sneak in the back and take in some of the excellent teaching, but I never fully committed myself to the entire event. That is, until last weekend.

I attended Dr. Elaine Heath's class on A NEW KIND OF CHURCH. Dr. Heath is a professor of evangelism and has started a new monastic, missional community in Dallas called NEW DAY. You can visit their web site at http://newdaydallas.org/New_Day_Dallas/Welcome.html

I invite you all to learn more about Dr. Heath's missional initiative. Check out her book titled "Longing for Spring."

Basically, this ministry is about a leadership team covenanting together for their spiritual journey, living by a rule of life, and being bi-vocational. Leaders receive their income and benefits from their employer and donate their time to the ministry. There is no plan to grow a large church. Anchored to an existing church a new community would consist of 12-20 neighbors gathering in a home for a weekly meal and worship. Members would become a close-knit community sharing burdens, studying the Bible, being inclusive and diverse, and an advocate of social justice.

Dr. Heath is interested in exploring how this might look in our Alaska communities. She has a plan for an academy that will develop lay and clergy leaders to start small, missional, monastic communities. This vision has touched my heart and I wonder how God might be working in our lives to do something similar in Alaska. So let's pray and talk about it!

Grace and peace,
Dave

Tonight's Dinner is in the Garbage!

2010-09-14T10:56:00.000-08:00

This morning I put out the garbage. Now that Kim and I have an empty nest we have much less trash to put out. About 5 days ago I prepared some halibut for dinner and put the skins in a bag in the freezer. We often do this so they won't smell before the next garbage pick up. So I tossed the bag of what looked like halibut skins into this morning trash.

At work I had a vague sense of uneasiness when I remembered that Kim suggested I fix halibut for dinner tonight. Did I throw out tonight's dinner? So I called Renee, a neighbor, and asked her to go through our trash to rescue tonight's dinner. At first she couldn't find it. Then another neighbor came over and asked her, "What are you doing going through Dave's trash?"

Renee called back to say she had found the halibut. I had indeed thrown out something that was meant to sustain our lives.

How often do we fail to recognize valuable gifts from God that come our way? Perhaps one comes to us in the form of a homeless person asking for help. Maybe a gift is hiding behind a frustrated face if we will only offer a smile to unlock it. Let's be on the lookout for the many gifts from God, gifts that are meant to sustain us and give us abundant life!

Grace and peace,
Dave

Biblical Literacy and Money Debt

2010-09-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

September is a high energy month in the life of our local churches. People are returning from fish sites, non-stop camping experiences, and world travels. Summer worship schedules give way to fall and winter times. And Sunday School kicks off with excitement and anticipation. It is also the time when many churches give Bibles to their third grade students.

I want to use this moment to highlight the need for Alaska United Methodists to deepen their understanding of the Bible. Specifically, I challenge pastors and lay teachers to be honest about teaching a view of scripture that moves people beyond literalism. There is a huge difference between biblical literacy and biblical literalism. The first is about Bible education while the second is about a particular view of scripture that holds the Bible to be historically true in the actual words. There is a view that holds to the truth of scripture but not in the literal words.

I heard a story in my home conference of West Ohio when Bishop Judy Craig was speaking to her clergy. With her finger pointing she said, "You are not teaching your people what you know." There are ways to ask questions that lead us to want to know of the truth of scripture without assenting to the historical accuracy of scripture as it is written. Here is a link to an old sermon I preached at St. John in 1997 when I was pastor of Soldotna UMC and a guest preacher at St. John.

Click on this link to check out a one-page resource on biblical literacy from our General Board of Discipleship. If you have stories or ideas on Bible education that have helped your people grow in their understanding of how God acted in the stories of scripture please share them with me and we'll find ways to share them with everyone.

Now to a different topic. At worship at St. John last Sunday Rev. Jo Ann Schaadt delivered a sermon called "Holy Meddling." She talked about the ways we are called to meddle (hold each other accountable) in each others' lives. This includes debt. When all pastors are ordained we are asked historic Wesley questions and one is "Are you in debt so as to embarrass yourself?" Whether you are clergy or lay let me ask you, "Are you in debt that is causing undue stress and anxiety for you and your family and perhaps affecting the ministry of your church?" St. John offers a regular class called Financial Peace University which is helping many families look at money from a spiritual and biblical perspective. So I want to encourage us all to examine our personal stewardship in light of the teachings of Christ when it comes to money. We are called to lead by example in each of our local churches.

Grace and peace,
Dave

United Methodist Passion in Kenai, Alaska

2010-08-23T15:17:00.001-08:00

Rev. Marti Slater invited me to preach at United Methodist Church of the New Covenant in Kenai last Sunday. I combined it with a fishing charter out of Homer with Lonnie Brooks, our conference lay leader. I spent some time with Charles and Karen Martindell, pastors at Homer UMC. Charles and I went on a movie date where he introduced me to the famous Homer popcorn. Then some golf with Revs. Paul Caseman from Seward and Moose Pass, and Richard Whetsell from Soldotna. The weather, exercise, and fellowship was terrific, but not my golf game!

It was fun to be with the Kenai saints. I was pastor of Soldotna UMC years ago when we started a joint Ash Wednesday service with Nikiski, Kenai, and Soldotna. Some of the folks still have a stale marshmallow I gave them 15 years ago!

We looked at Kenai's rich history of including Christians from other denominations. Today they have a food pantry that is stocked and distributed once a week by church members. After worship we had a conversation time where we talked about ways to revitalize the church. One member, Kari Mohn, had a great idea which I want to implement soon. She could not find anything on our conference web site that described where our apportionment dollars go here in Alaska. I promised her it would be there within 30 days.

Here's a clip of the benediction song they sing at the end of every service.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Remembering Rev. Dick Heacock

2010-08-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday I flew to Fairbanks for the memorial service for Richard Heacock, long time Alaska pastor and prophet. The service was beautiful in the sanctuary of First UMC. Pastor Tom Telfer led us well with an appropriate balance of anecdotes, humor, and the gospel truth of our faith. I was astounded at the huge choir who was present at this weekday afternoon service.

Retired pastor Walt Hays and his wife, Jo Ann, were present. Walt represented so many other of Dick's colleagues over the years and did a masterful job of talking about Dick's life and faith. Here is a quote from Walt: "On these visits, I would often pick up the miniature bronze statue of “Swords into Plowshares” statue that was shelved in his living room.

The great statue was given to the UN by Russia for its outdoor statuary garden in 1969. I must confess that I would pick it up just to hear Dick respond in that great bass voice with the works from the second chapter of Isaiah: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into
pruning hooks; nations shall not lift up swords against nations, neither
shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) Dick’s great spirit has blessed my life and the lives of many. We truly give thanks for his life and ministry."

The big surprise for me was the impromptu ending. Dick's family members led us in singing the chorus "We Are Marching in the Light of God." It was really cool. Here's a clip.

One more thing. While walking around downtown Fairbanks I came across this hanging flower basket. Just had to share with you all the beauty of Fairbanks, not only the flowers but the land and the people, people like one of our saints, Dick Heacock.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Energy and Passion in Palmer!

2010-08-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a great worship experience with our Palmer Fellowship last Sunday. A new place in the basement of the Country Cutts building with handicapped access, new carpet, new chairs. Pastors Robert and Tori Hicks are leading this renewal in what could be described as a church restart. In this video clip see if you can notice Tori's toes keeping time with the music.

Palmer was started years ago as a satellite campus of our Wasilla church. What we need now is the blessing and support of the Alaska conference. One of the ways they are rethinking Church is by listening to hockey families. So they will consider shaping their church's ministry around the needs of hockey families to discover and nurture their spiritual lives.

So please join me in praying for our ministry in Palmer. Check out their new web site at http://www.palmerumc.com/main.html.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Interim Minister Training in San Francisco

2010-07-26T11:13:00.000-08:00

To all of our Alaska clergy let me offer a suggestion when scheduling your continuing education this year...Consider doing it with other colleagues. It's way more fun!

20 experienced pastors from the west gathered in San Francisco in a Catholic retreat center with lots of signs beginning with "Do NOT" and blocking software that would not allow us to get on Facebook. Alaska had the most with six: Tom Telfer from Fairbanks, Kim Poole from Juneau, Ev Erbele from Ketchikan, Leila Disburg from Anchorage, myself, and Bishop Hagiya.

We learned about how to be an intentional interim minister which is different from filling the gap between pastorates. The interim minister has a specific time with specific tasks which include dealing with a church's history, see its identity, acknowledge changing leadership, strengthening the denominational connection, and living towards the future. One mantra we heard over and over was: The Interim Minister is responsible for the process, not the results!

This was Phase One. Phase Two involves doing two case studies with Phase three returning to San Francisco in January.

We walked around during limited free time. Ask Ev Erbele about her dumpster diving and finding a decent roller bag. People didn't know much about Alaska so it was fun to tell our stories. It helped that we had people from four different parts of Alaska.

So maybe your next CE experience could be done with a few colleagues. Maybe you'll laugh like we did in San Francisco. Here's a clip.

Grace and peace,
Dave

God Is Doing a New Thing at East Anchorage UMC

2010-07-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, July 18, East Anchorage UMC received about 40 new members, all part of a new Samoan fellowship. Former local pastor, Fa'atafa Fulumua, from the Hawaii District, has been giving leadership to a band of Samoan United Methodists in Anchorage. Now they are full members of East Anchorage UMC. There will be an English speaking worship service and a Samoan language service on Sundays. Tafa also serves as the choir director for the English speaking choir.

Here is a video clip of Pastor Jon Disburg and the congregation welcoming their newest members.

Pastor Jon Disburg did a masterful job of weaving the story of Elisha and the salt in the bowl with how God wants to do new things in the world. At the risk of embarrassing Jon I recommend any of our clergy or lay preachers who want to improve their preaching skills to request a consult with Jon.

We truly received a glimpse of the diversity and full inclusion of the reign of God on earth. Here is a clip of the Samoan choir.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Remembering Della

2010-07-13T13:32:00.001-08:00

Our only ordained native Alaskan pastor died on July 4. Here is part of what I shared at her memorial service at Turnagain UMC.

There are many words that form in our minds we would use to describe Della. The one that comes to me is “bridge.” Della was a bridge of love, understanding, and grace between people who came from different backgrounds. One morning in the bathroom while listening to the radio I smiled as the reporter interviewed this native Alaskan woman who was teaching native dance to children and youth in White Mountain. She was using their love of basketball to encourage them to dance. It was, of course, our Della.

When Pastor Dale told me Della was in the hospital and not doing well I walked into her room. She was unresponsive and surrounded by family. As I looked on this diminutive woman who could no longer talk or sing or caress a loved one I was struck by her power. This was a spiritual giant in a very short package! I touched her forehead as we prayed. Even in this state she was sending forth the love and grace of God. We could feel it.

Rev. Jim Campbell, longtime Alaska missionary pastor and friend of Della, wrote this poem in her honor. Those of us who experienced Della's stories while she created a doll from her cuspuk will certainly smile when we read.

The Cuspuk Doll

Jim Campbell

Her hands cast wonder
folding, transforming her cuspuk.
A yard of string
twisting, binding the cloth
until from her garment,
this identity that wrapped her body,
there emerged the likeness of a doll
faces transfixed by the weave of her hands
now melting to a Christmas morning smile.

Over and over it happened.
All across the land it happened.
Each town,
each stop on the agenda of places to be by five o’clock,
each plead for her people that were starving in Chukotka,
each feast attended for those who had no bread,
there came the hope moment,
that transforming moment,
that gospel moment of all things made new,
that moment of the parable of the doll.

Della made other dolls,
hands of an artist given to beading, sewing, carving…..
dolls of the Anchorage museum,
life like dolls of her people,
dolls of worth and beauty and display.
Della bore the standard of craftsman.
She distilled the beautiful,
the colors and foods of the changing seasons,
the rhythm of the beat of the drum,
the telling of stories,
especially stories to the children,
who gathered with her on the floor,
as she made her cuspuk doll
and told of times when that was all she had.

Hands, stilled….. folded,
her blessings complete.
So many lives yet sway in the wake of her Sunday prayers,
heart prayers in this sanctuary,
to the Creator,
to whom, in this moment
We lift up our dear friend…….
daring to notice in the hand of God,
a yard of string,
waiting
waiting to make,
one more new creation.

Grace and peace,
Dave

July 4 in Seward, Alaska

2010-07-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

I just love being in Seward on July 4 for the Mt. Marathon race and festivities. It is such an Alaskan event steeped in history. Ever since Duane Chase and family lived in the parsonage our family has camped out on the lawn to cheer for the runners, catch up with old friends from the Kenai, see Anchorage folks, and eat of course.

It also happens around the time of the first Sunday when a new pastor arrives. Rev. Paul Caseman jokingly tried to charge me for the spot. I reminded him who arranged for him to be in Seward and Moose Pass!

Here's a short clip of the race that ends with Paul and Patti watching. Patti is the one with a bag of kettle popcorn. She and I discovered a mutual addiction to the snack!

Grace and peace,

Dave

Big Changes for Willow UMC

2010-06-29T09:08:00.002-08:00

Last Sunday I volunteered to be the interim preacher between Steve Eldred and Dan Lush. It was a great day with a special charge conference to approve a bridge loan and name the Merrill parsonage after member and builder, Mark Merrill, welcoming a VIM team from Virginia, potluck, praying for Dan and Maggie, and dedicating the new parsonage. This video clip has Fran Lynch welcoming the VIM team in worship.

After the parsonage dedication the VIM team unloaded the Lush's moving van. Dan and Maggie, Shenandoah, and Cassidy are settling into a brand new parsonage to begin their year of interim ministry at Willow. Here is a clip of the parsonage at the time of the unloading.

I invite you to include in your prayers our churches experiencing a pastoral transition this week. Willow, St. John, Seward and Moose Pass, Jewel Lake, East, Anchor Park, Douglas, and Northern Light.

Grace and peace,
Dave

PNW Commissioning and Ordination

2010-06-21T14:54:00.002-08:00

Last week Kim and I attended the Pacific Northwest annual conference in Tacoma. The partnership between Alaska and PNW has grown and strengthened since we were linked a few years ago. We share a bishop, treasurer, benefits officer, and foundation. Our Professional Ministries Unit functions as a district committee on ministry and certifies candidates for ministry to the PNW Board of Ministry.

Two new pastors coming to Alaska were commissioned and ordained last Saturday. Jenny Smith was commissioned as a provisional elder and has two years of supervision before her ordination. Here is a photo of her commissioning. Note the proud papa standing in the back.

Jenny and Aaron and beagle, Zoe, are driving through Canada on their way to Anchorage where Jenny will be associate pastor with Jon Disburg at East and Anchor Park.

Cindy Roberts is moving from rural Idaho to Douglas and is quite excited about joining the Alaska family. Cindy was ordained an elder. You can't see her in this video clip with all the bishops surrounding her but you can hear the audio.

Here is a photo of our Alaska team at PNW. It was an impromptu picture that unfortunately did not include Leila Disburg who was also at the conference.

We now have nine PNW members serving in Alaska: Tom Telfer, Jo Ann Schaadt, Deb Lindsay Hudgins, Robert and Tori Hicks, David and Julie Elmore, Jenny Smith, and Cindy Roberts which represents a third of our clergy. This is a testament to the strong relationship we enjoy with PNW.

Joining Jenny and Cindy will be Phil Campbell going to Northern Light in Juneau, Paul Caseman going to Seward and Moose Pass, and Dan Lush going to Willow. And let's not forget Peter Perry going to St. John. I hope you'll take a moment to send them a welcoming note. Email addresses are available at www.alaskaumc.org

This is an exciting time as we ponder what it means to have a vision cast before us: 20/20 Vision: Leading to God's New Horizons.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Alaska United Methodist Annual Conference

2010-06-08T10:03:00.000-08:00

Words to describe annual conference: Fun, entertaining, joyful, worshipful, respectful, compassionate. You likely have other words to add. Words such as these are not usually associated with an annual conference of the United Methodist Church. Here are some video clips of Bishop Hagiya at the basketball challenge.

One of the highlights for me was the First Samoan choir. Evidence of our heartfelt connection was powerful in the debate and decision we made to support this congregation with their mortgage. Then they came to say thank you with a song to start our worship Saturday evening. Here's a clip.

Bishop Hagiya was at Chugiak to preach and baptize Titus Rapanut, son of Pastor Carlo and Radie Rapanut. At St. John Rev. David Fison's Christmas totem pole was blessed and erected on the lawn for all to see. Here's a clip.

Next stop for me is a week's vacation with family, then PNW Annual Conference for the commissioning of Jenny Smith and ordination of Cindy Roberts.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Encounter with Bruce

2010-05-31T21:37:00.002-08:00

Last week I attended the Anchorage Assembly as they dealt with the issue of homeless camps. Rev. Michael Burke, pastor of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Anchorage, is a good friend and articulate spokesperson for the homeless. He has the credibility of 20 years of visiting homeless persons around Anchorage. Several of his members do not have a place they call home.

At a recent forum on homelessness the leaders at St. Mary’s taught me that it is very important to be in relationship with the poor, to look them in the eye and speak their name.

Recently I was coming out of Fred Meyer with my lunch in hand, headed back to the office. A man approached me in the parking lot and asked me if I had 20 cents. I had become used to projecting my steel side that protected my wallet and I really did not have 20 cents in change and told him so. I was surprised that he did not follow up with another request. As I was securing my lunch in my motorcycle bags he was admiring my bike. I asked his name. “Bruce,” he said. “Hi Bruce. I’m Dave.” We chatted for a bit and then parted.

Okay, before I pat myself on the back for this response, let’s fast forward to later that night. I’m lying in bed trying to sleep when I heard God speak. “Why didn’t you ask Bruce if he was hungry? You could have given him your lunch.” I pounded the bed! Why didn’t I think of this?

I share this with you because I have much to learn about the poor. I have so many layers of white middle-class privilege that need to be peeled away. Being a Christ follower does not always make me comfortable. But facing up to the ways I have been shaped by my culture can help me see the humanity in another child of God.

So what barriers do you automatically erect in such circumstances? Friends, we really need to be in authentic relationship with all of God’s children. This is especially true for the poor.

Motorcycling to Moose Pass

2010-05-24T10:08:00.001-08:00

I had the opportunity last weekend to preach at Moose Pass and Seward while Peter Perry was leading a family wedding in Nevada. The sun was shining on Saturday afternoon in Anchorage and although it was cool (50 degrees) I decided to venture forth on my trusty Suzuki motorcycle.

I've driven the Seward highway hundreds of times over the past 18 years but never with the view afforded by a motorcycle. It was spectacular and exhilerating! Motorcyclists have created an award for those hardy souls who can ride long distances. It's called the Iron Butt award. I'm here to tell you that there is no iron in my butt. I had to stop frequently along the way which was fine with me and my stiff body. I tried to find Jim and Kay Shock's cabin near Moose Pass but couldn't find it and ended up on an ATV trail. All part of the adventure!

In Seward John Dodson, interim pastor of St. John, was there to speak to a large group of Boy Scouts. So he and I enjoyed dinner and hanging out together at the Seward parsonage.

Riding to Moose Pass early Sunday morning was quite the chilling experience. It was great to see Rev. Chuck Young and the congregation there. Back on my bike and I walked into the Seward church 2 minutes before 11. People are not happy that Peter and Karen are leaving them but they understand our system and are looking forward to welcoming Paul and Patty Caseman. Life is full of transitions. One woman told me that she will look forward to visiting St. John when she travels to Anchorage. I told her she could see if Peter was preaching any Seward sermon reruns!

Life and ministry in the Alaska conference continues to be full of adventure and joy because of our Pentecost God who fills us with Holy Spirit love!

May the Fire burn in your heart!
Dave

Worship at Turnagain UMC

2010-05-17T09:28:00.001-08:00

I wanted to see the new energy and enthusiasm at Turnagain UMC for myself last Sunday. Pastor Dale Kelley came out of retirement last summer to Turnagain. She wasn't there very long having recently completed a year of interim pastoring at First Christian Church. Her interim period at TUMC is being extended for a second year as the congregation works to reestablish a stronger base to afford a full time pastor.

Since arriving last summer Turnagain's worship attendance has doubled. Nine new members were received since Christmas and many upgrades have happened to their building.

Some churches think that having a young pastor with a family is key to growing their church. Well, Pastor Dale is not (Sorry, Dale) young, nor does she bring a family other than dear friend and fellow church servant, Joan Flowers. So why is Turnagain UMC turning around? I encourage you to ask Dale. My answer in part has to do with the one question she asked when she arrived. When confronted with all the reasons why they could not do this or that ministry due to outside groups using their building she heard, "They've been here for a long time. We don't want to hurt their feelings." To this Dale asked over and over, "Is it the mission of this church to be in the landlord business or the disciple-making business?" It was this question that sparked a conversation in that church that eventually led them to gracefully exit a group or two that was part of the renewal at Turnagain.

Lay and clergy leaders. What ministries or events are you doing that may be taking energy away from our primary mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ? Ask Dale to tell the story of Turnagain's turnaround. There just might be something in it that could be reproduced in your church.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Meeting with the Governor

2010-05-10T11:06:00.005-08:00

Last Friday an ecumenical group of church leaders were invited to meet with the governor about the high rate of domestic violence offenses in Alaska. He wanted to hear from us about ways to address this serious problem. It was noted that this issue is present in both our rural villages, small towns, and big cities. He told us that if you were ride in an Anchorage police car for an evening that 60% of the calls would be related to domestic violence.

Our ecumenical group had met before and had created a religion map of Alaska which we presented to Governor Parnell. Truth be told it was my idea and Crystal's work. It lists every town or village in Alaska in table format with the number of denominations present. You can check it out by clicking on this link to our web site. http://www.alaskaumc.org/storage/AlaskaReligionMap.pdf

We agreed to do what we could apart from what state government is doing. We plan on creating a simple statement that reflects our scriptural principles about the dignity and respect of all people. We are in strong agreement with recent TV ads with the message that "Real Alaskans Choose Respect."

So I encourage pastors to consider preaching a sermon on this subject. You might post a help line number in your restrooms. Include those hurt by domestic violence in pastoral prayers. The sad truth is that there are people in our churches who are afraid to talk about this family secret. We feel that awareness is an important step in bringing the healing love of God to families in need.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Immigration Reform Rally

2010-05-03T13:04:00.004-08:00

Last Saturday Kim and I participated in a rally in Anchorage designed to draw attention to the need for changes to our nation's immigration laws. It has been a long time, probably since high school, since I was cursed verbally and with hand gestures. I was taken aback by the anger of some passing drivers and wondered if they truly understood why we were there. Did they assume that we were advocating that we open our borders to let everyone into our country?

This event was sponsored by the nonprofit group, Reform Immigration for America, who believes that our immigration laws are broken and need fixing. All three of Alaska's federal legislators agree. Despite the naysayers it was encouraging to see the people who drove by honking and giving their thumbs up. To see more of what this group's principles go to http://reformimmigrationforamerica.org.

How do these principles match with our United Methodist Social Principles? Here's what our church says: ¶ 162 H) Rights of Immigrants — We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.

So I encourage all Alaska United Methodists to become aware of the issue and to let our legislators know that we need this to be our next national discussion. Please take some time to hear some of the stories of those who live in the shadows. Listening is one of the first things we learn about Jesus' ministry. It should be a primary component of our common ministry.

Grace and peace,
Dave

A Real Alaskan United Methodist Story

2010-04-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I met a legend of a man. His name is Jim Hitchcock, a seasoned builder of log buildings. Shane Inch called me to see if I could give Jim a hand at Birchwood Camp. Steve Sweezey, camp manager, and Charley Brower, our AUMC Native MInistry Committee chairperson, and I spent a gorgeous afternoon working with Jim. Our task was to help Jim build a log cross on the inside of the new building that would give support for the wall.

Jim has been building log buildings for 50 years in Alaska. He mills his own logs and has tons of experience and wisdom. It was a joy to just watch him work and talk. Jim has built most of the log buildings at Birchwood Camp.

Between whaling stories from Charley, wilderness first aid stories from Steve, and log stories from Jim I counted that opportunity to get out of the office a joy.

Grace and peace,
Dave

What Your Church Can Do for People Without Homes

2010-04-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday I attended a Homeless Forum designed to educate faith communities about the complexities of homelessness. Pastors and staff from St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Anchorage have been ministering to and with homeless persons for 20 years. They visit the homeless camps and listen to their stories.

They have a creative and simple ministry that I want to pass on for your consideration. It is called "Helping Hands." People bring in items like granola bars, toothpaste, hair brush, etc. Then a group assembles them in clear plastic bags which are distributed to families in the church. They keep them in their cars and offer them to people asking for help on street corners.

I would ask you to add that you invite your people to look them in the eye and ask them their name. As God's people we can be the body of Christ offering a kindness and a look into their soul to remind them that God knows their name and loves them very much.

Issues of homelessness may be different in each of our Alaskan communities. Some are visible. Others are invisible. But they are there and this is a small action we all can do to break down the walls of fear that keep us from responding to people who have no home.

If you would like to see the power point presentation which Rev. Michael Burke, pastor of St. Mary's, make on Sunday please let me know and I'll try to get it for you.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Immigration Reform

2010-04-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I attended an event in Anchorage sponsored by the nonprofit group Reform Immigration for America. Molly Haigh, their Alaska director, met with me last week to tell me about this bi-partisan effort to enact humane immigration laws.

At the event at St. Mary's Episcopal Church I met Maria, a Filipino woman whose family has been in Anchorage 7 years. Due to the economic downturn her husband's company was quitting business. It was his business that provided the visas for their family to be here. Through tears she shared that they have been told that they will be deported.

There were many people who have similar stories, stories of separation and fear. I was asked to speak and offer a prayer. Because we United Methodists have already declared a position on this issue in our Social Principles I was able to stand up and speak for our church. What a marvelous gift to witness moments when the desires of Church and society come together in a common purpose.

Everyone is saying that our immigration system is broken. With health care reform accomplished many are hoping that the nation's attention will focus on immigration reform. The time has come. As people of faith we can raise this banner as we join to give those who live in the shadows a chance to come into the light.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Easter Moment at St. John

2010-04-05T11:42:00.000-08:00

One of the gifts of my new role as superintendent was to sit with my wife, Kim, our two sons, and friend during Easter worship at St. John UMC, Anchorage. Rose McLean, was the preacher. She delivered a remarkable message that included the intriguing thought that Mary was committed to her grief. So much so that she was not able at first to hear the good news that he had risen. She helped me think about the ways I fail to see Christ's resurrection in the world around me because I cannot let go of my grief. I take this to mean my desire for sympathy, my anger, my attachments and addictions. To hear Rose's sermon click on http://stjohneagle.org/audiosermons.htm.

Pastor John Dodson gave the children's sermon. I just happened to record this video clip of a funny kid's moment.

I trust the joy of Easter will grace your moments to come.

Dave

God-Moments

2010-03-23T09:04:00.000-08:00

During a children's moments in worship a long time ago I talked with the kids about a God-moment. I was interested in how our children experience God-moments in their homes. Sometimes we feel that a God-moment has to be a religious, churchy moment. But God-moments happen to us every day. And they are not always joyful, happy moments. Sometimes a God-moment can happen after a car accident, or when we learn that a loved one has died, or when our families can't seem to stop arguing and fighting.

Do you have a tendency to experience God only when life is going well for you? For some folks the reverse is true. They find it hard to think about God personally acting in their lives until a crisis engulfs them.

During worship a young child was misbehaving. The parents did their best to maintain order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer the child called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"

God-moments are right before our eyes even as you read this. Our job is to notice and be aware.

My prayers are with you all as you lead your church and community through the passion of Holy Week. May we all be ready to experience many God-moments.

Grace and peace,

Dave

On Not Liking That I Am a Christ Follower

2010-03-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I am tempted to dislike that I am a Christ follower. Case in point. Kim and I celebrated our upcoming 30th anniversary by taking a Mexican cruise over spring break. Traveling on a luxury ship from LA to the Mexican Riviera our first port of call was Cabo San Lucas. No excursions for us other than to walk about the shops and restaurants near the harbor.

It was during a rest stop that I saw her. An elderly woman was rummaging through a garbage can picking empty plastic bottles and anything else that could have a second life other than the garbage dump. When she finished her treasure hunt she took her bag and sat near us.

I didn't think about it...just responded to what could have been my American guilt or the Holy Spirit. I dug out some cash, walked to the woman, gave it to her and said, "Vaya con Dios." I hope that meant "God be with you."

Her toothless smile was all the response I needed. I walked away with no warm glow in my heart. I was just glad to offer some help to this woman. I was just struck by the contrast of my wealth compared to her poverty. But the part of me who wanted to enjoy the luxury of the cruise did not care for this encounter with this poor woman.

Yes, there are days when I would rather not be a disciple of Jesus Christ. But when I affirmed my baptism and was confirmed, and every day since then when I daily decide to be a Christ follower, I gave up the right to choose whom I will love and whom I will not love. God, help me to know when my love for others requires actions that include generous sharing of my wealth.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Memorial Service Prayer

2010-03-02T16:43:00.000-09:00

Today I attended the funeral for Alan Gage, the young husband and father of two, who died in the avalanche a few weeks ago. Alan was the husband of Dalon Gage, an active member and leader at St. John. Rev. Jo Ann Schaadt did a wonderful job of leading this service. Dr. John Dodson shared a prayer that I want to share with you. I thought others may want to copy and file it for future use.

Dear Lord,
We gather in this place of sacred worship to remember Alan Gage. We know him in many different ways as husband, father, son, relative, friend, leader in his work, lover of life, active sportsman, adventurer, a great encourager of people. Our lives will never be the same again and the pain of losing Alan is great. Alan found You best in his outdoor playground, observing the majesty and beauty of your creation around him. Alan found You when he gazed into his children’s eyes and felt the joy of their love. Alan found You when he was surrounded by his wife, friends and family.
Lord, we lost him too soon and we struggle trying to make sense of it all. Come, help us find understanding, bring to us comfort that goes beyond our pain. We need signs of your love and support. Help us to be those signs to each other in love and friendship. Allow us to continue to surround Dalon, Payton, and Jarrett with great love and support. Give us the wisdom to know how to connect with each other in ways that make a difference.
As first you gave Alan to us, now may You receive him with the joy of reunion. May he find in you the freedom to explore heavenly places. May we always remember Alan and his joy in Alaska and in his family and friends.
We give him to you while the joy he shared with us remains in our hearts. So help us now as we share the prayer your son gave us….Our Father

Grace and peace,
Dave

Worship in Willow, Alaska

2010-03-02T11:02:00.000-09:00

I had a wonderful opportunity to worship with Willow UMC. This vibrant, little congregation is so important to the Willow community. They understand their mission to be the light and grace of Christ for the people who live in the area. Even if they don't attend the church people know that they can count on Pastor Steve and Fran Lynch and the Willow UMC for firewood, rides to the doctor, food, insulation, prayer, and even a memorial service or wedding.

Sometimes it's the pastor who needs help. The night before Steve and BJ's generator shed with two generators burned to the ground. They had to come to the church to shower for worship. It was a member of the church who came in the fire truck in response to the call. And it was a member of the church who provided a generator for the Eldreds. What goes around, comes around.

Here's a brief clip of Pastor Steve leading congregational singing.

Small churches can and do make a difference for Christ in our world. Willow UMC is an example of such a faithful congregation.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Spiritual retreat

2010-02-21T15:36:00.000-09:00

I am at the Palisades retreat center in Seattle attending the five-day Academy for spiritual formation all this week. It is an ecumenical, semi-monastic community of laity and clergy seeking God. I am hoping to keep my job title a secret. Just want to be Dave, beloved child this week. I would love to have you send me your churches prayer request so that I may lift them in prayer this week. You can let me know your requests by replying to this blog. All of our conference mission sites are in my prayers.

Winter Rendezvous Highlights

2010-02-16T09:13:00.000-09:00

Last week our Alaska appointed and retired mission staff and spouses met for a two-day retreat in Anchorage. The highlight was spending time with Father Michael Oleksa of the Orthodox Church teach us about how to understand different cultures. It is often like two groups of people playing a ball game, only one is playing according to the rules of basketball and the other is using soccer rules. We need to understand one anothers' game and the rules. HEre's a brief clip:

Then it was time to conduct our business, this time at Anchor Park. We have a link for everyone to evaluate this experience and location in the E-Aurora. In addition to our regular committees there was the Vision Team, Annual Conference Planning, and GBGM consultation.

On Sunday we held a joint worship service at Central Lutheran Church in Anchorage commemorating our union. Bishop Hagiya preached a powerful message about a broken Christ for a broken world. Here's a clip of the first hymn, "Lift High the Cross."

I hope all of our Alaska United Methodist leaders will find ways to share what happened at Winter Rendezvous with their churches. Educating our people is an important piece of what we can do to strengthen our connection.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Jewel Lake Parish

2010-01-26T09:04:00.000-09:00

Last but not least is Jewel Lake Parish in Anchorage. This union church is served by Rev. Kay Shock who, after 9 years as pastor, announced her retirement this summer. This little church is full of joy and energy for God. I told them that they were the smilingist church I've seen! Check out this clip.

My good friend, Dr. Curt Karns, executive from the Presbytery of Yukon, was there to share in leading their annual meeting. They will follow the Presbyterian process and receive an interim pastor this summer while they work on their church profile to call a new Presbyterian pastor.

Here's another video clip from Jewel Lake.

I have begun a new task group on new church development. We are examining demographic data and potential leadership as we seek to discover where it is God may be moving us to begin new faith communities.

Now it's time to turn our attention to our Winter Rendezvous and Professional Church Worker's Retreat in a few weeks.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Northern Light/Douglas/First, Anchorage

2010-01-18T10:23:00.000-09:00

Northern Light
Except for St. John I believe Northern Light had the most people at their annual meeting. Here we are singing an opening hymn.

Interim Pastor Kim Poole is guiding this church through their transition and new life is springing forth. Since this is a union church Dr. David Dobler from the Southeast Presbytery joined me in leadership.

Douglas
What a delightful experience for me to be with Douglas Community UMC across the bay from Juneau. Pastor Imelda Ramos shared a slide show with pictures from the past year with an emphasis on the saints who went to glory. Did you know they prepare a breakfast for children FIVE days a week? Pastor Imelda is leaving this summer to move to California to attend seminary for her D.Min. I am working with SPRC on their pastoral transition.

First, Anchorage
Pastor Debra Lindsay-Hudgins had me preaching at their two morning services which was quite fun for me. The outreach ministries of this church are many and varied. IN spite of some struggles they were able to give 100% of their apportionments!
Here is a clip of Deb sharing a message with the children.

Last week I conducted my very first introduction with Peter Perry and St. John SPRC. As you might imagine it was a bit strange to do this for my former church, but very gratifying to see this new relationship develop.

This week is a 5-day trip to Phoenix for Western Jurisdictional meetings. Then my last charge conference with Jewel Lake Parish next Sunday.

Grace and peac,
Dave

Ketchikan, Sitka, and Aldersgate

2010-01-12T14:01:00.000-09:00

My time with the people of First UMC, Ketchikan was wonderful. This church is moving forward with mission, local outreach, Christian education, and hospitality. Pastors Teri and Ev Erbele are leading this church into a new chapter of vitality. We've all heard about Pigs on a Mission. Did you know that they have a birthday blessing where you give a dollar for every year of age on your birthday? These funds go towards their apportionment giving!

Flying in a rainstorm to Sitka was the bumpiest flight of my entire flying career! My time in Sitka was brief but rich. Pastor Luther Oconer has started a new Filipino ministry that is embraced by the church. One of their new members talked with me about ordained ministry. I did not get much time to play with little Ilena Oconer but she is a wonderful little girl.

I went from rain to snow as I made the 25 minute flight from Sitka to Juneau. Monday was spent with Aldersgate UMC in Juneau. Pastor Judy Shook continues to provide excellent leadership as they celebrated all the various and vital ministries over the past year. They showed a nice photo presentation of the year's events.

Tonight is Northern Light and tomorrow is Douglas. Nearly done with charge conferences. I am so impressed with what God is doing in and through all of our churches.

Til next time.
Dave

Worship at East Anchorage UMC

2010-01-05T14:00:00.000-09:00

After returning from a wonderful family vacation in wintry Ohio I needed to plow through my stack of emails and administrative tasks at the office. Since I had not yet worshipped with the East church AND since our wonderful DCM, Leila Disburg, was preaching I wanted to go to church at East last Sunday.

It was a great time of Epiphany worship. Here are two video clips. One is of Jon Disburg singing a song on his guitar.

East Anchorage UMC was the site of my first ever sermon preached in Alaska. It was 1983 and I was on vacation subbing for John Shaffer. Lonnie Brooks was there that day and even remembers the content of that sermon!

Next week I will be with our southeast churches for 5 days. With two more Anchorage churches I will be done with my first round of charge conferences. It continues to be a wonderful journey!

Grace and peace,
Dave

Christmas Vacation

2009-12-29T11:40:00.001-09:00

People have asked me how this experience of Christmas was in my new role. I have to say that it has been wonderful. Our entire family was together in Ohio and don't think we ever laughed so hard. My two sons-in-law are hilarious and fit right in with our ever-teasing family.

We spent alot of time with Kim's family and we visited two former churches. I was amazed at how many of the same people are still there after 30 years in one case.

My brother asked me to lead communion at his church which was cool. All in all it was a real vacation where I only checked my work email a few times. Thanks be to God for such holy retreat times.

Grace and peace,
Dave

Turnagain and Girdwood Chapel

2009-12-14T14:37:00.000-09:00

Only two churches to share with you this week. But are they ever alive and vital!

Turnagain
Who says a gray-headed congregation has to act a certain way? Turnagain UMC even has a retired pastor, Dale Kelley, but are they ever alive! They are reclaiming their mission and purpose, changing and rearranging the building, and reaching out to their neighborhood with the Good News of Christ. They even have a new youth group with 15 teens and a new youth director, Drew Phoenix.

My apologies for not taking any pictures or video. I was too busy being inspired!

Girdwood Chapel
Two worship services, holy communion with a cantored liturgy, children everywhere, a mother bolting out of a pew holding a throwing up child, visual aids projected on the wall, holy excitement. This are some of my impressions with visiting Girdwood.
Here they are blessing each other in a benediction song.

They are hoping to be in their new building by spring. Water is hooked up thanks to a generous donation of labor from a contractor connected with the Turnagain church! This church is discovering new ways to be in mission in their community despite the building delays. Here is a clip of Girdwood saying hi.

Kim and I are flying to Ohio for Christmas. I hope you all find a few moments in your busy days to reflect on God coming to be with us.

Grace and peace,

Dave