During the first couple of years after responding to God’s call to ministry as a 19-year-old kid, my favorite reading material were the journals and memoirs of great preachers from the past, people whom God has used to lead times of spiritual awakening in recent centuries.
Well, after arriving at Centre Grove UMC in July 2008, I spent a little time in the church library looking for any historical information I could find on the church. I came across a book written by one of my predecessors, Rev. W. Lee Spottswood, who served the Clearfield Circuit from 1858 to 1860.
“Brief Annals” was published in 1888, and is Spottswood’s memoirs. The full text is available online at Google Books.
Chapter 12 is about his time as a presiding elder (i.e., district superintendent) and Chapter 13 is about his service as president of Dickinson Seminary (now Lycoming College). Chapter 8 is about his two-year stint in Clearfield (pages 168-194). (See photos of the book below. The photo of Spottswood is located inside the front cover of the copy in the West Side UMC church library; the photo is missing in Centre Grove’s copy.)
On the last page of the preceding chapter, Spottswood recounts a conversation between his wife and the Presiding Elder …
“Where do you want to go, sister Spottswood,” asked the Presiding Elder, of my wife. She emphatically answered: “Any where but to Clearfield and Curwensville.” (167)
Oh well.
Spottswood opens the chapter on his Clearfield experience by relating their expectations and first impressions of the town …
We fancied that it was on the verge of civilization, and I will tell you the reason why. As already seen, we lived in Milesburg, and in the spring we saw the “watermen” of Clearfield county as they were called, hardy, unshaven and unshorn, roughlooking and bronzed with their peculiar toil on the river. They sometimes came to our house, not to beg, but to buy bread; and my wife was afraid of them. We thought that we were going among a rough people and to a hard appointment. But we were young and brave … we did not think of backing down. (168)
Spottswood describes their journey to, and arrival in, Clearfield …
We started on our journey, spent the night at Tyrone, left in the morning on the plank road—then in a most wretched condition, running through the Bald Eagle valley. When we arrived at Bald Eagle furnace, the end of the plank road for us, a fellow came to the door of the coach, opened it and shouted: “Hip! hip! hoora! I’m one of your drinkin’, swearin’ kind.”
“See here, stranger,” said a passenger inside, “we’ve got a preacher in here, and there’s to be no swearing in this coach; if you swear, we’ll pitch you out head-foremost.” There was no swearing on the entire trip.
It was drug, drag, drag, on the dirt road—the mud up to the hub the most of the way. About four o’clock in the afternoon we reached Philipsburg, and dined. In the gloom and chill of a drizzling rain I thought that this town was a most forlorn-looking and God-forsaken place. Far on in the watches of the night we gained the top of the high hill overlooking Clearfield town, and a gentleman exclaimed: “There’s ‘Old Town.’” My wife asked: “How far is it to Clearfield?” The gentleman replied: “‘Old Town’ is Clearfield.” (168-69)
On getting to know and love the people of Clearfield, as well as the importance of the river and rafting in Clearfield, Spottswood writes …
Our first agreeable revelation was that the Clearfielders were not rough, but civilized people; and in all likelihood the rough-looking “watermen” clad in their coarse garments, and tanned by the wind and sun—some of them anyhow—were merchants, doctors, lawyers and even preachers, for everybody went down the river on a raft. The most of the people lived and dressed well, for lumbermen are remarkable for their liberal, sometimes extravagant outlay of money. It comes in a pile and goes in a pile; and many a home was elegant in all its appointments.
He continues …
The minds of the very children were imbued with the idea of rafting; it was their play in its season. My wife had charge of the infant class in Sunday school, and taught the children every Sabbath a text of scripture. One Sabbath this was the text: “Let not the sun go down on your wrath.” A little one with a bright face and a sweet voice said to her mother: “Mamma, I know what the text was to-day.” “Well, what was it, my dear?” “Why, it was: ‘Don’t let your son go down on a raft.’ (172-73)
One of the spiritual events that Spottswood shares is a story about the conversion and subsequent faith struggle of a man who became a friend …
Dr. Thompson, of Curwensville, was present. He often went to church simply because it was the fashion, and when there, as he himself said to me, “heard nothing, but spent the time thinking and planning how to make five dollars.” The oddity of this sermon arrested his attention; he listened to it carefully from beginning to end; it awakened and convicted him of sin. He was soon afterwards converted, and received into the Methodist Episcopal Church. Religion produced in him a great and wonderful change—felt by himself and seen by all. He became a rapid learner in Christian experience, was made a class-leader, managed with great skill and success the subscriptions for the new church, and superintended with constancy and good judgment its building from its foundation to cap-stone.
I was with him on the first fierce assault of Satan after his conversion—summoned at midnight to his side by his wife. My wife followed me. I found him kneeling in the middle of the room, and pleading piteously with God; “Oh! Lord God, have mercy on me.” “Stop, Dr.,” I said, “and let us see what is the matter.” “Oh! Mr. Spottswood, I have doubted; Lord Jesus, have mercy on my soul.”
It was a sad hour—a dreadful conflict! I explained the situation to him as best I could. I prayed for him. And when we arose from our knees, I asked him: “How do you feel now?” He answered: “A little better.” We talked again. I prayed once more. And Dr. Thompson gained a signal victory. That night’s terrific conflict taught him that the Christian life is a battle, and that night’s hard-won victory showed him how in future assaults to foil the mighty foe. (177-78)
On the spiritual awakening that took place in town, at one point during his ministry here, he writes …
We had a glorious camp-meeting, and many of the chief citizens were converted. Brother G., of Clearfield town, where there had been a long, religious dearth, went around the camp-ground, crying: “Oo, oo! I do believe the Lord is going to do something for Clearfield.” (180)
Spottswood obviously enjoyed is time in Clearfield. His departure from Clearfield was pretty dramatic …
The time came to leave one of the pleasantest charges we ever had, where God crowned our labors with signal success; but we staid a week after our goods were packed up in the interest of the revival. At last we left with regret, and three hundred dollars saved from our salary. We were driven in a two-horse sleigh to Clearfield town, and thence to the bank of Clearfield creek, then to take the stage, waiting for us.
A flood had swept away the bridge, and to reach the stage we had to cross a foot-log. My wife slipped. One foot was off the log. She pressed her side against an upright, seized the slender railing above her with one hand, and drew herself up with a super-human effort. She was saved from falling into the stream beneath her, either to be swept away in its angry waters, or to be dashed to pieces upon its jagged rocks. How true it is, as David said to Jonathan, in a time of danger: “There is but a step between me and death.” (187)
It’s encouraging and challenging to read about ministry that took place here 150 years ago. No doubt, there were seasons of renewal as well as seasons of dryness. My hope and prayer — my aim — is that we experience another season of awakening in the near future!
We celebrated his birthday on Sunday with his babysitters and Sunday morning caregivers at our place. Ethan enjoyed spending time with everyone, and he certainly enjoyed all the attention!
I say “surviving” rather than “survived” because, technically, we’re between sessions of Annual Conference this year. Last weekend, the Central Pennsylvania Conference held its 222nd and final session. This coming Saturday will be the first Annual Conference of the new Susquehanna Conference (with a special session to be held later in September).
Ethan was with us each of the last two years, but Sarah made it our first time with two children. Fortunately, we had a suite on campus with plenty of room, because we needed it!
We’ve been attending annual conferences for twelve years and how different they are with children! The kids kept us moving — getting up early to make sure we’re all ready in time for breakfast, then getting them to childcare. After the morning and afternoon sessions, we walked to another building on campus to pick up the kids before going to the cafeteria for lunch or dinner. Anyway, it’s a busy time!
Sarah didn’t sleep too well (especially Friday night). But our biggest concern, which I mentioned Thursday night, was how the kids would handle childcare in an unfamiliar place with people they didn’t know. But, actually, we were very proud of how well both Ethan and Sarah handled childcare both days we were there! The fact that they both did well was a huge relief for us!
Of course, writing for the Daily Link also adds to our busyness there (although, since we’ve had kid(s), we’ve been doing lighter duty). But it’s part of our annual conference experience — the only year we haven’t written for the conference publication, so far, was our first (1999)!
The last two books on the list are in connection with the Wesley Study Bible. The only reason I haven’t picked up a copy of this study Bible is because we expect to receive copies when we are ordained (at least, that’s what those who were ordained last year received).
Speaking of ordination, the first ordination service of the new Susquehanna Conference will conclude this Saturday’s uniting conference. Afterward, Joleen and I (along with those in our ordination class) will be “on deck” (that is, we’re on track to be ordained next year!).
Till then, here are some photos from our final night at annual conference this past weekend …
This afternoon, we traveled to Messiah College where the Central Pennsylvania Conference is meeting for its 222nd and final annual conference! We will meet again next Saturday (6/12) to unite with the Pennsylvania churches from the Wyoming Conference (northeastern PA) to form the Susquehanna Conference. Exciting times.
This is Sarah’s first time here. It’s amazing how much longer it takes to get ready to go to annual conference with two kids!
We finally arrived in town around 6:00 p.m. We had a picnic dinner at a local park with Penny, a friend of Joleen’s from high school who lives in the area. We had great weather for the trip but as we arrived at the park, so did a thunderstorm. It was some of the heaviest rain I’ve seen in a while. By the time we finished eating and packed it in, we were all at least a little bit wet.
When we arrived on campus, we were greeted by a nice rainbow (a double rainbow, at one point). We got everything loaded into our room around 8:00 p.m. and as expected, it took the kids a while to unwind. Sarah finally went to sleep a few minutes ago, around 10:30 p.m. Before that, it was a rather loud hour!
The big concern now is how the kids handle child care with strangers. Ethan has not usually handled it too well, especially the drop-off. We’ll find out how he handles it this year (his third trip to annual conference) as well as how Sarah handles her first time here!
Well, we’re in for a couple of long days. In the meantime, here are some photos from the day …
Two months ago, I started an experiment (see Desperate Preachers 1.0) writing down what I prayed in the hours before preaching on Sunday morning.
It’s been a valuable experience. I was surprised how much I wrote the first week and how well it came together. The other thing I noticed is how much I revised it each week — sometimes minor adjustments, sometimes major ones.
The process resulted in developing a “desperate preacher’s prayer guide,” which flows out of the one-sentence prayer, “Lord, prepare me to communicate your message to change the world! Thanks!”
Two things should be noted: 1) It’s a guide, not necessarily a prayer to be read from beginning to end, and 2) it’s a work in progress so it’s not polished or done; it’ll change again this weekend, maybe a little, maybe a lot.
Desperate Preacher’s Prayer Guide Lord, prepare me to communicate your message to change the world! Thanks!
Lord, prepare me …
“I have entered into the ministry of Jesus Christ, to the Father, through the Holy Spirit, on behalf of the world!” (see Trinitarian Theology of Ministry)
I surrender! I humble myself! I make myself available to you!
Give me clean hands and a pure heart! Dress me in your armor!
This is your idea! I’m desperate for you! I’ll go, but I cannot go alone!
Here I am, Lord, send me!
To communicate your message …
I am a witness / connector / conduit / voice crying out in the wilderness!
Help me to be in tune with God!
May the words of my mouth / meditations of my heart be acceptable to you!
Help me to connect with / communicate to people who need: Savior / Shepherd; rescued; hope; revived / awakened; to know how to grow! You write the words! Say what you want to say—nothing more, nothing less.
Give me courage and boldness to be a Truth-teller!
Help me to be clear / focused / concise / passionate!
Anoint / empower me! Fill me with your Spirit! Set me on fire!
To change the world!
May your Word penetrate hearts / minds!
May your message produce much fruit!
May people come to Christ / grow in Christ!
Change hearts. Transform lives. Change the world!
Thanks!
Thank you for what you are doing and for what you will do!
Spent the afternoon today at Grammy and Pappy’s in Williamsburg, PA.
Good holiday, but naps were scarce. Sarah had a short nap at Grammy and Pappy’s, but Ethan delayed his nap until the trip home; Sarah got a short nap on the way home, too.
The kids must be tired — so far, they’re sleeping through this evening’s thunderstorms!
One of the main reasons I went all out in the Health Flex HealthMiles Challenge was simply to see what I could do and to put myself to the (physical and mental) test. Going all out every day required me to push through some challenges along the way, including …
Getting up 29 mornings between 5:00 and 6:00 and walking 10,000 in about 75 minutes (more or less).
Staying on track every day by constantly monitoring my progress and making sure I was on target. It was at least as much of a mental test as a physical one.
Working through occasional pain.
Four days devoted to the trip to Washington D.C, including at least 6 hours total travel time on Sunday and Wednesday as well as several hours of sitting Monday through Wednesday morning.
Life is like that. There will always be obstacles and challenges. We need determination to stick it out. It’s a discipline. We need to develop the discipline of determination, the ability to stick to it.
It’s wise to practice determination in the smaller things so that when we encounter the bigger things, we’ll have the determination to stick it out and to keep moving forward!
Question: Where do you need to develop the discipline of determination?
When we were in Washington D.C. for the GBCS seminar last month, we met with a staffer in Senator Robert Casey’s office who, on a particular issue, said it was good to receive our input because they “hear so much noise,” much of it negative.
This idea has stuck with me. The noise describes all the stuff we see and hear that distracts us from our mission and keeps us from having peace.
Recently, it struck me that leaders must learn to cut through the noise in order to stay on task and lead with clarity.
Life is filled with noise now more than ever. In recent centuries, the amount of information available to us has dramatically increased through the printing press, radio, television, and most recently, the internet.
All of these things are tremendous developments, of course. But they’ve also increased the noise level. It’s our responsibility to cut through the noise to find those things that are most valuable so that we can stay on task and help others stay on task.
Here are a few challenges leaders face …
Choosing what we take in and focus on (through reading, listening, etc.). With so many resources out there, it’s impossible to read them all. Leaders must learn to make good decisions about what they read/listen to.
Using social media wisely/effectively. With so many social media channels (forums, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.), leaders must learn to use them wisely and efficiently. (See today’s blog post by John Ortberg, What Would Jesus Tweet?)
Prioritizing Bible reading, praying, thinking, dreaming/visioning, etc.
Leaders must learn to handle the noise in their own lives. And, because we have a message to communicate and a mission to lead, leaders much also cut through the noise in other people’s lives!
To cut through the noise in other people’s lives, a leader’s communication must be clear, focused, concise, and passionate.
If a leader’s message isn’t clear, focused, concise, and passionate (i.e., from the heart), it just adds to the noise in people’s lives and will ultimately make little or no impact. This is why one-point preaching, which focuses on one point and building everything around it, is so important (not just for preaching!). I’ve been using this approach for four years, and it’s still a constant challenge to maintain focus!
In addition to being clear, focused, and concise, our communication also has to be passionate. According to Jim Rohn, “Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.”
A leader wants to make a difference in the world. I believe our impact is directly related to our ability to cut through the noise, in our lives and in the lives of others!
Philippians 4.8-9 (NLT) …
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise … Then the God of peace will be with you.
Summer is upon us! Some days we can feel it in the warm sunshine and some days we wonder as we experience the cool rain and blustery winds. One day I was in eastern PA and we traveled from balmy eighty degree temperatures to an icy mix as we approached Clearfield! Nevertheless, summer is coming … just ask any student how many days of school remain!
Summer is a time of renewal and rest; a time of connecting with family and friends. It is a time of vacation, family reunions, class reunions, and travel, for weekends at the cabin and more. Rev. Melvin Amerson says that it is “M.M.I.A. Season,” which is an acronym for Members Missing In Action. The season can begin with Mothers’ Day and continue through Labor Day, including the additional holidays of Memorial Day, Fathers’ Day and 4th of July, as well as vacation time.
While we may need some vacation time; God never goes on vacation and the work of the Lord never stops. The ministry of West Side UMC continues throughout the summer. Summer is the grand time for weddings. It is the time for one of our main children’s discipleship and outreach events: Vacation Bible School. We expand our worship services to include a Sunday 8:30 am service. And our leaders are busy planning for the Fall.
We need your continued financial support throughout the summer. Let us be mindful of God’s continued presence in our lives throughout the summer. Even when we are away from West Side, God goes with us. Even when we are away from West Side, God continues to minister to and through West Side. Let’s support God’s Church while we are on vacation!
